hi folks. my local CL has a listing for this Sprite--



and i'm trying to offer the guy a fair price. i started at $30US but he seems to think he could get more for this "rare bike" trouble is i just don't know much about it. (waiting for more info from the seller) i found this link to a bike that looks reasonably similar:

https://www.jaysmarine.com/TH_Raleigh_Cat_70_4.html

5-speed from 1970.

any idea what a fair offer would be? thanks!

mark

i've paid 75.00 to over 200.00 for raleigh sports. then i end up putting much more into them- alloy rims, brooks saddle, lights, etc. imho if it fits you, if the paint is decent it's worth 75-125... i mean what can you buy new for that price? you can ride this bike for another thirty years... but i like raleighs! chainguard, fenders, kickstand? the pefect commuter. and it's already got a sweet brooks on it. and it's green!

Concur. Ask him to tell YOU what his idea of price is, then take it from there. Bargaining - wherein the seller is at a complete advantage, and you a disadvantage - is not good business ethics on the part of the seller. Both parties should be on equal footing.

-Kurt

It's got the rare chainguard and the brooks saddle (check for splitting around the rivets, particularly the front ones).
$100 wouldn't be out of line. Is Holyoke near Cambridge? Prices go up near Cambridge.

thanks, all. your info is much appreciated!

Kurt--good point about the seller advantage. i could feel it without really even realizing it was happening that way. i should just ask him what he wants for it and go from there, otherwise we'll be dancing for a long time i guess.

sailorbenjamin-- Holyoke is about 1 1/2 hours west of Cambridge, about an hour directly north of Hartford, CT. i reckon the Cambridge market affects ours only slightly!

I just got home from picking up a mid 70's coffee Sprite at a good will for 7.50$!

I'd think that 50 to 75 would be a good initial offer for that bike in that market. While the Western Mass bike CL tends to be a bit relaxed, in Holyoke you're competing with a lot of college kids who might be in the market for something like that. It looks like its in really good condition though. The Brooks saddle, lamp bracket, gum walls, and sports style fork are all great details

Offer him $75, and be prepared to go up. Those are a great commuter/touring machine (light touring perhaps).

You've also got the Amherst/Northampton market near Holyoke. Don't be surprised if it's already sold. I'm up in Burlington, Vermont. Wish it was closer to me - I'd snap it up as one of my winter projects.

nice one! i agree with you on all counts, too.

thanks

oh i meant to ask--what goodwill? don't say the new one in Chicopee, cuz i was just there recently and i'd be pissed if i missed that!

Not to worry, I got mine at a goodwill in Berkshire County!

If you like "English Racer" style bikes, grab it!!! It is the larger 23" frame (26" wheels), has the weird little "art deco" chain gaurd intact, Brooks leather saddle, Raleigh rims, and is in Bronze Green! All it is missing is the back rack. I have the same bike, and it is a great one! At least that is my opinion. Have taken it on rides of up to 35 miles with no problem. Smooth, comfy, easy to peddle, goes up the hills with manageable effort...love it!!! If the wheels are true, paint and chrome are good, leather saddle isn't dried out, Huret deraileur isn't bent into a pretzel or into the rear wheel...$50 would be worth it if you like it. The later Sprites were Raleigh Records with north road bars and matress saddles.