Compare Value Of Two Frames
 

Would you please compare the values of these two frames:

Cannondale - 1985 model SR300 in 53 cm, metallic green. Decals and paint in good condition, only a few small scrapes, cable housing clips intact. Various other decals added: "Shimano", "Scott", "Mavic." Dropouts and seat tube top painted black.

http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/y...psdb409c16.jpg

Trek - 1981 model 710 in 47 cm, metallic dark blue. Reynolds 531 double butted, Reynolds decals partially worn off, no other decals, a fair number of paint scrapes and chips, no dents or rust, Trek head badge in nice shape.

http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/y...psa9cc6705.jpg

Would it be fair to do a straight swap of these frames?

Story: my friend bought the Cannondale as a complete bike, with Campagnolo brakeset and derailleurs and BB and aero seatpost, Suntour Superbe Pro crank and shifters, Cinelli stem and bar, Mavic 500 hubs, gray anodized Mavic rims, all components in very nice condition. Unfortunately, the 53 cm Cannondale frame was too big for her - she's like 5'1" or close. I have the Trek frame, and offered to swap her bike's components over to the 47 cm Trek. Which I have just finished doing, pretty straightforward, took the opportunity to true the wheels and clean and lube moving bits.

So, the question is what does she owe me? I was going to simply have her pay me for the Trek frame, $200, which is what I bought it for a few years ago. But I wonder
(1) is that too much to have her pay for the Trek frame, maybe it isn't worth that much?
(2) should I offer to simply trade the Trek frame for the Cannondale frame, or will that be unfair to one of us?

As may be obvious I'm not doing this for profit, just as a favor including free labor, just don't want to over charge her.

P.S. Yes, I know the leading end of the front fender looks goofy all pointed skyward. I wanted to hold the trailing end as close to the tire as possible since this teeny frame has a toe overlap issue. I haven't found a way to also hold the leading end down. The fenders came w/ the C'dale or she had them added, I'm not sure, but I transferred them over as fenders make good sense in Portland. She is a "casual rider".

Here is another gratuitous picture. I think it turned out okay.

http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/y...psc620db14.jpg

Do you want the Cannondale frame, or have a use for it?

I'm pretty sure the Trek frame is worth a good bit more than the Cannondale, especially in that tiny size. I had a 1981 710 frame in excellent condition and got a repainted Eddy Merckx out of it... I think $200 is a fair price for the frameset. Of course it depends how good of a friend this is and what kind of deal you're willing to give her.

If it was me, dealing with a random person I didn't know/care about, I would want $200 for the Trek frameset or the Cannondale frameset and $100.

Valuation? It all depends if you want to get lucky with your friend!

FWIW, ebay shows to sold 710s at $190 or so, and one SR300 sold at $50.00. I think the ebay treks may be better cosmetics. I'd say the SR300 + $125 would be an equitable trade.

I don't have any use for the C'dale frame. I do have a niece looking for a bike and 53 cm would fit her, but it will be easier/cheaper to find her a used complete bike than piece one together from the SR300 frame, and 53 cm is not a very unusual size AFAIK. I think the frame would be just clutter or I'd end up selling it on CL.

Cannondale frame in that condition as a local sale = $50. Trek frame is 3X value wise. Building up frames usually only works if you have a pile of parts, or the frame is something really special.

Both appear to be very nice old frames