Originally Posted by
Fairmont
I've been looking for a mountain bike, and people are charging crazy prices. I'm seeing bikes that retailed new for $309 five years ago that people are trying to get $225 for and such.
I can't believe how crazy the prices are on CL. Is this just an Atlanta thing?
Dang, I guess I'll have to just hit garage sales.
How do you guys find decent prices on used bikes?
Here's what I'm talking about. This guy is asking 225 for this hybrid. I emailed him and told him it retailed for 309 new five years ago. He replies, "I'd seriously like to see where you got that information." So I showed him Bikepedia, listing it exactly how it appeared. Perfect match.
Here's his ad on CL:
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/bik/2384146127.html
And Bikepedia:
http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...7100&Type=bike
Hey, if it's rarely been used and in immaculate shape, it went from $ 309 to $ 365 to $ 440 in the last 5 years. It's a comfort commuter, so how much can that style bike have changed ? Even at $ 225, that's $215 off, nearly 1/2 price. I went thru this rational in C&V, I have a 1986 Fuji Allegro touring 27", 12 speed that I paid $ 356 for that is rarely ridden. What's it worth today ? Well if I wanted a 2011 touring 700C bike, that is made by Fuji, I'd pay $ 1,049 MSRP:
http://www.fujibikes.com/bike/details/touring
Since the bike I have rides as brand new, that's what I'd have to get for mine to replace it today for a virtually indistinguishable bicycle. I know someone would dearly love for me to give it away for $ 50-125, but it's worth more to me to keep her, ride and replace parts than pay $ 1,049 & tax at the Fuji dealership. Yeah, I know, 12 speed vs 27 speed, but do I really need 27 speeds for the flatland riding that I do. The 2011 weighs 29 lbs, mine is around 27.5 lbs or so. I guess the difference is the rack on the back of the 2011. I could add that for well under the $ 700 difference to my 1986. Even throw on a 3rd crank gear and then I'd have an 18 speed instead of 12 speed. I have a 42/52, 12-30 6 speed vs a 30/39/50, 11-34 9 speed. I guess there might be a sweeter gear or few in there somewhere, but I'd really have to check the GI and then test the combinations out firsthand to see whether chasing that would even be worth the new rear wheel & cluster and crank gear/set ? Asked the LBS what he thought it might fetch, he said $ 450 right off the bat ? So if I sought $ 250-275 am I really being too greedy about it ? whoever would purchase it might ride it for a couple of years and put it away just the same ? Or sell it because it wasn't a 2011, 27 speed ? I'll keep her and ride mine until I die, it's bought & paid for.
And this is pretty much rock bottom for Fuji's Touring style, if not a dead ringer @ Bikes Direct for $ 599 (CrMo), the cheapest in their Touring section, $ 389 (Aluminum):
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/tourist.htm
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/lttour.htm
I think I should be able to get 1/2 of what I paid for mine originally if I was to sell her ?