Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Just Spent $350 on an old Specialized Allez

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/bik/2524504615.html

just spent 350$ on this used bike, was that fair? what do you guys think? its definitely old, Specialized Allez, racing Special Series, cro-mo double butted tubing, made in japan. old sella italia seat, suntour superbe brakes and derailleurs, shimano pedals, specialized wheels and handlebars. rides pretty nice but it is kind of hard to shift the gears. Just wanted to know if i got a decent deal or not and what you guys think of the bike? it's my first road bike.

To be the bearer of bad news, I think most here will tell you that you probably overpaid, if the bike needs work (as it appears / sounds to). LA is a bit of a tight market, so you weren't had that bad. All that said, most of us here on C&V search around for deals far longer than most people could stomach.

I have one similar, maybe identical. They are good riding bikes. The Superbe components help make some of the difference in cost. Appears those are the original tires (though it's hard to tell).

ugh the guy was asking 420 and i talked him to 350 and i thought i was getting a good deal.. what is this bike actually worth

You got a pretty nice deal, if it's your size. But, you're going to need a full overhaul to make it ride nicely. Check to see if there's a bike co-op in your area that offers bike repair classes or open workshop nights. You'll probably need to clean, grease, and adjust the hubs, bottom bracket and headset, and replace tires, brake cables, and derailleur cables. She'll be a really nice rider when you're done, and is worth the time and money.

LA is probably an expensive market, but you still probably overpaid, I think.

if you'll ride it and can afford it, it's worth it to you. I can't tell you what it would be worth to someone else.

You got a pretty nice deal, if it's your size. But, you're going to need a full overhaul to make it ride nicely. Check to see if there's a bike co-op in your area that offers bike repair classes or open workshop nights. You'll probably need to clean, grease, and adjust the hubs, bottom bracket and headset, and replace tires, brake cables, and derailleur cables. She'll be a really nice rider when you're done, and is worth the time and money.

What this guy said. You can take a decent buy, and either keep it a decent buy, or make it a terrible buy, depending on who you pay to work on it (hint: it will cost you far less to do the work yourself!). Bikes aren't that hard to work on (especially one of this vintage), and there are tons of references online (see: Sheldon Brown for starters). Don't get discouraged because of what you paid - that's said and done. Don't dwell on it. You can make yourself sick and in turn hate the bike. It's a good bike. Do the right thing and ride it.

We don't know the exact condition or needs of it, but I can safely say the majority of us here have made anywhere from equal to much, much worse purchases in the past. Embrace every moment, and ride the hell out of this bike. You won't regret it then.

I would like to see better pictures before judgement is passed. Fork, seat/chainstays close ups would help. Some of them were very nice bikes. If you can wrench on it, you may have a winner, especially in that market.

If the OP's Specialized is anything like my present Specialized, then he or she will love the ride quality. The bike I ride every day for my around town doing stuff bike is really a Specialized Junker (http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/Feature_Bicycles/Feature_Bicycles_USA/SPECIALIZED_ALLEZ_Junker/SPEC_JUNKER_1_Start.htm) (my own name for the bike), but what a great bike it is...
http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/Bicycles_Table/USA_Bicycles/Specialized_Bicycles/Specialized_Allez_Junk/Spec_Bullhorns/Spec_Bullhorns_Full_TQF_L_1.jpg

+3 Overpaid. Its not the discount from the asking price that matters, its if the price is reasonable. Some sellers ask really high prices, so even after a "discount", their price is high.

Now if the bike was pristine, ready to ride, new cables, bearings, grease, tires, tubes, bar tape, then the price would be fine. But the sketchy shifting problems = some service will be required.

In any financial transaction, the person with the most knowledge wins.

The good news is that the difference between overpaid and the market is not much in your case. Once you sort out the mechanical issues, you will have yourself a really nice bike!

What do the tops of the seat stays look like? If it has 'Allez' embossed on the seat stay eye (rather than a Specialized "S"), it may be a 3Rensho-built Allez. If that proves to be the case, the OP did not overpay. As OFG says, need close ups of the seatcluster and fork crowns.

What do the tops of the seat stays look like? If it has 'Allez' embossed on the seat stay eye (rather than a Specialized "S"), it may be a 3Rensho-built Allez. If that proves to be the case, the OP did not overpay. As OFG says, need close ups of the seatcluster and fork crowns.

i dont think its a 3rensho, it has the specialized "s" on the seat stay..

I'd say you got a nice bike. It's a Specialized and if you prefer the brand it's probably 1/3-1/2 of what today's equivalent sells for new or very recently used. I went thru this debate over in the C&V WIW A&I forum over the 1986 Fuji Allegro I have. Paid $ 356 for it brand new and it's in virtually that condition right now. To sell it and get the most modern Fuji touring bike today, MSRP on that is $ 1,049.

http://www.fujibikes.com/bike/details/touring

Appreciation/Inflation and the older bikes benefit from that. I wouldn't sell my Allegro for anything less than what I paid for it, and might even be ballsy enough to list it for more, depending upon what more recent models are selling for. Simply because the buyer has 3 options. Buy a brand new one for whatever they can get as close or under MSRP. Or buy mine at what I'm willing to part with it for. Or go find something that is virtually being given away. Someone wants this specific one bad enough and has to have it, I'm not giving it away. Besides, it's Fuji Valite tubing, can't get that anymore, it's perfectly fine and somewhere between steel & chromoly, rides perfectly fine & the bike has never even so much has been dropped or fallen over.

FWIW, here's what the Allez goes for today. Starts at $ 730 for something closely approximating the bike you bought for $ 350, so it's about 1/2 the price of a new one.

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=51608&scid=1001&scname=Road

I'm not sure about the deal, since LA is a different planet than here.

You have it, so it's good. The post before this one is pretty much right, a new Allez at $730, and yours at $350 and a little work.

What you gain in knowledge as you make it perfect for you is invaluable, so don't worry about it.

I you like it and are happy then you did well, just don't plan on making a profit if you decide to sell.

LA is a crazy market. If it is your perfect size and all parts are original then good for you. At 350 I'd EXPECT it to be rust free, dent free, paint in nice shape and all bearings lubed and wheels true, tires and tubes good to go, new cables and housings. Having said that, most bikes now do not have all those things done to them so you have to take it and haggle accordingly.

Sounds like you have a few little things to get do on yours to get it smooth again but may not be so bad.
The most important thing is that it should fit you perfectly if you are paying top dollar for it. Other than that, dont feel too bad just RIDE RIDE RIDE. You'll soon forget about all the details if you are truly enjoying a bike you wanted and you got.

There is a premium to be had on bikes that fit your needs "right now" so you spend the money and get what you want. Or oyu can spend countless hours on CL every day hoping to find the "deal" of a price in your actual size and then be able to beat out every other Joe who wnats it. Not so easy.