Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - As a reference...

A 2004 Trek 5200 with Ultegra is worth no more than 38% of MSRP!!!

Original MSRP of $2799 and selling for $1000. Ouch. A 2009 Madone 4.7 with Ultegra MSRP's for $2750. Ouch.

How do you calculate depreciation? I just spent 60% MSRP on a 2006 (lesser Tiagra equipped bike) with 1500 miles. Definitely not a bargain, but it is a less common (at least on CL) modern road bike model with clearance for fenders and wide tires.

How do you calculate depreciation? I just spent 60% MSRP on a 2006 (lesser Tiagra equipped bike) with 1500 miles. Definitely not a bargain, but it is a less common (at least on CL) modern road bike model with clearance for fenders and wide tires.

Dealer markup is 33% so bikes lose that after year 1. After year one manufacturers sell left overs to dealers at a significant discount. That why you'll see year old models on the dealer floor for 30-35% off. No delear is going to take a full markup hit but what they're doing is selling bikes they bought on closeout.

Example: $1000 MSRP bikes costs the dealer $650. Dealer profits $350. As the new season approaches the manufactuer will sell the same bike to the dealer for $400 (guesstimate). The dealer sells it for 30% off MSRP or $700 but is still making $300 because it was bought on closeout for $400.

Year 1 depreciation: 35%
Year 2 depreciation: upto 50%

Here are an extreme example of an NOS bike offered at 47% of MSRP:

http://lakelandtrek.com/product/07-trek-madone-ssl-6.9-28512-1.htm

that is what is so nice about Bianchi. there is a guy in Philly selling a '89 Premio for $425 (marked down from 475) and the orginal price was $379 LOL

that is what is so nice about Bianchi. there is a guy in Philly selling a '89 Premio for $425 (marked down from 475) and the orginal price was $379 LOL

I'm thinking it may be our region. I've never seen the discounts you're talking about Jim. I was eying a 2 year old bike at an LBS that they were only discounting at 13% off MSRP. And they wouldn't budge on the price.

I wasn't exactly happy paying 60% for my bike, but it was actually cheaper than the going rate on ebay, and probably in line with the going market rate on CL.

I think Jim's estimate is pretty close on late model bikes. Just another great reason to not buy a brand new bike!


On vintage bikes, you will see bikes selling now for as much or more than their original MSRP. Jts a different market, and MSRP in 1980 has very little relevance to today. I do get people that want to know the original MSRP of a vintage bike. I always give them the same answer, I have no idea.

I was eying a 2 year old bike at an LBS that they were only discounting at 13% off MSRP. And they wouldn't budge on the price.

I wasn't exactly happy paying 60% for my bike, but it was actually cheaper than the going rate on ebay, and probably in line with the going market rate on CL.

13% means its was a bike the dealer paid full price for versus being a bike they bought on closeout. 60% is OK as its all relevant to what similar bikes are selling for.




that is what is so nice about Bianchi. there is a guy in Philly selling a '89 Premio for $425 (marked down from 475) and the orginal price was $379 LOL

Thats alot for a Premio!!!


Its important to keep in mind that there's a transition point and a stagnation point in pricing. For instance, a 2000 bike may stall in regards to depreciation because similar 2009 bikes are so expensive. If a 105 STI is retailing for $1700 that will help to support the price of a 2000 model year old bike.

Somebody forgot to tell the folks in Raleigh that their bikes depreciate substantially. I'm watching three and four year old bikes asking for 80% or more of their original retail.......and getting very close to it.

Yea, Ive always noticed that newer, CF bikes in particular, depreciate in value insanely quick. Kinda like cars huh? 2010 comes out, 2009 models prices drop like a brick.

I noticed even more when a friend bought a Specialized Tarmac 2009 http://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2009&Brand=Specialized&Model=Tarmac+Comp+C2&Type=bike for $1,200 outfitted with partial Ultegra.

Add in the internet discounting, and it further depresses the used market, especially on newer CF bikes. I'm seeing prices on CL for 4-5 year old bikes equal to what bikesdirect.com is selling new 2009's for, especially Kestrels.

A regional dealer here was selling Cervelo's with deep discounts, year old models, at expo's and triathlon training sessions. Imagine being in the crowd and realizing you spent $3500 on the bike the dealer is now selling for 1800 a year later, new.

A 2004 Trek 5200 with Ultegra is worth no more than 38% of MSRP!!!

Original MSRP of $2799 and selling for $1000. Ouch. A 2009 Madone 4.7 with Ultegra MSRP's for $2750. Ouch.

Trek 5200 USPS edition 56cm - $900 (Durham )

2009 Kestrel Talon SL New! - $2499 (Cary, NC) 10-sp DA 7800 w/Rolf Vector Comp wheels. MSRP with Ultegra SL $3500.

These on CL here today.