Hello all - I'm fairly new to this but have found that I love the styling of older daily riders. This Raleigh DL-1 is on CL for $350 and I'm wondering if that is a reasonable price assuming it''s in good condition.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Ron

https://stlouis.craigslist.org/bik/3190526811.html

Crap - I didn't manage to look down one topic and see the "What's it worth" topic... So this post is in the wrong area and I don't know how to move it. If anyone is able to, or can tell me how to I'll be happy to move it!

Sorry

First, it has to fit. Second, the aesthetics are great, but does it suit a purpose? It's a lot of money, and you may not like the weight or handling or the difficulty of working on it. Removing the rear wheel is a big job.

Reasonable? Sure, but Noglider listed some of the negatives of a bike like this...On the other had, for a city commuter, it sure is cool and if it were the correct size and I had a use for it...I do it!

Thanks,

As far as purpose, I'm looking for a daily commuter. Currently I ride an early 90s C'Dale mtn. bike that is waaayy.. too small for me and I'm tired of being uncomfortable. I like old things and I'm an incurable tinkerer which is why I'm drawn to something like this.

On the other hand, I'm concerned about this being my only bike for quite a while and am wondering if I'll be better off getting something new as my daily and then start picking up things to play with

I like these bikes but I can't commute on them because it's pretty hilly around here. They're a lot of work to get up a hill and hard to stop going down.
To me $350 seems pretty high. It would have to be darn near perfect, fresh grease in the hubs and bottom bracket (and pedals) and good tires with no cracks. Check the saddle for cracks in the leather around the rivets. The rims have to be true or the brakes will pulsate badly, even on a shiny one. The pinstripes should be good, too. No fading.
I suppose some places bikes sell for a lot and that will skew things, but if it's really nice and it's your size then it's probably worth that.

Depends on your market too. I would not pay much over $200 for it. I paid ~$130 for mine a couple of years ago. Mine is in good shape, but needed some minor TLC.

Aaron

I think st louis bike prices are kind of high relative to most places. The supply of quality vintage bikes is very low. So the price is probably fair. If it were me I would take it for a long test ride to determine if the high gearing and weight is something you can live with for longer than one season. How far is your commute?

That's a lot of money for a DL-1 Tourist. I saw a very clean example one posted and gone in a few days in NJ at about $200. There is one languishing near Frank the Welder for about $130, but the front fender looks rusty.

I kinda have been hankering for a DL-1, but I satisfied my desire with some good old Chicago steel, for $75. Below is the bike, in it's original condition. It's like riding in an old LINCOLN TOWN CAR.

That's a nice Speedster Oddjob!

Acoffin - I'm actually glad to hear that you think prices are high here in STL, makes me feel better for being frustrated with not being able to find a good deal like I read about so often here!

My commute is about 4 miles each way, some rolling hills but nothing very high or steep so it's not bad at all so I don't think the weight will bother me - I don't have to carry it up and down stairs at all so that's a bonus as well.

Sailorbenjamin - good advice! I'll definitely give a good long going over too make sure it's in the condition the seller says it's in.

There's one bike guy in your market, who's phone # is 2453, and has 31 current listings. He has lots of nice product, but relatively high asking prices, particularly since his sales are mostly DKO.

He probably is setting the benchmark for all other sellers via the herd mentality.

BTW, he has 56 other items on STL CL.

Oddjob2,

Don't even get me started on that fool! The guy doesn't even adjust brakes, then tries to sell garbage for gold. Needless to say, his bikes are listed day after day. He's been at this for years. Very frustrating indeed, but I guess there are people like that everywhere.

Yep, know exactly who you're talking about - I'm constantly amazed by the prices he asks but assume he must be selling them because he keeps posting...

Well, looks like I have to pass on this - and the poster decided to keep it so it all works out. Still going to have to keep my eyes open for a vintage 3-speed as I am now convinced that I 'need' one!

Thanks for all the help and suggestions.