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How do you determine the value of a used bicycle with upgrades?

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How do you determine the value of a used bicycle with upgrades?

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Old 04-14-15, 12:16 PM
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Originally Posted by dr_lha
In my market everything on CL is usually double what the value on BicycleBlueBook says. I have no idea how much these bikes go for in the end, because every offer I ever made based on the BBB value was rebuffed and/or laughed at.
Interesting. Well, as you can imagine in Southern California there are no shortage of bikes on CL and many nice bike in nice condition since there are lots of serious year round riders here and many with money to spend. I have also found that many people with money to burn don't mind taking a low price when they sell their old bikes.
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Old 04-14-15, 12:21 PM
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Originally Posted by rms13
Interesting. Well, as you can imagine in Southern California there are no shortage of bikes on CL and many nice bike in nice condition since there are lots of serious year round riders here and many with money to spend. I have also found that many people with money to burn don't mind taking a low price when they sell their old bikes.
I live in a small, isolated, and relatively well off (due to the presence of a very large University as the main employer) town. Talking to some folks I know who listed their bikes on CL, they just didn't sell them if they didn't get what they asked for price wise. I guess their garage space is large enough (I know mine is - 6 bikes in there right now) to be bothered about unloading an unused bike at any price.
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Old 04-14-15, 01:10 PM
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Originally Posted by dr_lha
In my market everything on CL is usually double what the value on BicycleBlueBook says. I have no idea how much these bikes go for in the end, because every offer I ever made based on the BBB value was rebuffed and/or laughed at.
It really is hard to get people to truly understand what the actual value of their property is. This is why CL can be difficult. If a product is priced properly and their is demand for it, than it will sell. Most bike "upgrades" are not really upgrades to the first time buyer. They do not care that you have a Fizik seat or the stock seat. In truth, I do have when people say that they upgraded their seat. An upgrade to me is something that ads value to anybody, not just a specific person.
To answer the question, if you can wrench it yourself and it does not take time you would be better replacing the stock parts if you have them and selling the rest on ebay.
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Old 04-14-15, 01:35 PM
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Originally Posted by dr_lha
In my market everything on CL is usually double what the value on BicycleBlueBook says. I have no idea how much these bikes go for in the end, because every offer I ever made based on the BBB value was rebuffed and/or laughed at.
I have purchased 2 midlevel and one high end bike on Craigslist. I offered the bicyclebluebook.com value each time and settled for the blue book value or within $100 of it each time. It sure has worked for me.

I have also placed a bike on Craigslist and tried to get 25% above bluebook value and ended up selling for bluebook value.
I am sure there are exceptions but like with auto's its a good starting point for price of a used bike.
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Old 04-14-15, 01:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Shuffleman
They do not care that you have a Fizik seat or the stock seat.
As someone who rides a $2000 bike with a $14 saddle (which I am very happy with), I agree with this statement. "Comfort" upgrades such as saddle and stem are not upgrades at all, they're simply modifications for your fit and that lovely $200 saddle may feel awful to the next owner.
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Old 04-14-15, 01:44 PM
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Originally Posted by macbride
I have purchased 2 midlevel and one high end bike on Craigslist. I offered the bicyclebluebook.com value each time and settled for the blue book value or within $100 of it each time. It sure has worked for me.
Every market is different. Nobody goes close to bluebook around here in my experiences. I gave up trying to buy used bike in the end and just went hunting for new bargains instead.
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Old 04-14-15, 04:50 PM
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Thanks for all of the insight.

1) It is a Jamis Xenith Endura
2) Yes I can replace all of the stock parts myself.
3) Upgrades are wheels, chain rings, stem, handlebar. None of them are super fancy - this was only a $2k bike when new. But all are a step up from what came stock.
4) Thanks for the link to www.bicyclebluebook.com. I've never sold a bike other than a kid's garage sale bike before.

I guess what I will do is to put the stock parts back on the bike and post it and the "upgrades" separately on CL.
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