moonischasingme

https://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/bik/782686926.html

Does this bike seem like it is worth $110? I always wanted a green bike, but the price seems high.

What are your thoughts?

Xlr8n

The womens 3 & 5 speeds are a dime a dozen. It looks like a 30-40 dollar bike to me. Depends on how bad you want it I guess.

roccobike

A ladies Breeze, nicer condition than the Suburban you posted, went for around $80 around here. I've got a World Tourist (mens) listed for $85 on CL right now. I'd say the asking of $125 is high but if you're in a high bike demand location, and if it is truely ride ready (lubed hubs, cleaned chain, etc.) then maybe high 90s? As was said, how bad do you want it.

kellyjdrummer

I'd never buy under $1,000.

mstrpete

I think the $125 is fishing. You could counter-offer half (if it's in your pocket) and go from there.

That being said, I just sold an old Roadmaster single-speed for the asking price of $100, so who knows?

Old Fat Guy

Around here, A tuned 5 speed Schwinn, w/new tires and in clean condition, is worth $150-$200.

Or you can go to X-Mart and get a new Next or Magna, for the same price, and toss it after 6 weeks because it's junk.

At least the Schwinn will last another 30 years.

If anyone can get them for me at a dime a dozen, I'll buy as many as you can get. They are the perfect campus bike, fenders & chainguard, plus reliability all are in its favor.

It's not a racer, but it will go across campus quite nicely, steel wheels and all.

moonischasingme

He is asking $110 now.

I am so torn, I don't know what to do!!!

USAZorro

Pass. You can find a much nicer bicycle for considerably less. I wouldn't pay more than $25.00 for that.

moonischasingme

And how would I know if I live in a high bike demand location?

moonischasingme

I know you're right.
But...but...!

USAZorro

No buts. You do not live in an especially high demand area. If they won't go down to $50.00, you're getting ripped off. No two ways about it. Perhaps if the bike was in showroom condition, I could see paying $100, but it isn't.

moonischasingme

Thank you very much everyone. I really appreciate all of the advice. Unless he goes way, way down then I will not be purchasing bike.
I recently had my department store bought Schwinn stolen. It wasn't anything too special, but it was mine. Sigh.

USAZorro

That puts the desire you have into perspective. Keep your eyes open. You'll find something much nicer, and more reasonable soon. That bike is 30+ pounds of unresponsive frame, balky shifting and uncertain stopping.

Xlr8n

If you are truly interested in buying womens three and five speeds, check out CL for the Omaha and Lincoln Ne. and DesMoines Ia. areas. There are womens Schwinn 3 and 5 speeds on those listings every couple days for next to nothing. 25-45 dollars is average asking price and I've bought plenty to use as parts bikes to fit onto a mens frame for less than $20.

mike

+1

These Schwinns are selling for $100 to $200. You can still find them at thrift stores and garage sales, but they are like finding a valuable painting at a rummage sale. Lots of people are looking for them.

The Schwinn is a nice rider - classic, reliable, smooth ride, heavy...

For the money, it is surely worth it as a rider and as a collectible. If you are looking for a better paint job, you can find something at WalleyWorld for the same money, but of lesser quality.

Old Fat Guy

750 miles for a flipper is out of my range. Right now I have a stockpile of Suburban's, Collegiate's and Le Tour's, along with some Raleigh's. The students return in 2 weeks. I will sell them all within 3 weeks, none lower than $125 (for a Continental), most higher.

Location, location, location.

Xlr8n

I hear ya. The odd thing is we have at least one major college in each of the cities I listed, yet the availability of older womens bikes still far exceeds the demand.

Old Fat Guy

Perhaps the students there haven't discovered the old classics quite yet. Fill your garage with Collegiate's. The combo of fenders, a chainguard, and easy ridability make them great for campus bikes.

We have a lot of grad students here from CA and NY, they buy them up quickly!

mike

I notice a lot of old classics at the various campuses. Some of the Universities look like they are having a collectible bicycle rally.

My friend's daughter was looking for a bike to bring to college. She was looking specifically for an old classic with fenders, chainguard, maybe 3-speed.

