tkm

I have an original '83 Schwinn Sierra 10-speed. I figured its value is probably a couple hundred dollars, at most (even though it is very minty). However, I was browsing around on ebay and saw a few auctions for some of the same era and they are absolutely astonishing:

Vin Schwinn Sierra 21 5"Bike G0585 Stamped Mountain Speed Bike 26" Araya Rims | eBay

(for archive purposes, it's listed at $5,029.00 and I believe it is an '85)

Is this guy smoking something or are the values of such bikes going through the roof? Did I vastly underestimate the value of mine, or is it a one style/year only thing or something?

oddjob2

Too many pills!

Same guy, a 1945 high school yearbook for $185?

ncrnelson

Don't bother looking at anything other than sold listings. I'd say you'd be lucky to get $200, but stranger things have happened, especially if it's in nice shape.$100-150 would be more realistic, but most people aren't very excited about old mountain bikes, though some are and there are some great examples on this site.

tkm

Right, but this seller is not the only one:

Vintage Schwinn Mountain Speed Bicycle Bike 19 5" Frame 26" Araya Rims Beautiful | eBay

Vin Schwinn Sierra 21 5"Bike G0784 Stamped 12 Speed Mnt Bike 26" Araya Rims | eBay

Are they all copying off each other's inflated prices? I would have ignored just one.

OLB

I recently bought a 1988 High Sierra in black chrome for $75 in the Chicago area. All original but normal wear and tear for a bike ridden occasionally.
I am happy with the price, but it isn't uncommon to find a quality MTB from that era in good condition for only a little more.

oddjob2

About $250 net of shipping for ebay solds.

72Paramount

Some people smoke crack. Junky bikes with junky parts. I saw these same adds years ago. Trust me the vintage mtb scene is a small one, and the schwinn Sierra is not what that crowd is looking for. Max value for a minty model would be 2-300.

tkm

I wouldn't call them "junky" (at least the early ones) but I figured those prices were completely out-of-line. Mine rides and shifts quite well and is actually quite attractive. It's only a cruiser at this point though.

cb400bill

Moved from C&V to Appraisals

curbtender

Great bikes, just not a big following. Check this out for more info https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...bikes-168.html

Clang

Plain ol' Sierras are ~$100 in the Twin Cities.

Schwinn Sierra Bike


Maybe this is my chance to make a quick 4,929 dollars.

tkm

To be fair, that is a later model one I believe so I'd expect the price to be a bit lower. The early Sierras and High Sierras had frames made by Giant and were better quality. The later 80's ones did not.

72Paramount

Sorry if calling them crappy bikes seems harsh, as you do own one. The valuable mountain bikes of the early 80's were primarily built in California, not Asia. They tended to have things like bullmoose bars, m700 dérailleurs, padded leather saddles, bmx grips like Oakley, and oversized brake levers, shimano or diacompe. Hubs on the high end stuff would have been Phil with bontrager hand rolled rims. These bikes are rare and only command prices between 500-1500. A mass produced Japanese/tawainnese schwinn just doesn't hit the radar of the collector market no matter the condition is all that I was suggesting.

tkm

Honestly, I think they'd probably be worth more to a "Schwinn" collector than a Vintage Mountain bike collector. Still, I think they are better bikes than people give them credit for.

But if you look, a lot of what you suggest that is valuable to collectors made its way onto the earlier Schwinns:
Schwinn Specs

72Paramount

Yes, there certainly are a lot of Schwinn collector's out there, including myself. I think the most value however would come from someone wanting a durable commuter, not a collector. I know that with my collection I'm at the point where when one comes in, another goes out. I just don't feel that the Sierra is something that would stick around long. Now a king sting.....different story!

Bianchigirll 

Never mind the thing is what the bottom ATB that year? It can't be all original since it has a Light Action SIS RD and index shifters.

This is the best line from the listing "EXREMLEY HARD TO FIND AND GO FOR $$$ ON EBAY AND THE INTERNET." At least he call it rare or claim to be hand made in Italy by Monks.

Needs a good cleaning too, not worth a penny over $4500

mstateglfr 

Interesting thread- you continue to reply in a way that suggests you disagree with everyone else. You asked for info on why the listings would be so high, people gave you reasons, yet you continue to disagree even if its in a polite way.

If your bike is in perfect condition, its probably worth $100 - $200 depending on where you are and if you happen to list it when someone wants that bike/type of bike. It really isn't anything impressive.
Also, you sure it isn't an '84? They made Sierras in '83?
Also also, Giant made Schwinns were solid quality, sure, but nothing to cherish. Its Giant- they were churning out frames then just as they are now. I have had a couple World Sports pass thru my hands that were made by Giant- that didn't make them worth anything more. I have a Specialized made by Giant(I believe, still need to confirm) that im going to sell in the next week- that doesn't make it worth any more.

Bianchigirll 

Collectors generally want the top of the line bikes and in pristine condition. This particular bike falls into neither category. It certainly isn't a top of the line bike, it is filthy (If a customer brought this to my shop I would tell him to go to the carwash and bring it back) it needs a complete overhaul and likely, all new cables, tires, brake pads and chain. According to specs in your link (as I alkready mentioned) the shifter and rear derailleur are not original.


If you want an honest appraisal of your bike post some good quality pics of your bike se we can see just what condition it is in, but I doubt any '83 midlevel Schwinn ATB is worth much over $300 let alone $5000. If it were, then this unique one of kind rare custom built Batavus Professional should be worth closer to $20,000 rather the $489 I am struggling to get for it

tkm

The point of the thread to was to inquire as to if the sellers were slightly insane or if there was something I otherwise didn't know. Obviously, the conclusion has been reached that the sellers are slightly insane (which was my initial thought).

As for the second part...I'm only arguing that the bikes aren't all that bad, especially the early ones when Schwinn was new to the market and trying to gain a foothold. I never said they should be worth $$$$ or that the ones listed are justified in their price. Don't read between the lines here folks. As for mine specifically, yes it is an '83 and it is the "Sierra 10". I just wanted to make sure my couple hundred dollar estimate of it wasn't off by a couple thousand.