mrv 

I predict my Trek420 will soon be easily sold for $420 !!
- Trek has implemented a store credit trade in program: https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/r...bike_trade_in/
-- probably to not get labeled an enviro-terrorists due to eBike batteries going to the landfill.....
-- what the what - my '84 Trek420 doesn't show up on the 'what's it worth list" ??

- AND the hippest of the hipsters are racing Classics in an off road Rough Stuff Fellowship kind of way: https://theradavist.com/underbiking-...championships/
-- heck, maybe I'll go next year on the unsaleable Trek420.....https://www.instagram.com/underbikingworlds/

Sedgemop 

Thanks for the link to the Underbiking Championship story. I had that very same Super Course and rode it everywhere on 32's. I called underbiking "doing something stupid." Mr. Wicks made the right choice. Even kept the Cyclone derailleur.

Looks like the bike blue book only goes back 30 years, so most of will continue to not reap the rewards of old timey bikes.

Piff 

A little painful to read how poorly that Raleigh is set up, but they've got their heart in the right place.

SurferRosa

I really hope this trade-in program works for them, but it sounds like a huge, costly headache ... and one that won't benefit anyone with a bike from their golden era ('76 - '82).

thinktubes 

Remember this?

Cash-For-Clunkers Gems: Corvettes, Camaros, Mustangs And One Infamous Bentley Meet The End Of The Road

RCMoeur 

BRAIN says only bicycles 10 years old or less and valued at $150 or more will be accepted.

https://www.bicycleretailer.com/indu...efresh-program

At 10 years, heck, they're barely broken in...

mrv 

- most definitely - I have been employed at a large on-going automotive concern for 20+ years, located in Dearborn, MI. It's amazing how quickly cars get older the further I travel from the area! My mom-in-law still has an '03 Focus.

As far as my TREK420, I guess I won't be trading it in on a new crabon eeBike. Guess I'll have to settle for something like a new RoadUNO in the spring !! (fingers crossed)

Korina

That stupid Bluebook says my beloved Zoe is only worth $65! What do they know.

RCMoeur 

My 1988 Chevy C1500 pickup (which has hauled about 50+ bikes around in the past two weeks) waves hi from the Land Of the Merciless Sun But Meager Rust.

When I'd take the truck up to upper Michigan (da Yoo Pee) to visit the wife's family it wouldn't be uncommon to get offers to buy it on the spot, as the sheet metal is essentially intact and it runs well. But I've owned it since I ordered it from the factory, so it's like a member of the family, albeit too old to claim as an exemption.

Now I just need to replace the shocks before bike-hauling season really gets in high gear.

RCMoeur 

Those unrefined and barbaric bicycle buyers clearly don't have your level of good taste and discernment.

I have a nearly identical 930 and a orange-purple-gray fade 850 in that size which are both waiting for shifter-degunking and being passed on to local nonprofits.

John E

Those of us who keep our cars a long time have the same issue, specifically that they are worth far more to us than their trade-in or even private sale "values" would indicate.

abdon 

I probably devalued my trek 720 by having it powder coated, covered to 700c tires with mountain bike hubs and modern drivetrain. They would probably give me $50 in store credit for it.

abdon 

Never mind, too old, not worth anything. Oh well I guess I'll try to get another 40 years of use out of it.

3alarmer 

...I can't imagine they are planning on reselling them. So that leaves them with the option of finding a certified non profit, like our local bike co-op, or maybe a national non profit that accepts bikes, and donating them for tax credit purposes. I think they can claim whatever they valued them at as trade in's, and deduct it as a business expense, either at the national, or the local dealership level.

Probably some guy in a green eyeshade has worked it all out, as a moneymaker. And it will definitely help them sell new bicycles.

albrt 

We complain about the resale value of vintage bikes, but from what I can see the decline in value of 10 to 20 year old bikes is much worse. We've got mountain bikes at the co-op that cost $2500 new, and we can't sell them for $250.

Spaghetti Legs 

Wait until next April, tape a dime bag to the top tube and you’re all set.

RiddleOfSteel

Trek partnering with the ultimate low ball "official valuation" bike-related entity out there, Bicycle Blue Book...

[grimaces]

[Looks up what they think a 2009 Trek Madone 6.5 with Dura-Ace 7900 would cost "private party," compares to bikes they're selling, and is correct in his continued assessment of BBB]

Valuing a bike, private party, at X and then selling, on their website, a lesser bike in the range (say, Madone 5.2) for over 2X than the much higher-end model's valuation, is garbage. Since I don't plan on selling my soul to make money in Bikelandia, I'll just restore and build to break-even and enjoy the gems I come across along the way.

I would like to know what they would value my 1980 510 at...

repechage

The analogous website code has been already written, bringatrailer bicycle version.

David_Harris

What co-op is that?

jolly_codger

Or, they could be emulating the auto industry and plan on selling the used ones as "certified pre-owned". Seems like a good idea for e-bikes because most people shy away from used ones because of fear of being saddled (no pun intended) with someone else's lemon. After how my 30-miler went yesterday I would be interested in a sweet Trek Certified Pre-owned Domane+SLR9 for $9,000 vs $13,000 new. (Not really; that is just my usual morning-after pity party attitude talking. Ask me tomorrow after I've ordered a new crankset that will make me 30 again. )
John

albrt 

Rusty Spoke on Grand Avenue in Phoenix.

RCMoeur 

I just placed a post in the C&V Appraisals section on another one of these "ex-superbikes" where I'm trying to figure out just what to do with it.

GT sts-2

L134 

"Bicycle Blue Book, an online service that determines market value..." Well, that is interesting. I thought willing buyers and sellers determined market value and Blue Book merely reported it. Wonder where they get their data from anyway.

Het Volk

Are these full or rear suspension bikes, with 26" wheels? I think a lot of the demand for vintage 90's mountain bikes is the combination of gravel conversions and/or wanting to do more underbiking on trails.....a 10 year old mountain bike as none of the charm of a vintage bike, and none of the tech of new mountain bikes.

albrt 

Yes, we can sell old rigid frame mountain bikes all day long, but the full suspension bikes with 26" wheels are nearly unsellable, except maybe to kids.