Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - How much should I offer for this Centurion?

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa87/DVC45/IMG_2258.jpg

Its not for sale yet, but with a little convincing, I think it will be. :D
What's a fair price for this bike?
No rusts, just dirty and some tiny gash.
Thanks!

$225 in Tampa.....street price.

Centurions in that small range of years may not be as interesting to some as mid-80s models. Many of the features of the bike indicate the year and "quality". It's a nice bike and Cents. do well when up for sale. It could easily get what these fellows stated. I myself wouldn't be interested in it at half the price if it had 27" wheels, given the year. Looks like they're 700Cs, you can answer that. So you may want to tout that when selling it. You ought to have stated it here as well as the tubing (Infinity ?) Moreover, you yourself should take note, for if you wanted to upgrade, 700's the way to go. It's an appealing bike and the Exage works well.

Its has a 700c wheels and Tange Infinity tubing. Oh, and I'm buying it not selling. I will, of course flip it after I stare at it for awhile, then I can ask you guys again how much to sell it. :D

Maybe $100-$150? That is a very basic model. See the seatpost? It's a pin (maybe steel, but probably alloy) with a steel clamp bolted to it. Looks like stamped dropouts, too.

If I wanted to flip it, I wouldn't spend more than $50, probably less. But that's if you want a $100 or so profit. I think the most I could get for it in the NYC metro market is the $225 Jim mentioned...after completely overhauling, cleaning, and lubing, replacing consumables, et al.

Needs tires, bar tape, seat, lube?, and I'm not a big fan of the bio-pace. But if you are trying to talk someone into selling it, it would be hard to put those points out there. Try $125. Good luck.

Needs tires, bar tape, seat, lube?, and I'm not a big fan of the bio-pace. But if you are trying to talk someone into selling it, it would be hard to put those points out there. Try $125. Good luck.

Okay, off topic, but I don't mind (hey, I'm the OP :) ), but, what's bad about Bio-pace?

Okay, off topic, but I don't mind (hey, I'm the OP :) ), but, what's bad about Bio-pace?

There isn't really anything wrong with it... it's really a matter of personal preference. Some people think they feel strange. I have Bio-pace rings on my Trek and I don't feel much of a difference, I also have a set of "roundtech" rings and think they are fine too.

I was told that they were designed to be most effective at 50rpm, and after that not too great. I rode with a set this summer and was not impressed and mostly was faster than 50rpm.

I was told that they were designed to be most effective at 50rpm, and after that not too great. I rode with a set this summer and was not impressed and mostly was faster than 50rpm.

Interesting, I have never heard that before. I spin faster than 50rpm, somewhere around 80 and all seemed well in the two larger rings. Although I HATE the way the granny gear feels, I just assumed that the sensation was exaggerated in the smaller ring.

I was working in at a dealer back in the day when biopace was introduced by Shimano. The only complaint we heard was from the road/race guys who commented that they bounced a bit in the saddle at higher RPM. Most of them swapped out the big ring for something round but kept the smaller Biopace ring because they felt it helped a touch on the hills.

Shimano subsequently introduced Biopace II which is more round. Many of todays Tour de France use a similar concept to Biopace called 'Rotor Rings' which supports their effectiveness at higher cadences.


In regards to the OP's bike, if your loking for a 'flip' bike I wouldnt pay more than $75. Beyond that your profits will be minimized. Work backwards from a prospective sale price. In Tampa I could get $225 for it so:

$225-$20(tires)-$10(cables)-$10(bar tape)-$3(gas)-$100(profit) = $82 max buy price.

I dont buy anything that I cant make $100 profit on. Adjust your pricing accordingly, it may not need some of the items I listed or you may be able to get those items for less or you may not be able to sell it for what I can in Tamp. I always pad the numbers to benifit myself.

Scenario #2 with a $175 sale price:

$175-$18(tires)-$6(cables/Bell/Walmart)-$3(gas)-$75(profit)= $77 max buy price.

My first bike had bio-pace rings, and I always liked how it felt. I had a friend who was a racing snob...and he convinced me to trash them, claiming they blew out your knees and caused irregular pedaling habbits. I recently saw something Sheldon brown wrote about them, and he liked them a lot...saying they were great for touring. If memory serves, Sheldon said they were best at lower cadence...in the 70-80 RPM range...and not as good in the 90-100 area. I've always ridden in the low 80s, so maybe that's why I liked them.

Its has a 700c wheels and Tange Infinity tubing. Oh, and I'm buying it not selling. I will, of course flip it after I stare at it for awhile, then I can ask you guys again how much to sell it. :D
Given this statement, I would definitely buy below market. As an end user/keeper, you can justify paying close to full market. But if it is something you will sell, then +1 the comments from other flippers, somewhere in the $75 price range as is.

The good news is that the frame and paint look to be in really good condition. So it has the makings of a good flip.

$100