mastershake916

My local bike kitchen (https://sacbikekitchen.org/) got a donation of a Bridgestone RB-2 synergy today, really nice bike, bar ends and aero brakes.
So my question is, how should we price it? Personaly I tin ebay would be the best option but what is the going price?

Thank you.

mastershake916

Anybody?

el twe

I'd say sell it at the Kitchen, you might as well keep it in the community. If it doesn't sell, then move to eBay. Not sure as far as price goes, could you post any pictures of it?

mastershake916

With most bikes, I'd try to keep it close, but with something that can bring in some real cash to pay for bar tape, tires, tubes, lights and other things that we need, ebay is always an option.
But anyways, the paint is in good condition, it needs a little adjustment and tires and tubes.
The weird thing is, it has different rims on the front and back, I'm assuming that there wasn't a front rim so they stuck another one on there before they left.

JunkYardBike

I recently sold a COMPLETELY overhauled '88 RB-2 for $200, which I think was fair for both parties. I listed it on my local CL but it sold to someone in Kentucky, to give you an idea about the demand for Bridgestones. I've seen them sell for a bit less and quite a bit more. The early 90s models are more highly sought after because of the Grant Peterson mystique (he gained more influence on design later in his tenure at Bridgestone). The RB-2s are not as highly regarded as the RB-1s, though they had identical geometry, but usually lesser tubing and parts (I think there may have been an exception or two to that).

You'd probably get quite a few offers if you listed in on CL, especially in CA. eBay would likely garner your best market value, but shipping would take a small chunk out of the profit margin.

Some recent ebay auction results:

https://cgi.ebay.com/bridgestone-RB-2...QQcmdZViewItem
https://cgi.ebay.com/Bridgestone-RB-1...QQcmdZViewItem
https://cgi.ebay.com/Bridgestone-RB-1...QQcmdZViewItem

el twe

I guess you could eBay it with local pick-up only.

mastershake916

$200 can go towards a lot of stuff to finish off some other shop projects.

Thanks to both of you for your help.

JunkYardBike

If you're in a hot bike market (and it seems to me from posts here that all of California is!), and plan to sell it on CL, I'd list it higher than $200. Maybe $250 or even $300 (especially if it's in great shape). Then the buyer can talk you down a bit. Of course, if it needs lots of work, that might be high.

HillRider

I expect shipping would take a LARGE chunk out of your profit margin. Shipping something as large and heavy as a bike by Fed-Ex or UPS would likely run $50 or more. That's ok if you can price it so the buyer pays for the shipping but if you do, be careful. CL or E-bay with local pick-up only could be worth a lot to you.

nlerner

Just about every eBay bike seller (me included) asks that buyers pay for the cost of shipping. I use the UPS Ground calculator on the auction site so that any potential buyer will know exactly how much shipping will be. All that takes is entering the box dimensions and weight when you list the item. Or set a flat fee. There's no need for the seller to pay for shipping out of pocket.

Neal

SoreFeet

I would stash the bike away until somebody comes in looking for a bike on a budget. Give them a good deal and make them an avid cyclists. Come on be nice....

JunkYardBike

Personally, I wouldn't list it on eBay without a shipping option. I would much rather sell it locally on CL where I could control the minimum price rather than risk a "local pickup only" eBay auction, which often finish way under market value (unless, perhaps, you are locally in a hot market). Or, if you do, set a higher starting bid. But this often hurts bidding as well.

If you do go the eBay route: to entice buyers, packaging the bike yourself (free) reduces shipping costs, and you can even offer a flat rate shipping total that is discounted $10 or $20 (less the cost of your farthest shipping location). A lower shipping cost greatly enhances bidding, and you will likely get the discount back, possibly two or threefold.

JunkYardBike

You must live in the Sacramento area...

Actually, it sounds like mastershake916 is attempting to promote cycling, not by presenting one person with the gift of a decent bike, but by spreading the potential profits to many cyclists.

intron

325 bucks RB-2 from Santa Rosa:
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bik/292423694.html

600 bucks Altair San Francisco:
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik/296110092.html

JunkYardBike

This seller must know the 1992 is more desirable than the earlier "Synergy" models...because that ain't no 1992. Actually, it looks and has exactly the same components as my 1988 did. I'd say the asking price is a little high, but probably not for SF.

Poguemahone

Having on of those and riding it regularly as a beater, I would say 200$ is extremely fair, maybe a bit on the low side. Mine is a 1991 and really, really a nice rider. I wouldn't part with it for a mere 200$. I paid 40$ at an auction for mine, and feel like a thief...

mastershake916

Yes'um.

pigiron

$200-$250. $600 for that Altair is nuts.

bikeclub

I'd like to revisit this thread, because I noticed a couple of Bridgestone RB-2's for sale the other day.

What would you pay for for a clean 1991 version, or a 1990 version with some updated parts? Having a hard time justifying buying another bike, of course, but there is that Grant Peterson mystique.

daf1009

I would agree with everyone that the $200 price is about right...and...I would list it on CL, starting at $300...gives you negotiating room and you might get more than the 200! Take good pictures and present it well...

cb400bill

Moved Zombie thread from C&V to Appraisals.

mstateglfr 

Itd really depend on the components(what was upgraded) and the cosmetic and mechanical condition of the bike. A bike can look clean and have 25 year old grease packed bearings that will need to be overhauled. Same with cables, tires, tape, etc. 'Clean' and 'ready to ride' are very different things to me.

bikeclub

How about clean, ready to ride, and original parts?

mstateglfr 

$200ish? Without details(really, pics), that is a total guess. My version of clean and ready to ride is often times 20x more critical than most people on craigslist who pump up tires on a bike stored for 10 years and claim its ready to ride.

Those bikes(RB1 and 2) are a trip to look at. Its like Grant Petersen threw darts at a components board. Its like they are parts bin builds, yet I am completely sure everything was well thought out.

Anyways, the '90 came with Accushift barcons and other SunTour/affiliated components. the 91 came with a mix of Shimano Exage, DiaCompe, SunTour, and SR.
Nothing collectible or anything. Both are just good solid spec'd bikes.