Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Miyata six-ten

Hello,

I'm looking to buy a touring bike and I came across an add for a Miyata six-ten. I don't know too much about bikes and I want to make sure I'm not getting ripped off. The seller is asking for $750 (Canadian), but I've seen them much cheaper on this and other forums. Here are some images the seller sent me: http://www.flickr.com/photos/78239263@N05/

Thank you for your help,

I don't know how much $750 is in US dollars but it's too many for this bike. I see what is most likely the original bars in the photo but would you collect all the other pieces to put it back to original? The racks and fenders are nice and it probably rides great.

It's not exactly apples to apples but where I live a Trek 720 goes for about $450 on Craig's list. I have sold a few. YMMV.

I dont know what that comes out to american dollars..seems a little pricey but they are nice bicycles.

Insanely overpriced - move on.......

I like the addition of the dollar store flat bar levers. That adds a good $250 to the value.... /s. :rolleyes:

Way overpriced. Looking for a touring bike? Look for one from the 80s with cantilever brakes, bar end shifters, triple cranks, and more mounts for racks. This does not qualify as a touring bike in my book.

I would be thinking $150-200 on this bike based on what I see. I'm not familiar with the 610 but since there are no pictures of the driveside (components) or tubing sticker I generally assume the worst until proven otherwise.

Insanely overpriced - move on.......

This.

I recently bought a Miyata 618GT in excellent condition. The seller was asking $150.00 CAN. I got it for less.

The six ten without cantilever brakes have lower value than those with. A six ten with cantis' could bring $350-$400 depending on condition in your market. This bike is worth $150-$200.


This.

I recently bought a Miyata 618GT in excellent condition. The seller was asking $150.00 CAN. I got it for less.

You underpaid.

This.

I recently bought a Miyata 618GT in excellent condition. The seller was asking $150.00 CAN. I got it for less.

+1 This is a steal. But the OP bike for $750 is a total rip off.

Thanks for the input everyone. I've offered the seller a lower price, and I'm waiting to see if he responds. There is one factor I forgot to mention before, this is a woman's bike with a shorter top bar, which I've had a really hard time finding.

Still not worth $750. That does not mean seller will take less. Some sellers are stuck on a price, whether it is logical or not. Convincing them otherwise can be a waste of time.

Tip on negotiating, do it in person, cash in hand, do not send email offers. I delete every email offer, as it just commits me, the seller. Meanwhile, the buyer has really not made any commitment. As a seller, its a complete waste of time.

Still not worth $750. That does not mean seller will take less. Some sellers are stuck on a price, whether it is logical or not. Convincing them otherwise can be a waste of time.

Tip on negotiating, do it in person, cash in hand, do not send email offers. I delete every email offer, as it just commits me, the seller. Meanwhile, the buyer has really not made any commitment. As a seller, its a complete waste of time.

+1. And one more tip: at this price level, you really need to be able to assess the bike. If you don't know how, find the most trustworthy person you can who knows the most about bikes. And I factor in some bargaining into my price, but won't bargain until the buyer sees the bike.

At a minimum, check for dents, frame alignment, headset adjustment. Look for rippling at the join of the headtube and the top and down tubes.

The price this person is selling this bike for is at the very top of the market, if not above it. A 610 is a fine bike, but at this price, check that thing out to the nth degree.


Headset adjustment: Press down on the front brake. Holding brake down, Push the front wheel back and forth. Feel a clicking? Headset may be too loose, which can hide several problems. Set the bike on the back wheel, pulling up the front end of the bike. The bars should flop freely to one side or the other. If they don't, headset is too tight. Headset may be indexed.

Alignment: run a string from one dropout, around the head tube, back to the opposite drop. measure from the string to the seat tube. Distance should be equal.

If the above is unintelligible to you, find someone to check this bike thorough like. Seriously.

You know, we should start a thread on assessing older bikes. might be a help.