xytyx

Hi guys, I'm looking to purchase my first road bike. After visiting the local used bike shop, the shopkeeper pitched me this Raleigh Grand Prix made in the 90s. The frame looks fine, but I took some close-ups of some parts that may arouse concern.

He's asking $400 for the whole thing, but it's including a total (professional) overhaul of the bike. Is this a good price? Or should I be looking elsewhere? Do you guys have good experiences with other bikes of similar make?

The pics: Vintage Raleigh - Album on Imgur

McBTC

You should be looking at the whole bike. Take it out for a spin and if you like it make an offer. From what little I can see, those colors are a hoot!

brian3069

Are those the before pictures, looks rough. $400 is high even after a complete overhaul. Bike shops have overhead, expect to pay more. If he does a nice job and guarantees the work it might be worth the extra money to you. After an overhaul that's a $250-275 bike in my market.

oddjob2

As presented in the photograph, I would not pay more than $100 to an individual or storefront for the bike. If it were overhauled and cleaned, all rust detailed out, with all new consumables, the bike would fetch $275-$300 from a home based bike hobbyist and as much as $400 at retail.

plonz 

That's a cool bike but not so cool at $400. I've never seen a Grand Prix from that era bring over $250. I've seen a couple of these listed on CL here in Houston that started out at $350ish and they sat, then the price dropped and dropped until it hit the low $200s and then poof... No more Grand Prix on CL!

On the other hand, look into what the overhaul consists of. That bike needs new cable housings and bar tape (if only for proper aesthetics), probably tires and maybe a chain. This can be worth $100+ since it's real cost you'll likely incur yourself.

i still don't see it bringing $400 but maybe you can negotiate lower and have some new stuff on it.

mightymax

I have a Grand Prix I believe is a bit older. As much as I liked riding that bike I wouldn't give 400.00 for it now. I would pay 250.00 for one though. That being said I have a friend who has a Raleigh Sportiff. A newer bike than my GP and at the start of this season he paid the LBS for a complete tune-up/slash overhaul. He paid 200.00 for this service. I thought it was kind of steep but he was perfectly happy with their work...

Max Bryant

Thumpic

If your intention is to buy tools, parts and a bike to rebuild into a great ride; this is it. If it fits. But not at $400. $400 is ridiculous for a bike with a promised restoration. Tell them to restore it and call you when they're finished.

Dependant on inspection beyond pics; that's a 100-150 bike.

xytyx

Hey all, thanks for the help. I figure it might just be worth it wait/stalk CL for some better offers before I pull the trigger on anything just yet.

Stucky

Looks to be one of the nicer Raleighs- but not for $400. I have a feeling that what the bike shop means by "overhaul" is merely replacing tubes/tires and doing a tune-up...and maybe, if they're really nice, repacking the bearings- but I doubt they'd do ANYTHING cosmetic. That's the kind of bike you get at a yard sale or thrift store for under $100...or maybe $150 on CL. Wouldn't mind riding it, at all....but unless it was FULLY restored, it's not worth anywhere near $400- and no shop is going to do a real restoration for $400- even if they got the bike for free, cause they'd be losing money.

daf1009

Too much...

Your plan to "stalk CL" and look for a better deal...smart play!

lostarchitect 

If he overhauls it, maybe. As is, $100.

ramzilla

$400? Really? No way. Somebody has to put a ton of elbow grease & new parts on that before its worth $400. That's about a $100 bike as -is.