Bikedued

I've asked one of us on the side, but I need a more general opinion. A local person I deal with on bikes has an early 70's Super Course(Carlton built).... They want $200 for it, and will not take a penny less. I'm ready to give up and let it go. I just don't think this bike is worth that much. I might give $100 top end in a moment of irrationality, but not much more. He claims they bring $350-$450 on ebay, and I call BS on that. If they did, why would he be asking $200? The seatpost is rusty, the Brooks looks like toast and the paint/decals faded looking. This guy always seems to ask $50-$100 more than I think his bikes are worth. I mean c'mon, he wanted the same amount (IIRC) for a beat to hell Japanese Bianchi missing a lot of parts.,,,,BD


Here's a pic, as I know one will be asked for, hehe.

retyred

Not worth what he's asking. I've seen this Raleigh in much better condition go for $200. Tell him to go pound sand.

OrangeOkie

If he is a bike flipper like you, then of course you are correct. However, there are plenty of potential buyers out there who will pay $200 or more for a Raleigh Super Course Reynolds 531 frame, so he is also correct. The components have nothing to do with the value of the bike in this particular case. In it's current state, the bike is poorly presented. If it was mine, I would sell just the frame and cull the parts.

cudak888 

First, see to it that he puts it on eBay. Once he looks like an ass...

THEN tell him to pound sand.

What's the email of this guy? I'd like to send him a little real-world bike check.

-Kurt

solveg

There's a local guy here who sold a beat up Super Course for $175. He was a flipper, it was a wreck.

Lamplight

That seatpost is not a good sign.

East Hill

I'm going to get a trademark on the phrase .

If you want it as a personal bike, you would probably inch over closer to the $200 rather than the $100 mark, but it's UNRESTORED!

Sounds high to me, too.

East Hill

mrmw

I've taken to packing allen keys (and a vise grip for gentle leverage) with me when I go to look at any bike that's more than $25. This way, if the stem or seat post is stuck, either the price is radically adjusted--or I'm out of there. The impetus was a series of stuck Cinelli stem bolts over the last few months.

+1. That rusted out seatpost augers ill for the health of other compenents.

Bikedued

The thing that gets me about it, is that we're friends, "to a point". We've been dealing for a while, and he always seems high on everything. The only exception so far is a Cyclone M-II RD in near NOS shape for
$15. It was missing the cable binder nut. I found one on a Suntour FD that worked, and that bolt on the front was just for looks really.

I feel like offering $175, even though the Brooks is shot. I will also have to find someone that will rebuild the BB, AND clean the cranks/BB area up in the process. That is going to be fun. I have a feeling it will clean up okay, as the Huffy Sports/man I did looked great once done. It was as bad or worse than this one.,,,,BD

Dr.Deltron

Bikedued, just for reference, I recently "won" a Super Course Mk II on eBay. Winning bid, $117 + $50 shipping. So total $167 for a '74 Carlton built 531, with all original parts in 7/10 condition.
No stuck stem or seatpost, but the tires are heavily age cracked. OTOH, the white Carlton brake lever hoods are mint!
I could probably eBay those & get 1/2 my money back!
Actually, I only bid on it for the 531 frame. I was thinking of adding all the braze-ons, and possibly cantilever bosses. Then paint and upwrong bars, and I'm all set for cyclocross season!

So, if you can't get it for LESS than $200, I'd pass. There will be a better deal on a better bike in the future, trust me!

My catch of a lifetime...a chrome, pre-Raleigh Carlton in beautiful condition at a garage sale...

$35!!

The frame was WAY too tall for me, so I sold it the following week for $400. And that money went for a Merlin that was my size! And I think I paid to little for that!!!

USAZorro

Noooo! Even though the SuperCourse holds a dear spot in my heart, you'd do just as well to donate the extra $50 - $75 you'd be giving him to a real charity - and that only after a close inspection. If that seat post won't budge, I'd pass on it completely.

p.s. - Even though they took away the shiny chrome in 1977, the post 1976 models are improvements due to having much better original components.

cudak888 

BD, have a look at these, particularly the first one - second ain't worth much:

https://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Raleigh-...QQcmdZViewItem

https://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Raleigh-...QQcmdZViewItem

Don't give this guy any more business. He'll find out sooner or later why you left.

-Kurt

ollo_ollo

Walk away! I restored a 71 Super Course with an Acme of Portland paint job & NOS Shimano 600 for about $400 total some years ago. Purchase price for the original bike was $9.95 at the Goodwill store. $200 is just very optimistic for one in that condition.
Don

joychri

Seems high to mean. I paid a little less than $200.00 (I think the actual price was $190.00 but I can't remember) plus shipping for my 1973 Super Course which was in essentially mint condition with an upgraded rear derailleur and even at the time I thought I was over paying a bit. I really liked the bike, however, and was willing to pay a little more to get it.

For comparison I have posted some pictures of my Super Course at the following link.

https://www.cyclofiend.com/cc/2006/cc...joyce1206.html


Good luck.

Stacey

I walked on a $100 SC in rough shape and a mish mosh of components a few weeks back. Then fell on my $10 Italian Stallion today. Glad I waited.

Mhendricks

I recently sold one (MK II) that I re-conditioned for $175 and Kurt can attest that mine was worth the $175. This one on the other hand is not.

Bikedued

Thanks guys! Now I don't feel so bad for sticking to my guns, when I did want this bike pretty badly. I missed out on a 555SL SC for $85 the other day. The guy just would not wait for the weekend which was a couple of days away. I've been craving a Raleigh roadie since that moment. I posted on CL, and here he came. The only other one who responded had a Raleigh USA in 531, but it was just plain too small. Well, maybe I will hit a lucky streak tomorrow at the flea market. That $40 76 Sports in my size I passed on doesn't look too bad now, lol. It finally sold after three or more weeks at the flea market. The longest I've seen any bike stay there, aside from the real junkers.,,,,BD

Noah Scape

I paid $50 for this...

bigbossman 

Hey - the white hoods are worth $50, alone!

solveg

Well, they're worth $30, and I'm still* mad about paying that much.

T-Mar

Back in 2003, I sold a 1972 Raleigh Super Course on ebay and got $305 for it. Mind you, it was in excellent condition and completely original except for the tires and tubes. So, it wouldn't suprise me if a similar one to-day brought around $350-$400. You just have to attract the attention of the right two bidders.

bigbossman 

Then you can stop being mad, as is seems the stock has gone up on white Carlton hoods:

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MESO:IT&ih=004

mastershake916

Damn, there isn't any law against asking what may be a high price for a bike.

cudak888 

There should be one for asking (ahem) a-hole prices for them.

-Kurt

dbarnblatt@usa.

He can ask whatever he wants. I'm sure you would not want to be governed on how much you would be able ask if you were selling something. Sounds like the guy knows his market... if he can get $200 then more power to him.