Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Another Nishiki Modulus - a good price?

Nishiki Modulus, Performance Equipe, 12 Speed Road Bike. 4130 CR-MO frame and forks, Exage Action components.

http://images.craigslist.org/3n33kb3mcZZZZZZZZZ95q370eb46e9ec61ee3.jpg

The lowest I can get the person to sell it to me for is $130. I feel like if I'm spending over $100 on an old bike, I'm spending too much. Is this actually a good deal, or can I do better for $130 if I hunt around?

It's a good value at $130. I could easily sell it for $200 around here.

Nishiki Modulus, Performance Equipe, 12 Speed Road Bike. 4130 CR-MO frame and forks, Exage Action components.

http://images.craigslist.org/3n33kb3mcZZZZZZZZZ95q370eb46e9ec61ee3.jpg

I feel like if I'm spending over $100 on an old bike, I'm spending too much. Is this actually a good deal, or can I do better for $130 if I hunt around?

That's a terrible rule. You'd spend $300+ just for a frame and fork of similar quality today. From that perspective a complete bike for $130 is a steal. No offense, but it always gets me when someone thinks a bike has no value just because it's old.

We're lucky the general public doesn't realize just how good mid to upper range older steel bikes are. They're starting to wake up. Take a good bike for $130 while you can get it.

Nishiki Modulus, Performance Equipe, 12 Speed Road Bike. 4130 CR-MO frame and forks, Exage Action components.

http://images.craigslist.org/3n33kb3mcZZZZZZZZZ95q370eb46e9ec61ee3.jpg

The lowest I can get the person to sell it to me for is $130. I feel like if I'm spending over $100 on an old bike, I'm spending too much. Is this actually a good deal, or can I do better for $130 if I hunt around?

A good buy - but be sure to take off those bottle holders, change the stem, headset and bars to some plain aluminium ones - etc, etc - and you will have a nice ride..

Nice geometry on that frame. Appears to be what was called 'fast-touring' back in the day. I'd snap it up for $130.

Thanks for the opinions everyone, I'll be going to check the bike out today. The standover is about .6 inches shorter than my current bike, so hopefully the geometry will save me with a decent fit.


No offense, but it always gets me when someone thinks a bike has no value just because it's old.

None taken. I'm not saying that older bikes (and this one) aren't worth anything because of their age, I'm simply saying that, those $20 deals are still out there with some holding out, and nothing matches that satisfaction of getting a great, gently used bike for a low low price.

Looks like a decent deal

None taken. I'm not saying that older bikes (and this one) aren't worth anything because of their age, I'm simply saying that, those $20 deals are still out there with some holding out, and nothing matches that satisfaction of getting a great, gently used bike for a low low price.

The point to be made is the Modulus is pretty far up the Nishiki food chain. As I recall its about 4th out of nine bikes in 88. As a Nishiki fan, I've picked up Nishikis and other brands of bikes for $20, but rarely do you find something higher than a Custom Sport for $20. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but it's rare and you usually spend a good deal of gas money finding that bike. As a point of reference, if that bike was in NC instead of NJ, you wouldn't be going back to look at it because it would be in my basement:D. It's my size too!

Everything is relative. I think he's gauging against his $80 Modulus find a couple weeks back. Hard to go up $50 on something which might not be as mint as your $80 find. However, if you plan to ride it, $130 isn't bad. Not a great price for a flipper, but decent for a keeper. Still, find some things wrong with it and try to break the seller down lower on the price! :D

As a point of reference, I found the Modulus posted in your other thread for $20 at a garage sale. Completely overhauled it, made the triple drivetrain modifications, rode it for a while before deciding it was too big, and then sold it to a city dweller for $200 to ride in the NYC bike tour. Saw it posted a month or so later. The buyer ripped off my ad copy and photos, and added a line about it having a flat rear tire. He was asking $250. A NYC BF member contacted me, having recognized the photo, thinking it may have been stolen!

Everything is relative. I think he's gauging against his $80 Modulus find a couple weeks back. Hard to go up $50 on something which might not be as mint as your $80 find. However, if you plan to ride it, $130 isn't bad. Not a great price for a flipper, but decent for a keeper. Still, find some things wrong with it and try to break the seller down lower on the price! :D

Yeah, you're right JunkYard. I felt like the red/white modulus was just way more awesome, for way less paper. Regardless, I bought and sold this bike in about 4 hours. I was really looking for something that I could do some long, 20+ mile rides with. While this Modulus is great for that purpose, it was just small enough for me to find it uncomfortable. I put i back on craigslist and within 1 hour sold it to someone who fit it much better and will be using it as their first road bike, for the same price I bought it.