Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - What is my Basso road bike worth? Please help!

Hello,
I’m new to this site... this is my first post. I was just wondering how much my Basso road bike might be worth. I’ve had it for a while and I’m now looking to get a mountain bike. It has a few chips on the frame but its light, handmade, rare and feels like really good quality. Everything is from Italy, France and Japan. Its hand made in Italy with columbus tubing. The local bike store said they would give me $50 towards a new bike but I see them on ebay for $500 - $1,000. I don’t want to sell it for nothing but I don’t want to rip anyone off. It’s been in the basement for a while so it needs a good cleaning and I would like to have it tuned up before I sell it. Please see the pictures and let me know what you think.

Hello,
I’m new to this site... this is my first post. I was just wondering how much my Basso road bike might be worth. I’ve had it for a while and I’m now looking to get a mountain bike. It has a few chips on the frame but its light, handmade, rare and feels like really good quality. Everything is from Italy, France and Japan. Its hand made in Italy with columbus tubing. The local bike store said they would give me $50 towards a new bike but I see them on ebay for $500 - $1,000. I don’t want to sell it for nothing but I don’t want to rip anyone off. It’s been in the basement for a while so it needs a good cleaning and I would like to have it tuned up before I sell it. Please see the pictures and let me know what you think. Thanks!

sounds like my LBS..........I don't know what the real value is of that bike; but I can tell you that the LBS is trying to low ball you........folks will take offense I'm sure......the LBS is trying to make a buck; but depending on what you're trading toward I'd expect twice that at least....

Thanks... you cant really ever trust the local shops most of the time. That’s why I’m looking for more opinions.

That appears to be a circa 1985-1987 Arcenacia frame. Components are a real mishmash. You won't get anywhere near $1000, let alone $500. I'd say $200-$250.

does it have original components? I have never heard of the italians the french and the japanese collaBorating on a build... You might make more Moneys if you chop it up and part it out.
I like the frame.

Its a Basso frame... There's a red one on ebay with Campagnolo parts (mine has Shimano Japan I don't know if that's good or bad) it says "fixed wheel track bike slightly modified for the street" so its not original (I don't know if that's good or bad) but right now the bid is at $860 plus $145 shipping with a day left. And it appears that my components might be a better quality.

Its a Basso frame... There's a red one on ebay with Campagnolo parts (mine has Shimano Japan I don't know if that's good or bad) it says "fixed wheel track bike slightly modified for the street" so its not original (I don't know if that's good or bad) but right now the bid is at $860 plus $145 shipping with a day left. And it appears that my components might be a better quality.


Sorry, but no one is going to mistake your components as better stuff than that ebay bike. Shimano 105 stuff is pretty average stuff, typically found on $225 to $275 bikes. A higher end Shimano equipped bike is either going to have 600 tricolor or preferably, Dura Ace.

The ebay bike is all high end Campy and its a track frame. Track bikes enjoy a 50% to 100% premium over racing bikes. High end Campy stuff brings serious $$.

Someone buying your bike is most likely buying the frame, and building it up from there. So the real question is what is the frame worth? TMar is not far off IMHO.


Comments here are just typical internet comments. Take them with a grain of salt. But some posters on this site have bought and sold hundreds of bikes, including bikes just like yours, on ebay, on Craigs List, and other outlets.

Put your bike for sale, and let us know how you do. You will certainly do A LOT better than that $50 offer.

+1, to wrk101's comments regarding track frames and components, though you do appear to have desirable Dura-Ace crankarms. The other major difference is that the Ebay frame is full Columbus PL (or PS). Yours is a less prestigious Tretubi frame. Unfortunately, the Basso Arrenacia frames didn't follow the normal Tretubi standard of employing Columbus Aelle stays and forks, they opted for even lower grade hi-carbon steel. That really devalues the frame. The ebay bicycle is also in much better condition. There's no comparison in terms on value.

Its a Basso frame... There's a red one on ebay with Campagnolo parts (mine has Shimano Japan I don't know if that's good or bad) it says "fixed wheel track bike slightly modified for the street" so its not original (I don't know if that's good or bad) but right now the bid is at $860 plus $145 shipping with a day left. And it appears that my components might be a better quality.

your trying to compare a Cavileir with a Corvette. both are made by the same company but one is a everymans car and the other is a racers car. your have the everyman's Basso

Plus the red one is a track bike and they command a premium.

your LBS may not really be lowballing you. as TMar states a good price for you bike is about $200. the bike shop is going to give you $50 credit for it and sell you a $500 MTB that on a good day they make $125 on. now they are making $75 on it. then a mechanic has to overhaul you Basso and the shop has to invest about $75 worth of time and parts to get it ready to sell. then it takes up space froma new bike, they have to pay a salesman to sell it and when it sells next spring for $200 they may have made $20 on it.

what size is it? it looks small, if it was a 59 I'd certainly give you $200 in that condition

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=178922&d=1290122999

does it have original components? I have never heard of the italians the french and the japanese collaBorating on a build... You might make more Moneys if you chop it up and part it out.
I like the frame.

