Originally Posted by
|3iker
Tell that to some of the sellers in Craigslist. It's ridiculous to see some ads with old beat up Apollos or Trek bikes going into the hundreds just because it has a "curve bar". I kid you not, that is the description of the drop handlebar of a roadie. I visited one ad where the stem had become one with the bike frame. Asking price was $250.
It can be quite amusing to see what people think of their old bikes. I have a long time friend that has an old Nishiki with a custom paint job. He probably hasn't put 10 miles on that bike in the last 5 years... keeps asking me what it is worth and whether he should sell it. I keep telling him the same thing... that he can't replace it for anywhere close to what he might sell it for, and even if he only rides it once a year, it is worth keeping. He always thinks this over, nods and agrees.
Bottom line is that unless it is some collectible rare bike, the it is more like a used toothbrush... once used, the value drops quickly.
BTW I once made a clear profit on a bike... bought it for a 6 pack, greased and adjusted it, rode it for a year, and then sold it for 2 6 packs.