View Full Version : Difficulty Selling Premium Bikes
TC Johnson
12-04-2019, 11:57 AM
Greetings, Paceliners,
It has been some time since I have posted here. Not riding as much since heart surgery in March 2018.
As some of you have seen in the past, I have tried to sell my Hampsten Team Pro in several places: Craigslist, eBay, as well as Paceline. I have had questions about size, measurements, tire capacity, blah, blah, blah. The price has gone from what some have called high to what now seems almost laughably low for such quality as this frameset represents, let alone the mix of components on the bike. Still no bids or offers. None.
This sounds like a sour grapes rant, but I would really like to understand what is going on in the marketplace. I can be realistic, but resist giving away this or other quality bikes I would like to sell. Is there just a glut of bikes around?
Thanks in advance for reasonable replies.
TC
Lanternrouge
12-04-2019, 12:11 PM
It's really a bad time of year to be selling right now. Also, I think the used bike market has been particularly soft, even more so when you are dealing with other than the big or otherwise really well-known brands. Non-disc seems to also make it harder.
I have some nice things that aren't moving and it's even slower when your are not in the middle of the bell curve of 54-58cm.
There are some selling forums on Facebook to help get you some additional exposure.
oldpotatoe
12-04-2019, 12:16 PM
Tough time of year plus market really loaded with high zoot bikes...even ‘halo’ bikes in LBS and online.
Plus, although it seems ‘Hampsten’ is well known here, in general, it’s on the ‘obscure’ end...try eBay Europe or eBay Japan.
timto
12-04-2019, 12:24 PM
interests have also shifted - the big tire, low gears, disc, gravel, bike pack type bike is where I think people are diverting their cash. This is based on what i'm seeing reflected in marketing, social media as well as the type of bikes I'm interested in as well as the type of bike I've been making lately at peoples request. 1 in 10 was a 'road' bike.
All this is to say demand for the traditional road bike is at an all time low IMHO and pricing is following accordingly.
joosttx
12-04-2019, 12:28 PM
Try Instagram. I am finding a much better place than forums to sell stuff. Forums I feel attract older folk that don't have deposable income. Money is going to retirement, college, and kids instead of expensive bikes. Young professions have the disposable income to splurge on expensive bikes.
tuscanyswe
12-04-2019, 12:29 PM
I would have to say that i dont think your lowered price is even close to "almost laughably low".
In fact i think its still pretty high for that bike.
A used athena group is maybe 400$ wheels and the rest of the parts are likely not 600$ so your asking price for the frameset is still only what you are asking for the full bike 3200? - 1000 = 2200 for frameset?
Also bikes are usually cheaper when complete as very few would want it exactly like one has allrdy built it. So the price for this frameset is perceived as bit more than 2200 since you cant buy it without the rest of the bike and sell the parts?
2200 for used steel frame from hampsten is not what i would consider cheap, actually the opposite if anything.
Maybe i missed something and its cheaper than i think and the parts are more valuable etc or your price lower than i saw? Would not normally say anything like this but you asked :/ Its hard as if you are not a bike nut and constantly buying new stuff and frames the market can be tough to gauge or follow as its constantly changing. But now today this would still be expensive imo.
dancinkozmo
12-04-2019, 12:30 PM
interests have also shifted - the big tire, low gears, disc, gravel, bike pack type bike is where I think people are diverting their cash. ...
All this is to say demand for the traditional road bike is at an all time low IMHO and pricing is following accordingly.
this
tbike4
12-04-2019, 12:41 PM
I will second, or third timto and say that the Sunday group I ride with was all rim brake and just getting to 11 speed until a couple of years ago and then it was like someone flipped a switch and bingo, guys and girls show up with disc, Di2, SRAM etap, and not one but 2 guys have a Cipollini with 12 speed Campy electric, go figure.
ultraman6970
12-04-2019, 12:43 PM
What timto says, and the end the market ends up with as excess of inventory moving around. Old and new stuff.
People is trying to get their money back aswell and the situation is that you can't make the money back unless you have pretty much EM personal bike or something so rare that only 1 was made ever... thing that is never like that.
IMO the big companies screwed the whole thing aswell because they channelized the market towards new type of bikes (well thats how marketing works anyways) and they "glut" the market with the new stuff which everybody apparently wants aswell.
No idea about your bike OP but IMO if you need the money I would try to sell it in parts and then see what happens with the frame. Another detail, if you have a custom made frame that has really wacky geometry like what serotta made time to time, those are really hard to sell.
Try adding OBO and see what people is willing to pay for it you know. You will get low ball offers but sometimes is not even that, it is just what it is you know, and I do get that it sucks but there's no money in bikes... cruel reality.
:(
Gsinill
12-04-2019, 12:43 PM
Make that $600 for f/f.
The last listing on eBay ended without bid at $1600.
Gorgeous bike but with too many already in the stable it’s hard to justify even though it’d fit me.
I would have to say that i dont think your lowered price is even close to "almost laughably low".
In fact i think its still pretty high for that bike.
A used athena group is maybe 400$ wheels and the rest of the parts are likely not 600$ so your asking price for the frameset is still only what you are asking for the full bike 3200? - 1000 = 2200 for frameset?
Also bikes are usually cheaper when complete as very few would want it exactly like one has allrdy built it. So the price for this frameset is perceived as bit more than 2200 since you cant buy it without the rest of the bike and sell the parts?
2200 for used steel frame from hampsten is not what i would consider cheap, actually the opposite if anything.
Maybe i missed something and its cheaper than i think and the parts are more valuable etc or your price lower than i saw? Would not normally say anything like this but you asked :/ Its hard as if you are not a bike nut and constantly buying new stuff and frames the market can be tough to gauge or follow as its constantly changing. But now today this would still be expensive imo.
tuscanyswe
12-04-2019, 12:47 PM
Make that $600 for f/f.
The last listing on eBay ended without bid at $1600.
Gorgeous bike but with too many already in the stable it’s hard to justify even though it’d fit me.
Ah okay well that is certainly more reasonable but i can only work with the info i had and it says nothing about 1600 for the full bike anywhere :)
mtechnica
12-04-2019, 12:58 PM
I think people on this forum sometimes forget that a bike that costs over $1000 is a lot of money for most people even most cyclists. The people with expendable cash probably already have good bikes or aren’t interested in anything but the latest and greatest. The easiest route is probably parting out since you can reach more people / budgets / needs. I also agree with others that complete bikes are rarely set up how you would want anyway and a lot of people aren’t interested for that reason unless they can flip the parts that come with it which usually means you get the frame for free or cheap.
