Rick Schimpf

I'm handling the estate of a family member and have to sell some things. Items include two bikes: A Soma Sport, 10 speed and a Cannondale Silk Trail 400 CAAD2.

I'm not a bike expert and need assistance with determining a reasonable selling price and potential market place. In my observation the Cannondale appears to be in good to excellent condition. The Soma I'd rate as good. I don't know age, mileage or any other such details. I believe both bikes are able to be ridden without any need to invest any money or effort in them other then putting air in the tires.

Is this something a member can help with? I'm located in Pasadena, Maryland.

Thanks

FastJake

Can you post pictures? Everyone has a different idea of "good" condition. Pictures are necessary to give a value.

Rick Schimpf

Here are two pictures. I hope to have more detailed pictures soon.

FastJake

Specs on the Cannondale: https://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/B...0400&Type=bike

Usually I figure 50% MSRP is a good starting point, but on a comfort bike the value will probably be less. I'd say $300 is a good starting point, but I doubt it will sell for that.

I don't know anything about the road bike, the picture is far too tiny and grainy to tell anything besides the fact that it's old and dirty. Bikes that have sat for decades often need a complete overhaul (cables, re-grease bearings, tires, etc.) Post better pictures and I could give an estimate on value.

If you plan to sell these on craigslist you'll need good descriptions of the bikes and high quality pictures, the ones posted above are almost worthless.

wrk101

+1 Will need a lot better pictures, full size, taken from the drive side (side with the chain on it, like your second picture). Need to use a hosting site like flickr or photobucket. Cannondales get a good response, but hybrids don't. So the Cannondale around here, in pristine, ready to ride condition, maybe $250.

Realize the Cannondale is 10 years old. Old enough to be "old", not old enough to be a classic or vintage.

+1 I can't tell anything from the other picture.

Rick Schimpf

Here are what I hope are better pictures for the Cannondale and Soma.

Thanks

Rick

Rick Schimpf

Pictures in order

zukahn1 

I would probably list the the Soma for $125 and be prepared to take less if you want to sell quickly. In a weaker market at this time of year you could end up getting as little as $50 on quick sale.

fas2c

If you have the time wait until the thaw and sell once spring fever hits. It should give you time to do some quick and easy cleaning/polishing to maximize your dollar.

FastJake

This sounds about right to me. I can't see it going for over $100 especially now in that condition. It's dirty and has obviously been sitting for quite some time. It will need a complete overhaul (all bearings, cables, tires, bar tape, cleanup.) If you don't want to do that work list it at $75 and be ready to take about $50.

The new pictures tell a little but they're still incredibly small and grainy. How much did you downsize them?

Rick Schimpf

First, thanks to everyone for the responses given. They are helpful. The pictures were condensed for web-site posting. The original pictures were taken with a Nikon Coolpix at the highest quality pixel setting (4,000 X 3,000). Compression ratio approximately 1:4.

The bikes have not been cleaned up. I wanted to give pictures of the bikes as I found them and since I'm not really into bikes, my clean up would be strictly cosmetic. Beyond that, I'd probably screw something up because of lack of knowledge. I'm not afrad of work but I'd prefer to know what I'm doing before attempting to do it.

Again thanks to everyone. You've been a big help

wrk101

Need to use a photo hosting site: photobucket or flickr. That allows you to put FULL SIZED pictures in ads, which are a must to get top $$. Good marketing (which includes full sized pics) can add 50% to the final sales price.

Typical for sale pic hosted on flickr:

Rick Schimpf

I'll look into flickr and work on getting them clean and ready for selling in early spring. Thanks again to everyone and I hope 2012 is a good year for all.

Rick

zukahn1 

+5 A single good sized drive side glory shot of a bike that shows some detail and makes the bike look good can make $50 CL Bike into $150 CL. Even if the value doesn't go up from my experiance it changes the selling time from a couple of days to a couple of weeks or not at all.

T-Mar

Agreed, better resolution pics would be nice. However, I know enough about Soma to state that the Sport was an upper, entry level model and this particular sample is circa 1980. The frame is only hi-tensile steel but on the plus side it does have an aluminum cotterless crankset (which should be a Sugino Super Maxy), and aluminum rims laced to quick release hubs. Assuming I'm correct about the era, the derailleurs should be SunTour VGT and Compe V. The brakes are, of course, the ubiquitous Dia-Compe center-pull. it should have forged rear dropouts with an integral hanger.


If possible, I would hold off a few months and wait until spring. Assuming it is in good condition and needs nothing but air in the tires and a good cleaning, I would think that it would bring $125-$150 in that market. I would appreciate the serial number for my database.