smurray

How much do you think I should be willing to pay for this? $400 seems a bit high to me.

https://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/bik/3853216549.html

IthaDan 

On the selling side if it were 100% ready to go (with a much more comprehensive ad than that one), I could probably get $275 for it around here with a lot of patience.

ScottRyder 

If a rarity is what you're looking (which it is) for than $400 is not out of line. Otherwise, 2-3 hundred ..

Scott

oddjob2

Use this Fuji for sale comp at $250 in your market as a club, pun intended. And for a 12 pack, I might even be persuaded to eyeball the SCS bike for you, about 15 minutes from me.

smurray

Guy says he's firm on $400, which is more than I'm willing to pay.

CenturionIM

And Detroit's market can't be that strong, can it? Also tall frame = less money in general also

smurray

I offered $200 then $250 and he refused both. Didn't offer a counter other than to say he has it listed at $400.

thinktubes 

$400 on CL in Detriot - no way. Big frame too. Entry-level "racer" with unexciting parts.

I like how the seller trys to polish it by mentioning that is a "special edition" with the same paint as a Fuji Professional. I wouldn't pay over $175 in the rustbelt.

Here's a link to the 84 catalog just for fun: https://www.classicfuji.com/1984_Thumbs.htm

oddjob2

If there are two words to describe most Macomb County DKO sellers, it would be "clueless" and "stubborn." They're a few that would keep marketing the same bike for over 12 months, without changing their asking price. And the cuter they are with their phone number, like spelling it out, the dumber they are.

If you're looking for a 60-62 frame, I have several, including a Super Course MK II, A-D 531 Reynolds, Shogun 400, Raleigh Olympian, and Fuji S12-S (maybe a 58cm). PM me for details.

tmh657

That headtube makes it look like a 63cm/25" frame. It would sit for a long time here in Socal at $400. I don't think I could get more than $200 for it.

rjhammett

I purchased an '84 Club Fuji a week ago for $50. It is a late year model because it has Suntour Cyclone derailleurs which is what came on the '85s. The previous owner was the original owner and said they came on the bike new. Mine is in excellent condition. It wasn't the Special Edition model but $50 is a far cry from $400.

rekmeyata

I have 84 Club as well with about 100 original miles on it still in excellent shape of course, I paid $100 two years ago. I have an odd question, why is there no mention of a special edition club on the internet? I've searched and searched, if a special edition existed someone would have mentioned it. I'm a little skeptical about it, maybe some expert on Fuji here can shed some light on it.

ScottRyder 

Fuji frequently came out with anniversary models or specials that never made it to the catalogs. Kind of why I use the catalogs as a starting point rather than a ultimate answer. I've got a few on my blog as examples ..

I saw a reference to the Club Special a few years ago but this is the first time I've seen a photo of one. I don't blame the seller for being firm on the price, it is a rare Fuji livery to be seen on a Club. But it will take a big Fuji fan with some extra cash to give it a new home.

Scott

rekmeyata

I kind of thought that was the case, but I found no reference to the model not even outside the catalogs, which I thought was odd considering that there must be other Fuji enthusiasts in the world someplace that would have either owned one or at least made reference to one.

If that bike is indeed rare then the $400 asking price is probably about right and maybe on the low side?

There was a shop in Louisville KY that had the exact same year of Club that I have in good condition and tried for at least a year to get $700 for it, I think he must have gotten something close because the bike finally sold. I do not in any way though think those bikes are worth close to $700 due to mid level components and frame, but $250 for a regular Club like mine to $400 for the Special Club maybe. My only issue with the Special Club is that it has the same components as the regular club, the only thing different is the paint scheme from what I can tell.

ScottRyder 

I agree 100% on that. If it had been equipped with Cyclone (like the '85) it would have made a ton of difference.

Scott

rekmeyata

Yup, Cyclone would had definitely made the bike worth $400. My ARX isn't a bad derailleur but Cyclone was better.

smurray

Still considering buying this bike. If I do it would be replacing my current road bike, a Panasonic DX-3000. I don't know much about either bike, but would the Fuji be considerable upgrade from my Panasonic? If the main appeal of this bike is the rarity then my money might be better spent somewhere else since it will be my main road bike and not simply part of a collection.

smurray

So you would consider my current bike (the Panasonic) to be better than the Fuji?

rekmeyata

Depending on the year of the Panasonic 3000 it would be virtually on par with the Club as far as components go except the Club models that used Cyclone which was superior to anything Shimano had; but the 3000 (depends on year of course) mostly use the Tange 900 tubeset which was inferior to the quad butted Valite tube set the Fuji used.

If your considering the Fuji Club special I would get that one mostly due to the fact it's rare, I've never seen one and there are none on the internet that I could find. An secondly the Cyclone and Suntour components were the best in the world at the time. Thirdly, the frame is better then what the 3000 used.

rekmeyata

The Club Special was Cyclone, the regular Club was ARX, the ARX was only used in 84, and the last part of 84 going into the 85 model year Fuji switched to Cyclone.

I'm not so sure what all the flap was about the ARX, it works fine, not as good as Cyclone or Superbe or Sprint, but it worked better then Shimano or Campy friction did back then! And when I say not as good I only mean it tad less.

What I'm about to say next will raise some eyebrows, but I have a 9 speed Campy Athena trans and a 10 speed Shimano Ultegra (rear derailleur on a 105 platform) on two of my bikes. Here's the raise your eyebrow bit...the Suntour Superbe friction trans that I have shifts just as good and fast as the new stuff!! Even the first generation of the Shimano SIS system that I also have shifts just as good as the new stuff.

rjhammett

In the last few months I have picked up 3 Cyclone FDs and a Cyclone RD for $5 a piece. For $10 it is really easy to upgrade the bike from ARX to Cyclone. I wouldn't let ARX components hold me back if I wanted the bike.

I recently built up a bike with all Suntour Sprint components. Now, that stuff is nice.

smurray

From the pictures on the Craigslist ad it looks like Arx parts to me.

rekmeyata

If the one you're looking at is the red frame with yellow head tube, that's an 85 they came only with Cyclone from the factory, unless someone afterwards changed it to ARX which would have been a bad move. The Special Club does indeed look like ARX which would make since being it's an 84. But as one poster mentioned you can get Cyclone derailleur, but if you want a new one or NOS it will set you back about $50 to $200 depending on model, but used their between $10 and $100 depending on condition and model.

smurray

This is the one I'm looking at.

https://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/bik/3853216549.html

rjhammett

As this thread is named it is a 1984 Club Fuji with ARX components and non-aero brake levers. Both of those items changed in '85. The seat tube decals also point to an '84.