XXtwindad
12-04-2019, 01:04 PM
Try Instagram. I am finding a much better place than forums to sell stuff. Forums I feel attract older folk that don't have deposable income. Money is going to retirement, college, and kids instead of expensive bikes. Young professions have the disposable income to splurge on expensive bikes.
This seems counterintuitive. I'm not saying it's inaccurate, it just seems counterintuitive. A Forum like the Paceline skews older, more affluent, and more well-versed in the value of high-end bikes. Someplace like Instagram or Facebook seems like a crapshoot. Does anyone else have any experience selling on social media sites? Joosttx could be right. I'm curious.
XXtwindad
12-04-2019, 01:05 PM
Tough time of year plus market really loaded with high zoot bikes...even ‘halo’ bikes in LBS and online.
Plus, although it seems ‘Hampsten’ is well known here, in general, it’s on the ‘obscure’ end...try eBay Europe or eBay Japan.
What is considered the "best time" of year to sell?
John H.
12-04-2019, 01:07 PM
It is not hard to sell a premium bike- It is hard to sell a premium bike for premium prices.
This is even more true with a frame from a small builder. Other than 1-2 guys (like Richard Sachs)- the bike depreciates heavily. Probably 50% of purchase price immediately.
A well known brand like a Trek or Specialized will do a little better- But don't expect to recoup a large % of purchase price.
Reasons?
I think that we created part of this ourselves. Several years ago shops in the UK and other places in the world started selling parts, wheels, tires, frames etc. for much lower prices than in the USA. Some of the stuff was grey market, some just loss leaders. Free shipping included.
People on the interwebs (especially here) made it their lifes work to make sure everyone knew about these prices.
This did a couple things:
1.) It flooded the market with low cost gear.
2.) It created an artificially low floor for the pricing of used gear.
Say a derailleur sells for $400 retail (like a DI2 Dura-Ace). It also sells online from Wiggle for $299. This will likely drop the going rate for a used one to $150-200, maybe even less.
The other thing is the evolution of Ebay. It used to be a great sellers market for hobby type items like used bike gear.
But now with the current fee structure and also vendors selling tons of new gear- It is a less great place to sell your used gear.
Same for bike swaps- Used to be able to go to one and sell off lots gear and do well. Now you go to one and it is lots of shops selling their close-outs.
msl819
12-04-2019, 01:09 PM
What is considered the "best time" of year to sell?
I am sure that varies by region and bike type but I have found Spring to be the overall best. Weather is warming, people are wanting to get back outside.
DaveS
12-04-2019, 01:13 PM
One other thought - as the price for a used bike approaches 50 - 60% of the price of a custom frame I become tempted to get a custom frame and hang some older parts on it.
(Full disclosure - if I didn't already have a Hampco bike in the garage I would probably take this off your hands)
bob heinatz
12-04-2019, 01:13 PM
I recently sold a top shelf custom frame and I really had to lower the price to finally move it. If you want to sell it then the depressed used market will dictate its price.
prototoast
12-04-2019, 01:14 PM
We're in the middle of a 10 year economic expansion--there just aren't that many people who want an older style bike who don't have 1 or more of them already. The bikes that are selling well in the secondary market are either ones that appeal to beginners (typically these will come from recognizable brands/models) or ones with newer features that people might not have already (e.g., fat tire, disc brake, di2, etc.).
I've seen your bike listed before, and have been tempted by it, and at $1600, it seems like a fair price if it were already set up to my liking, but it's not. I'd probably want to swap out the whole groupset, and despite my fairly large set of tools in my home workshop, I don't have what I'd need to remove those Power Torque cranks. So when all is said and done, maybe I net $300 from the groupset, $200 for the wheels, so I'm left with an $1100 frameset. Not terrible, but a price that's in line with a new Ritchey at MSRP.
jtakeda
12-04-2019, 01:26 PM
We're in the middle of a 10 year economic expansion--there just aren't that many people who want an older style bike who don't have 1 or more of them already. The bikes that are selling well in the secondary market are either ones that appeal to beginners (typically these will come from recognizable brands/models) or ones with newer features that people might not have already (e.g., fat tire, disc brake, di2, etc.).
I've seen your bike listed before, and have been tempted by it, and at $1600, it seems like a fair price if it were already set up to my liking, but it's not. I'd probably want to swap out the whole groupset, and despite my fairly large set of tools in my home workshop, I don't have what I'd need to remove those Power Torque cranks. So when all is said and done, maybe I net $300 from the groupset, $200 for the wheels, so I'm left with an $1100 frameset. Not terrible, but a price that's in line with a new Ritchey at MSRP.
I’m in Oakland and have the PT tools if you end up getting tempted.
OP, I think your price is fair but would agree that you need to move to Instagram or another platform. I don’t have Facebook but have heard of people being successful selling there.
Kirk007
12-04-2019, 01:26 PM
I'd say wait until Spring then put it up for auction and accept what you get or make piece with keeping a great bike that is worth more to you than then market dictates, even if you don't ride it much. If you want to sell it now, drop the price to a place where it hurts and see if it sells, and make piece with that.
Maybe consider repurposing the frame to something different and fun - single speed for instance.
I have a Lynskey 29er that I can't give away here. Maybe I'll try Pinkbike but I've made my peace with keeping it and turning it into my townie/errand/ride to the gym and lock it up bike. Maybe I can then get mileage on my Honda Element to less than 2k a year.
Hilltopperny
12-04-2019, 01:27 PM
It is not hard to sell a premium bike- It is hard to sell a premium bike for premium prices.
This is even more true with a frame from a small builder. Other than 1-2 guys (like Richard Sachs)- the bike depreciates heavily. Probably 50% of purchase price immediately.
A well known brand like a Trek or Specialized will do a little better- But don't expect to recoup a large % of purchase price.
Reasons?
I think that we created part of this ourselves. Several years ago shops in the UK and other places in the world started selling parts, wheels, tires, frames etc. for much lower prices than in the USA. Some of the stuff was grey market, some just loss leaders. Free shipping included.
People on the interwebs (especially here) made it their lifes work to make sure everyone knew about these prices.
This did a couple things:
1.) It flooded the market with low cost gear.
2.) It created an artificially low floor for the pricing of used gear.
Say a derailleur sells for $400 retail (like a DI2 Dura-Ace). It also sells online from Wiggle for $299. This will likely drop the going rate for a used one to $150-200, maybe even less.
The other thing is the evolution of Ebay. It used to be a great sellers market for hobby type items like used bike gear.
But now with the current fee structure and also vendors selling tons of new gear- It is a less great place to sell your used gear.
Same for bike swaps- Used to be able to go to one and sell off lots gear and do well. Now you go to one and it is lots of shops selling their close-outs.
