Standard Issue

I just picked this uni as part of a package deal along with a specialissima. I'm trying to get my investment back. Do you all reckon I'd get more by parting it out on ebay or selling whole locally? I live in upstate NY so riding season is over leaving flippers and collectors as my most likely potential customers.
I know the bike as a whole isn't super desirable but the frame is triple butted cromo and the shifters and D's are suntour cyclone. The bike as a whole is in good condition with some very mild scrapes that are very lightly surface rusted.
I wouldn't mind shipping the frame but I'm not really interested in shipping the entire bike. I'm hoping to get $200 out of this bike. Are my expectations too high?

auchencrow

Standard Issue -
I don't think you will have too much trouble getting $200 for a Ben Lawlee designed Univega with Suntour Cyclone changers and forged DOs.

You may have a long wait to find a customer though, but that's only because (as you point out) the season is over, and no flipper is going to pay your asking price.

Parting out is not going to net you a tremendous amount more than selling it outright in the spring, because neither the frame nor the components (apart from the DRs) are worth so much in and of themselves, plus dealing with all the shipping and packing and eBay fees will make you regret it.

JMHO.

Casey Jones

Just PM'd you about the bike.

Jumpa

I removed this post

wrk101

To the OP: Flippers and collectors are not going to pay $200 in a smaller market, out of season, and needing clean up. To maximize return, you need to clean up any/all rust, scrapes, etc., and get it ready to ride. As is = project which goes cheap. Collectors are not yet collecting mid grade Univegas, so it probably will be bought as a rider.

Desirable small size is a huge plus. You probably could reach the $200 mark on a part out, maybe a tad more. Just realize all of the fees, hassles, etc., that come with ebay. You also need to have a solid record as a seller, and good marketing skills.

Cyclone Gen 2 brings a small fraction of Cyclone Gen 1.

When you consider the additional costs of rehabbing the bike: new tires, bearings, grease, cables, and possibly a couple of other items, you probably would be ahead on a part out instead. I usually rehab bikes of this level, as I just enjoy doing it. But financially, part outs can be a winner, particularly from smaller markets.

Instead, on a part out, you will just be putting time in cleaning everything (you would have to do this on a rehab as well), and your marketing. Not sure shipping those wheels would be worth the trouble, I would probably keep the wheels, stems, and bars for future projects. Derailleurs, shifters, crankset, brakeset, and frameset should bring you the money. Let the headset and seat post go with the frame.

Standalone 

I think parting out decent mid level and above bikes is (just slightly) on the bad bike karma side of the spectrum.

Casey Jones

I agree. It is a shame to part out a bike that can be ridden and enjoyed by someone. Sell it whole...to me.