IANative

I haven't been in this game long enough to have sold or traded a bike, so I don't really know what realistic expectations are. I looked at the Bicycle Blue Book, and it only listed my Orca- not my Roubaix. Also, I assume their prices are simply FMV, and not necessarily trade value. Here's what it showed for the Orca:

BicycleBlueBook.com Value?)
$1,296 (Like-New)
$1,234 (Excellent)
$1,111 (Good)
$827 (Fair)


I have a 2011 Specialized Roubaix SL2 Comp Rival and a 2013 Orbea Orca BRV. For the purpose of my research, assume factory specs on both, in Excellent condition. Both have basic (non-cadence) computers, Shimano 105 pedals and double bottle cages (carbon fiber). What would be a realistic straight sale value- and a realistic LBS trade-in value- for each bike?

Also, do the extras (computer, pedals, cages) matter, or add any value? Is it best to leave them on the bikes for resale/trade, or strip them off to sell separately or use on future bikes?

rms13

Extras might add $50 depending on what you have. Personally I would strip all of that and use on another bike or sell on ebay.

Blue book is ok starting point but local markets vary. In NYC everything seems to go for a premium, same in DC and where I live in LA to an extent. Depending on where you are in the midwest things might sell lower than that if there isn't a high demand for bikes.

I would look at sold auctions on Ebay and peruse national craigslist listings to see what similar models have sold for and what people are asking on CL for the same bikes as an idea of where to start. Keep in mind that CL asking prices are rarely what people end up getting for them

IthaDan 

Screw the pricing sites, post a picture.

NewtoBiking2014

I've felt like the values for every bike I've looked up on that website have been lower than I would have expected and have seen elsewhere. For example, it's weird that my like-new bike that I bought a few months ago depreciated by almost $1000. That just seems insane to me considering the components it has and that it was practically like-new when I bought it (it is a few years old). Granted, I"m fairly new to cycling and maybe it's just my ignorance that makes me surprised

I've heard other people complain about the values on that site being lower than expected too (especially when a bike is damaged and an insurance company wants to use it). Sorry I couldn't be of more help. I wanted to give my 2 cents about that site.

IANative

You mean like this?

FrenchFit 

Tried selling a 1-2yo Roubaix via Craigslist, in the so called 'hot' SF Bay Area market...no nibbles, except traders. My experience with Craigslist is you can sell $20-$350 stuff all day long, and that's what's it's good for. I think you'll be selling at a much better price on eBay. Strip the extras off, unless you are ready to get rid of them anyway.

rms13

True. I sold a few bikes in the $100-350 range here in LA and they were gone in a day. I tried selling a bike that I wanted $1000 for and had it listed for a month. Had lots of emails and questions and a few people come by and waste my time but that was it. I ended up parting out the entire bike on eBay and made more in the end than I was asking on Craigslist. Parting out, selling in several auctions and shipping everything can be a pain but you'll get top dollar that way and not have to deal with the annoyances of people on Craigslist

IthaDan 

Sorta.

Machka 

In front of a white garage door.

IANative

Noted, thank you. I just happened to have a white garage door laying around...

enjoi07

You are going to have to do some work to make the move faster and drive the value up.

First of all, strip both of these bikes to be as minimal and clean as possible. The bottle, the bag, the lights, the computer, etc. Take them all off.

Second, flip the stem. This is simply a matter of a more aesthetically pleasing look.

I would consider replacing the tape on the roubaix, not a huge deal but it is a bit annoying/distracting.

Also remove the spoke protector on the rounbaix.

Fix your skewers.

Position the cranks in the right position for a clean photo.

Etc Etc.

I also prefer a blank background, or deep depth of field over the boring ass garage door.

You will most likely get more money on ebay over CL, that is almost a guarantee with higher end bikes.

Also take nice detailed shots of your components after everything has been cleaned up.

Visual merchandising is huge. Take some cues from Rad/55. I don't expect your level of photography to be like this...but the point is to make people lust after what you've got.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSFBlPdyhHE

dtrain

Do you still have the black spacers for the Spec?

enjoi07

Yea, that too, put them back on! I had no idea what those were.

IANative

Took me a while to figure out your question, but yes they're on there. Those are a couple of RAGBRAI bike-bands from the last coupla years.

Thanks for all the suggestions, enjoi07.

softreset

We routinely have people come into our shop asking to put up an add to sell their used gear or trade-in towards a new one. Occasionally I've referred people to BBB and I think 1 in 20 people know about it. The ones that do know about it will use that price against you and usually try to low ball on "good" or "fair" condition price.

I'll occasionally look through the bikes on Craiglist and you'll see some high-end bikes. For example there's a BMC TeamMachine with full Di2 (9070) and DA C24 wheels that's been up there for at least 3 months with multiple price drops. He/she still wants $4400. I've seen similar bikes go for less than $3000 on eBay.

Some of it is also timing. There was Domane P1 6 series with full DA 9070 and Aelous 5s on eBay that didn't meet reserve for the better part of 7 weeks. Then suddenly the bidding took off, and significantly cleared the reserve. No doubt the original reserve was adjusted lower, perhaps multiple times but that winning bid of $5600 was out of left field. Previous failed auctions never cleared $3900.

Long story, short. Try to return the bike to as 'original' as possible, get it all cleaned up and polished, standing really tall. Get great photos, ensure to call out any trouble spots and be specific and accurate with your description. Price it appropriately but high enough to allow 10-20% wiggle room. Hope for the best.

StanSeven

The problem with selling a nice bike that's relatively new is the belief it's worth what you think. Right now 2014 bikes are being discounted. Also when buying used, many buyers will spend additional money on things like different stems, bars, bar tape, saddle, tires, etc. All that is negotiable or at no cost with a new bike.

Most sellers start with too high a price. I just did. I listed a cyclocross bike late Thursday evening on CL for $700. I got a couple inquiries but that was it. By Sunday evening, my listing was 2,000 from the first page. I checked similar bikes and lowered by price to $400 the next weekend. It sold within a couple hours and I had 4 or 5 other serious inquires before I took it off.