Around here, rare does not always equal valuable. Buyers are drawn to the common brands that everyone knows, and will pay more for them. Examples such as Trek and Schwinn. Similarly equipped bikes without a common brand sell for less.

Many buyers I see for vintage bikes are looking for a style, or appearance. So details like a nice headbadge, cool decals, interesting lugs, and chrome sell bikes. So a low end Raleigh can sell for more than a midgrade Univega.