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Official What is it Worth thread (WIW)

269K views 1K replies 318 participants last post by  jestep 
#1 ·
What's It Worth (WIW)
This is about as difficult to define as the definition of 'vintage retro classic'. There is no clear answer. And though this question is asked often, its almost always asked of a different part or bike...making links to helpful threads difficult.

Whats it worth? What is your bike worth? Are you sitting on a gold mine? Maybe, maybe not. The best way to determine the value of your bike. Put it on eBay for $.99 and let it ride. This probably the most best way to figure the value. Of course, how well your auction description is and how clean and nicely you take pictures of your bike will also affect its value. MTBR.com has a 'Vintage' section in the classifieds. It hits your target audience perfectly.
If you don't want to sell your bike, but just want to know if it has value...take these things into account:

* Age of the bike.
* Originality of the bike (paint, parts)
* Condition of the bike (paint, parts)
* Is it a low production run bike? Custom/Hand made by a reputable craftsmen?
* Component list? Are the parts 'top or the line' or quality aftermarket upgrades?

Worth....or value, will always be a gray area. What may be worth a lot to you, may be worth very little to someone else. Even something suchs as sentimental worth can sometimes affect market value. Do your research. Watch local Craigslist and eBay for like items to gauge the worth (value) of what you have.

All WIW questions will be dumped into this thread.
 
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#453 · (Edited)
I have a 1989 Ritchey Timber Comp 19 inch bike. I bought it new at MBS in Seattle, which was part of R+E Cycles. I was working in their frame shop temporarily until I landed an engineering job at Boeing. It doesn't get ridden much - it was always a little small for me - and I'm thinking of selling it. It's in excellent shape. Anyone know what I should get for it?
 

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#454 ·
Well I never did get a good paint job on my Phoenix, and am thinking about trading it off to someone who wants it more than me, so I need to figure out what it's worth. It's a 96 15" V-brake bike S/N 96529, and I'm not sure of the rear spacing. Needs repainted because I botched the paint job after glass beading the frame to bare metal and laying down a nice coat of epoxy primer.

I've also got a new Titec seat post to go with it, along with other parts that may or may not be useful such as a Kona Project rigid fork, a Surly woodchipper, Salsa 45* stem, a set of 8speed Shimano Ultegra barcons, and a set of 8speed rapid fire shifters - all near new. Bike has had slipping seatpost syndrome, so one of the frame ears has a helicoil in it to accept a bolt.

I can take photos, but TBH since it's going to need repainted I'm not sure they would even be helpful. The bike was blasted bare and there was no critical damage observed. The reason for stripping the paint to begin with was the steel spiderwebbed under the paint causing it to peel off. The bike has been used but is still in good shape other than the paint. It sat in a closet from 96 to 99 when I got it, then hung in my garage for about 8 years ignored and unridden in the middle of between then and now so it really hasn't been used a lot.

If anyone wants to guesstimate the value of the frame with or without the parts, it's greatly appreciated.
 
#459 ·
Hey all,

I was thinking about buying a new winterproject. I came across a Panasonic MC-8500 from 1990. Is this bike worth buying and what should it cost? It has almost all it's orignal parts (M730,M732 and M735) except seat, rims and shifters.
Neat! Never knew they jumped into the hybrid construction game too.

Based on condition, and general lack of interest in the brand as a collector worthy choice, I'd think maybe 100 bucks, hopefully less, and more only if you really want it, and like a good project, lotsa elbow grease required for that puppy.....
 
#474 ·
Well yes it is a fine specimen, Not sure why it has a Fat Chance head badge? If you are selling you would have to itemize the parts on it and present some nice close ups of features. The pedals {suntour comps?} are very sought after. The downside of the bike is that is a small frame {looks more like a 17 inch| that would only fit a small man or a girl. Put it on ebay the right way and who knows you get some good coin.
 
#477 ·
Tire Wheel Bicycle tire Bicycle frame Bicycle wheel


"Pics would help since 'good' is pretty subjective. Depends on components and condition, but even best case scenario probably not a whole heck of a lot. "

So, here's the pic. "Not a whole heck of a lot." is pretty subjective also, and doesn't answer my question.

There was a whole thread on these bikes. Seriously rare. Back in the day owners loved them.

Sad that some great old Mongoose rides made by an American company have gotten a bad rap due to selling out to the Pacific **** mongers. But in their defense they still sponsor a competitive cycling team and make a world class bike under the Mongoose name
 
#480 ·
View attachment 942315

"Pics would help since 'good' is pretty subjective. Depends on components and condition, but even best case scenario probably not a whole heck of a lot. "

So, here's the pic. "Not a whole heck of a lot." is pretty subjective also, and doesn't answer my question.

There was a whole thread on these bikes. Seriously rare. Back in the day owners loved them.

Sad that some great old Mongoose rides made by an American company have gotten a bad rap due to selling out to the Pacific **** mongers. But in their defense they still sponsor a competitive cycling team and make a world class bike under the Mongoose name
Even before the sale to Pacific it still was just another Taiwanese mid grade bike (which have ~zero collector value) as far as I knew. I've yet to see the devoted fan base and thread for these but maybe I missed it.
 
#478 ·
No reason to get sh%#ty with Nate. That's still a crap pick of a mid range bike from an era that doesn't garner a ton of interest from this crowd. Rare doesn't make something valuable or collectable.

If it's a solid, Deore level bike in 7-8 condition, I'd say $200-$225 round these parts max. Lesser spec-condition=less money.
 
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