lellamy

It's for sale for 125, and I just need a commuter bike.

This is what the ad says: "I have a vintage Raleigh Record Ace Woman's Bicycle for sale. Not perfect, but a nice bike for a resto project. I have seen them go as high as 300.00+ fully restored. Asking 125.00. Email me if interested"

Is this a fair price?

frantik

someone will know more about the bike itself but if i wanted a bike and i liked that one, and it works, i would buy it.

wrk101

Key word in that ad: "Project". Do you have the tools/time/aptitude/parts to rehab it? Otherwise, forget it, as you will be way upside down on the bike by the time you finish. Ad is fiction, at least around here. That bike is entry level, high ten steel frame, steel rims, etc.

Fully rehabbed and ready to go around here it would bring $125 to $150 tops.

At that budget point, you are really better off with a rigid frame mountain bike. Much lighter weight (at least the good ones), much better components, lots of tire choices, etc.

Or get a better mixte, one with a cromoly frame and alloy rims, fully rehabbed and ready to ride, for $200 (market price).

One thing about deals on bikes, they almost always require work. That work can make a "good deal", a lousy deal, particularly if you pay someone to do the work.

frantik

ok, i take back what i said in my 1st post

barkersoldbean

Are you kidding? Even more so if it is US$ you are talking and not UK£. That's about the most gorgeous frame ever made - its a French design, with the lateral that goes all the way to the rear axle. Motobecane made it famous. When we visited Annecy in 2009 during the TdF, i saw a few and thought "wow" what a beautiful frame. It took me a year to find one in the UK and i paid considerably more.
Just buy it - it's beautiful and unique.

frantik

mixtes aren't that unique..

tmh657

I see "project" mixtes often on the local CL priced around $100. Sellers know they are popular but I leave them alone unless the cost of a project bike is low enough to make it worthwhile.
Clean ones sell easily to girls/women. For some reason it seems that a lot that show up on CL have not been taken care of.

ScottNotBombs

I wouldn't pay more than $50 for it, and $50 is pushing it. If you look around you can find something with aluminum rims for $125.

formicaman

Everybody seems to want a Mixte these days. This one might not be chromo, but it is quite striking and those old English Raleighs were great. I am of the firm belief that if you just want something to ride for commuting or pleasure, any good condition vintage bike you like is worth up to $150. Why? Because your time is worth money too. Different rules apply if you are buying a second or third bike, a bike to baby and upgrade, or are buying something to resell. Now, this one says "Resto Project" and I don't know what that means. It LOOKS like it's in great shape from the picture, but it's a small picture. If it is ready to ride or maybe just needs tires, then $125 is fine. Just don't expect to make a profit "restoring" it.
That said, the Huret derailleur that was on many of these bikes is truly horrid - make sure you don't mind the way it shifts. I couldn't stand it.

frantik

i tend to agree.. if you dont know anything about bikes, a complete working vintage bike in good cosmetic condition that you personally enjoy riding is worth 100ish no matter the quality of the components. (this excludes mountain bikes which seem to have almost no demand right now)