This right here is a pretty good explanation. I will add that there is a flood of used bikes and bike goods on the market that aren’t holding any type of value based on changing standards. A Hampsten is a great bike for those in the know, but to the average hobby or even experienced cyclist it is just another obscure steel bike.
The market is what it is. I am a bit shocked that the complete bike wouldn’t even get a bid at $1600, but that is only because I am aware of this niche bicycle world in which we all reside. Hand built steel frames are wonderful, but shops are pushing carbon with disk brakes, etap and fat tires which are great depending on the riding you do. A rim brake road bike isn’t obsolete to most of us that participate here, but to those who are new to the sport or just want the latest tech they kind of are.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
jtbadge
12-04-2019, 01:32 PM
You're going to need to part it out.
The venn diagram of:
1. people looking for a small name builder, lugged steel frame, with threadless fork, that match your geometry
2. people looking for a retro-fetish 11 speed silver Athena group
3. people who think those wheels go with the rest of the build
does not create a very large overlap. Your best bet is on this forum, but your FS thread hasn't been updated in years so I doubt members here even knew it was still available.
Blurry pics and a sloppy bar tape job are not helping.
weisan
12-04-2019, 01:45 PM
I would really like to understand what is going on ...
Johnson pal, asking the question is one thing but accepting the answer is another.
The old adage holds true: if you have to ask, you probably would never understand.
The answers that pals have given here = All the above.
My best advice is : Accept them and move on.
biker72
12-04-2019, 01:51 PM
I've sold a number of bikes at the LBS where I work. Lots of foot traffic and no shipping required.
A lot of them have sold in the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas. If not then normally the first few warm days in the Spring will bring buyers out of the woodwork.
Unfortunately people are looking more for disc brakes and wider tires.
joosttx
12-04-2019, 02:09 PM
Take a look at those “nicest looking/riding bike” threads. The majority of bikes on those threads are high end vintage bikes or middle tier modern bikes. There are very few high end modern bikes. I think that’s why they don’t sell here.
m_sasso
12-04-2019, 02:26 PM
Vultures circuling, when you are ready to part it out and move the wheels let me know!
Thanks,
KJMUNC
12-04-2019, 03:00 PM
It is not hard to sell a premium bike- It is hard to sell a premium bike for premium prices.
Pretty much sums it up. And not even "premium" price, but often difficult to even get what most perceive as the market price.
As many have suggested, selling as a complete bike narrows your pool of buyers dramatically and discounts the overall price substantially.
The only bikes you see holding value (if you can even use that term) as those that have already taken the depreciation hit and are super desirable for some reason. Even Pegs and Sachs (prob the most $$ on this board, consistently) sell for a big discount from new, even though the sale price is still very expensive.
dustyrider
12-04-2019, 04:54 PM
I think there is some confusion when it comes to worth and value in any used market. People end up attaching a worth to their used item and end up confused that no one but them see’s the value in it.
I think clean’s bike sales are a good example of value over worth. Where as your particular listing seems like a good example of worth over value. Our classifieds are frequented by folks who follow the market and know the value, but because we are bike centric we also understand worth, so a brand like yours is seen as being very close to value over worth. But not quite enough for the buyer.
With bikes it’s pretty tough right now. I have been tempted many times to buy a brand new frame that sells for close to 4 grand when it first comes out at the end of the yearly improvement cycle for something like 1500. It happens all the time with the big name brands. Maybe because there is the whole incremental marginal gains mentality out there or there is glut of unsold bikes.
Another thing with bikes that is easy to overlook, is size. You might have a 54cm Sachs and think it is worth thousands of dollars, the market suggests the bike might be valued at thousands of dollars, but this 58cm bike rider won’t give you a dime for it! Now if it’s a red 58 I might offer you a dime be had I hate the color red...selling used isn’t easy and sometimes it isn’t “worth” it either!
pobrien
12-04-2019, 06:02 PM
Hi OP,
If you do not need the money from the bike(s), I would look at donating them to a good cause where kids/youth/adults don't have a bike and would use and enjoy a nice bike for years to come.
I expect that you enjoyed the bikes and those memories and experiences are priceless. Maybe keep one and let the rest go to new homes.
Every city will have groups that could help you find good homes for the bikes.
Patrick
avalonracing
12-04-2019, 06:15 PM
As I often say in real estate, the seller sets the price... the market sets the value.
As for why people are jumping on your great bike it goes back to the market and the planned obsolescence and convincing people if it isn't current, it is unrideable. There was just a comment to a post in the classifieds that referred to a fantastic high-end bike at a great price as unsellable because it had quick-release skewers on wheels with disc brakes.
gemship
12-04-2019, 06:19 PM
Johnson pal, asking the question is one thing but accepting the answer is another.
The old adage holds true: if you have to ask, you probably would never understand.
The answers that pals have given here = All the above.
My best advice is : Accept them and move on.
Ahh jeez, this is your best advice? Now coming from a guy with a whole fleet of used bikes massively discounted why surely you could soften the blow of reality just a bit?
buddybikes
12-04-2019, 06:27 PM
Same as good antiques, may as well use them as firewood.
Clock collector (fortunately don't want to sell) market value for all except 2 are far less than I was hoping for in retirement.
sg8357
12-04-2019, 06:28 PM
I'd only leave the parts on the bike if it was a vintage bike,
say a Herse or Raleigh RRA, where the parts are the bike.
Or a Weigle sold with out racks is less interesting where the
same bike with racks, pump etc.
colker
12-04-2019, 06:32 PM
A custom made to measure high end bike is a harder sell than a production high end bike. If it´s made for someone else´s particular needs (weight, proportions etc..) how do i know it´s the best for me? All i need to know of a used Pinarello Dogma or standard Pego in my size is price and how it is kept.
If I order a custom frame i cannot expect it to turn into valuable commodity in the used market.
gemship
12-04-2019, 06:35 PM
Same as good antiques, may as well use them as firewood.
Clock collector (fortunately don't want to sell) market value for all except 2 are far less than I was hoping for in retirement.
Ha,ha, thats a riot. Years ago I busted up this old rocking chair my mom left behind in the house I grew up in. I was and still am renting it from her and I did just exactly that. In a fit of rage resulting from an argument regarding loss of my drivers license I busted up the rocker and chucked it into the woodstove.:eek::eek: but it felt so satisfying. A while later my mom told me she saw it was worth something like 800 bucks on some antique show, that was another argument. However it was missing the seating area and in place of that was wood planks nailed to the top but who knows, it looked old, had patina and unique craftsmanship....
I wouldn’t call what you are/ have asked laughably low. Personally I think it’s still high. It’s a nicely equipped steel road bike. From a quality builder, although mostly unknown.
