Wythnail

Hello appraisals!

I am currently trying to complete my first bike flip, and am having trouble deciding on what I want to ask as a starting point.

The bike is an 88 miyata fivetwelve, which I bought for 100. The rear hub flange had broken, so I replaced that. I reused the axle assembly and spokes, so I havent put more than the price of grease into the bike. (The rear hub shell was free from the bike coop, they threw it in when I was buying fenders for aanother ride of mine.)

Given the minimal investment I wouldnt mind selling it on for 150. However the paint has no scratches or chips, not even from chain slap, and everything works perfectly after being disassembled and cleaned. I want to ask 300, but heres the rub: its a 46 cm frame.

On this bike that means it has a tiny front wheel (labelled 25x1).

Do you find that the lack of supply of tiny bike drives price up or the lack of demand drives it down? Is 300 fair?

Jarrett2

I have a hard time finding used 58cm bikes. Definitely fewer used in my area.

09box

I think an oddball size is going to dictate prices in two ways. You could either sell it to give someone who needs an odd size a price break or gouge them due to the lack of availability of bikes in that size.

daf1009

I have worked with a number of bikes...not specifically a flipper...I tend to tear down and part out more than flip...but...just another version...I still sell the frame/fork combos. What I find is that basic economics applies...with the odd sizes (small or large)...you can get a premium...due to lack of inventory. It is not gouging, it is simply the laws of economics. Smaller frames tend to do better than the larger frames (still a premium in my experience, just a bit less demand...so it takes longer)...

Your price of $300 for that bike...particularly in a location such as Austin...IMHO...is about spot on...

howeeee

some people think there is a premium on short frames, I am not so sure. I see a lot of huge frames. I use a 58 cm frame. Seems like 58 cm is the most sought after, I have flipped about 300 bikes in the last 4 years

juls

How do you know what it is?? Not seeing pics or info in the thread starter.....

juls

OOOps, my bad-there is the info. How bout a pic?

oddjob2

+1. Finding a rider under 5', most likely a girl/woman, who wants vintage racing bike, in a market with less than one million people is a long shot. Yes there are a lot of hipsters and college students in Austin, but that Miyata is a niche bike.

Ya gotta go ebay or wait and wait. I could not sell a minty Trek 510 here locally that was 49cm. I put it on ebay, no shipping but regional pickup anywhere between MI and NY. Finally, after a few months, a fellow from San Francisco inquired, offered to pay $80 for shipping, and the deal was done.

+1. Here in Southeastern Michigan, 56cm to 60cm move pretty briskly, relative to other sizes.

Wythnail

Thanks for the replies! I'll cross my fingers and hope for craigslist to pull through. Ill leave you with some pictures, and wrk101, you were of course correct about the wheel size.