GrantH

I just got into Orlando and there is a raleigh mixte that I am wanting to look at. Can I post a link to the ad for you guys to see and maybe you can pick it apart? It's not detailed but I just wondered. Don't want to break the rules.

Bianchigirll 

Hi Grant you certainly can. I usually copy and past the whole add and a link

GrantH

https://orlando.craigslist.org/bik/2533812092.html



The ad doesn't have details, other than it is in "superior" quality. It says it's a Raleigh Record Ace 19.5" Mixte. Are these known for any flaws structurally over the years or anything of that nature? I obviously have to go look at it but is it a bike worth ~165 or is it an 80 dollar bike even when in good shape?

Bianchigirll 

well the handlebars are upside down or is downside up and definitely backwards. I would not pay $125 as it may need lots more work. if it is in good shape I think closer to $80.

hopefully one of the guys more active in reselling and trading bikes will chime in soon.

wrk101

Can't tell from that crappy picture. If it is a bottom end mixte, too high in that condition. If it is one of the better models (531 main frame), still kind of strong, but not way out of line. The problem even if it is a higher end mixte is the condition of the bike.....

Note, this assumes YOU have the tools/time/aptitude/interest/supplies to do the rehab on this bike. Otherwise, forget it, as you could drop $150 or more at a bike shop getting this bike ready to go.

Mixtes are relatively hard to find, and higher end mixtes are extremely hard to find. Higher end = better grade frame material. How hard/how much time do you want to spend looking? I look for bikes all of the time, and while I have found several mixtes in the last couple of years, I found my first high end mixte last week. They are scarce.

GrantH

I'm not sure if I want to risk buying used or just buy new(ish) and buy an older bike to do a flipflop hub on later down the line. I don't know if I want a single speed now or not because I am in a flat area right now and will be moving to Denver which I believe is relatively flat in the city as well. Maybe a couple hills on any given route, but doable. Decisions, Decisions.

Can you tell the material type somehow aside from knowing the models specifically?

randyjawa 

Hello GrantH and welcome to the forums.

You might want to spend a bit of time trying to understand what does add value to an old bicycle. Have a look at Bicycle Quality and consider which of the articles offered will help bring you up to speed. There are many other ideas offered throughout MY "TEN SPEEDS" that were purposely developed to help people new to the vintage bicycle interest avoid making the mistakes I did as I learned.

For example, when trying to figure out Vintage Bicycle Value, you need to take many things into consideration and some of those things have nothing to do with the bicycle itself.

Hope this is a help.

Beach Comber

Looks like a cheap spoke protector. Suicide levers still intact - which is kinda funny to see on inverted bars. Stem shifters but made in the 70s. I would expect it to be a typical lower end bike boom entry which the Records seem to live in.

That being said, they claim its in great shape. I'm not sure how the Orlando market is, but it would be tough to get something like that in the NYC and surrounding area market for less than $150.

If it really was in great shape, and if it had quick release wheels (I HATE patching tubes in the field), and if it didn't feel like you were riding a 2000 pound block of metal, it might be worth the effort to see if they'll go closer to $100 or $125.

But its only a Record. Its going to be heavier and have most likely have steel wheels and cottered cranks. As long as you aren't planning on racing it, it might be a nice casual ride. And it is a mixte.

wrk101

Based on what you would like to do, a low end/bottom Raleigh is a very poor choice. Raleigh had their own bb threading back then, a PITA if you want to change cranksets, which would be part of your conversion to SS.

The single speed market has been flooded by decent but really cheap (in price) new SS bikes. They can be found at various outlets for $300 or less, often quite a bit less. Even my LBS has a SS for under $300. The new ones are available in just about any color, any size, various types of handlebars, steel frames, aluminum frames, etc. It has pretty much killed the conversion market. And the new ones will have modern standardized part sizing, alloy wheels, etc.

duffer1960

I did a rehab on, I think, the same model, 'Raleigh Record Ace'. It was given to me for $0. Hi-Ten frame. Don't remember if the wheels were aluminum or steel. I put in a lot of time and elbow grease getting everything running well. The grease was hardened, wheels not true, etc. It seemed to me the frame was pretty limp & whippy, head tube twist. Only rode it a few times & not more than 10 or 20 miles, so not sure on that last point. I sure wouldn't pay $165 if it wasn't in good running condition & exactly what I wanted. I gave it to the co-op, and the person in charge sold it within an hour for $25. I won't do that again, they should've got much more for a bike in 110% excellent operating condition.