Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Centurion Accordo RS

Can anyone help me? I am going to look at this bike this week and would like to know what to offer. Thanks ahead of time.

Centurion Accordo RS (http://cleveland.craigslist.org/bik/2466407624.html)

Steel frame (Chrome molybdenum (Cr-Mo) Tapered Double Butted Tubing), Cateye Vectra Cyclocomputer, Shimano components: shimano SLR brakes and sis derailleurs, 12 speed, with indexed shifters on down tube, shimano cranks, Weinman rims, perfectly true 700c wheels with quick release, pedals with toe clips also available, white cork wrap on bars, excellent condition, ready to ride.

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/bik/2466407624.html

If it was serviced, it might be close to $200, but looking at it gives me no indication it has seen a wrench recently.


The head tube looks pretty steep, and with the cabling and the pump peg it might just be an illusion, but I think the top tube is bent from a front end collision.

It hasn't been serviced... way too dirty. Odds are that the early Shimano indexed shifter will not shift cleanly. It can probably be adjusted/fixed cheaply, but take it for a test ride, complain about the shifting and about the out of true wheels (if they are out of true) and pay no more than $150 for it. When you take the bike home, replace the little piece of cable housing at the rear derailleur with new indexed shifting cable from a bike shop (one foot is about the right length). That should improve the crispness of the shifting quite a bit.

As for the steep head tube, check for bent fork and a bulge on the bottom of the down tube just behind the head tube that would indicate a front-end collision. Also, look for peeling paint on the top tube and down tube just behind the head tube. If you see any damage, walk away from the deal.

Early Accordos were pretty low end bikes, but by the late 80s (the vintage of that bike), they were quite a bit better, with forged dropouts, butted tubing, etc.

Also... looks like about a 22" frame size, should be okay for someone maybe about 5'-8" to 6'-0", more or less.

Thanks for your comments. I thought the 5'8" to 6'1" range for a bike measurement was a little odd. Seems a little broad. Anyway, I really appreciate your help.

This bike has pretty obviously been crashed, crashed hard. Run! Top tube is bent a lot. Its wall art at this point, or a donor bike.

Photos can be deceiving. I've seen lots of pictures that make it look like the frame or fork is bent on bikes that are just fine. Cheap cameras with relatively wide angles make all straight lines look a little curved. Check for damage, but I wouldn't call that bent based on the photos.

Well, I got a look at the bike. It braked and shifted beautifully, the wheels weren't out of true. The top tube wasn't bent, the down tube had a little ridge underneath it about two inches from the head-tube like it had been welded or something, not sure if that's normal. The owner said he wasn't aware of it being in an accident. An interesting note that furthers the accident mystery: he bought the bike from a police officer.

Anyway, I didn't buy it because he was asking a firm $200. I told him to contact me if he couldn't get rid of it and I would give him $150 for it. I am sad because other than the price and the apparent bent tube question, it was the perfect bike. The hunt continues...

Thanks again for your help.

Seller did you a favor.