da07079

Any estimates for a Nishiki Comp III?

The date codes show the frame made in 1985. Brick red with a silver seat tube and yellow decals. Scrapes on chain stays reveal chrome under the paint. Pretty good condition, with the usual scrapes etc for a 25-yr-old bike.

Weighs 22lbs (with tires, w/o pedals).

"Hand crafted by Kawamura 100% Chromoly" painted on the left chain stay. Seat tube stickers say "Tang 1 Cr-Mo Seamless Double-butted Tubing" and "Criterium Racing Frame Geometry." Fork sticker says ""Cro-Mo Steel Tang Fork Blade."

Suntour Sprint crank and brakes. Superbe Pro derailers. Subtour brake levers and downtube shifters. Horizontal Nishiki forged dropouts, w/ adjuster screws. Suntour Sprint sealed bearing hubs, 36-spoke araya 700C rims, . Nitto Olympiade bars, Technomic stem. Sugino seat post, Selle RoyalGel saddle.

Any views on whether I should put pedals on it to sell (or just offer to put some on for a test ride)?

I'm going to sell it in NY or Northern NJ. (This information is given because values differ in different markets. I'm trying to anticipate the usual follow-up questions; I am not selling the bike here.)

wrk101

I would clean it up first. Needs pedals, as bikes like that typically sell to more recreational riders. Should bring good coin once you get it ready. Also better off with matching tires, your call.

da07079

Thanks. Cleaning is on the agenda. I'll put some pedals and matching tires on it too. (The tires I have to put on are lower quality, but the bike would probably look better in pictures.)

da07079

Update for those who are interested:

• I put on pedals (clips and straps) and matching new tires, but didn't spend much time cleaning it up. (The pictures from the listing are attached.)
• I listed the bike on Craigslist (NY & NNJ) for $360 on July 1, but there was no interest. (The holiday weekend could have been a bad choice.)
• I relisted it, with price reduced to $295, on July 7.
• There was immediate interest, and the bike sold for $260 the morning of July 8.

I don't know whether this is the "serious coin" that Bill had in mind. The bike probably would have sold it for more if I had exercised more patience -- properly priced bikes seem to take 1-3 weeks to sell -- but I needed to get a bike out of the garage.

tmh657

I don't know your market but it's right in line with mine. I would have done exactly the same thing if I wanted it gone and happy with $260 since you say you didn't do much cleaning.

wrk101

You did just fine! In a hot market, with a patient seller, $325 tops, which is serious coin to me. You weren't far off that mark, and needed to move the bike.

I sold a Nishiki one model down (not as good) in the product line, in great condition, here in Hooterville, for $265 two weeks ago.

While we talk about market price a lot around here (I know I do), market price can be hard to get, really hard, and can a few weeks or more when selling locally.

I tend to take the ad down, wait several days or a week, and repost them at the same price. Over time, I have gotten pretty familiar with market pricing, and I tend to run out of bikes to sell. I have the luxury of space to store bikes, so I am very patient. Right now, I have about 40 bikes, most of which need to be rehabbed (sold a lot in the last few weeks, so I depleted all of my market ready bikes).

Glenzilla

wrk101

Want a particular model in a particular size? eBay. Be prepared to pay a premium.

Glenzilla

T-Mar

FYI, this was a 1986 model, not 1985. Having the correct year may facilitate the search.

jebensch

I have a '79 (I think) Comp II. Beauty. If you happen to ride a large frame - 61cm - and are interested send an email.

2old

Good thing you're in NY/NJ. Think that would have sold for a lot less serious coin in the "OC".

ramzilla

High end vintage Japanese steel is usually about 1/3 price of high end vintage Italian steel. So, these Tange 1 bikes in good condition generally go for somewhere around $300.