???? I don't think collaborating is the correct word. Bicycles wether from Italy, France Japan or whereever have had mixes of components from different countries for decades. this is done to either (most commonly) meet a certain price point or build a bike with what that manufacturer/builder considers the very best she/he can find


however I think this is a double post. lets all go to this thread http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?696134-What-is-my-Basso-road-bike-worth-Please-help!

hopefully the moderators will merge the two soon

Thanks! I have the same frame and fork as the one on ebay. Just a different color. Mine has a Dura Ace crank on it... I didn't know Shimano 105 was average stuff. The shifters, front and rear derailleurs, hubs and brakes are the parts that are Shimano 105 and they seem to be real good quality.

The sticker on the frame appears to state that its "Columbus". Dose that mean it is Columbus tubing? Is there another way to find out? I'm not trying to trick or fool anyone to pay $800 for it but I cant find the same one for sale so I don't know what it goes for. All the Bassos I've seen for sale are up there in price. Id rather keep it then let it go for nothing.

Yea, Sorry I must have hit it twice. How do I delete the other one?
Thanks

Last fall I sold a Dura Ace 7400 equipped Basso Gap that was a 60cm for $350. It was in similar condition to yours but had a touch of rust on the rear brake stay. Basso's paint is not the best and are known to rust a bit.

With the 105 components (nothing wrong with 105 it is just not top of the line) you should be able to get $250 for it.

Thanks!

Thanks! I have the same frame and fork as the one on ebay. Just a different color. Mine has a Dura Ace crank on it... I didn't know Shimano 105 was average stuff. The shifters, front and rear derailleurs, hubs and brakes are the parts that are Shimano 105 and they seem to be real good quality.



The sticker on the frame appears to state that its "Columbus". Dose that mean it is Columbus tubing? Is there another way to find out? I'm not trying to trick or fool anyone to pay $800 for it but I cant find the same one for sale so I don't know what it goes for. All the Bassos I've seen for sale are up there in price. Id rather keep it then let it go for nothing.


OK once again they are both Basso bikes but your bike is not like the red one you posted a pic of. you have a lowend road bike, the red one is a TRACK bike and made for a different type of riding/racing. the frames are both Comumbus but are different grades of Columbus tubing.

I have Columbus tubed Bianchis that would be worth OH maybe $1500 as they hang here and other Columbus Bianchi that I paid $400 for and that was a bit over priced.

every bike is different. also your bike looks like it has been sitting for a long time and needs alot of cleaning that detracts from the value. also the condition of the shift cable on the rear deraileur shows me that whoever maintained it did a poor job and perhaps it need lots more things to make it run well.

your best way to determine the value is to put it on Ebay with a $1000 reserve and see how high the bids go. I would be suprised if it goes much over $250

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=178928&d=1290123041

Thanks! I have the same frame and fork as the one on ebay. Just a different color. Mine has a Dura Ace crank on it... I didn't know Shimano 105 was average stuff. The shifters, front and rear derailleurs, hubs and brakes are the parts that are Shimano 105 and they seem to be real good quality.


No you do not have the same bike. Not even close. You have the same "brand" bike. I have a Schwinn Paramount. And I have a Schwinn Continental. Both are vintage bikes, both are even the same color, made by the same company, both are pretty close to the same age. One is worth $25, the other is worth $600.

On your tubing, there are lots of grades of Columbus tubing, from top of the line to so so. Please note TMar's earlier comment explaining your frame tubing exactly. I can tell you, TMar really knows vintage bikes. I would take his comment and run with it: "Yours is a less prestigious Tretubi frame. Unfortunately, the Basso Arrenacia frames didn't follow the normal Tretubi standard of employing Columbus Aelle stays and forks, they opted for even lower grade hi-carbon steel. That really devalues the frame."

Vague terms like "real good" quality just don't mean much in the bike world. Each brand had a pecking order, from their best to their worst. That era Shimano 105 I would describe as decent/good, nothing special, but a good solid part. Those Campy bits on the other bike are in a whole different league value wise. Look up what that era Shimano rear derailleurs are going for on ebay. Here's a slightly newer 105 RD (its a little better) that went for 99 cents on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Shimano-105-Rd-1055-Rear-Derailleur-/250721018579?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a602322d3

You have gotten pretty solid feedback on what the bike is worth, from people that have bought and sold a lot of bikes.

I have a high end Basso myself (all Columbus SLX tubing).

Thank you again. Like I said I'm going to clean it up and have it tuned up. But it rides really nice. How can I tell the grade of Columbus tubing of the one I have?
And how can you tell that my frame is a low end and that one is high end? They have the same markings, decals and angles. I'm not familiar with Columbus tubing... I didn't know there were different grades. So I thought they had the same frame and fork. That's why I'm asking questions.

