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Old 06-29-14 | 05:37 PM
  #10  
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oddjob2
Still learning
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 11,527
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From: North of Canada, Adirondacks

Bikes: Still a garage full

Originally Posted by howeeee
The bikes are very heavy and clunky I would never buy one even at 125.
Heavy, clunky comment from a mostly Schwinn guy?

Is the bike in Hawaii or in one of the other 49 states? Doesn't look like a tropical lawn. Maybe it's the Hawaiian sunshine, but that bike is super clean and in great cosmetic condition. I don't know what your island market is like for vintage French bikes, but I'll know more in a month when I'm there!

Looking at the crank I believe that it is an early 1980's, probably 82 or 83. There may be a date code, two digits, on the back of the crank.

@howeeee's comments notwithstanding, that bike could sell locally for as little as $200, but list it at $350 and see if you get any bites. It would be helpful to let the prospect know the frame size, I'm guessing 19" seat tube C-to-C, so best for a rider from 5'5-5'9'. If it were offered on ebay, probably as much as $350-$375. If you have friends in the airline business, maybe they can take it boxed stateside to avoid onerous shipping charges from Hawaii.

I buy pretty much every reasonably priced mixte in my market areas and recondition and sell them. Most likely, your mixte buyer would be a woman. They care about appearance, condition, color, and French authenticity. These fashionistas are generally not concerned about components, frame tubesets, and whether it is a high end or low end bike. And the man who comes along as the "expert", will keep his mouth shut and let her ooh and ahh!

Northroads touring bar mixtes can command a higher price than drop bar versions, although the twenty something crowd generally prefer drop bars.

The Peugeots and Motobecanes command a hefty premium over the Japanese, Raleigh, and handful of American mixtes. My personal best sale was a UO-18 for $325, to the NYC based marketing director of one of the top 5 luxury cosmetic companies. Routine sales are more in the $250 +/- 10% range.

Good luck!
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