Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - 1977 Schwinn Caliente

Hello,
I just bought a 1977 Schwinn Caliente off Craigslist for $40. It is Chicago made, has very little rust, and all original parts.
It has the Schwinn positron shifters and a once piece crankset. It also has the kickstand welded to the frame.
I know the Chicago schwinn frames are supposed to be good, but I was wondering if I paid a fair price? or if maybethe bike was worth more. Thank you in advance.

Its a $40 bike in average condition. Probably has the usual Schwinn kickstand that is removable (good instructions out there on the web). Looks like the bike has the Shimano Front Freewheel System (FFS).

Frame appears to be in really good shape paint wise, which would make this a good deal. All cleaned up and ready to ride, maybe a $100 bike, although I avoid FFS bikes. But to a casual rider, it should be fine.

You got your money's worth for $40. It's a low end bike from a quality manufacturer. If you're looking for an old roadie to have some fun with you got a good deal. I would not put much money into it just the usual tires, chain, bar tape type stuff. Then ride the snot out of it. Your bike is a heavy bike and if you like riding it, you'll love upgrading to a lighter bike later.

You paid a very fair price for this absolutely bombproof bike. Frame ,fork, wheels, crank, will last forever. Only problem is finding parts , in the future , for the Shimano Positron indexed shifting system. Specific shifter, rear derailleur , and cable. However, in the meantime, enjoy this great, solid bike.

You paid a very fair price for this absolutely bombproof bike. Frame ,fork, wheels, crank, will last forever. Only problem is finding parts , in the future , for the Shimano Positron indexed shifting system. Specific shifter, rear derailleur , and cable. However, in the meantime, enjoy this great, solid bike.

thanks, I bought because i don't like riding my road bike on campus and (gasp) lock it to a bike rack.

I've been looking a craigslist too for a older bike too...I found a few, but the sellers wanted more than I willing to pay...I looking for that gem! BTW good find...good price too!

As it is turning into a buyer's market, the closer we get into winter, the lower and more reasonable bike prices should get. Depending where you live, you should be able to get something like a Schwinn Varsity or Panasonic for $50 to $60. All depends if the seller wants to sell it now, or let it sit around until spring.

As it is turning into a buyer's market, the closer we get into winter, the lower and more reasonable bike prices should get. Depending where you live, you should be able to get something like a Schwinn Varsity or Panasonic for $50 to $60. All depends if the seller wants to sell it now, or let it sit around until spring.

Yes indeed. Not a real lot out there as far shear quantity and one still needs to sift through but I've been spotting PLENTY on e-bay and CL, not MY CL but others I've checked. Better than it was a month ago. I can't see NOT finding a good deal yet I'm reading that some "can't find bikes "....... ???

Odd, but there are tons of bikes being posted here on Craigslist in Connecticut. The weather has been very warm for this time of year, but I see the regular sellers keep re-posting their bikes, which means that they ain't selling. This time of year is quite dead for bikes here. I recently saw a very nice Fuji touring road bikes with STI and cantilver brakes selling for $135- quite a bargain and it lasted 1 day. There are still nuts out there asking $250 and more for bikes that are 30 years old and worth $50 to $75. My point is that someone can get a good deal if the seller wants to move the bike now rather than let it sit in the garage until Spring.

Buyers looking for something special will still pay market pricing right now around here, if it is ready to ride and well marketed. But it will take longer to sell. Our local C/L rarely has anything vintage, and is dominated by bottom end XMart bikes. So the occasional sweet vintage bike gets noticed.

But definitely +1 the great deals are lasting longer. My last two buys were Cannondales that were up on C/L for several days. Neither was well marketed, but the pricing was very attractive.

The good bikes around here that don't sell (or linger for many days) tend to be poorly marketed (no pictures or lousy pictures) with little/no sizing or component descriptions, or have ridiculously high pricing. The last bike I bought was described with one word "Bycicle". No pictures, no nothing, just a phone number. It sat on C/L for almost a week. It was my best bicycle buy in the last year.

Back last summer, even the poorly marketed bikes were selling pretty quick.