Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Mikkelsen

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bik/2534049589.html

I'm not very knowledgeable in classic or vintage bikes but I'm going to go check out a Mikkelsen (Bay area framebuilder: http://www.mikkelsenframes.com/). I've talked with the owner here is what I've learned:

1. Been in storage for a very long time.
2. No rust on the frame, but a few chips
3. Tires should be replaced

Other details:
Mikkelsen lugged Columbus 62 cm (says it's at least SL and the bike weighs 23lbs.)
old Campy record components (crankset, rear derailluer, shifters)
Dura-Ace front derailluer
Cinelli bars
King headset

Needs:
New brake hoods and new tires and probably re-cabling.


My perspective: I'm looking to make this my first geared bike in years (I'm riding a fixed right now) and I want something dependable and fun-to-ride. Not looking for a collector's piece.

What do you guys think? What should I look for specifically?

Its a pretty neat bike. Custom built, so make sure it fits YOU. Given how crazy pricing usually is in the bay area, this sounds like a pretty good deal. I would get over there NOW to look at it.

To me, the key on any bike is the frame. Shortcomings in other aspects can be addressed, but you are stuck with the frame. Step 1: make sure the seat post and stem are not stuck. If they are, it is a crapshoot whether you will be able to get them unstuck. I used to think I was a genius, and could get any stuck seat post or stem freed up. I WAS TEN FOR TEN!! Well, now, I am 10 for 11....... That last one hurt... Second thing I look for is a crashed/bent frame. Typically this starts with a bent fork, which can be fixed, and a bent down tube and top tube (look close), which are difficult to fix.

Really too much to cover here. If you want to be an expert on inspecting bikes, I would spend a little time on google. But again, this bike is probably not going to last, so don't wait too long.

Buy it!

Bernie builds good frames. If it fits, grab it.

Bay Area pricing is really ridiculous.

I went and took a look at it today. Very pretty in person and it fit pretty well. Rode it around the parking lot a bit.

Needs new tires for sure.

I'm not sure on it yet, I think I'd rather have something like a 90's Lemond with 853 steel if I can get it around the same price.

If it fits, I'd buy it (depending on exact parts, etc.). I'd much rather have that than a Lemond....

I can't see passing on that bike, based on it being good in person. Someone will grab it. I am shocked it is still available.

In my experience (and I buy a lot of bikes), locking in to a particular brand and model (and size of course), makes finding a deal infinitely more difficult. My purchases are just the opposite, I am open to any bike shop brand, any decent model, any size, any year, as long as it is attractively priced. When I do occasionally find a bike my size, its usually not a brand or model I was seeking. Last three keeper bikes: Quintana Roo Aerial, Schwinn Paramount Series V, and a Univega Alpina Pro. I was not looking for any of them.

The only model and size specific bike I ever looked for was a 1987 Schwinn Prologue (in my size). Took me two years to find one, and that one was on ebay. Guy misspelled Prologue, but fortunately, I had saved several searches, including some misspelled ones. Oh, and he listed the size wrong, so I had to use my "calibrated eyeballs" to estimate the size. So I had to have it shipped from Logan, UT to the Carolinas. Of course, the seller messed up the packing, and it got damaged in transit (that is another story). About two months later, I did find one locally, but it was much too small (price was right, so I bought it).

I was buying for my brother. And although it is beautiful, I'm not sure it is as functional as a more modern bike for a similar price.

Well, so I bought it...

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UKvyFvsXqes/TkClaDduWjI/AAAAAAAACMQ/TnpWKmq1sQs/s800/2011-08-08%25252019.47.16_Oakland_California_US.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tbCub4uhW9s/TkClC7tHbdI/AAAAAAAACMM/MfwDhb4yMTQ/s800/2011-08-08%25252019.47.38_Oakland_California_US.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LBE-8JHiY2Q/TkClB-qQ8WI/AAAAAAAACMI/hgLI9fABGRA/s800/2011-08-08%25252019.47.51_Oakland_California_US.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dYtYqbvWljM/TkClAIPzvyI/AAAAAAAACMA/oyKIHWCobgw/s800/2011-08-08%25252019.48.22_Oakland_California_US.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0bqlm82mxuY/TkCk_RnTUKI/AAAAAAAACL8/hSvD3fRqoQ4/s800/2011-08-08%25252019.48.49_Oakland_California_US.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-LVars3ZE3ZU/TkCk-2uSJ-I/AAAAAAAACL4/MnQZ5v9XH0s/s144/2011-08-08%25252019.49.06_Oakland_California_US.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bCpjFh6S5jw/TkCk-BV8RYI/AAAAAAAACL0/iJii7temOpg/s800/2011-08-08%25252019.49.54_Oakland_California_US.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gDM-ZRZRBZQ/TkCk83ydO4I/AAAAAAAACLw/iuENSP56eos/s800/2011-08-08%25252019.50.03_Oakland_California_US.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CO-xHULMUfE/TkCk7hbNzJI/AAAAAAAACLs/_bpKAEscJ1I/s800/2011-08-08%25252019.50.15_Oakland_California_US.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sn8wvelRItU/TkCk6zz7khI/AAAAAAAACLo/yNkZfTcKBAU/s800/2011-08-08%25252019.50.36_Oakland_California_US.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mIJpQukKrg4/TkCk6O5aX4I/AAAAAAAACLk/NT5lSa_F73o/s800/2011-08-08%25252019.51.08_Oakland_California_US.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sYG6CEcJHoY/TkCk5od1NaI/AAAAAAAACLg/Nt7c0CHDho8/s800/2011-08-08%25252019.51.34_Oakland_California_US.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-A90PlXOw21Q/TkCk5bfsUMI/AAAAAAAACLc/m5uV7BNMs3E/s800/2011-08-08%25252019.51.51_Oakland_California_US.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qoopbzQsm6M/TkCk4wuZvPI/AAAAAAAACLY/mAPnVHbgn7c/s800/2011-08-08%25252019.52.10_Oakland_California_US.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-c_GrR6i56rw/TkCk4MRQSyI/AAAAAAAACLU/dgiNEAw8kHw/s800/2011-08-08%25252019.52.37_Oakland_California_US.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Nj81Vai_f6A/TkCk35KgtSI/AAAAAAAACLQ/PsrGndGLuWo/s800/2011-08-08%25252019.52.47_Oakland_California_US.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8EJDMBgKfpA/TkCk3ElrbGI/AAAAAAAACLI/nrJ98jfq0QY/s800/2011-08-08%25252019.52.57_Oakland_California_US.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LX9oT02afGI/TkCk2XO66zI/AAAAAAAACLE/ALEwa9u40dU/s800/2011-08-08%25252019.53.11_Oakland_California_US.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kfiw2JVhh_U/TkCk2C2o-LI/AAAAAAAACLA/1wl97ZC02uc/s800/2011-08-08%25252019.55.23.jpg

You dun good!

Worth closer to double that price, I'd guess. I hope that you're tall.....

I'm definitely tall. 6'3'' with a 36-inch inseam