Are there websites that provide reasonable estimates of transaction prices for used bikes? I am considering shopping for a used road bike in the near future.

From looking at various posts, it seems that Bicycle Blue Book can be way off the mark. Does anyone track and report on actual transaction prices?

Thank you,
Robert

You could check completed listings on eBay, but I don't know that that's going to be any better of a predictor. Variables like size, condition, and region can make the value vary quite a bit; these online tools might help you not get ripped off, but it's ultimately up to the buyer to determine value (by buying the thing).

One and two year-old Trek and Cannondale bikes seemed to be valued <50% of original cost, and this is for bikes originally costing $2k-$3k. When I looked at local CL ads, I saw prices closer to 2/3rds of MSRP. Wasn't sure if this was wishful thinking on the part of the sellers or a close reflection of true market value.

FWIW, I can't imagine buying a used bike on eBay.

It's CL - many will set their price expecting to negotiate unless otherwise noted. If they're at 2/3 firm and you don't think it's warranted, pass.

I realize CL promotes higher asking prices because ads are free. Are there any reliable, third-party sources that track actual transaction prices and offers reasonable guidelines? I don't imagine anyone would be selling a 2017 CAAD12 Ultegra in excellent condition for MSRP x 50% (as BBK suggests).

Sounds about right...

I've done it. Lots of people have. What part about it is hard for you to imagine?

Bikes are very differentiated and more difficult to evaluate through photographs, as compared to, say, a camera, which either works or doesn't.

Let's not move off topic.

I don't think so. At least in the US, there seems to be a lot of variation based on local factors, and perhaps even brands and models.

Unless you are looking for something vintage, I would suggest starting at your local shop and getting a sense of what level of performance you are looking for and how that compares with your budget. And while you are looking at local shops, maybe you might luck out and find a discounted bike on sale.

Then when you evaluate deals on CL, you can compare the value of the deal with comparable new bikes, on sale and at full retail.

My yardstick these days for buying used is this. If I am buying used from a bike shop who can tell me what, if any work they put into it and can represent to me it is ready to ride, I will buy such a bike if it costs around half (or less) than what a comparable quality new bike would cost me at full retail. If it is a private seller, I would look to spend a bit less since unless informed otherwise, I am probably putting at least $100 worth of new brake pads, tires, chain, and bar tape. And, there is, of course the risk that some other problem might turn up after you buy. Technology continues to advance, and so a mid price bike from 10 years ago is, functionally, not as good as a comparable mid priced bike today. And, with new, you get a warranty and usually some free service, where as with used, you will pay out of pocket for new parts and service, if it needs it.

They have evaluation threads on the forums that are about the best you're going to get. Post your bike up with good pictures and location (some markets are better than others). May take a few days but you should get a fair value out of it.

Actual transaction prices? Ebay obviously. Reference completed auction prices only, as a lot of Buy It Now Ebay product is absurdly overpriced, and sits unsold for years.

And uncompleted auction prices are no indication of final sale price, as no Ebay bidder who knows the first thing about auctions bids with greater than 10 seconds left in the auction. So bid prices with 5 hours to go are usually a fraction of ultimate winning bid prices. On larger dollar items, shill bidding is rampant; only sniping defeats the shills.

Why are Blue Book prices unreliable?... I find them a very accurate reflection of used bike value. I know there a lot of bike flippers on this forum who whine about their 1975 Schwinn being assessed at $50, when they think it should be selling at $500, but their opinion is pure self interest.

The bottom-line reality is a bike loses 30% of its value the moment it exits out of a bike shop door, and a 5-year old bike, no matter what the condition, is worth no more than 50% of original sale price.

And that very very few bikes (maybe 0.0001%) are worth the nominal dollar value now than when purchased in 1975. A mint condition top-end Colnago, Cinelli, Pinarello, etc. But that is about it.

Finally, used bike prices vary widely around the nation. Generally coastal states that voted Dem. have the highest used prices. So a beat-up Bianchi fixed gear that you couldn't give away in the Midwest will attract big $$ in hipster burgs such as Seattle, Portland and SF.

That seems like a pretty reasonable number for a 1 yr old bike in all honesty. That bike isn't selling for MSRP in a bike shop right now.

For nice round numbers, assume MSRP is $2000. It's a year old, so many bikeshops are likely selling them at ~30% off. Which would be $1400.

So, $1000 from a random goofball on craigslist, or $1400 for a new bike that has never been ridden, from a local bikeshop, with a warranty, likely free tuneups for the first year, discount on accessories at the time of purchase, etc.

Maybe $1000 is a BIT on the light side, but certainly not by much. They've got to sell it at a price low enough to make it attractive iin the above scenario.

One more thing: Craigslist. Used bike prices on Craigslist come from fantasy-land. Most of the bikes for sale on my local CL could be mail-ordered in brand new for less. I can only assume that the sellers who list these prices fall in one or more of the following camps:

• Delusional;
• Simply threw out a random number;
• Seller paid full retail at a bike shop (i.e. way too much) and are trying to recoup their original sale price after riding the bike for 2 years; or
• Or the seller is a chronic haggler who assumes that they need to double the asking price in advance of a scorched-earth negotiating session with prospective buyers.

If you can find your size, new old stock would be your best bet on a bike a few years old. I think Dave has a point that craigslister's build in a hagglers price.

Could try this: Used Price Guides - Listings For-Sale with New & Used Items For-Sale

Though I cannot vouch for the accuracy/validity of anything on this site the few items I have search on here did seem to be reasonably valued.

2017 CAAD 12 Ultegra valued at $2,482 on Statricks. Seems reasonable for a <1yr old bike that sells new for $3,000.