Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Help me price my bike

Hey guy and gals, im looking to sell this fixed gear, and I am having some trouble determining an asking price.

The mod is a 200(1?) KHS flite 100 yellow, 53cm square c-c. What makes this difficult, is there is a large (thumb-sized) dent on the top tube that I aquired about 18 mo. ago.

The frame is still perfectly aligned, and because it is cromo as far as I can tell the structural integrity is not comprimised (am i wrong on this????) Regardless I have put hundres of miles on this frame since the accident out of the road with a clipless setup and a rear aqua rack without any problems.

Here is a list of notable components:

Frame: 2003(Yellow) KHS flite 100 track frame size 53cm square c-c
Fork: Profile Design SC carbon blades/aluminum steerer
Rear wheel: 36 hole campagnolo omega anondized rim laced to IRO hub fixed/fixed
Cogset: 15t/18t surly
Bar: Syntace bullhorn 42cm
Saddle: Selle San Marco Regal
Pedals setup: MKS/MKS/Toshi single strap.
Crankset: Generic shimano 600 road. All 3/32

Also included are a fun set of chopped steel risers with tiny black bmx grips, not that those add any appreciable value.

LMK if you need to know any other components that go along with this build, I think the rest is pretty mundane.
Below are some copied+pasted links to my flickr account of pictures I took today:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34107262@N03/4139226139/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34107262@N03/4139222893/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34107262@N03/4139222469/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34107262@N03/4139983238/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34107262@N03/4139221593/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34107262@N03/4139225779/

**** rides like its on rails of course.

LMK what you guys think im pretty clueless when it comes to the market these days.

I asked my dad a similar question once. He said:

"Just price it at what you think is fair. A month from now, if you still have it, the price is too high. If you sold it, the price was too low."

well, the dent is a problem. Only frames that get away w/ dents are NJS ones...

i would say ask for 300 and expect to get 250

DAMN i was hoping for trey fitty

sold complete, I'd say 200-300.

ask for 350, you never know. I got 600 for a shoddy conversion. just make a good pitch. if you don't have a moral beef w/ it, cover the dent w/ a sticker or someting.

ask for 350, you never know. I got 600 for a shoddy conversion. just make a good pitch. if you don't have a moral beef w/ it, cover the dent w/ a sticker or someting.

Some times I wish I was a shyster....

NIce score on teh conversion btw

yeah, i personally wouldn't go so far as to cover up the dent, but I was just throwin the idea out there haha. Nothing wrong w/ a good sales pitch, though.

You'd probably get more money parting out the entire bike then selling complete.

The thing with craigslist/ebay is, make sure you mention the dent but dont go too far into it. Take good pictures but try not to take some fine shots of the bump.

The thing with craigslist/ebay is, make sure you mention the dent but dont go too far into it. Take good pictures but try not to take some fine shots of the bump.

why delay the inevitable and waste peoples' time? If they are going to have a problem with the dent in pictures, they'll definitely have a problem with the dent in person. full disclosure is in everyone's best interest -- both the seller and the buyer.

why delay the inevitable and waste peoples' time? If they are going to have a problem with the dent in pictures, they'll definitely have a problem with the dent in person. full disclosure is in everyone's best interest -- both the seller and the buyer.

Do you think people on craigslist mind the scratch? Okay, so maybe barely mentioning it isn't the best idea, but you get the idea.

Do you think people on craigslist mind the scratch? Okay, so maybe barely mentioning it isn't the best idea, but you get the idea.

first of all, it's a dent not a scratch. second, I would mind the dent and so would most potential buyers. I would either not buy the bike...or I would counter-offer with a much lower price. I would even argue that someone might offer less for the bike if they showed up expecting a frame in a better condition and was disappointed than someone knew full well what they were coming to look at. One dick move begets another dick move.

and no, I dont get your idea.

That looks like it spent the last 10 years in Bosnia! Damn!

You will have to be as frank and honest about it as possible. If I came to have a look and a "small dent" turned out to be that I would walk away immediately. And the rest of the frame is scratched up.