You seem to think it’s worth X, but the market has shown you it’s not worth anywhere near what you are asking. Sorry, no disc brakes, no thru axels, no fat tires, just the wishes of the market have changed, and what was “hot” now isn’t!
Even Pegs, and other very high end steel lugged bikes don’t bring the money they should, or did. So you can keep it, or take another 30-40% off the lowest price I saw it offered at, or give it to a co-op.
Or you can keep listing it on the bay, and hope and pray someone loves it, and has the money to buy it.
I understand this very well, as I sold off more than a few high end bikes and frames, for not a lot of money.
Good luck.
Also, don't discount the importance of the ad itself. For many of us, buying a high end bike off of the forum is more of an emotional or impulse purchase than the conclusion of a reasoned search for a particular bike/frame. How many of us have multiple road bikes, but jump at a good deal here or there because it's a good deal? Plenty I suspect. Taking that into account, anyone's ad should seek to leverage the psychological aspect of such a transaction by giving the buyer all the information he/she could possibly need. That means a ton of high quality photos (in the body of the ad itself), lengthy description of the bike and its condition, as well as a geo chart or the applicable measurements. If someone has to ask for all of this, the likelihood that they're going to pull the trigger on a purchase is less. It amazes me the number of ads for pricey used bikes with a photo or two and three sentences of text. You're asking a complete stranger to shell out a ton of cash for a (more than likely) discretionary purchase.
gemship
12-04-2019, 06:53 PM
I wouldn’t call what you are/ have asked laughably low. Personally I think it’s still high. It’s a nicely equipped steel road bike. From a quality builder, although mostly unknown.
You seem to think it’s worth X, but the market has shown you it’s not worth anywhere near what you are asking. Sorry, no disc brakes, no thru axels, no fat tires, just the wishes of the market have changed, and what was “hot” now isn’t!
Even Pegs, and other very high end steel lugged bikes don’t bring the money they should, or did. So you can keep it, or take another 30-40% off the lowest price I saw it offered at, or give it to a co-op.
Or you can keep listing it on the bay, and hope and pray someone loves it, and has the money to buy it.
I understand this very well, as I sold off more than a few high end bikes and frames, for not a lot of money.
Good luck.
Yeah but with the Pegs since Dario was an artist doing these unique paint jobs and since he's dead doesn't that add some value??? I mean they're like some kinda collectable artwork on wheels....
geordanh
12-04-2019, 06:55 PM
Are we talking about the 7-11 hampsten on the bay? I’ve been noticing that and surprised as well FWIW it hasn’t sold. It’s a sweet bike. I think it’ll go eventually. I’d be patient for the spring or sell frame only.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Drmojo
12-04-2019, 07:08 PM
Hi OP,
If you do not need the money from the bike(s), I would look at donating them to a good cause where kids/youth/adults don't have a bike and would use and enjoy a nice bike for years to come.
I expect that you enjoyed the bikes and those memories and experiences are priceless. Maybe keep one and let the rest go to new homes.
Every city will have groups that could help you find good homes for the bikes.
Patrick
Just donate
good karma!
I have given away countless bikes:
never regretted it: young racers, older folk
etc etc etc
You don’t own things— they own you...
Yeah but with the Pegs since Dario was an artist doing these unique paint jobs and since he's dead doesn't that add some value??? I mean they're like some kinda collectable artwork on wheels....
To his hand painted ones, maybe. No way to tell about those, cause so few come up for sale. Most of his, had stock paint.
gemship
12-04-2019, 07:12 PM
To his hand painted ones, maybe. No way to tell about those, cause so few come up for sale. Most of his, had stock paint.
That's interesting. I guess I thought even the stock paint was special.
Heisenberg
12-04-2019, 07:16 PM
Hi OP,
If you do not need the money from the bike(s), I would look at donating them to a good cause where kids/youth/adults don't have a bike and would use and enjoy a nice bike for years to come.
I expect that you enjoyed the bikes and those memories and experiences are priceless. Maybe keep one and let the rest go to new homes.
Every city will have groups that could help you find good homes for the bikes.
Patrick
this x1000000
if you can't accept selling it for less than you sentimentally think it's worth, but still want to be rid of it, do this. donate donate donate.
if you want hardass fake-libertarian nate to take the stage: neat frame that has a meh group that looks terrible on it. part it out. you'll get a grand for the frame and have a pile of hohum parts leftover, and then you can donate those. or put them on a commuter. or whatever.
good pics+hot build applied well to bike=bike sold. also, hand-wringing threads about a "soft used market" always make me chortle. bicycles, especially extremely niche high-end bicycles, are not commodities. don't act like they are and you'll be happier.
i have an $8000 custom frameset in my possession, new in 2015. right now, i doubt i could sell it for more than $1500. i like it more than that, so i'm going to hold onto it, maybe build it again someday, maybe ride it, maybe give it to someone. see? it's easy.
FlashUNC
12-04-2019, 07:24 PM
Wayyyyyy too high valuation on the frame. Expect about a third to half what you're looking for right now.
Welcome to used bikes. Depreciation curves are hell.
Mzilliox
12-04-2019, 07:35 PM
Take a look at those “nicest looking/riding bike” threads. The majority of bikes on those threads are high end vintage bikes or middle tier modern bikes. There are very few high end modern bikes. I think that’s why they don’t sell here.
this is not a high end carbon or ti super bike forum for sure... and everyone here wants the best deal possible, the bro deal, or the are you crazy man? deal.
rccardr
12-04-2019, 08:16 PM
Having sold more than a dozen bikes from my collection recently as well as from years of previous experience, I can tell you that the best 'complete' bike market is in September and October. I don't know why, but it just is. The best 'parts' market seems to be January-February. Again, don't know why, just is.
Really expensive bikes have a limited market, as has been talked about over the past four pages. eBay is a worldwide market and the best for something truly unusual (e.g. not TrekSpecializeEtc), but be prepared to ship. TP is great for unusual stuff but only if it sells immediately. Otherwise, it...lingers.
ToonaBP
12-04-2019, 08:46 PM
I have been trying to sell my Trek Emonda SLR 8, with full Dura-Ace and C35 wheels, locally on CL for several months. Want to fund a moots routt rsl. Not even any tire kickers.... and with less than 1500 miles on it, I refuse to discount 60% of what I have in it. The noobs in the local clubs would rather spend the same amount for a disc bike that weighs 5 pounds more with low-end components. I recently asked one how he liked his new C-Dale disc bike set up tubeless. He said he loved it... especially the much SAFER disc brakes. I asked if he did much wet weather riding... and that seemed to confuse him. I almost wanted him to flat, just to watch the struggle with oozing sealant along the side of the road. I'll probably end up keeping it to go with my C59 and vamoots RSL...
