The situation: a friend of my son's would like to buy the RB3. My son is now riding the Bridgestone 400, which fits him really well and is virtually perfect (I found it for $3.00 at the Salvation Army). The RB3 was picked up at a yard sale about 10 years ago for $25.00 and is too small (I think it's around 54cm) for me or anyone other than my son who now rides the 400. So, in a nutshell, the RB3 has little use here.

I have been thinking of parting it out and selling the frame on ebay, but what's fair here? We've gotten way more than $25.00 worth of use out of it, it is still in really good shape, the kid can use a bike (he's riding a huffy kind of thing)...I lean towards doing a good deed and keeping the good Karma going...I could keep the shimano 600 wheel set and replace with a lesser set that I have...

Thoughts?

$200-250.

The RB-3 was a fairly low end bike, IIRC. The RB-1 was the really nice one, the RB-2 a lot cheaper, and the RB-3 was quite entry level.

$200-250 might be realistic in terms of what you could get, but it would be, in my mind, an inflated price because of the brand... not a fair price to ask if you weren't selling to a 'collector'.

I have said $100.00, which includes new tires and tubes and a new chain, along with my tuning it up. I think if I were going to put it up on ebay, I might get $200-250.00; but to sell it to one of my son's friends I think that would be too much. We'll see what he says.

I think that's fair. I sold a completely overhauled, and I mean down to the bare frame, RB-2 for $200 recently. I sold it in the winter, and may have been able to get $250-$300 on eBay now. However, I don't think an RB-3 would go for that much.

If nothing else, if your son's friend pays $100 (hopefully his own money) he'll probably respect it more and not trash it, which would be my fear if I were to give such a bike away.

NO.. we know we don't want to offend,let's be real.Near MINT RB1's go for $300,2's for 2 or less. To a person that knows no better,it could fetch $100 - $150, could to one that knows no better. To be fair,an asking price of $100 or less,that's to be fair,if the frame is at least in fair condition.They cost $400 new and were the economy road bike in the line, seemed tubing,steel stays,lesser parts too. An OK bike, just OK

You got a good deal on it and have had years of use. Give it to your son's friend.

Get him to mow your lawn a few times and give him the bike. Tell him he needs to take good care of it and give it to somebody who needs it when he's done with it. An RB3 is hardly worth fretting over.

Near mint RB-1's for $300? Where? They seem to fetch a good bit more than that on eBay...

Now I lean towards the cost of the tires and chain...maybe $40.00...The bike is in excellent shape and all original other than the tires, tubes, bar wrap, and chain. I certainly don't feel any need to make money on it and I can just give it away especially as the 400 fell my way for $3.00...

GOOD POINT... to the OP, DON'T give it away, nothing commands less respect for a bike than the fact it cost the recipient nothing, no cost,no reguard,the kid 'll let it get stolen or such. It ought to cost him something.

I'd never give away a bike to someone who doesn't know how to take care of it. I'd rather have it sit in my basement.

If you really want to play the responsible Dad role, ask the kid to pick up some new tires, tubes, brake pads, and any other parts that need replacing. Show him how to fix up the bike, then give it away.

Same way you should never give away kittens or puppies... seriously.

People tend to ascribe value to things by how much those things cost them. A free bike, or a free pet, to many people, is worth nothing, and gets treated as such. Make them pay for it, and suddenly they value it and want to protect their investment, however small.

It also makes sure the person actually wants the item, rather than just saying yes to free stuff.

That is the truth. How much you ask should depend on the kid's financial situation. Don't break his bank, but don't let him have it for spare change either.

You are well on your way to being a lonely old curmudgeon. Bikes are to be used. It's just a bike! Kid doesn't care about Grant Peterson, and he shouldn't.

+1.......Not long ago I was the "son's friend" who received a free bike, one of my dream bikes in fact, a '72 Raleigh International. Granted, my friend and I are in our mid-40's and our friendship is about thirty years old, so maybe it's a little different situation, I don't know. But I can tell you this: I appreciate that Raleigh International more than any bike I've ever had. And not just because it's a great bike, I've had great bikes before. But because it's a great bike and my friend's dad gave it to me-

I have passed the word through my son that for $40.00 the bike is his. I know the kid doesn't have a lot of money and have also said that he can pay me over time or we'll work something out if need be. I haven't heard back yet, but I think I am being fair. Regardless, if he wants the bike, I'll make sure it happens.

Thanks to all. I appreciate the thoughts and input from everyone; this has turned into a nice thread about passing on a good/decent bike, fairness, hopefully inspiring a life long interest, and the teaching of responsibility.

Nicely done. Buffalonians — nicest people on earth. (A shame about the Sabres, by the way.)