ZoeS

Hi!

A friend of mine is looking to get a bicycle, and the fellow who powder coated my mixte had one that fit his requirements:

Large frame (he's 6'3 with a long inseam)
A "performance hybrid" - not a cruiser, but with a thicker tire than a road bike

The seller has a 1976 Schwinn road bike, 10 speed (shifters on down tube), shimano 600 rear derailleur (todays ultegra), new tires (a bit wider than a road bike tire), at least 60cm frame, new seat, new cables, new brake hoods, tuned up and all parts look good.

He has quoted me $300 CAD (a little less than $300 USD, I suppose) for it. Assuming it rides well and looks good in person, too, is this a good price?

rumrunn6

Hmmm ... sounds like a lot for old steel. He might be happier with an '80s cromoly steel. I bought such a bike last summer for $200 and put $200 into it. I've been happy with the bike. has he test ridden it? is it in ride ready condition? are there no others available to him? how long has he been looking?

Looks like a Super LeTour 12.2. Look up the specs and see what kind of steel it is. a bike is worth what a buying is willing to pay. also post this in the classic and vintage thread - those guys are amazing and know everything!!!!

is he comfortable with downtube shifting? it takes some getting used to

if it is cromoly and in ride ready condition I say go for it

ZoeS

It hasn't been tested ridden yet (want to know if it's a fair deal before before heading down there). It is ready to ride and doesn't require any work.

He has been casually looking for a couple months (slim pickins here in Ottawa), but he doesn't really know much about bikes and was considering a cheap Canadian Tire bike prior to this.

3373jones

depends on your market. it is a little expensive in most markets - unless your in portland, or. i sold the same bike but in a much more desirable size for $200 last fall.

fyi, there is a subforum in the classic and vintage forum for appraisals.

edit: i think it is cromoly steel

ZoeS

Oh thank you, I didn't realize there was a proper subforum for this. I saw "road cycling" and lost my marbles, I suppose. I will re-post there, and hope that it isn't bad form to do so.

It is partially the market here. Ottawa (Canada) seems to have bikes that are more expensive than elsewhere.

Cheers,

Zoe

ultraman6970

Why all those schiwns are so freaking big? They were not expecting having people with NORMAL height to buy one of those? Schwinn did only big frames? The other thing i have noticed is that from all those frames i have not seen a single one that apparently is been used for a tall person, all of them have the saddle basically welded to the top tube. Schwinn should have included a basket Ball as a promotion gift when selling those bikes back in the day.

In the 70's even japanese frames were that tall, mode?

ps: would not pay more than 150 for that.

ZoeS

Well, my friend is 6'3 with a long inseam, so it works out.

ultraman6970

I read that also