I'm NOT saying its worth $800 OR $500 or what ever. Now I'm just wondering what's different in the frames... so far its the grade metal.... OK what grade is the ebay one? And what grade is mine and how can I tell??

I'm NOT saying its worth $800 OR $500 or what ever. Now I'm just wondering what's different in the frames... so far its the grade metal.... OK what grade is the ebay one? And what grade is mine and how can I tell??

TMar answered this question. I would take his word for it. He really knows bikes.

The ebay bike is a track frame, I wouldn't worry about what grade it is, as your bike is not a track frame, its a totally different bike. Track frames are rare and very desirable.

Google track frame. They are totally different, and it has nothing to do with frame material.

what makes it a track frame? the metal grade??

what makes a bicycle a track frame is the design. similasr grades of metal are used but the geomentry is totally different.

your bike for example may have a 73.5 degree seattube angle and a 73 degree headtube angle and wheel base of say 40"

a track frame of the same size might have a 76degree seat tube angle and 77degree headtube andgle and wheelbase of 37"

the track with accelerate faster and handle quicker. compared to your road bike it may even feel unstable at about 15mph.

the design of the rear dropouts is totally different and there is no hanger for a rearderailleur. if it is a true track frame there are no provisions to install brakes on the frame and fork either.

road frame like yours

http://i.ebayimg.com/11/!B4mhjw!BWk~$(KGrHqR,!j!Eyd7(h3d0BMqfjoNOH!~~_12.JPG

track frame


http://i.ebayimg.com/13/!B8Q,DrwBmk~$(KGrHqV,!hMEyrrS2BN,BM2g!euMCw~~0_3.JPG

explaining the various difference in tubing is quite difficult as there are so many varieties. I agree with T-Mar and Work that your bike is likely a lowerend Tretubi frame. not a junk bike by any means just not as light, strong and lively riding as the ones you see for sale for $500+.

your bike is like the Cavileir of bicycles. it is a good bike and does everything you want it to, there is just not a line of people looking to buy it like your neighbors 69 Super Sport Chevelle

Its a Basso frame... There's a red one on ebay with Campagnolo parts (mine has Shimano Japan I don't know if that's good or bad) it says "fixed wheel track bike slightly modified for the street" so its not original (I don't know if that's good or bad) but right now the bid is at $860 plus $145 shipping with a day left. And it appears that my components might be a better quality.

Your components are not of the same quality level. If you wish proof, ebay search Campagnolo super record derailleur, then Shimano 105 rear derailleur in completed auctions for a lesson.
If you look at the Columbus transfer, it has Tretubi in the gold field, that means the three main tubes are Columbus, and those only, the others are not and cheaper. Some of these tretubi frame ride well, but are not top line.

The assessment of a value of $250 is in the ballpark, I would not spend money on a service unless it fits and you intend to keep it.

To expand on my previous comments, if you look closely at the tubing decal on your frame it says TRETUBI to the lower right of the dove. Tretubi translates to three tubes and means that the 3 main tubes are higher grade tubing than the forks and stays. During this era, Columbus' tubing grades, from top to bottom were KL, SLX/SPX, SL/SP, Matrix and Aelle. (SPX and SP were slightly thicker and heavier grades of SLX and SL, typically used in bigger frames.) KL was a special record attempt tubeset and is extremely rare. SLX was only offered as a full tubeset. Your TRETUBI decal indicates the three main tubes are Columbus SL and the forks and stays are a lesser. grade, which is not specified. Most builders would have used Columbus Matrix or, more often, Columbus Aelle. However, I just happen to have literature from this era denoting the Basso Arrenacia stays and forks as being "hi-carbon" steel, which is lower grade than Colubus' offerings. Had they chosen a lower end Columbus set, this would surely have been mentioned, as it is a big marketing point. Use of gerneric, hi-carbon steel seriously devalues the frame.

During this era Columbus only had three track tubesets. RECORD was a special record attempt tubeset and is very rare just like its road equivalent KL. PL and PS were the track equivalents of SL and SP. The ebay frame does not having a TRETUBI decal, therefore indicating it is complete PL or PS and therefore more valuable than your frame and even more valuable when we condider yours utilizes some generic, hi-carbon steel. Track frames are also more rare than road frames and therfore command a higher value, which increases the value differential further.

Hopefully, in addition to other members comments, this clarifies the difference in the frames and grades of material. Factor in the differences in components and I'm not suprised the ebay bicycle brought 5x the estimated value of yours.

Thanks for all your help... Im going to clean it up, find a good way to ship it and post it on ebay for $200 starting bid and see what happens.
Thanks again!

the best way to ship it is to go ask you local bike shop how much it cost to pack it up. then ask for a estimate shipping cost to either Boston or LA which ever is further. add those and that will be your price for shipping.