Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - 1985 Raleigh Team USA (531c)?

Saw this add on Kijiji:

http://winnipeg.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-sports-bikes-1985-Raleigh-USA-Team-USA-custom-W0QQAdIdZ278487150

Trying to figure out if it's worth anything remotely close to what he's asking. Looks like a lovely machine, though. A couple of other threads have discussed similar models with inconclusive results -- does anyone know more about these bikes? Serial number is WP 500181.

Ad's been up for over a month and was (I think) listed last year as well -- I don't think it's going to sell at that price ($750 Canadian). I would like to know what someone more experienced with the Raleigh line thinks might be a reasonable offer to make.

Maybe not $750, but it sure seems nice.

I've seen them go for around 250-320 in Orange County, Los Angeles area in California. It is a nice bike, but not nearly worth 750.

Me, I'm moving this to Classic and Vintage Appraisals (from C&V proper). Carry on.

--Juha, a Forum Mod

With a price that insane, I would just keep looking. He is so far from reality, a market price offer would not be well received. Price is 2X or more market price.

$750 can really buy some outstanding vintage bikes, so if your fund can afford it, you can find a lot of great bikes. I would expect to get a Columbus SLX bike with Campy components (or possibly Dura Ace), with a well respected brand, for that price.


Only has 30 Canadian miles (out of 1000 miles total), that's a new marketing ploy to me.

Posted the same bike in the appraisal forum last summer when he was trying to sell it for the same price. The price is high but decent vintage bikes in Winnipeg are few and far between.

Kuso -- Do you know if he's eager to move it? I'd happily pay $400+ for it (this being the city of almost no decent post-mountain bike road bikes), but I can't justify paying what he's asking.

Wrk101 -- Any advice on finding something similar in a more reasonable price range?

Thanks for all the help.

the raleigh team jacket is cool.

I was back and forth with this seller a bit before he posted it, it didn't seem like he was wanting to come down off his price too much. You certainly can score some decent road bikes in this town if you keep looking, what size are you needing I'm sure I could help.

One thing that certainly doesn't hurt is posting a "Wanted" ad with details and pictures online.

Thanks for your offer of assistance! This one (58) is near the smallish end of what fits me; I'd prefer about a 61-63 (mostly for a longer top tube to go with my longish torso), but there don't seem to be many of those around. I'm willing to pay a reasonable amount for something with a really good frame and decent drivetrain and happy to put work and minor components into something neglected (hopefully investing about $400 including fixing-up if necessary).

Sorry for the increasingly off-topic nature of this thread.

No worries , I ride in the 58-62 ish range as well and I will say there aren't a ton that come up for sale (I did manage to score a 60cm Eddy Merckx frame last year) there's another forum member that you might wanna get in touch with, he's recently back from over seas but before he left he had a few very nice bikes he was hoping to move (in your size range as well) . Other suggestions would be the local co-ops, the older gent at the Bike Dump fixes up / sells older bikes he does great work but it's rarely cheap. Rarely great frames but certainly good mechanical condition / components. Feel free to PM me if you'd like some more help or just to ride.

Cheers

Kuso -- Do you know if he's eager to move it? I'd happily pay $400+ for it (this being the city of almost no decent post-mountain bike road bikes), but I can't justify paying what he's asking.


Thanks for all the help.

I messaged about the bike and got a similar response about the price from him as sauze did. He seems quite firm on the price which is probably why its been for sale for over a year.

Wrk101 -- Any advice on finding something similar in a more reasonable price range?

Thanks for all the help.

Look harder and aggressively. Randyjawa has a website with some good tips. Easy plus convenient plus no rush = overpriced, often way overpriced. Sketchy details plus jump in the car right now = better deal. Sketchy/no details cuts down the competition. Be willing to drive regardless of whether you know what you are chasing. Word of mouth, garage sales, neighbors = best deals.

One of my best deals off Craigs List was a one word ad: "Bycicle." That's right, one word, and the guy didn't even spell it right. It sat on C/L for over a week, I finally made arrangements to go look at it. Guy had no idea of brand, size, type, whatever. The only thing he could tell me was that it was "blue". Turned out to be a great deal on a high end Cannondale road bike, and he even threw in a decent MTB (he was leaving the country and needed to get rid of stuff). He mentioned no one else ever came to look at the bike....

To score deals sometimes you have to chase some deals that turn out to be duds.

Have family and friends in other towns look for you as well. Be willing to drive longer distances at a drop of a hat, at oddball, inconvient times = better deals as well.


Check ebay as well. There are sellers in Canada such as Randy that can ship at a reasonable cost. Shipping from outside Canada gets spendy.

I emailed the guy a while back but told him the price was a bit steep for me, he told me that at this condition it was really worth far over 1500$. What a deal!!

He has now raised his price to $1500 and directed people to ebay to realize how valuable it is.

He has now raised his price to $1500 and directed people to ebay to realize how valuable it is.

Lol. I love this guy. Can't sell it at 750$ so he doubles the price. Maybe he wants someone to 'lowball' him and offer 700$. I don't know what world this guy lives in, but it's an interesting one.

Possible thought process: "I asked for $750 and people offered $500... perhaps if I ask for $1500, people will offer $1K!"

I (OP) wound up purchasing an almost-new 1990ish Bianchi Sport SX instead. I will post it once I make it more presentable.