BigPolishJimmy

Just curious,

What kind of value would you folks put on this Fuji Allegro Mixte? I was going to raid it for cranks, but a friend saw it, said it was a picture and that I should keep it 'as is'. Now that I have some other cranks, I'm considering fixing it up a bit and releasing it back into the wild, but don't know what I should ask. Ok, so what do you think 'as is' and if I repack bearings + new tires + new cables + new grips.

It's got suntour AR derailers & diacomp brakes.

wrk101

As is: $50. Fully refurbished, cleaned up (do something with the rusty pedals and chain), bearings, grease, cables, $175. I am assuming rims are aluminum.

EjustE

+1 for the as is condition.

I would:
get a new saddle and chain. Toss those MTB bars and get drops (you need brake levers as well), clean or change the pedals and get some cages and straps, turn the front wheel around the correct way (QR on the non-drive side), clean and lube well and add new cables. Also if the tires are ratty, you need new tires.

Fix it, and if you live close to college campus you can get $250ish for it.

I see a donor bike in your future. As a matter of fact, I might be looking at one in these pictures next to it

BigPolishJimmy

Yes, The rims are aluminum. I would put new cables, a better saddle (not torn up), either new pedals, or clean those up, but I think just new would be best. New chain, mothers on the cranks, derailleurs, brakes. The bars I was unsure of, I was thinking of going with cruiser bars, but I could easily go with drops. I have several donor bikes, so that's not a problem, the one behind was ffs and a small frame, it's gone already. What about tires? The ones on it are obviously old, but don't look like they're in bad shape. Since I'm not looking to keep the bike, I'm looking to keep costs down but still make it attractive.

*edit* if I go with drops, should I go with aero or non-aero? I have some sun aero brakes that I bought, but haven't installed on anything yet, but I have lots of non-aero brakes w/turkey levers.

JunkYardBike

I dunno, ebay has gone crazy over mixte frames lately. Check out this gaspipe Nishiki frameset that went for $300!!! https://cgi.ebay.com/Nice-Used-NISHIK...item3a5a32d573

Granted, it was listed by a power seller (increased buyer confidence?) and it's final price is far higher than a few others that sold, but you could probably fetch at least $100 for the frame alone on ebay. Strip and flip!

JunkYardBike

If you keep it whole, I'd stick with the bars on it or go with cruiser bars. More style points and I think upright bars are an easier sell to college coeds.

wrk101

+1 Many buyers of a bike like that would prefer the upright bars, and it minimizes your spending as well. On the tires, I would need a better picture. If you have take off tires in better shape, I would change them. Nice tires and a good seat really help sell a bike. Its the first thing buyers look at. Also make sure the wheels are true. Its the only mechanical thing I have seen buyers look at.

BigPolishJimmy

I would be tempted to strip the frame and sell it on ebay if I could get that kind of $$ for it, but I've never sold anything on ebay before. I don't know if I like the idea of it, there is this moment in real life with real people when you let them test ride the bike and you see when it's right for them, or to a lesser extent you see when it's wrong for them. But when it's right, it's perfect, still I need to support my hobby, and I bought this bike for the rims and the cranks, although I have extras of those now as well.

Kobe 

Can someone explain that Nishiki Century on e-bay going for $305. I have the exact bike in the exact size on CL for half that and mine is a complete bike with all new parts. I am asking half that and have had barely a nibble.


Who needs some parts, I'm stripping in down and putting it on e-bay.

JunkYardBike

Location, location, location. My hunch is mixtes are much more popular on the west coast. ebay is one way for us east coasters to get them there!

wrk101

Sure, ebay auction prices are all over the map. You will see some good deals, some lousy deals, and everything inbetween. A lot of it just goes to luck. If everyone could get $300 for a mixte frame on ebay, ebay would be flooded with mixte frames. It just takes two bidders that really want an item to bid it up.

A Nishiki Sport mixte frameset just went for $81 earlier this week. It looked really good. A decent Univega Nuovo Touring with canti brake braze ons just went for $128 (from the same seller that got $305 for the Century). A Raleigh Super Course mixte sold for $127. All three were significantly better frames than the Century....

So I would not count on another high auction price for a mixte frameset.

JunkYardBike

+1 I forgot to mention the $300 sale seems like a bit of an outlier, but I don't think it's unreasonable to expect $100 (and possibly more) for a mixte frame on ebay.

wrk101

+1 $100 on ebay is a reasonable expectation, assuming paint it good, no damage, realistic shipping, and a good listing with great pictures.

juls

That frame doesn't have the cp brake routeing. The huge loop needed to reach the back brake makes for weakness in the lever. Better to have upright bars for that reason alone. $100/I agree

BigPolishJimmy

Bah... Most braking power comes from the front brakes anyway. If it goes local, I know the local college crowd (in general) seem to prefer cruiser type bars. I've had a harder time selling bikes with drop bars than the 3-speeds or single speeds with cruiser/north road bars. If it doesn't go local, I'll give Drew a shot online.

BTW, What is considered 'realistic shipping?' Is it best to pre-determine which shipper ups/usps/fedex/etc. to use and just call it good, or to let the buyer choose the carrier and pay for whatever it costs??? I really have no idea how this is done. I do know how to pack a frame, or rather I've seen some very nice frame packing jobs on this site with pipe insulator foam and fork spacer/protectors. So packing it up should be ok, but how to ship it? Any suggestions most welcome. I'll be setting up paypal soon, I don't mind their cut if it puts the buyer at ease.