CMiller
12-04-2019, 08:53 PM
I have been trying to sell my Trek Emonda SLR 8, with full Dura-Ace and C35 wheels, locally on CL for several months. Want to fund a moots routt rsl. Not even any tire kickers.... and with less than 1500 miles on it, I refuse to discount 60% of what I have in it. The noobs in the local clubs would rather spend the same amount for a disc bike that weighs 5 pounds more with low-end components. I recently asked one how he liked his new C-Dale disc bike set up tubeless. He said he loved it... especially the much SAFER disc brakes. I asked if he did much wet weather riding... and that seemed to confuse him. I almost wanted him to flat, just to watch the struggle with oozing sealant along the side of the road. I'll probably end up keeping it to go with my C59 and vamoots RSL...
The forum is more fun when people don't attack peoples choices to ride disc brakes every 15 minutes.
joosttx
12-04-2019, 08:53 PM
Having sold more than a dozen bikes from my collection recently as well as from years of previous experience, I can tell you that the best 'complete' bike market is in September and October. I don't know why, but it just is. The best 'parts' market seems to be January-February. Again, don't know why, just is.
Really expensive bikes have a limited market, as has been talked about over the past four pages. eBay is a worldwide market and the best for something truly unusual (e.g. not TrekSpecializeEtc), but be prepared to ship. TP is great for unusual stuff but only if it sells immediately. Otherwise, it...lingers.
I would argue Instagram is the best place to sell something unique. But you have the be the lifestyle. Get enough followers who "like your style" then you have a very concentrated marketplace for your wares.
CMiller
12-04-2019, 08:58 PM
I world argue Instagram is the best place to sell something unique. But you have the be the lifestyle. Get enough followers who "like your style" then you have a very concentrated marketplace for your wares.
Agreed, especially in certain markets like the SF Bay. It does help a lot when you follow the right channels and they follow you too. Ask around to see if any friends have an online presence to post on your behalf.
merckxman
12-04-2019, 08:59 PM
Flipping the switch....that's what I'm seeing...and it's happening faster than I ever imagined.
I will second, or third timto and say that the Sunday group I ride with was all rim brake and just getting to 11 speed until a couple of years ago and then it was like someone flipped a switch and bingo, guys and girls show up with disc, Di2, SRAM etap, and not one but 2 guys have a Cipollini with 12 speed Campy electric, go figure.
thwart
12-04-2019, 09:02 PM
I'd agree with all of the above, but especially the 'part it out' crowd.
If not willing to do that, take some great close-up photos, yeah maybe re-wrap the bars, and continue to practice patience. Spring is not that far off. Your starting bid is not too high, IMO.
Anecdotal story... was watching a Moots road bike with a YBB rear end on the 'Bay a year or so ago. Communicated with the very nice seller as he continued to drop the price again and again. Finally decided I really couldn't justify adding another bike to my stable.
He dropped down to the 'magic price', at which point bidding finally commenced.
It was actually bid up to his original asking price, from several months before.
kohagen
12-04-2019, 09:16 PM
i have an $8000 custom frameset in my possession, new in 2015. right now, i doubt i could sell it for more than $1500. i like it more than that, so i'm going to hold onto it, maybe build it again someday, maybe ride it, maybe give it to someone. see? it's easy.
Hey, nate, what size is it? If you’re thinking about giving it to someone...
Louis
12-04-2019, 09:19 PM
Unless you really hate the components, strip them all off, pack them away for your next project, and sell the frame.
If you can't sell the bare frame keep lowering the price until you can.
unterhausen
12-04-2019, 09:42 PM
Same as good antiques, may as well use them as firewood.
Clock collector (fortunately don't want to sell) market value for all except 2 are far less than I was hoping for in retirement.market for antiques has just fallen through the floor. Lots of good reasons for that. As someone that appreciates antiques, I hate to see it. But I don't want to own any more either.
A relative needs money and wanted us to sell a family heirloom clock, 150 year old Seth Thomas (yes, sold in Walmart originally). It was an antique when it was given as a wedding present in 1934. Pretty cool to have something that old, I think it's the oldest antique I have held in my hands. I went looking for how much to ask for it, and the prices are all over the place. I saw an auction result for $5k, and some for $750. best offer we got for it was $200 so we still have it.
Bikes are the same way right now. The bike market is a bit soft anyway, so if a bike is out of style, it's not worth anything. I don't see skinny tire rim brake road bikes making a comeback any time soon. on edit: I went and looked at the bike. The real problem is that the chain needs to be on the big chain ring in the pics. Had you but done that to begin with, it would have sold.
XXtwindad
12-04-2019, 10:07 PM
I think the OP is a marketing genius. Kudos.
shinomaster
12-04-2019, 10:10 PM
Greetings, Paceliners,
It has been some time since I have posted here. Not riding as much since heart surgery in March 2018.
As some of you have seen in the past, I have tried to sell my Hampsten Team Pro in several places: Craigslist, eBay, as well as Paceline. I have had questions about size, measurements, tire capacity, blah, blah, blah. The price has gone from what some have called high to what now seems almost laughably low for such quality as this frameset represents, let alone the mix of components on the bike. Still no bids or offers. None.
This sounds like a sour grapes rant, but I would really like to understand what is going on in the marketplace. I can be realistic, but resist giving away this or other quality bikes I would like to sell. Is there just a glut of bikes around?
Thanks in advance for reasonable replies.
TC
Sadly bikes, like cars, lose a lot of value when used. People often just want the frame, not your parts choice.
Clean39T
12-04-2019, 11:14 PM
Tastes and interests change. Even the good stuff eventually falls out of favor. Maybe someday it becomes a cult-classic. Maybe it doesn't. Learn to swim. And let it go.
IMHO, your Hampsten is beautiful. Maybe your goal should be to find it a good home, regardless the sale price....I always feel better losing money when I know someone else is happy and benefitting from getting something they didn't expect to have the chance to enjoy....
ultraman6970
12-04-2019, 11:29 PM
Like elsa... Let it go....
Patb095
12-05-2019, 04:08 AM
2 thing :
1. The timings is bad, wait for spring.
2.Through all the comments I read no one mentioned that when you buy a new bike they offer financing or you could use a credit card to buy it. When you sale a used bike, people need to have the money in their bank account and that reduced the amount of potential customers.
eBay: I wouldn’t buy a e-bay bike as you cannot see the bike physically.
Used bike: people that look for a used bike are looking for deal.
Envoyé de mon iPhone en utilisant Tapatalk
jc031699
12-05-2019, 04:47 AM
I would have to say that i dont think your lowered price is even close to "almost laughably low".
