how much would you offer?
 

I would offer him $200 then haggle from there. People put way to much of a value on conversion bikes. You could buy a brand new kilo tt for less and it will have track ends and unused componetry. The bike looks nice but when all is said and done its a used schwinn conversion.

Hmm. $400 isn't ridiculous, but it seems high considering the oversupply of used conversions now.

If it were me, I'd try to get him down to $300. Actually, this mostly depends on what the frame is like up close, its quality and condition.

Why not just get the Motobecane Messenger from BD for 350 shipped? It comes in 49cm with two brakes, 16t freewheel and cog, making it a good starter bike.

I don't think I'd pay more than $150 for that conversion

That's the price of a Messenger shipped? If so, do that instead.

You shouldn't pay more than $150.

<150 for sure

100-150

don't go over $200. anything more approaches "i can get a brand new bike of similar/superior quality" territory.

Wow, I can take a low end bike and throw cheap parts on it and sell for $400? I need to get in on this.

a lot of it depends on the quality of the frame.

If its good (at least cromoly tubes, lugged, forged drops), and all the bearings run smooth. up toward $250 isn't unreasonable if you like the style.

lower quality frame, rust, and/or roughish bearings wouldn't warrant more than $150.

give the bike a look and throw an offer $50 less than your ceiling. good luck.

Oftentimes when dealing with people on craigslist you may find that they have a significant other, who is possibly cute and or hot, who is sexually dissatisfied.

Find them on myspace, seduce them and give them what they want. Then have them give the bike to you. This may create some drama, but in the long run you're relatively a third party and should be able to guiltlessly take your new item and enjoy it for free until you come across something else you want more.

Are you speaking from experience?

I'd give $100 for the wheels, twenty bucks for the "new tires", and $50 max for the whole rest of the bike. Yes I could easily build it for $170, so why would I want to pay much more than $200 for the complete bike?

The art of seduction is an important social tool, and once realized can be used for many things outside of simply getting yourself some action.

Free pie, coffee, beer and dinners are all perfect examples. Waitresses/bartenders are especially susceptible.

$400 is totally outrageously high.

I've picked up some beautiful bikes for that much.

I know this has been said about a dozen times now, but don't offer any more than $150, and even that's pushing it.

It's not that hard to find frame that fit, if you know where to look. 48-51cm frames typically go for less on eBay than a comparable frame of a larger size, because there's just a smaller pool of potential buyers, so you can start by looking there. Or, as others have suggested, just buy a 49 from Bikes Direct and be done with it.

It's not worth more than $125

bikesdirect.com is your friend.

$100 for the wheels, $25 for the rest. I would want to more about what that Schwinn frame is exactly.

Edit: Never mind. I think the wheels might just be old road wheels that have been re-dished and a singe speed cog threaded on. Note he doesn't say fixed gear.

He will use the $400 to buy a Kilo TT, any of the savvier forum members could build that bike for about $100 or so.

Someone has been reading too much of "The Game"

Go buy this instead

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/bik/613467081.html

It looks ok but no more than $200
imho

if he asks for more than 250, hold the fact that you are thinking of going the brand new 300$ bikesdirect route. if he still refuses to budge, laugh and walk away