Desert Ryder

For sale locally. Seller says needs tires.
Listed as a 1987 Schwinn Tempo. I don't know the size yet but that seatpost seems crazy long.
WTB saddle, Look clip in pedals, Shimano 105 brakes & RD, Sakae Custom drop bars, Sugino GLP Crankset, Araya 700C rim set. Columbus tubing (Tenax? CroMo?)
What would be a good offer price?
Experiences and opinions are welcome.

tkamd73 

Looks like a 21 in frame from the size of the head tube, seat post is too long because the frame doesn’t fit the rider. You need to tell us what the seller is asking, obviously it’s worth what someone is willing to pay for it. If it was my size, and I was looking for a Tempo, I’d probably pay up to 250 for that, I like the Shimano 1055 stuff, and that’s a nice frame.
Tim

Desert Ryder

oops.. forgot to post it.....Seller is asking $95.

wrk101

As it sits, dirty and neglected, $75 would be a realistic offer in a soft market. Its older than a 1987 BTW, no impact on price. Its a mix of parts. Looks like a 1985, with some parts swapped.

To sort it out, you will need new seat post, new tires, new stem, bar tape, odds and ends.


Those tires speak for themselves (dry rotted).

Desert Ryder

Yeah. I was in the $60-75 mindset also....I was thinking of getting it and seeing if it rides better than my Raleigh Grand Prix.
I think I have a set of 700C tires somewhere in the garage...Bar tape is cheap enough.

jon c. 

worth twice that in these parts even in that condition

cyclophilia 

$95 seems reasonable if the frame is your size.

plonz 

I was going to recommend $150 until I saw the posting. $95 is a real good deal for this bike. Anything less would certainly be a score.

Tempos are beloved by many on this forum, me included. The subject bike is a 1985 and I believe the year Tenax tubing was introduced on Tempo.

You’ll need to invest some $ and elbow grease to restore this Tempo to its former glory. It will be well worth it. I’ll offer this pic as inspiration!

Yes I know the frame is too small!

bikemike73 

I have the EXACT same bike !!!!!
1985/1986

TENAX Columbus tubing.

I do not need any more bike bikes...but I would on my way to get this !!!

Offer $75.00 cash and see what seller says.

If he is firm on 95.00.....hand it over to him.

These Tempos are GREAT riding bikes.

SMOOTH AND STABLE !!!!!!!

Go get it NOW

bboy314

Well worth $95. If it’s a large market it’s probably gone already.

if it’s been ridden the seatpost at that height, I’d check the top of the seat tube for damage.

wrk101

I've bought my share of bikes in Las Vegas. Its a very soft market, I've gotten some deals there. I would hate to be a seller in Vegas.

Parts are worth more than asking price? Sure, but that is very common. I can't recall the last time I paid more for a bike than the parts were worth. IMO, people looking for parts overlook complete bikes.

If you have your heart set on getting a Tempo, just pay the asking price. If you are open to any brand and model, offer less. Its been for sale at this price for five days already. The average buyer out there wants no part of down tube shifters. And its friction too (less interest). And its obviously poorly set up, lousy picture, and awful tires.

SoCaled 

These regularly sell for $250 and north in Los Angeles. I think all but one I have seen in the past 3 years were $200 or more and they all (a dozen or more) sold quickly.

With the exception of maybe one, they were all "ready to ride" not stripped and lubed, but functional. Dry rot tires on that one knock off a chunk.

Obviously I am in a hot market and wrk101 has good points is a grounding voice of reason on values, but as others have said parts alone are worth the $95, I would buy Tempo's all day at $95.

himespau 

Think about how much you're going to have to put into it to get it running, add how much the seller is asking, and ask yourself if you want it that much. Unless you're trying to flip it, it doesn't matter how much we think it's worth.

zukahn1

Run don't walk buy now if still available.

Desert Ryder

The reason I posed the question is because I have no idea about the bike in question. It may be a low end tank of a frame with parts added. I don't know if $95 is high or low.

I will probably go take a look, Reason for looking? I have a large framed Raleigh Grand Prix that is on the verge of too large. This one may fit better, ride better or be on the edge of too small.

Downtube friction shifters work for me. I like friction better than index shifting.....I guess because I grew up with friction and can be more forgiving.

Clang

The Tenax-framed Schwinns are well-loved on bikeforums, Tempos included. I'd consider the newer Shimano 105 stuff to be upgrades. I like those WTB saddles, but it's more of a mountain bike part, and was probably chosen for mostly color-coordination. The seller acknowledges it needs new tires, and it's priced low enough where that's forgivable. Otherwise it's mainly just dusty with the frame and paint looking like it's in great shape.

The only reason not to buy this would be if it's too small (that didn't stop the previous rider who was obviously way too big for this 21" frame and had to install a mtb-length seatpost as a kludge). How tall are you?