In fact i think its still pretty high for that bike.
A used athena group is maybe 400$ wheels and the rest of the parts are likely not 600$ so your asking price for the frameset is still only what you are asking for the full bike 3200? - 1000 = 2200 for frameset?
Also bikes are usually cheaper when complete as very few would want it exactly like one has allrdy built it. So the price for this frameset is perceived as bit more than 2200 since you cant buy it without the rest of the bike and sell the parts?
2200 for used steel frame from hampsten is not what i would consider cheap, actually the opposite if anything.
Maybe i missed something and its cheaper than i think and the parts are more valuable etc or your price lower than i saw? Would not normally say anything like this but you asked :/ Its hard as if you are not a bike nut and constantly buying new stuff and frames the market can be tough to gauge or follow as its constantly changing. But now today this would still be expensive imo.
This. For comparison, I got my fairly comparable rim brake TIG welded True Temper S3 frame with Enve 2.0 fork in almost mint condition (similar level of custom builder) for I think $900, 3-4 years ago when disc was not yet so dominant.
Ha, also I think your full bike is at Super Record / Bora prices where it is Athena / Eurus content for used items...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Tickdoc
12-05-2019, 05:08 AM
Bikes are no different than cars or houses...when they don't move it is usually a price problem more than a trend.
PL classifides are the best, imo. I can find things here that I cannot buy local at prices that are reasonable, from really good folks.
zambenini
12-05-2019, 05:37 AM
If anyone has trouble selling a premium Moots or other 29er, please let me know. :banana:
jet sanchez
12-05-2019, 06:32 AM
Disc brakes.
I cannot see myself buying a non-disc bike anytime soon and I guess neither can anyone else.
marciero
12-05-2019, 06:53 AM
People have been talking about a "soft" market in used bikes for years. I'm not convinced the market is anything other than it has always been.
Another thing is that all of these boutiquey bikes are different and with the numbers so small it's hard to see discernible trends. Two things with Hampsten is that they are tig welded (for the most part I think) and third-party built. Not saying better or worse, just different.
The right buyer would consider that bike at $1600, especially as it seems in near mint condition. As was pointed out, no doubt some would be doing the math at what they could sell the parts for. Someone interested in just the frame would offer to buy just the frame.
Here's my experience: 2009 Hampsten Crema-their attempt at a "stock" model. But still tig-welded steel-Reynolds team pro 853 and OX platinum mix. IF built. Bought and sold several times on PL for a bit more than $1k for f/f/hs. I purchased for about that with the brakes. I listed it a few years later for about that, then reduced to $900. Same story as yours-lots of interest, "nice bike", etc. Months after I stopped bumping the listing two people offered to buy it. By then I had it back in the rotation.
texbike
12-05-2019, 07:47 AM
Disc brakes.
I cannot see myself buying a non-disc bike anytime soon and I guess neither can anyone else.
Not necessarily. Some of us bottom feeders are perfectly content with rim brakes and 7800. They really do work fine.
As for soft markets, it's just basic supply and demand. There is a TON of great stuff out there and it's increasing every day. The demand side is increasing minutely while the supply side continues to crank it out. The prices suffer as a result. It's incredible what can be purchased these days for a very reasonable price.
Texbike
kohagen
12-05-2019, 07:53 AM
Disc brakes.
I cannot see myself buying a non-disc bike anytime soon and I guess neither can anyone else.
And it’s this kind of preference that results in very attractive prices on rim brake bikes and wheels for those of us who don’t feel that way. That skews the price/performance ratio very much in our favor.
cash05458
12-05-2019, 08:12 AM
This above^...yes, it's just a fact...sad in some ways but just the way it goes...rather than bleating on about how I think everyone moving to gravel and disc is a problem, some of us embrace it...just like every other market via what's in or out of fashion...I personally am not interested in discs or gravel...but it's none of my business really as to what other folks dig...I do know tho I have an amazing collection (for me) of good bikes I never thought I would own being fairly "poor" compared to most folks who have gotten into high end bikes...I mean, I picked up a C50 in pristine shape for 700 bucks here last year...that never would have happened 5 years ago if those new trends didn't appear...nor did I think I would ever be riding a bike like that...
charliedid
12-05-2019, 08:14 AM
Why do people believe bikes to be worth so much when even they no longer desire them?
cash05458
12-05-2019, 08:21 AM
Why do people believe bikes to be worth so much when even they no longer desire them?
well, I don't know...but I do find it odd sometimes that folks order custom geo stuff from top quality artisans...the old cliche of the "lifetime" bike...and then sometimes move them on after a few years to try something else and get a new custom build...I ain't knocking that...it's anyone's personal choice of course...but if you have enough money to do that not sure why the concern about losing on the resale...I mean, we all know the state of bike frame resells...it's sorta like redoing a car to your exact specs...doing some custom build...some guy has 50 grand invested in that dream car and is shocked when he can't find a buyer ready to give him more than 23 grand...the 50 grand the guy put into his dream just ain't going to garner that personal interest back as it was his dream...and not others in that exact manner...it was his dream, and the buyer gets lucky when he lets it go for whatever reason...
charliedid
12-05-2019, 08:25 AM
well, I don't know...but I do find it odd sometimes that folks order custom geo stuff from top quality artisans...the old cliche of the "lifetime" bike...and then sometimes move them on after a few years to try something else and get a new custom build...I ain't knocking that...it's anyone's personal choice of course...but if you have enough money to do that not sure why the concern about losing on the resale...I mean, we all know the state of bike frame resells...
Same as it ever was...
cinema
12-05-2019, 08:26 AM
fwiw that's a beautiful ride and once one buys the frame, their additions would exceed or equal the 1600 you're asking for it. I say part it out. To the right buyer who wants everything on that hampsten it is certainly worth 1600. But someone who wants a hampsten isn't going to buy that build, they're particular enough that they would want all their own stuff on it.
me, if it fit, I would top out around 1200 for it complete as is. Lots of time to break it down and sell the parts I don't want, and after putting what I want on it I'm further in the hole. I can see you reasonably clearing 800 for the frame, 400 for the group, etc. start every bid on eBay at $.01. the market will show you. If you want to save time and get it out of the house, list it at $.01 for auction, $1150 BIN on eBay or the classifieds.
Starting eBay auctions at $.01 is the best way to sell items. I sold a regular old rim brake, all city bike frame in good used condition for $660 at auction. It cost around 800 new. the low price/auction style brings buyers in.
unterhausen
12-05-2019, 08:37 AM
It's not so much that I want a disc brake road bike, but the suppliers have decided I want a disc brake bike and I'm somewhat disinclined to struggle over that issue. I have enough pointless struggles in my life to pick up another one that doesn't really affect my riding in any substantive way. I suspect I'm not alone in feeling that way.
