Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - 198? Nuovo Sport

Hi All,
I'm quite new to road bikes and totally new to Bike Forums and have been eyeballing a Univega Nuovo Sport on Boston Craigslist all afternoon. I unfortunately don't know the year or if it's Japan-made, but to my untrained eye it seems to be from the 80s. I've been digging through the archives here but can't seem to find any run-down of the Nuovo Sport's quality other than it was a lower-mid level bike.


From the CL ad:

Univega Nuovo Sport Road Bike

54cm seat tube with a stand over of 31 inches should
fit riders about 5'6" to 5'9".

12 speeds with Suntour front derailleur and stem mounted shifters
Shimano SIS rear derailleur
Dia Compe centerpull brakes
27 inch alloy wheels

Bike was just given a thorough reconditioning. Parts and frame cleaned, lubed and tuned up.
Any identifiable worn bits replaced.
New Parts Installed:
Chain
Tires and Tubes
All cables
Saddle
Pedals
Handlebar wrap

Works perfectly and rides great.The seller wants $220 for it. Getting a decent bike for less than $150 seems near impossible in this area, and I have neither the time nor the ability (nor the income!) for a fixer-upper right now. So I think I'm mostly stuck in the $200ish range, barring a stroke of brilliant luck. Is this a bike that's worth that?

It seems like Flickr doesn't want me posting my pictures here (been years since I've last posted regularly on forums and apparently the rules have changed). Instead, a link to the four picture set: Never mind. Figured it out. See the first reply! Sorry!

TIA

Ahah, I jumped too soon. Looks like I can attach photos without needing flickr. (But I can't edit attachments on a post that's already been published? Sorry for the messiness!)

Here are the pictures I have of the bike...

Is this a bike that's worth that?

IMO, no. Stem shifters, turkey levers. I see ads from your area all the time over in the http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/561211-eBay-CraigsList-finds-quot-Are-you-looking-for-one-of-these!-quot-Part-II/page484

You should be looking at something like this> http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/2721952159.html

I would buy that for flip material if it was near me. Be patient. You will find something.

Getting a decent bike for less than $150 seems near impossible in this area, and I have neither the time nor the ability (nor the income!) for a fixer-upper right now.

Price might be close for a hot market. Unmatched components make it less attractive to me. That Peloton is sweet and a much better bike, but it will require quite a bit of work.

The best deals are usually not on Craigs List, and if they are, they require significant work. Finding a good bike for under $150 is very possible, but it takes a fair amount of work and time, and the willingness to pounce on the best deals.

Univega is too high. Stem shifters, grab bag of parts, etc. Plus it's just not that nice of a bike to begin with. I've picked up better for $50 at garage sales. It's worth maybe $100 tops. At this time of year you should be able to find better than that, even in Boston.



You should be looking at something like this> http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/2721952159.html


Those handlebars are an absolute tragedy! At least it wasn't spray bombed and "fixied." If I lived close by I'd consider buying it just to "save" it from a worse conversion. It is a reasonable deal. I'd definitely buy it before the Univega.

Welcome to the interest of vintage road bicycles. You might want to learn a bit about them (http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/FREE_SITE_1/FREE_SITE_1_HOME.htm) as you seek out a good one to purchase. Doing so will help you make a good choice, regarding quality and, who knows, you just might find a bicycle for nothing (http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/FREE_SITE_1/FREE_SITE_2_FINDING_METHODS_1.htm), if you make the effort.

Thanks, all! I'll just have to sit on my hands. I'm so antsy to find something. I've been hemming and hawing about whether or now I want to try riding a bike with drop bars (currently I commute on a '68 Raleigh Sport) and now that I've decided I want to do it, I want to do it NOW! Patience is a virtue...