That looks like it spent the last 10 years in Bosnia! Damn!

You will have to be as frank and honest about it as possible. If I came to have a look and a "small dent" turned out to be that I would walk away immediately. And the rest of the frame is scratched up.

for real
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34107262@N03/4139222469/sizes/l/in/photostream/

I would not expect too much money, honestly.

for real
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34107262@N03/4139222469/sizes/l/in/photostream/

I would not expect too much money, honestly.

Well im gonna try to do what I can. The bike has seen plenty of ****ty winter miles.

Cosmetically, its in horrible shape. This will make it difficult to market.

Functionally, it doesnt ride any different then it did when it was new.

im sure the bike is just fine structurally and that it is generally a fine bike, but I wouldnt expect to hit the jackpot. for what the small amount you can get for it, I'd just keep it and save money a bit longer if financing another bike is your plan. I'd rather have a reliable beater in the rotation than two or three hundred or whatever.

good luck to you, though.

The thing with craigslist/ebay is, make sure you mention the dent but dont go too far into it. Take good pictures but try not to take some fine shots of the bump.

This should be a dealbreaker for anyone:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2586/4139222469_3848cbd76f.jpg

Have you ever stood on a soda or beer can, and tapped the sides with your fingers really quick? I'd part that bike out.

there really should be an official how much is this worth thread.

+1


and That isn't a small dent

You'd probably get more money parting out the entire bike then selling complete.

That's what I think too.

You can talk about how structurally sound it is and how it handles like it's on rails all you want, but the bottom line is: that's a pretty big dent. A buyer who is willing to pay the going price for a bike like yours will probably be looking for an undented one. I know I would.

im sure the bike is just fine structurally and that it is generally a fine bike, but I wouldnt expect to hit the jackpot. for what the small amount you can get for it, I'd just keep it and save money a bit longer if financing another bike is your plan. I'd rather have a reliable beater in the rotation than two or three hundred or whatever.

good luck to you, though.

Ya i think that you're right on this one. I'll go ahead and put it on CL once or twice for a long shot, but if I can't get a decent chunk of change i'll keep it.

Funding another bike is the plan btw.

This should be a dealbreaker for anyone:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2586/4139222469_3848cbd76f.jpg

Have you ever stood on a soda or beer can, and tapped the sides with your fingers really quick? I'd part that bike out.

Soda cans aren't made of steel

+1


and That isn't a small dent

Nobody said the dent was small

Right in the first post, the OP described a "large (thumb-sized) dent".

selling the bike complete would be like selling it as-is for parts only. still might be able to fetch some change that way, though.

you can't really do anything about the dent, but here's an idea i've always wanted to try: go to your local taps plastics (or other supplier) and pick up a small sheet of carbon fiber. make sure you pick up some impregnating epoxy as well. you can wrap the carbon fiber around the dent on the top tube and impregnate it with epoxy resin to cure it. basically the goal is to make a CF sheath to reinforce that area of the top tube. if you're crafty you might be able to make this look pretty, but more than likely it'll be more for function rather than for looks (ever seen those frames that have been "repaired" by welding after a crack?).

selling the bike complete would be like selling it as-is for parts only. still might be able to fetch some change that way, though.

you can't really do anything about the dent, but here's an idea i've always wanted to try: go to your local taps plastics (or other supplier) and pick up a small sheet of carbon fiber. make sure you pick up some impregnating epoxy as well. you can wrap the carbon fiber around the dent on the top tube and impregnate it with epoxy resin to cure it. basically the goal is to make a CF sheath to reinforce that area of the top tube. if you're crafty you might be able to make this look pretty, but more than likely it'll be more for function rather than for looks (ever seen those frames that have been "repaired" by welding after a crack?).

Wouldn't that just give you something like a stress riser at each end of the repair?

Ya i think that you're right on this one. I'll go ahead and put it on CL once or twice for a long shot, but if I can't get a decent chunk of change i'll keep it.

Funding another bike is the plan btw.

