Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Vintage Bike Dilemma - Three bikes, which one to sell, which ones to keep

I own 2 vintage road bikes (my definition for vintage is any road bike greater than 20 years old) and one road bike that is nearing vintage status.

#1 - 1987 Trek Model 2000 aluminum with full 7400 Dura Ace (except for brake levers). Also has American Classice bottle cage and seat stem. Has semi-rare all-in-one Scott aero bars. Pearl White.

#2 - 1985 (I believe) Vitas aluminum 979 with full 7400 Dura Ace. Gold and silver.

#3 - 1995 (I believe) Cannondale R600 2.8 aluminum wtih RS100 components. Matte Black fade to purple.

My Cannondale has become my every day bike. I don't need three road bikes, so I would like to sell either the Trek or Vitas, keeping the one that longer term will have the most value. Both bike are in good to excellent condition given their age, with the Vitas bike being in just slightly better condition.

I am by no means a vintage bike expert. The main reason I ended up with three road bikes is that I couldn't say no to the asking price of these bikes -- Trek: $300; Vitus: $275; Cannondale: $200...I don't think any of these were a "steal", but I felt each were a good deal.

That all said, any advice on how to decide on which bike to sell -- the Trek or the Vitas road bike?

Thanks in advance for any relevant feedback.

Greg

I would probably sell the Trek. I would change out the handlebars, and install a basic set of drops instead. You won't get more for the bike with the Scott bars on it, and it could make it harder to sell.

If you don't mind the extra work, you will make the most $$ by parting out the Trek. Dura Ace 7400 stuff has more value off the bike, than on the bike.

As far as which one will have the most value long term, that's a tough question. Around here, steel Treks are going up in value quickly. The aluminum ones are not going up as much. But Treks (and Cannondales for that matter), tend to sell themselves as almost anyone looking for a bike knows those two brands. I rarely have a Cannondale last more than a day. Assuming the Vitus has a Dura Ace 7400 seat post and brake levers would put its value higher IMHO. And when you have two comparable bikes, keeping the one in the best condition is usually a good decision.

+1. If you are going to sell any of the 7400 bikes, part them out.

As far as what you should keep goes, keep the one that feels better to you and fits you better (and if it is the Cannondale, upgrade it with the DA components, unless the RX100 comes with STIs)

There's not that much value in parting out a DA bike.....I just parted one and have soild figures. That being said a Vitus frameset is worth much more than the Trek frameset so if your going to part one out I'd part the Vitus.

Before I'd part either one out I'd suggest trying to sell them complete...yes both. Put both up for sale and keep whatever one that doesnt sell first.

Jim knows his parts values and bike pricing for sure. I do see some 7400 pieces going pretty good on ebay. I guess it depends what you can get for the bike complete. Cranks, seat posts, brake calipers and levers seem to be going OK, derailleurs not so hot.

I would search completed auctions and determine where your parts measure up condition wise, and also where your skills marketing wise compare. Selling a bike whole is always a ln easier undertaking, and has less variance (particularly if sold locally) compared to ebay. So if it is close, I would sell the bike complete.

If you want an example of ebay variance, look at completed auctions for Dura Ace 7400 STI. One seller got $305 for a set. The next highest auction was $96.50.

Guys - thanks for the feedback.

EjustE - the Cannondale does have STI RX100 (which based on what I've read are fairly close to 105s).

miamijim - posting both for sale and keeping the one that doesn't sell was what I was thinking as well. I really like the Trek, but after buying the Vitus I think I have more of an affinity towards this bike (and could part easier with the Trek).

I've added a picture of each bike in case you are curious.
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I would definitely put traditional drop bars on that Trek. Those bars really limit the market.

Funny you suggest that, when I bought the bike I wasn't sure about the bars (and I agree, a traditional handlebar set would be more appealing for most buyers). Although I'll tell you, I've ridden this bike twice in RAGBRAI and those bars are incredibly comfortable (with the upright handlebar stem)...there are literally 8 different postions you can get in to stretch throughout the ride.

I haven't found out much info on the Scott aero bars...any thoughts on if they actually have any value?

I would keep the Vitus, sell the Trek. Maybe other guys are seeing it differently, but I don't see Trek aluminum going anywhere. It's common and offers a very stiff, harsh ride. When I find one, I flip it immediatly. I'd see if I could get top dollar for the bike because of the DA. If not, I'd consider putting the DA derailers and cranks on the C'dale and selling the Trek with RX 100. RX 100 is very common, very good performing, but common.
Your Cannondale will do well in the future. They are very popular because young racers with limited dollars found they perform very well. I'd keep the Vitus because it's rare.
Now if you had a steel Trek with vintage DA.........:D

A set of those aero bars just sold on ebay for $28 plus shipping. Not a huge score for sure, and if you liked them, I would remove them and keep them in your parts stash for later.

The challenge with those aero bars is not whether they are more comfortable, its just Joe average bike buyer out there has a picture in his head of what a good bike will look like, and most will not give those bars a chance. Too bad for them. Now if the right buyer just happens by, they will pounce on it.


+1 Cannondales are very desirable, and it would be worth the time to swap out parts since you are going to keep it. I had a 1992 Cannondale C600, with the purple fizz to jet black paint combo. I really liked the look of that bike. It was all Shimano 105. I would have kept it, but I have too many bikes already, and I try to just keep the steel ones in my size. But I came real close to expanding the keeper fleet by "just" one more bike....

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4123/4755065068_01d8c9cf8f_b.jpg

I agree, I really like the Cannondales...this is the first one I have had. Here's the Cannondale I just picked up for $200 (which I thought was a good deal). The rear derailer is 105, everything else is RX100 (including the RX100 STI shifters). By the feedback I've received, seems like the overall consensus is to swap out the components on the Cannondale to the 7400 Dura Ace group (even though they are older by at least 8 years old). The only upgrade I'd need is to get maybe get a better STI set...the both Dura Ace sets I have are index/friction downtube shifters.
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I agree, I really like the Cannondales...this is the first one I have had. Here's the Cannondale I just picked up for $200 (which I thought was a good deal). The rear derailer is 105, everything else is RX100 (including the RX100 STI shifters). By the feedback I've received, seems like the overall consensus is to swap out the components on the Cannondale to the 7400 Dura Ace group (even though they are older by at least 8 years old). The only upgrade I'd need is to get maybe get a better STI set...the both Dura Ace sets I have are index/friction downtube shifters.
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Here is the deal: If you are going to swap the DA parts on it and want to use brifters, you need an 8sp DA RD (7402) and 8sp DA 74xx STIs. Those STIs are extremely expensive. Plan to spend about $50 for the RD (if yours is not a 7402) and a good $200 for the STIs.

If I were you, I would leave the RX100 bits on the bike. There is not a single 7400 DA bit that is compatible with them (even the crank. you need a different BB - with a 3mm shorter spindle. or any 105-600-Sante BB of the era of your DA crank). The dual pivot RX100 brakes are way better than the DA brakes. And the brifters are better than DT shifters, if you want to go this way.

Sell the DA bits. I usually agree with miamijim on valuations, but a 7400 group sold piece by piece, will probably bring you close to $400 (or even more). The shifters alone are impossible to get at $50 and the headset is a good $40 by itself. Do the math on the rest, esp. if you happen to have a DA seatpost and stem...

I would call this a trilemma.