1983 Raleigh 502 for $130, Is it worth it?
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1983 Raleigh 502 for $130, Is it worth it?
I came across this beautiful looking bike and the seller is asking $130.
It's in pretty good condition and looks the same as the picture.
Please let me know.
It's in pretty good condition and looks the same as the picture.

Please let me know.
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Since that is not the actual bike-and we don't know where you are-an appraisal isn't do-able. Is it a super course? If the frame material is reynolds-I'd go for it. Otherwise-not so much.
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Reynolds 502 is not the name of the bike model, it's the tubeset (the specific steel tubes used in the frame). The bike model should be that script on the diagonal top tube (I can't read it).
502 is OK, nothing special. It has somewhat-heavy straight-gauge alloy main tubes and heavier high-tensile stays and forks.
My girlfriend's father has an '84 Raleigh Marathon in Reynolds 502. The frame is pretty heavy, like a Schwinn World or World Sport. The components were pretty low-end for the day. He rode that thing forever and wore it out, and I overhauled it for him a couple years ago with a lot of new parts. Really, he should get a better frame, but he loves it.
Anyway, the bike in the picture is a low-level bike but seems to be in excellent shape. But you need to inspect it very carefully to ensure that it is totally tuned up like a new bike. If not, then I'd pass.
If you spent $130 on a new bike, it may be a tiny bit lighter but not as classy. The new bike would probably have better brakes and shift better (for now).
Whoever is selling the old bike probably spent more than $50 on new tires, tubes, chain, and grips, and a lot of time cleaning it up (even if the old bike sat somewhere totally protected, it would still need new tires and tubes).
502 is OK, nothing special. It has somewhat-heavy straight-gauge alloy main tubes and heavier high-tensile stays and forks.
My girlfriend's father has an '84 Raleigh Marathon in Reynolds 502. The frame is pretty heavy, like a Schwinn World or World Sport. The components were pretty low-end for the day. He rode that thing forever and wore it out, and I overhauled it for him a couple years ago with a lot of new parts. Really, he should get a better frame, but he loves it.
Anyway, the bike in the picture is a low-level bike but seems to be in excellent shape. But you need to inspect it very carefully to ensure that it is totally tuned up like a new bike. If not, then I'd pass.
If you spent $130 on a new bike, it may be a tiny bit lighter but not as classy. The new bike would probably have better brakes and shift better (for now).
Whoever is selling the old bike probably spent more than $50 on new tires, tubes, chain, and grips, and a lot of time cleaning it up (even if the old bike sat somewhere totally protected, it would still need new tires and tubes).
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#7
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Looks like a 1984ish Raleigh of America Super Course Mixte, which would be Raleigh 555 tubing, a Tange variant I believe, as the fork is Tange. Built in Asia.
I just sold an overhauled and ready-to-ride men's SC for $180, with fair paint condition. Mixtes go for more if the paint is in good condition.
Can't assess the Fmv of what you are looking at without photos.
I just sold an overhauled and ready-to-ride men's SC for $180, with fair paint condition. Mixtes go for more if the paint is in good condition.
Can't assess the Fmv of what you are looking at without photos.
Last edited by oddjob2; 10-07-16 at 05:56 PM.
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Mixte are popular here in southern England but not many come up for sale. That one in photo looks in good condition very little to no rust. If tires and brakes are in good condition I'd pay $130 for it. It's classy.
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The bike in the photo looks to have decent alloy wheelset and better quality new tires and would be a $200 bike in most markets. The subject bike likely does not one of these in typical condition with cheap stock wheels and tires would be a $100-125. If you want a mixte these are bit nicer than most but still just OK entry level bikes.
#11
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If it's exactly like the one in picture, no rust or scratches, pretty wheels, then - yes it's worth $130. I restored a Raleigh Pursuit made somewhere around 1984. It's got all sorts of stickers on it. 502, Olympic Emblems, red Raleigh stickers on the Araya wheels. They went a little sticker crazy at that point in time. But, it's a very nice bike. I'd rate it as an entry level item that's similar to a nice World Sport.
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