sailorbenjamin

I've put my Raleigh Tourist on Craigslist. Lovely bike but I live in the hills and I sorta need a lotta gears. That and I'm moving to another hilly neighborhood and it's a darn big bike to move.
So this guy emails me that he has a nice 1993 Bridgestone MB-3 he'd trade. Never really thought about anything like that but I'm open minded.
Everyone seems to like MB-3s, don't they? Would I be screwing myself, value wise? Would I fall in love with this bike and not care? Would I be a real sucker?
What should one look at on an MB-3?
Thanks for your oppinions.
Ben

Grand Bois

I live in the hills, but I'd still much rather have a clean DL-1 than my MB-2.

I think Bridgestones are overrated.

jgedwa

Some Bridgestones are truly unique (XO-1, for example), some Bridgestones are as good for their type as any of their peers (MB-1, RB-1, for examples), but most Bridgestones are just your everyday good bikes from an era when stuff coming out of Japan was consistently good.

The MB-3 is a good, solid old MTB. Nothing really too special about it, but if you want a good rigid MTB, then maybe you should trade.

And, if it is a factor, MB-3 have pretty modest collector value. And sell for decent prices on Ebay.

jim

Fibber

I just viewed your DL-1 on the Maine Craigslist. Beautiful bike. I have two ladies frames, and would love to acquire a mans bike to go with them. But unfortunately, not right now....

bikerosity57

I also just looked at your bike, and I wish I lived in Maine:-) Wonderful bike.

phoran

my MB-3 was the most beautiful purple color. stolen, circa 1998! when i purchased it, the selling point was its handling. the bike was very responsive, unlike the trek mtbs of that era. i could really throw it around on the trails. i miss it.

sailorbenjamin

Awe, mann! The guy sent me a detailed description. All the origional components plus and extra set of wheels (one with studs, one with slicks and an extra set of knobbies) nice fenders and rack and (chaching!) a brooks b-72 as well as the origional saddle-BUT-an 18" frame. I'm 6'2".
I had to pass. I was starting to get all excited.
Thanks for the compliments and the advise, guys.
Hey Fibber,
where's Dutchess County? I'm moving to Chestnut Ridge, near Nyack.

wrk101

Only if the MB3 owner ponies up with some cash. I have taken trade-ins on bike flips that have been win win.

Doohickie

I understand why you want to sell your DL-1, but for many collectors that is a holy grail of a bike. Maybe you need to sell, but make sure it's what you really want to do before you let it go. If you do sell it, PM me with the sales price if you don't mind. I'd like to know what my DL-1 is worth on the open market.

jgedwa

Ya know, we can see that! Try pig-Latin next time, I think technically that may be clean.

jim

cudak888 

*Keeps his eye open for a tall MB-2 or MB-1*



-Kurt

sailorbenjamin

Yeah, I passed. Just too small, despite all the goodies.
Yeah, it's a holy grail for me too but I've got another one in the basement. It's a basket case but it's all there. I figured I'd sell the money bike and keep the junker cause I can paint it any color I want and not worry about screwing up an origional bike.
I've been watching these for a while. It seems like shbby ones in small towns go for 150-200. Nice ones in big towns go for 400-500. Mines a better than mediocre bike in a smaller than mediocre town so I shot for the middle. I paid $75 for the junker in the basement.
I love the win win trades but this wasn't a bike I could use and I expect mine was too tall for him.

Doohickie

We've already got one. Eeetz verrry nice-uh!

Fibber

Moving to the very top of the Garden State Parkway? OK, funny fact. I looked at where you live now in ME, and realized that you are only a short distance from where my sister now lives in Lee, NH. Got to admit, I did give some consideration to having her pick up your DL-1 and holding it for me until I get up there this summer. So now you are moving to Northern NJ. Guess where she lived prior to moving to Lee a few years back? A little south of Chestnut Ridge in Glen Rock - roughly the same distance you are from Lee! You two got something going on I should know about?

Dutchess County is on the east side of the Hudson River, about 60 miles north of where you'll be.

Grand Bois

Here ya go: