Just bought a Raleigh Super Grand Prix but... I still want more. aka $50 Super Course
05-26-10, 08:50 AM
#1
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Just bought a Raleigh Super Grand Prix but... I still want more. aka $50 Super Course
I haven't even got my first bike completely tuned/cleaned and I stumble across this 50 dollar Super Course in my area, frame's big (as am I) and seller says it's been stored inside for years. I'm still so very green to the bike world but seeing as I paid just over 100 for my last bike and it rides like a dream surely I can drop 50 on this. Anyone with greater knowledge have an opinion?
quote from the seller
"Men's 1980s Raleigh Racing Bike ridden for a couple of years, then stored in the house for last several years.
This is a large frame bike, rider is 6'1"
In excellent shape; no rust, no scratches, no tears, hardly used.
First $50.00 takes it!
Need the storage space, and haven't ridden this bike for a very long time."
I surely don't need it, but I sure would like it. A good deal ? Or am I just being bike horny.
Thanks a bunch.
quote from the seller
"Men's 1980s Raleigh Racing Bike ridden for a couple of years, then stored in the house for last several years.
This is a large frame bike, rider is 6'1"
In excellent shape; no rust, no scratches, no tears, hardly used.
First $50.00 takes it!
Need the storage space, and haven't ridden this bike for a very long time."
I surely don't need it, but I sure would like it. A good deal ? Or am I just being bike horny.
Thanks a bunch.
05-26-10, 09:06 AM
#3
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I think you'd be crazy no to get it.
05-26-10, 12:06 PM
#6
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seller got back to me and invited me down tomorrow night, the ad seems to be taken down as well so I might have this in the bag.
05-26-10, 12:12 PM
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TOMORROW?
Why not TODAY? - That is such a stellar good deal that you'll be lucky if it's there when you arrive. - But if you must wait, then good luck to you!
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05-26-10, 12:23 PM
#8
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apparently the sellers are out of town tonight, so tomorrow was the earliest I could swing it.
I'm hoping that if they actually are gone tonight then it should still be there, still I wouldn't be shocked if someone offered them 75 for it. Looks like it's in great shape (and I really dig the colour)
I'm hoping that if they actually are gone tonight then it should still be there, still I wouldn't be shocked if someone offered them 75 for it. Looks like it's in great shape (and I really dig the colour)
05-26-10, 12:41 PM
#9
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+1 You should be camping out at his door. Someone is going to offer him $150 and you will be SOL. First rule of scooping nice bikes, grab first, research later.
Hopefully you will get it!!!
Hopefully you will get it!!!
05-26-10, 03:38 PM
#10
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Good News! Just heard from the seller again she said that it was ridden years ago, then serviced and put in their basement. She's going to see if the tires hold air tonight, I'm almost positive this SC is mine. Hurray for superfluous bike purchases!
05-26-10, 04:45 PM
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It looks identical to a '78 SC I picked up recently at a garage sale. Reynolds 531 with Suntour Cyclone bits - suhweet! Nice score.
05-26-10, 10:03 PM
#13
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Who gives a crap if the tires hold air or not. Get over there and get the d,,, bike.
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05-27-10, 05:56 AM
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and please post a few pics from the noncraigslist side of the bike LOL
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
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05-27-10, 05:58 AM
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Sounds like you have an honest seller (we'll see).
05-27-10, 12:10 PM
#18
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Don't worry all , the second I'm off work I'm flying down there myself. If I can find my digital camera cord there shall be pictures tonight. 
05-27-10, 08:47 PM
#20
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Got it! I'm so very pleased (50 bucks!), needs a cleaning / lubing (and some air, unfortuantely it has "european" valves) before riding but it looks like it's going to be a lovely roll.
Spoke with the seller a bit, sounded like his daughter posted it online for him he thinks he bought it in '81 or '80 and he figured he rode it seriously for a year or two before switching to MTB. Already I can tell it's lighter than by Super Grand Prix
As promised, some pictures:
oh so grimey
I got worried when I saw this bit of tape covering a spot on the fork, this is what was under it.
I've never taken pictures of a bike so I didn't really know what was most important, I took a bunch so if anyone's curious about a specific part/area lemme know, I've probably got a picture of it.
*sorry for the small pic's , still getting a handle on this photo uploader.
Spoke with the seller a bit, sounded like his daughter posted it online for him he thinks he bought it in '81 or '80 and he figured he rode it seriously for a year or two before switching to MTB. Already I can tell it's lighter than by Super Grand Prix
As promised, some pictures:
oh so grimey
I got worried when I saw this bit of tape covering a spot on the fork, this is what was under it.
I've never taken pictures of a bike so I didn't really know what was most important, I took a bunch so if anyone's curious about a specific part/area lemme know, I've probably got a picture of it.
*sorry for the small pic's , still getting a handle on this photo uploader.
Last edited by sauze; 05-27-10 at 10:22 PM.
05-27-10, 10:34 PM
#21
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Thats the shot we all are looking for...
05-28-10, 04:09 AM
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the presta valve tires are 700C. Far more desirable than 27" schrader valve tires.
If you are new to collecting, read up a bit before making any changes to the bike. I foolishly ruined some fragile plating on my first collectible with an innocent swipe of a scotchbrite pad.
If you are new to collecting, read up a bit before making any changes to the bike. I foolishly ruined some fragile plating on my first collectible with an innocent swipe of a scotchbrite pad.
05-28-10, 06:04 AM
#23
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You'll grow to like presta valves. You won't be able to put a schrader valve in that rim, the hole will be too small. Glad you got it. That's a heck of a deal for $50.
05-28-10, 09:17 AM
#24
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(after doing some reading on Presta valves...) I'm sold. For a bike like this they certainly make sense. Also I just saw that MEC sells Presta adapters for like 1.25 and a seemingly good , small, hand pump for under 30 bucks that can be used for either so that's easy to deal with. I just wish it wasn't raining all weekend...
05-28-10, 03:59 PM
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(after doing some reading on Presta valves...) I'm sold. For a bike like this they certainly make sense. Also I just saw that MEC sells Presta adapters for like 1.25 and a seemingly good , small, hand pump for under 30 bucks that can be used for either so that's easy to deal with. I just wish it wasn't raining all weekend...
In fact, from what you are saying, this bike is better than the first one you got! All good!!
