Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Is this 1988 Schwinn Traveler Worth $140? (pic)

Hi guys,

I'm not sure whether I should buy or not; it's a 58cm frame, 10speed, none of the components are new, but they have been tuned up. Both tires need to be replaced.

http://images.craigslist.org/3kd3m63ofZZZZZZZZZ969bd20b65a29791d92.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/3k93pc3ldZZZZZZZZZ969911f1df3e5b71df6.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/3n03od3laZZZZZZZZZ969c3526bad48ac136c.jpg

Nope. $75 max.

Nope. Considering it needs another $30 in parts I'd keep looking.

Agreed. Offer $50.00

Ummm...I don't know what the 88 traveler is like, but I have a 1990. It has butted 4130 "TrueTemper" frame, and Exage Sport/Biopace Components. I think it's a great bike. If the '88 is comparable and in decent shape, I'd pay $75-100.

I wouldn't call that bike professionally tuned up given the routing of the front brake cable: measure twice, cut once (the cable housing that is). Brake caliper release is in the wrong position, so I wonder about how true are the wheels. Given the condition of the visible parts, it makes me wonder about the parts I can't see in the pics: wheel and bottom bracket bearings, rust, etc.


In pristine, ready to ride condition, this could be a $175 bike, But the paint on the frame looks marginal as well.

I would offer $50 if I planned to do the needed repairs myself. If you pay someone to do them, the economics go away pretty quick.

If memory serves me well that should be atleast a 12 speed.

4130 frame and hi-ten for.

http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1980_1990/1988_16.html

You all are crazy. And it depends what market you're in. As a consumer, $125-140 is reasonable for that bike, as long as the wheels are straight, frame is straight, and everything is in fairly good condition.

On the other hand, it doesn't look like its been tuned up, so I'd offer closer to $100. You can take it and work on it yourself at a community bike shop with open shop hours, if there's one nearby.

We all may well be crazy.

My comments only reflect my experiences, buying, refurbishing, and selling a fair number of bikes. The OP can and should make his own decision on what makes sense to him.

I have owned a Traveler, along with several other Schwinns, some much better models, some not as good. I see enough defects/shortcomings in those small pictures to reduce my interest.

If I was going to pay full market price for a bike at that level, then I would look for a bike with excellent paint, ready to ride condition, and no rust.

absolutely not.