TheDevlin

I have what I THINK is a 83-84 Raleigh Super Course. I read about a million different threads about what people THINK they have, but I have yet to find one JUST LIKE MINE.

The reason I ask is that I'm looking at selling my bike so I can purchase a new Raleigh Riviera. I've recently had it tuned up and trimed out with new cables, wraps and tires. I love my Super Course, but it's about 2-3 sizes big. I need a 54 and this is a 56-58. I have test rode several $1,000-$1,500 and mine is every bit as smooth as they are. The thing still rolls like a dream and shifts as smooth or smoother than my wifes Navara with 105's on it.

So, my hope is that someone can help me out with finding a fair value on this bike so that I can sell it. There will be pictures and feel free to ask any questions that you feel are pertinent. I'd really appreciate your help!

Thanks!

Devlin

Teon

That bike would easily sell for in the $300+ range here in Oregon, especially in Portland or Eugene. Of course, this area of the nation is considered high, price wise, when it comes to nice vintage road bikes, as the demand in this area is quite high.

You might check some of the craigslist search engines for prices of comparative super courses, and check ebay(altho ebay is almost always very optimistic on prices)

According to Sheldon Brown's site, looks like it's probably a 1983.
https://sheldonbrown.com/retroraleighs/models.html


Super courses are very nice bikes. I have a 1985 purple/black one, 531 Reynolds, and it rides wonderfully.....altho I have updated most of the components on it. Best of luck selling it!

TheDevlin

Thanks for the quick response. I'm hoping to get more than that for it, but unfortunately, I think your number sounds more realistic. I've had several dealers (not Raleigh) tell me that they thought I could pull closer to the $700+ mark for it but I'd have to find someone who really liked that particular bike or an enthusiast.

I saw Sheldon's site as well. That's where I picked the age. Before that I though it was a '79.

You mentioned "Super courses are very nice bikes...", I agree. I love this bike. Like I said in my post, the thing still rides like a dream, but if I'm going to really get into biking with the wife, I'm gonna need something that fits.

Thanks again for your post!

Devlin

oddjob2

Thread should be moved to appraisal forum please

wrk101

I really wish dealers didn't do that.

Typical dealer hot air. Go back to one of those dealers, and offer them a smokin hot deal, say $500, and let them keep the $200 as a profit for them. I can tell you, they will not go for it. Now if they jump all over it, then I take back everything I said about the hot air.

One of the worst things dealers do is throw out values that are way high, without any justification, and get the hopes up from owners. We see it around here all of the time.

Instead of asking what they think it is worth, ask them: "What will you pay me today for this bike?" I doubt you will get an offer from them of over about $200.

$700 for a vintage bike is really rare, ones from that era with Dura Ace components, better frames, etc., are not bringing that kind of price.

FastJake

+1

It's not worth $700, sorry. Around here I would put that bike in the $250 range. $300 on the high end because of the nice chrome on the frame.

It's a cool bike and I like the 105 Golden Arrow bits on it. I hope you find something as nice in your size.

oddjob2

IMHO $200-$250, depending on how clean it is and if better photos are taken. I think OP's SS is a Huffy era Raleigh. I just paid $150 for a mid 1980's Raleigh Competition, with a Made in Taiwan sticker, same graphics style, Raleigh of America, although Reynolds 531 tubing. Look for the MIT label on the seat tube. Paint a bit rough, Shimano 600 group, mismatched rear wheel.

Also, i bought a mint Nottingham Super Course for mid $200's when you net out the extra wheelset, luggage, racks, and bluemels fenders.

Esteban32696

About $250-300 in my area, & this is an area where bikes bring top dollar.

Poguemahone

200-250 here. 700 nowhere. Sorry. You're probably right about the ride character. It probably does ride better that 1500$ newer bikes. But for 700, I can buy one or even two top flight older bikes.

WRK is right on dealer estimates. If they're not regularly selling older bikes, they are unlikely to have a clue.

lostarchitect 

Dealers give you a high value like that so they can convince to spend $200 on maintenance / upgrades. It's dishonest and they know it is. If I was you, I would not deal with a shop that told me something like that--if they're dishonest in one thing they will be dishonest in another.

I agree with the above that it is not realistic. 1n the NYC market, I think you could get $300.

randyjawa 

I have owned lots of older Raleigh bicycles and, generally, one like the OP's will fetch between $300 and $500, depending on his market strength and his marketing skills. Most people I know would snap a bike like that up for three hundred in a heart beat. Five, will not quite as likely, but one might get lucky if one were willing to exercise patience and wait for the right buyer.