If you're absolutely intent on selling the frame and getting some money for it, I'd try to roll out the dent with wood or steel rolling blocks and then fill the remaining dent with metal2metal and get the frame powdercoated on the cheap. I wouldnt invest too much -- try to keep it under a hundred if that's even possible. I would still recommend informing your potential buyer about the filler/dent, though.

some still are

Soda cans aren't made of steel

They're also not subject to the same stresses as bicycle frames. I've only seen a handful of failed frames, and they all appeared outwardly structurally sound. This frame looks like an accident waiting to happen.

I'd say the frame is structurally fine. The dent is not at a critical point on the frame / near the joints nor are there any wrinkles/crumples in the steel. Cosmetic. The surface rust makes it look worse than it is (should have put clear nail polish over it).

http://www.kichline.com/chuck/bikes/Framedents/default.htm

roll out and fill the dent & respray/powdercoat
or keep it as a beater.

http://www.kichline.com/chuck/bikes/Framedents/default.htm

roll out and fill the dent & respray/powdercoat
or keep it as a beater.

better than my CF suggestion

I saw your posting for the sale of the bike on Craigslist.

I am prepared to offer you $100 for the bike; a third party will arrange for shipping and an escrow service will hold your money until I get my bike. Please mail bike to me soon.

http://www.kichline.com/chuck/bikes/Framedents/default.htm

roll out and fill the dent & respray/powdercoat
or keep it as a beater.

Wow that guy did a great job with that.

there really should be an official how much is this worth thread.

It's over here: http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?273-Classic-Vintage-Bicycle-Appraisals-and-Inquiries

That dent is a dealbreaker. I'd sell the parts on eBay, give the frame away, to someone taking a frame welding class or building a tallbike.

Wow that guy did a great job with that.

I had no idea that could be done, but you are correct, he did an excellent job.

$52.01

I have an otherwise perfect Nishiki road bike that has a dent only slightly smaller than that one. No one wants to even consider it.

I saw your posting for the sale of the bike on Craigslist.

I am prepared to offer you $100 for the bike; a third party will arrange for shipping and an escrow service will hold your money until I get my bike. Please mail bike to me soon.

No you didn't, and shut up.

$52.01

I have an otherwise perfect Nishiki road bike that has a dent only slightly smaller than that one. No one wants to even consider it.

Well if both of our frames were in perfect condition mine would be much more marketable. Nishikis are and always have been boring.

It will soon be on CL for a longshot. I have no expectations and no problem keeping it forever as a beater/around town bike.

Sucks to ride this thing for more than an hour on the road, and who knows maybe someday I will move close to a velodrome and consider taking up track racing/training as a supplement for my road racing.

Thanks alot bionnaki and tfunk for posting helpful suggestions to alternatives that I have not considered. I've decided that that I wont pursue either of those options but thanks again because I was ignorant of such possibilites. Interesting stuff.

As for the rest of you smartasses go find some other posts to troll in this one's dead.

Why does it suck to ride more than an hour on the road?

Well if both of our frames were in perfect condition mine would be much more marketable. Nishikis are and always have been boring.

Maybe to Fixie dorks; not to normal cyclists.

Of course, no one in Indiana even knows what a KHS is, it seems.

Maybe to Fixie dorks; not to normal cyclists.

Of course, no one in Indiana even knows what a KHS is, it seems.

Even fewer have heard of Park Pre.

Jesus that's a huge dent.

Even fewer have heard of Park Pre.

I lusted after a ParkPre back in the day. Of course, no one around here sold them.

I lusted after a ParkPre back in the day. Of course, no one around here sold them.

When they closed up, I managed to buy their entire inventory from the closed SoCal location for next to nothing.

Just curious how that dent was aquired? Seems to be an odd place. Good luck with the sale :)

When they closed up, I managed to buy their entire inventory from the closed SoCal location for next to nothing.

I hate you.

I hate you.

As you should. Selling that stuff off paid for a month and a half trip to Australia and New Zealand, among other things. I only mentioned it because I still have some miscellaneous Park Pre stuff, and just found another box full in my storage shed.