Esteban32696

I rarely ever run across Raleigh , etc., bike, but picked this one up yesterday. From my online research, it seems to be a Raleigh Marathon Mixte, probably about 1985, or so. 12 spd. stem shifters, 27" alloy wheels, #502 frame, 21 1/2" . It is in fair, but restorable condition. It needs tires, tubes, cables, seatpost, servicing, etc. I am debating on servicing it , or sell it as is. This area is a good market & I can probably do well either way. Your opinions are appreciated.
I am on a new server, & hope pictures show up.

Esteban32696

It also has mountain bike type handlebars .

oddjob2

As is, that bike is worth $25-$35 tops. I picked up a low end Raleigh Sportif woman's bike, same era, for $20. It wasn't a mixte, which is worth more, but the brake set, steel wheels, and steel/alloy cranks, was worth it. If you can find a cheap donor bike like that or already have the parts, go for the fix up.

Esteban32696

I was thinking just the wheels alone are worth what I paid. Due to a local college, bikes around here can bring big bucks !

Veloh

The bike is in terrible condition. It's going to need a lot of work. Entry level bike with missing or unoriginal parts requiring a lot of work (new cables, bearings, grease, lube, parts, etc.) makes me think this bike is $50 to someone who can fix it up well and has the parts on hand. College kids will pay premium for ready to ride. This is not.

zukahn1 

I would have to go with Oddjob on this while it has what looks like a decent Mixte frame this bike is seriously upside down. Even using bin or cheap coop used parts a seasoned mechanic would be looking at close to $100 plus labor to put this bike in good riding shape. As is it isn't worth more than $40-50. If

marley mission

she looks to have been abused and neglected - shame
mixte styles are major league cool imo...
...but - dont get alot of market respect - at least in my area

oddjob2

Esteban, are you near Gainesville? If so, if you have the talent to make that bike look new, you'll find a buyer soon enough!
Below is a Grand Prix I brought back to life. It was a complete frame, with minor rust, no wheels, for $20.00. I think i got $200 for the finished bike.

Esteban32696

Oddjob,
Yes, I am not far from Gainesville & have sold a lot of bikes to students, there. It is a hot market . It is nothing to see a Schwinn Varsity in very nice condition, sell for $150-$200 ! I can bring this one back to life with somer labor, love & a few scrounged parts. I have restored worse bikes, for sure. I have to decide whether to restore, part it out , which I rarely do , or sell as is. I will do well on it, no matter which way I go.

zukahn1 

Great job on the Grand Prix you must love building labor and parts wise you where likely all but losing money on this one. But your not alone I have essentially lost money on several builds just because I liked the bike and thought it needed to be saved.

marley mission

2 bills for a varsity! indeed a good sellers market

zukahn1 

I think a lot of it the younger hipsters who buy these bikes have never riden a properly set up good working vintage bike so to them almost any vintage bike that is properly set in good working order ready to ride seems great.

marley mission

and schwinn fans are sorta cultish too - so i can see a minty varsity getting some interest at 2 bills - but the seller would need to be patient to make that sale

edit - i had a 71 that was beat to heck - but i dug it big time - cut my wrenching teeth on it - but i cant say i miss riding it - heavy as a tank

Stockton350

I'd probably sell the frameset online and the wheelset locally.

wrk101

FWIW: I have sold a handful of Varsities and Suburbans for anywhere from $150 to $200. While they do nothing for me (having grown up with those bikes way back when), the hipsters really like them, and they enjoy a nostalgia premium.

I even had a C/L bidding war on one Varsity (fortunately I had a second one so I could satisfy both buyers).

Esteban32696

I agree with you. Plus, these $200 Schwinns were in exceptional condition .

Esteban32696

Update ;

I finally took a little time to work some on the Raleigh bike. Looks a lot better . Not completely finished, yet, but rideable now. GAWD this thing is FAST ! New tires, tubes, fixed a few items, put a seatpost & seat on it. Still needs cables , adjusting, & some more TLC . I put it online to sell as is,, or when I get the last repairs done to it.