Besides being practical and well made, the classics seem to be in fashion. I wonder how many times some of those bikes have been "back to school".

KarmicPedals

Vintage bikes in good condition are more difficult to come by here in Florida (HUGE, HUGE numbers of bikes end up on boats to Haiti and other parts of the Caribbean on a constant basis, some end up destroyed in the regular series of hurricanes we have, lots end up carted off to the State Universities and never come back, and people aren't into biking in the first place -- making a limited supply to start with).

Finding that same bike for $60 or $80 will probably take that much in gasoline scouting around and finding ads other than on CL. The thrift stores are selling bikes for $35, if you're lucky, some have them priced at, unbelievably, $199. Finding the bike you're looking for at a garage sale for under $50 will mean being up at the crack of dawn and beating out the regular CL flippers to the "lucky" garage sale that might have a bike pulled out of a back shed. At $4+ per gallon of gas, the hunt will get expensive quickly.

If the bike is what you want, and the price is less than the gasoline cost of 10 weekends of garage saling (my guess as to the minimum it will take to have a lucky strike on something close to what you're looking for), then buy it.

bab2000

I will not disagree with the variety of responses you have received.

I first suggest is still look at the bike and confirm it fits you properly and rides as you suspect or desire.

From the picture on the listing, it is a 5 speed model. Typically the shifter is located on the stem, the shifter appears relocated to the right handle bar, indicating that this bike may have been converted to INDEX shifting derailleur. That feature may justify a higher normal asking price.

The paint appears good, and the fenders and wheel look in good care, the front tire appears newer, (black wall), the rear yet gum wall or puff type, if original inspect for cracking or other splinters.

The bike is likely a early to mid 1970s model, as 78 - 80s were fitted with a front free wheel sprocket and positron shifter, no chain guard.

If you like it, then offer what you are willing to pay and be prepared to walk away if offer refused. The benefit of working local is the touch and feel before closing the purchase.

If bike has been maintained it will last and last. These do ride straight and smooth, it is not a light weight by any means, expecting this as fitted will weigh about 40 lbs, or more.

We gifted a 80 Suburban to daughter, she loves yet, and about only additional expense besides time to lubed BB, adjust brakes, is one set of tires and tubes in the past 28 years.

Follow your budget, compare to new bikes at LBS, and take the time to contact seller and do a touch and feel. It is about you...

PS: The seller may have listed at this price to keep the junk dealers, and auction site peddlers from gathering up to part out. The seat, fenders, handle bars, grips, brake handles are all +$s on such sites, allowing a buyer of a $30 bargain bike to double or triple their money by parting out. Seller may allow some bargaining if they know it will be cared for and not acquired for parts alone. Other parts as seat post and seat clamp, and steering stem are other components being searched for as well.

Flying Merkel

I just sold a Schwinn Ladies 5-speed Collegiate to a college student. I was surprised at the number of responses. The winner came down at 10:30 last night to get it. She had looked at X-mart bikes but none fit or excited her. The Schwinn fit 6' me & 5' her. It's going to last another 30 years easily.

$140.00 And she was happy. I'm in Orange Couny CA

DavidW56

Old Fat Guy -- would you mind telling us where you live? Michigan in summer, college students returning to school who don't mind paying at least $125 for a Schwinn -- I'll guess Ann Arbor or East Lansing.

I agree that bike fit is the first consideration. I also agree that if it fits, buy it and never mind the cost. I've been looking for a green ladies 1970 Schwinn Suburban 5-speed all summer and the closest I got was within $17 bidding on eBay (sold for $117). I did get lucky with one CL seller nearby who sold her nearly-mint 1984 ladies Schwinn Varsity 10-speed for $30 (asking $40). I bought it for my 15-year-old daughter who thinks it is "too fast" and is not comfortable with it.

Old Fat Guy

I live in Ann Arbor. Here are some of the bikes that I will be putting on CL when i return from vacation:

pastorbobnlnh 

Is that five or six Schwinns? I'm uncertain about number 4 from the left!

Lets see how well I do? Left to right;

Collegiate, Continental, Traveler or Le Tour, ??? Huffy ???, Collegiate, Late '80s Taiwan Collegiate.