zukahn1 

We have seen this a lot of times that the experts here knock even potentially great bikes for not being properly set up and ready to ride. Just as a poll question in general how much of a difference in price evaultion does this make
I would give almost any decent road bike a $200 value legit setup and ready to ride. While regardless of how nice it is most incomplete project/problem will likely get $100 or less.

wrk101

Buyers have no imagination. Even something as simple as flat tires = lower price. And I always assume if the seller is too lazy to even air up the tires, what else has he overlooked?

I would give as much weight to properly marketed. A bike just thrown out there with craptastic pictures might get X, whereas a bike with wonderful pics, and a simple, but meaningful description might get 2X to 3X.

A lot of people think they can just toss something onto ebay and make big money. IMHO, marketing is the least appreciated and most important aspect of any sale. That being said, the greatest marketing in the world does not overcome a dirty, nasty bike. Marketing requires the item to be clean and ready to go.

And as far as what I buy, pretty much 100% of the time, it is not ready to ride, not maintained, and poorly marketed. But I am looking for a discount.

My favorite recent poorly marketed buy, the ad was "race bike poor paint". That was it. But because of this poor marketing, a Pinarello lasted two days, priced lower than the value of the stem alone...

randyjawa 

There are too many undefined variables in this "Poll" to offer an answer. What is Properly Set Up? Ready to ride means different things to different people. And does either make a difference? Yes, to the uninformed. Then, of course, what is an expert?

As for the so called experts, they are offering an opinion regarding the state of repair, not the quality of the bicycle. They offer their opinion, I believe, to help the person asking for the evaluation, not to knock a bike. At least that is what I do, of course, I am not an expert.

When considering a purchase, I do not give too hoots if a bike is Set Up properly, nor do I care if it is ready to ride. I do my own set up, as soon as I get a bike, and make darn sure that it is ready (safe) to ride, by doing so. When I evaluate a purchase, I consider the frame and components present, and nothing else. If the frame is of high quality and the components a matched group, the bike earns more points and I am willing to pay more for it.

As for the $100 and $200 rule, not in my humble opinion. There are hundreds of decent (again, decent needs to be defined) old road bikes that I would not pay twenty bucks for, no matter how well set up they are. But that is just me.

Bianchigirll 

I agree with Randy especially with being properly set up and Bill regarding imagination. The Bianchi I recently asked for help on. I left the brake cable flaping in the breeze as that is the way the Mondiale came in '87 although I updated the group to a '89/90 kit. Aside from being grossly long, which I see as a benifit to the buyer, so they can adjust the bar/stem combo as needed w/o buying new cable. I do admit the bike looks better but the big question is will it get more attention now.



After, I also added some tan sidewalls.




For me personally I have imagination and when I look at a bike I see it how I want it not how the seller has it. I think even this hedious atrocity can be turned into a ungainly swan. The wheel guides and soemthing about the RD make me think this is might have Superbee bits on it.

zukahn1 

Yes it is likely to sell better the tighter lines show off the great frame more. The heart and soul of a realy great bike. Plus the second pic is better than the first. as for the rasta bike Dman nice spot I think I know whats really under the paint early 80's Treck with a 600 crank and Suntour something just not guit Super.

sloar 

When I sell a bike, even if its a Walmart bike, I sell them ready to ride, and properly adjusted.

thinktubes 

I would add quality photos and well-written marketing copy to this equation.

zukahn1 

It seems my key market may be a little different of the 50 or so bikes I have sold ranging from $20-$1000. 80 percent of my buyers have been ride off's they actually road away on the bike.

Bianchigirll 

That is because your Colorado, most of your buyers are Illegal Immagrants needing a bike to go buy their medicinal marajauna!

zukahn1 

norskagent

I have a friend that sees one little flaw, such as a "wrong" saddle, it kills his "deal". He can't see the potential of the bike...

FastJake

I sort of disagree with some of the above. In my experience, the vast majority of buyers are clueless. They look at the brand name, the saddle, the tires, and the paint. They care about how clean the bike is. I would rather sell a bike that is overhauled than a bike that is polished and clean, but it doesn't seem like people can see this. They will find out later, when buying a bike from a dirt-knocked-off seller, when it needs tons of work. But when buying, they don't know what to look for.

As an extreme exception to what I just said, last summer I got $130 for a carbolite Peugeot that was really dirty and rough. I didn't feel like overhauling it, I didn't even knock off the dirt. Just threw it on C/L to see what would happen. It was gone in a day.

Bianchigirll 

Here is one ready to go! Atealt the pics are from the drive side!



Very modest BIN of $1000.

sloar 

my only problem is that i spend to much money and time on flippers, then i dont want to sell them, or i have more money in them than they are worth. case in point my latest project. my torpado beta. got a great deal off of ebay with horrible pics. just about everything needed replaced. now i have more money in it than its worth. if it were bigger i'd just keep it.

Bianchigirll 

I know exactly what you mean.

BTW I don't mean to turn this into a 'wacky ebay" type thread but when I saw those DUI bars and 1K price on that Bianchi I just couldn't resist posting it. Make my Mondiale look like a steal huh?

T-Mar

Most buyers are clueless as to the set-up of a bicycle. However, they do have an instinct as to what is right and wrong and will ignore bicycles that have something glaringly wrong. So, yes the bicycle should be properly set up for the photos. However, once the potential buyer comes to look at and test ride the bicycle, the real work starts. If it doesn't feel right, they typically don't have the experience to determine what is wrong and will move on, when often all that is required are small adjustments. Good sellers have the knowledge to ask the right questions, interpret the feedback correctly and make the on-the-spot adjustments that will close the sale and get them future referals from the buyer. While this applies to all aspects, it is of particular importance when it comes to riding position. If you're not a good bicycle fitter, you're not a good salesperson.

jet sanchEz

Flat tires or a ratty seat or improperly set up bike are bargaining chips that any experienced buyer will exploit