1997 Bontrager Race Lite Mountain Bike Pricing
 

Hopefully someone on this forum can give me some pricing insight. My wife has finally decided to sell her collector 1997 Bontrager Race Lite montain bike that she hardly ever rode. We're trying to determine a reasonable selling price. Hopefully you can help. Here's the details:

Type: Mountain bike; front suspension; 24 speed
Original owner; like new; ALL original parts; original product manuals and receipts; very few miles of riding.
Frame: Steel Hardtail/ True Temper 4130 Tubing
Type: Mountain bike; front suspension; 24 speed
Original MSRP: $2,299.00
Current condition: Excellent. No scrathes, scars, etc. Original paint & lettering
Size: Medium
Color: Red/White & Black Accents
Frame & Fork: Steel TIG-welded
Fork Brand & Model: Rock Shox Judy XC
Rear Shock: N/A
Component Group: Shimano Deore XT
Crankset: 22/32/42 teeth
Pedals: Shimano PD-M747 (Icon) SPD clipless
Bottom Bracket: Shimano BB-UN72, 107 mm spindle
BB Shell Width: 68mm English
Rear Cogs: 8, 11-30 teeth
Seatpost: Bontrager Comp 2014 T6
Saddle: Bontrager Selle San Marco M
Handlebar: Bontrager Race 5° Easton EA70
Handlebar Extensions: Bontrager Race 6031 T6
Handlebar Stem Bontrager Race 4130 HT
Hubs: Shimano Deore XT Parallax 110
Rims: Bontrager Mustang, 32-hole
Tires: Front: 26 x 2.10" Bontrager, Rear: 26 x 1.90" Bontrager

True Bontarger bikes-Pre Trek- were a much sought after bike and that should hold some extra value into the bike but it is now well and truly out of spec compared to modern bikes. 8 speed is not a limiting factor to those that ride regularly but everyone wants 9 speed nowadays. The forks- although a good step above what is available on modern bikes- are not good in comparison to modern respectable ones.

Normal rule of thumb for a 3/4 year old bike would be half the original retail- less the expense that the buyer can find to bring up to Good condition----such as worn chain-cassette or wheels etc. Although this bike is older it does look in as new condition. Whether you could find a buyer to pay $1,000 for it though is a different matter. For that price someone could buy an inferior bike with a similar spec to this one that is a bit more modern.

I'd ask over in C&V on this. It may not be a Veteran- but it certainly was a classic bike in its day.