Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Schwinn Collegiate 3 Price

Just came across a Schwinn Collegiate 3 at a consignment shop in excellent condition, but I thought the $230 price tag seemed a bit steep.

Any thoughts?

Had a little trouble finding my original post, but I found it once I posted again.

Sorry, I'm a newbie!

Just came across a Schwinn Collegiate 3 at a consignment shop in excellent condition, but I thought the $230 price tag seemed a bit steep.

Any thoughts?

I agree way too steep, from $25 to $75 on the top end.

Yes, I think that is really steep. I am not going to knock Collegiates, I own one myself. The point is they are abundant, and one of the lowest on Schwinn's totem pole. I would only pay 100.00 or a little more for a totally overhauled Collegiate, I bet the one at the consignment shop needs work done so 25.00-40.00 sounds about right

I have one better for you. There is a new post in the Hartford , CT craigslist bike list =a Collegiate from the 80's for $900. There is a subsequent post where someone is suggesting a more reasonable $75 to $150.00 price.

Is it one of the '80's Collegiates, made with a lugged frame & tubular fork? (Is it a Giant-made bike?) These are lighter weight & better riders than the '70's Chicago models, I would think. The imported models use 590 mm bead diameter tires, for which good quality tires are available. The Chicago model with Schwinn steel rims requires 597 tires & only two basic-quality tires are available (Kenda & Cheng-Shin, each in two colors I think). Either one is a durable, serious bike, but given these factors, the imported one is worth more.

I have a 'Speedster' 3-speed. Changing the rear cog from 18 to 22 (46/22 gearing) made all the difference in rideability, giving a low gear that didn't pain my knees. I also had to replace/lengthen the chain by one link.

I had a 3 speed Collegiate that I fixed up and sold last year. It was a late 70's model, with the half fenders, and it road really nicely. I had gotten it for free at a garage sale and had to replace all the rubber, do some rust clean up (well a lot of rust clean up) and re-grease everything but the rear SA hub. I sold it for $85. If the chrome was in better shape (the rims had some pitting) I would have tried for $125-135.

I think if one is in really pristine shape it might go for $200, which would be the premium for a bike making it multiple decades without damage and scars.

Around here, I would expect it to sell in the $75 to $100 range, and at that price, it would be a really nice example. $125 would be the upper end.

Thanks for your help everyone.
I actually did a little more digging and found a schwinn collegiate 3 in my area listed for $75, but they say they need new tires. From other threads I read, it sounds like depending on the year and origin of the bike, tires can range in price.

anyone have any ideas on what tires would cost for this one?

http://annarbor.craigslist.org/bik/1272739187.html

They are probably these tires available for $12.95 each...

http://www.biketiresdirect.com/pkesc6/kenda_s-6_schwinn_26/pp.htm

EDIT: That bike looks worth $75 to me...

Re- tires: No problem with excessive expense for either older or newer Schwinn 26 x 1 3/8".

The 80's version Schwinn middleweights have the world-standard 590 / 26" x 1-3/8" . More tires available; inexpensive & slightly more expensive http://www.biketiresdirect.com/search_results.asp?kw2=590

The availability of different 590 tires is a plus for the later Schwinn. I wish the 597s were available in flat-resistant & slightly wider style. The basic tire listed earlier is the only one or maybe one of two & maybe they're both made in the same factory & materials..