Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - 21 speed 80's fuji

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21 speed fuji from the 80's, has got a set of mavic rims on rx100 hubs (which are not whats on it in the picture). Also a 'seude avocet saddle' has been put on as well. Some components have been 'upgraded'. He's asking $225. Looking for a beater to ride to school and not cry over if it gets stolen. Sounds a little high to me, what do you guys think?
Thanks!

No ideas?

Not nearly enough information, lousy picture. Frankenbike. Can't tell a thing from that picture.

Personally, if I was just looking for a around campus beater, I would pick up a LBS branded MTB. They are cheap (+/- $100 to $125), they are plentiful, and so what if it gets stolen.

Personally, if I was just looking for a around campus beater, I would pick up a LBS branded MTB. They are cheap (+/- $100 to $125), they are plentiful, and so what if it gets stolen.

+100, I just posted a similar comment on the mountain bike forum. Old, rigid fork MTBs are ideal for campus riding. Wax the frame, lube the chain with oil, not chain lube to protect it from water and you're good to go. I gave my son a Trek 800 for school. You can't kill those things. Also, old rigid fork MTBs are not theft magnets, there's no value above $100.

OP, $225 is sort of high. What model is the frame? What drive train does it have?

What model is the frame?


Looks like a S12-s.

I wouldn't spend that much on it as a school beater. Why throw the money away on something that will be beat up, sit in the rain, and probably stolen? Buy a MTB.

As for value, if it were in a little better shape and ready to ride, I would say it is worth the asking price. I sold a S10-s(older version of this bike) for $200+ in 2 days earlier this year.

I wonder why the fork has red (paint?) on it.

Thanks for the advice, greatly appreciated. Don't know a thing about the bike, just that little info and the picture. I was trying to stay away from a mtn bike, my commute is about 10 miles each way. Doable on a mtn bike, just time consuming.
Thanks,
Adam

Thanks for the advice, greatly appreciated. Don't know a thing about the bike, just that little info and the picture. I was trying to stay away from a mtn bike, my commute is about 10 miles each way. Doable on a mtn bike, just time consuming.
Thanks,
Adam

With slick tires on a MTB, the difference in commute time for a ten mile commute might be all of three or four minutes.

kinda looks like an allegro frame to me-- but really hard to say. those parts are a mishmosh-- so i don't think it's any stock bike, for sure.

As wrk101 said, an 80's rigid fork mountain bike with slicks should work well. They can take a beating and won't draw much attention from the thieves. Expect prices in the range of $75-$150 depending on the bike model and condition.

Some hybrids (or whatever they were being called back then) from the early '90s can also be pretty decent, and not that expensive.

With slick tires on a MTB, the difference in commute time for a ten mile commute might be all of three or four minutes.

I'm not sure I agree. On a road bike, you are heavily restricted to keeping to the sidewalks and looking for ramps to get off of curbs. With a MTB, you can ride just about anywhere you want to, including cutting through the grass on a quad. I still vote MTB for that purpose.

If he lives in an area that snows, he can also have more riding time on a MTB.

Definitely an S12-S.

I don't think that's necessarily a bad college "beater" bike, but is certainly priced too high. It's definitely a frame that someone threw a bunch of old parts on for resale, which can actually have added value, as long as it was done correctly.

I might disagree about the MTB route. I personally think if you can find an old Japanese/Taiwanese road bike like this rebuilt as a single speed, you'd be comfortable, have minimal required maintenance, and would be a bit speedier than on a heavier mountain bike with fatter tires. As far as theft goes, if locked appropriately and prudently, you should be okay.

Whenever I hear campus commuter, in my head I think "Torker U-District". Great value, great resale value, but you'd have to hide decals because it's certainly more desirable for theft than a Fuji with splashed paint and uggo bar tape.

Let us know how you do.