We went to the Raystown lake trail system and there were a couple of guys riding 26" mtbs that probably were high-end when they bought them 10 years ago. I imagine the comments they get about their bikes are really annoying, and forget about trying to sell them. And they are perfectly capable bikes. The industry tried to do the same to 29er with 650b, but so far it isn't working as well.
Heisenberg
12-05-2019, 08:49 AM
Hey, nate, what size is it? If you’re thinking about giving it to someone...
my 56ish baum corretto with a brand new paintjob is staying fairly firmly planted ;)
In the NE i definitely feel like the market has been hit hard once the temperature dropped and started snowing. Shipping obviously is always an option but the shipping adds a premium that typically cuts away at the price that the seller was hoping to get. Hopefully its seasonal, i dont feel like the number of bikers have decreased from a cursory look at my community.
TC Johnson
12-05-2019, 10:26 AM
Thanks to all for the replies. I was shocked at the volume of comments, and take to heart those that are constructive.
I previously considered taking the bike down to a frame, fork, and headset, but thought that maybe the whole "vintage" look that I was gunning for would also be appreciated by others. Lots of "nice bike" comments, but no takers. Perhaps the nostalgia some of us feel for the 7/11 days was misplaced.
The bike will now come off eBay and I will pause until spring and then list it as a frameset. Since this is how I found the bike, and built it up with individual component purchases, the lesson is learned. Who knows, perhaps the bike will bring in more for me as the sum of its parts.
The other bikes I am going to be selling soon will probably go the same way.
Thanks again, and keep the conversation going.
TC
sitzmark
12-05-2019, 11:25 AM
I previously considered taking the bike down to a frame, fork, and headset, but thought that maybe the whole "vintage" look that I was gunning for would also be appreciated by others. Lots of "nice bike" comments, but no takers. Perhaps the nostalgia some of us feel for the 7/11 days was misplaced.
TC
Wouldn’t say your appreciation for the 7/11 days is misplaced - it was a special time for American cycling. Monetizing that appreciation is a different beast. The average Joe has little knowledge or appreciation for those days and the average person looking for a bike is the same. Like vintage automobiles you’re looking for someone who emotionally connects with that era irrespective of advancements in technology. Basically a collector who isn’t concerned with the resale/monetary value of the bike. An “investor” knows there is little financial value to the bike ... at this time. Maybe some day, maybe never.
Have you seen the Leno’s Garage episode pitting vintage GTO against a modern grocery getter Avalon or Corolla (forget exact vehicle). GTO got smoked by average modern technology. The average person is more inclined to drop $50K on contemporary performance than 50+ year old tech. Nostalgia is fun, but a risky investment. Better suited to people with the resources to take a major financial hit if/when fickle desires of others change. Items with really really unique history might have enough of a collector base to support ongoing financial valuation, but most things don’t. Truly rare items are more than likely already out of affordability for the average person.
If you need to sell or no longer covet the bike, part it out and move it along at the best offer you can get. If you’re willing to wait for someone who shares your passion for the bike and the era, hold onto it as it is - some day fate may connect you.
XXtwindad
12-05-2019, 11:47 AM
Wouldn’t say your appreciation for the 7/11 days is misplaced - it was a special time for American cycling. Monetizing that appreciation is a different beast. The average Joe has little knowledge or appreciation for those days and the average person looking for a bike is the same. Like vintage automobiles you’re looking for someone who emotionally connects with that era irrespective of advancements in technology. Basically a collector who isn’t concerned with the resale/monetary value of the bike. An “investor” knows there is little financial value to the bike ... at this time. Maybe some day, maybe never.
Have you seen the Leno’s Garage episode pitting vintage GTO against a modern grocery getter Avalon or Corolla (forget exact vehicle). GTO got smoked by average modern technology. The average person is more inclined to drop $50K on contemporary performance than 50+ year old tech. Nostalgia is fun, but a risky investment. Better suited to people with the resources to take a major financial hit if/when fickle desires of others change. Items with really really unique history might have enough of a collector base to support ongoing financial valuation, but most things don’t. Truly rare items are more than likely already out of affordability for the average person.
If you need to sell or no longer covet the bike, part it out and move it along at the best offer you can get. If you’re willing to wait for someone who shares your passion for the bike and the era, hold onto it as it is - some day fate may connect you.
This was extremely well-written. I also would borrow from it to form the basis of a new ad when the time comes. Many (perhaps most) viewers are unaware of that era's importance. You are inviting potential buyers to own a functional piece of history.
marciero
12-05-2019, 04:52 PM
For bikes there is nothing comparable to the vintage markets in, eg, cars and musical instruments, where the market value is the result of speculation and is often much, much greater than the intrinsic value. In the case of this specimen. It's just a bike, albeit a lugged steel one. If people aren't biting it's not because there is an absence of nostalgia. FWIW I think the paint is way cool, separate from any connection with sepia-toned bygone days of American cycling yore.
XXtwindad
12-05-2019, 10:37 PM
For bikes there is nothing comparable to the vintage markets in, eg, cars and musical instruments, where the market value is the result of speculation and is often much, much greater than the intrinsic value. In the case of this specimen. It's just a bike, albeit a lugged steel one. If people aren't biting it's not because there is an absence of nostalgia. FWIW I think the paint is way cool, separate from any connection with sepia-toned bygone days of American cycling yore.
Nicely put. Some serious copywriting on this site...
fignon's barber
12-06-2019, 07:34 AM
It's not so much that I want a disc brake road bike, but the suppliers have decided I want a disc brake bike and I'm somewhat disinclined to struggle over that issue. I have enough pointless struggles in my life to pick up another one that doesn't really affect my riding in any substantive way. I suspect I'm not alone in feeling that way.
Well put. I agree. I don't think I'd buy a new rim braked bike now, not because one is better than the other, but due to where the market is going. It's kinda like debating Beta/VHS.
AngryScientist
12-06-2019, 07:42 AM
Nostalgia is fun, but a risky investment. Better suited to people with the resources to take a major financial hit if/when fickle desires of others change.
lol
are we still talking about bicycles?
"a major financial hit" ?
no one should be buying recreational bicycles they intend to ride as any type of "investment", and if the re-sale value of your bicycle falls to zero and it's somehow a "major" financial hit, you have over extended yourself.
they're just bikes. we should buy what we like and can afford and accept the realistic market value when we are ready to sell them.
vincenz
12-06-2019, 07:49 AM
It's not so much that I want a disc brake road bike, but the suppliers have decided I want a disc brake bike and I'm somewhat disinclined to struggle over that issue. I have enough pointless struggles in my life to pick up another one that doesn't really affect my riding in any substantive way. I suspect I'm not alone in feeling that way.
