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

I have been searching the web for info about this brand, but can't find much of anything.

I guess I am most curious about the frame and if it is nice. The parts are a mismatch, 105 fd, exage rd, dura ace free wheel.

Here's the add, and thanks in advance for your help!

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/bik/2680593282.html

that is a new one to me. did you ask for more better pics? what are the rest of the components?

I asked for some more photos, so we'll see what he sends. He didn't say much about the other components, the crankset was branded as BH, and I asked what the wheels and brakes are.

All I was able to find about BH is this thread, somebody mentioned BH being around for a long time.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/758993-Best-Spanish-Steel/page2

With an unknown brands I evaluate the bike based on components and frame tubing, or weight if the frame tubing is unknown.

Need more pictures/info to make any kind of judgement. 105, Dura Ace is good stuff but if the frame is hi-ten it's basically worthless (to me anyway.)

With an unknown brands I evaluate the bike based on components and frame tubing, or weight if the frame tubing is unknown.

Need more pictures/info to make any kind of judgement. 105, Dura Ace is good stuff but if the frame is hi-ten it's basically worthless (to me anyway.)

+100

And most brands that do not show up on google tend to be private label/store brands. There were thousands of them at one time. By the 1980s, some of the store branded stuff was really quite good.

Just evaluate based on condition, frame tubing material (if it is marked) and components (sounds like a Frankenbike, so the components don't have a lot of value). Realize in many towns, an obscure/store brand vintage bike will not bring much, so it can be a good chance to get something pretty decent at an attractive price.

From that one mediocre picture, frame looks kind of basic. Really hard to tell. I look for clues such as DT shifters (got them), fluted seat post (nope), chrome stays (nope), matching rims (nope), aerolevers (nope) and so on. The only reason I bring up aerolevers is for the era. With some of those components I would expect aerolevers. Since they are not there, either its an older bike where some of the parts have been changed out, or a parts bin build (my guess). Parts bin was skimpy enough that parts do not match, not even close. Lack of bottle holder = bike has not been ridden since built up. Kind of sounds like a co-op build, whatever was in the bins that day. Really hard to tell on the rims, when rims don't match, I start suspecting crash damage, and inspect the frame much more carefully.

Thanks for the help, I may check it out to see what it's like.


Thanks!

Some points to support the hi-tensiel frame theme are the nutted brakes and what appears to be a steel (possibly cottered) crankset.

I also supect this has been crashed. In addition to the mismatched rims, the fork appears to bent back, though it is hard to tell from a picture, especially when the wheel is cocked.

+1 TMar is right, fork is bent.

Pass.

It was nothing special, and now it is damaged. You can do a lot better.

Thanks for the heads up! I'm staying away.

Found it! BH Cycles were a Spanish brand manufactured in Vitoria and 2nd only to Zeus.