Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - C. Itoh Bridgestone Japanese Road Bike

Hey all,

I'm looking at this road bike tonight, and was looking to see what you all thought. I've heard of C. Itoh before and their connection with Bridgestone and know they made some pretty solid bikes. Do you think this is worth it for $95?

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/bik/1418421923.html

Thanks











http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/bik/1418421923.html

A bottom end bike in very good condition. I would think it would not last long in the DC market. It really depends what you are looking for. In most markets, at that price, you are not going to get much better. But there is a huge difference in the quality of the $100 bike versus a $200 bike.

No, not really, not considering that it's easy to buy a bike costing that or 50 to 100 more that'll be much more rewarding to ride.
If you absolutely must have a sub-100 dollar bike that's in VG shape as listed then OK.
Numerous bikes are out there that have CHRML. tubing, good components etc.; bikes that are lighter and work better.
It seems that you're taken with the Bridgestone aspect. The brand and it's sub-brands made plenty of beginner's bikes like that one. It's just a company as mythical as it is legendary.
I had a cheap bike back then, different brand. I could notice a huge difference in the bikes that were to follow.
Such bikes were priced at 120 to 160 back then '76 to eighty something. The bike suits a ccollecter of cheap bikes not a rider.

Thanks for the insight. I suppose I was just enamored with the price and the fact that a bike on CL was actually my size. I'll hold off until I find a better road bike. I appreciate the input.

Thanks for the insight. I suppose I was just enamored with the price and the fact that a bike on CL was actually my size. I'll hold off until I find a better road bike. I appreciate the input.

Somebody will buy that bike, to them it'll be worth it as it is to the seller.
Having spent time here lately, I've come to rethink my possition in what's good for whom.
Members like work and others are here to advise. This forum is a valuable resourse that can be used as a tool. So exploit it by seperating-out bikes that are/were not inherently good enough to provide performance for even a semi-serous rider. YOU can do it, others not lucky enough can't. They end-up with the toys.

+1 Its a bottom end recreational level bike. If that's what you are looking for, fine. Most are looking for a more serious bike. At the $200 level or so, you will start seeing some really good bikes, much better components, much lighter weight, etc.

And if you are thrifty like me, and want to get a lot of bike for a low price, then you need to look into the garage sale or thrift store circuit. The awesome deals on C/L last about a millisecond. Now if you are OK paying full market (no problem with that), then you can find some really good bikes on C/L. But the really great deals are also "projects", where you have to be willing and able to fix up the bike. So if that is not your interest, then I would just pursue the ready to ride bikes on Craigs List, and pay full market for a really good one.