azur

Hello again guys and gals, thanks for taking a look.

I was wondering if this bike is worth the asking price of $95?

If it seems good, I think I know how to check if it's in good condition in person.

Raleigh GrandSport 1979 Road Bike

I appreciate any help!

MrCoffee

If the tires hold air, and the bike is rideable, then yes, it's worth the $95.00. It's a Raleigh Grand Prix from a bike shop, not a department store Huffy. The overall paint and finish on the components look to be in excellent shape.

howsteepisit

Well its a Grand Prix, not a Grand Sport and I see a lot of rust and corrosion. May need cables teardown and regreasing. So I think you may be looking at an additional 50-100 to get into good shape, but the bike itself is worth 95 for sure.

azur

Thanks guys! I'll take a look at asap.

browngw 

With new tires and cables, I would guess I might get $130-160 if I was to sell it here.

azur

Turned out to be a 50 minute drive each way, and both tires need to be replaced, bare minimum - so I decided to pass for now.

Once again, thanks to everyone for the information. Special thanks to Jonathan (JBHoren), for the private message - wish I could respond but I need 50 posts to send PMs!

Maybe someone nearby can pick it up! It's off Lake Blvd in West Palm Beach, Florida.

wide45

I think I paid $170ish for that bike in 1976. It came with new tires.

StarBiker

It would be great if the person who took the picture could bend.
Guys that is a bike that would be $30 max, or I would walk away.
I know, I am cheap, and I rarely find bikes anymore, but.....
I sold a Raleigh Sport (Not a Grand Sport) from about 74' on CL for a $115 that needed cables, and tires. Nothing special component wise either. People are weird. The shifter levers were just flopping about. I paid $15 for the bike. The frame was 23 1/2 Inches. Several people including some out of staters wanted it. Again, strange.
Look for something really good. Patience.

RoadGuy

You should have gone to get it. It's worth more then $95, and it's in much better than average condition for it's age.

Practically any used bike you find is going to need tires and tubes either because of the rubber aging, or because of wear. If you come across a bike with new tires, it's probably because I Flipper got it before you, and installing a pair of the cheapest, most inexpensive tires he could find, just so Potential Buyers would go "ohh, new tires!". You are better off getting a bike that needs tires, so you get a better price, and you can install the tires that you want. There is nothing worse than having junky new tires on a bike that you just paid for, and knowing that you need to throw them away and buy tires that you like.

If you're thinking about buying the bike to try to flip it, don't. Sounds like you don't know enough about bikes to make a profit flipping, yet. If you are looking for a nice vintage ride, I think you found one, providing it fits you.

big chainring 

I wish I could find bikes in that condition. Grand Prixs are really nice riders. Put a Brooks saddle on there and its ready to go. As far as tires, even $8 Kendas are decent tires. Thats what I put on my Grand Prix.

StarBiker

I agree about the tires, but otherwise I would not drive that far for that bike. And anything would be a good deal in Southern California compared to everywhere else.

zukahn1 

I have sold similar Grand Prix's in rebuilt nice ready to ride condition for $200. If it is in good basic condition it is worth $95. I would check to make sure the BB and headset which could be Raliegh sized hard to replace are basicaly good and that the seatpost and stem aren't stuck.

megavettes

I have to weigh in on this thread. I am the original owner of a '74 or '75 Raleigh Grand Prix and Raleigh Record that are both all original right down to the brake pads and handlebar tape. They have been kept in a controlled humidity environment for 40 years, have never been dropped or damaged. They have not been restored or molested in any way and have never had paint. They have the original Brooks saddles, and the posts move freely. I did replace the tires, tubes, and bands. I am planning to sell both bikes as a package deal and don't have a clue what they are worth. They are obviously very rideable or would be great display bikes in a bike shop. They are truly a 40-year-old snapshot in time. I have lots of photos and will attempt to attach some here however, it will be easier if I can email them to you. You can reach me at: jocarpenter@comcast.net

zukahn1 

If everytthing is truly good I would say $200 for the record and $250 GP in most markets. Likely not what you hoped for but these are pretty common somewhat basic boom era bikes. You can find one or something similar in just about every other garage in the established older Suburbs.

megavettes

Thanks very much for your response and advice. I have 12 photos that are highly detailed but when attaching to this forum they have to be so small they are useless. As I mentioned in my original paragraph I will be most happy to forward those photos if requested by email. Thanks again zukahn1!

3alarmer 

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willydstyle

Decided to resurrect this thread rather than starting a new one, but I found a '76 grand prix for a decent price. The catalog shows that it has "20/30 tubing." Some googling shows that tubing to be carbon steel, rather than cromoly. Is this bike going to be a super heavy beasty?

mightymax

I have a Grand Prix almost exactly like the one in the picture. It is on my training stand and I am thinking about getting it back on the road again. I had a friend who's Dad was an avid cyclist. He sold me the bike around 1987 for 100.00 when he traded up. I rode that bike for probably 10 years and to this day I say it is one of the best 100.00 I ever spent. I don't think you will go wrong for 95.00.

I see you passed on it. If I was nearby I would buy it!

Max Bryant