ditosaur

Kuwahara Apollo Prestige 12-speed excellent condition. I can get a deal for $375 (Canadian) does it have its value; reasonable? I’ll be using it as a daily commuter

T-Mar

I realize that Vancouver is one of the hottest used bicycle markets in Canada but $274 sounds very expensive for that model, even in excellent condition. Personally, my preferred mount for a commuter would be a good, used ATB fitted with road tyres. They're more practical and typically better value..

rgvg

For commuting in Vancouver an old mountain bike would work (that's what I generally use to get to/from work and groceries), just replace the tires with slicker ones (panaracer paselas always nice). They are slightly heavier than a comparable road bike, but are upright so might be more comfortable.

How tall are you if I may ask? I know you were looking at the Maruishi and that one appeared to be about 21". Is that the right size for you?

The only thing I find prestigious about the apollo prestiges I've seen on line are the name. Well, the prestige XL looks slightly better.

There is a Nishiki Intenational on fb in New West asking 380, it's about 54cm. I can't tell the condition from the pictures though, so it might be a bit rough. It's still a bit more than I'd like to pay. And with warmer weather coming up I'm sure there will be some more choices coming up on cl as well.

Comparatively the prestige and the maruishi are slightly different animals. One has touring geometry (will take wider tires, cantilever brakes, fenders), the other I don't think is the same. If you plan to use it year round, you may find yourself wanting fenders. A lot of 80's road bikes will have trouble fitting those. Touring bikes probably will take fenders (so will mountain bikes).

ditosaur

Hello rgvg, I'm 5'9 so i think i fit nicely with a 54-56cm frame. I would use it year-round for sure usually short commutes to the library/grocery, I'm a student so I would probably take the bus a bit more during the winter. Wouldn't the mountain bikes be bulkier? I like how the drop-down bars feel and look though

rgvg

Yes, vintage mountain bikes will generally be heavier than a road bike from the same period. But some people think compared to the bulk of the rider, it is not that big of a difference. It could feel a bit sluggish, sure, but you'll get where you're going no problem.

Price wise they can be cheaper. Mind you cl pricing can be quite variable. Last fall or winter there was a Miyata 1000 listed for 175. The only reason I didn't jump on it was I already have one, which I'd paid more for. 175 sounds cheap, but then I would have wanted new tires (almost $100 for good ones), a new saddle (Brooks because I like those $100 or so on cl, $175 + tax new), not to mention time and effort to take it apart to regrease and recable.... Yeah, good thing I didn't go for it.

But of course, there's no problem with wanting a road bike.

One option you might check out are coops like Our Community Bikes on main st, or Kickstand and UBC Bike Kitchen. Prices at OCB have been creeping upwards, but they do refurbish the bikes and give you a 30 day warranty (I think it's 30 days). Compare that with a bike from cl, you don't know how it's been serviced. But with covid and all, I think their stock might be a bit low. They are reliant on donations, so selection is dependent on that. They have fancy italian bikes from time to time (I think it was $800 for an Oschner some time last year).

Ride on sells used bikes too.

Good luck.