We went to the Raystown lake trail system and there were a couple of guys riding 26" mtbs that probably were high-end when they bought them 10 years ago. I imagine the comments they get about their bikes are really annoying, and forget about trying to sell them. And they are perfectly capable bikes. The industry tried to do the same to 29er with 650b, but so far it isn't working as well.
I don’t see any lack of rim brake parts around. I don’t think they are going anywhere anytime soon. The real issues for holdouts, myself included, will start once the big 3 stop making any new rim brake parts at all.
Other stuff like wheels won’t be an issue as there will be plenty of options with builders.
Anyway, I’m counting on campy forever making rim brake groupsets and wheels.
kppolich
12-06-2019, 07:55 AM
Is this thread about difficulty re-selling high end bikes? Specifically older aka Vintage used bicycles? Or something about the decline in selling new, high end bikes?
Selling them brand new is easy, you bought it for the premium price.
Re-selling it years later when technology has made leaps and bounds while expecting the asset to retain it's value isn't likely to happen unless it's a known collectors item.
Add custom geometry to that equation and 90% of your target market just left because they aren't your size or willing to drop serious coin on a used bike that won't fit properly. Also, selling anything of higher value without being able to lay eyes on it or ride it for the purpose of checking fit make it supremely difficult to make your sale stick.
FlashUNC
12-06-2019, 08:03 AM
Is this thread about difficulty re-selling high end bikes? Specifically older aka Vintage used bicycles? Or something about the decline in selling new, high end bikes?
Selling them brand new is easy, you bought it for the premium price.
Re-selling it years later when technology has made leaps and bounds while expecting the asset to retain it's value isn't likely to happen unless it's a known collectors item.
Add custom geometry to that equation and 90% of your target market just left because they aren't your size or willing to drop serious coin on a used bike that won't fit properly. Also, selling anything of higher value without being able to lay eyes on it or ride it for the purpose of checking fit make it supremely difficult to make your sale stick.
And no offense to Steve, but all used custom steel bikes depreciate like an elevator with the cable cut.
unterhausen
12-06-2019, 08:44 AM
I don’t see any lack of rim brake parts around. I don’t think they are going anywhere anytime soon. The real issues for holdouts, myself included, will start once the big 3 stop making any new rim brake parts at all.
Other stuff like wheels won’t be an issue as there will be plenty of options with builders. I'm mostly concerned about rims. You can still get 26" rims, but the selection is dwindling unless you find someone's stash. And there are occasional reports of shortages some desirable models of 700c rim brake rims now. I have built myself some frames for rim brakes recently. I always have a few moments of downtime where I wonder if it's a good idea. That's not going to stop everyone, but a couple of people on this thread have called themselves bargain hunters and say that leads them to looking at buying rim brake bikes. When the market for an item is primarily people that think of themselves as bargain hunters, sellers are going to be disappointed.
Blue Jays
12-06-2019, 09:19 AM
"...No one should be buying recreational bicycles they intend to ride as any type of "investment", and if the re-sale value of your bicycle falls to zero and it's somehow a "major" financial hit, you have over extended yourself. They're just bikes..."
Agreed. My bicycles are purchased for ME for MY sole enjoyment.
I have never once even considered resale value in the equation.
Black Dog
12-06-2019, 09:23 AM
Agreed. My bicycles are purchased for ME for MY sole enjoyment.
I have never once even considered resale value in the equation.
Ditto, anyone considering resale value is delusional if they think that they are going to recoup real money on a bike that was purchased new, or even used in many cases.
XXtwindad
12-06-2019, 09:25 AM
The one thing that entered my mind when getting a custom bike - initialing it. That would surely impact resale value. I did think about that.
Blue Jays
12-06-2019, 09:35 AM
"...The one thing that entered my mind when getting a custom bike - initialing it.
That would surely impact resale value. I did think about that..."
All my custom bicycles feature my name under the clearcoat.
There for perpetuity or at least until the bicycle is used-up and goes to the landfill!
:banana:
jet sanchez
12-06-2019, 11:47 AM
Disc brakes.
I cannot see myself buying a non-disc bike anytime soon and I guess neither can anyone else.
Welp, a nice Surly Cross-Check in my size was listed on CL yesterday for $200 so.....you can forget I said anything about buying a non-disc bike anytime soon cuz it's sitting in my garage
:D
macaroon
12-06-2019, 01:02 PM
It's no doubt been said already, but it's way overpriced (in my opinion).
I don't think the spec/build helps it either; most Campag groupsets can be sold for a decent amount second hand, but 11 speed Athena never seems to go for much (I think due to the Powershift/Powertorque).
This isn't a dig by the way, it's just that I buy all of my stuff used so have a reasonable amount of knowledge of the market.
As always, parting it out and selling it all separately will get you the most money.
93KgBike
12-06-2019, 01:17 PM
Greetings, Paceliners,
It has been some time since I have posted here. Not riding as much since heart surgery in March 2018.
As some of you have seen in the past, I have tried to sell my Hampsten Team Pro in several places: Craigslist, eBay, as well as Paceline. I have had questions about size, measurements, tire capacity, blah, blah, blah. The price has gone from what some have called high to what now seems almost laughably low for such quality as this frameset represents, let alone the mix of components on the bike. Still no bids or offers. None.
This sounds like a sour grapes rant, but I would really like to understand what is going on in the marketplace. I can be realistic, but resist giving away this or other quality bikes I would like to sell. Is there just a glut of bikes around?
Thanks in advance for reasonable replies.
TC
Your narrative, while both familiar and persuasive, is a single data point.
It would be better to ask advice from some of the sellers that move spendy bikes here, with ease and regularity.
SoCalSteve
12-06-2019, 06:37 PM
Your narrative, while both familiar and persuasive, is a single data point.
It would be better to ask advice from some of the sellers that move spendy bikes here, with ease and regularity.
I’ve been buying and selling high end bikes on this forum for a very long time. Here is the order in which a high end bike sells with ease:
Price
Price
Price
Condition
Price
Price
Price
Size
Price
Price
Price
Bike frame, not a complete bike
And...
Price
ultraman6970
12-06-2019, 07:35 PM
I have to agree with steve...
There's other issues aswell... condition is one of them but here you are dealing with people that has, had and will have at some point whatever the high end word means.
EM, De Rosa, Colnagos and every high end american builder are bread and wine of every day supper here, so is not like the guys havent seen or will drool about it so much that they will drop a couple of grands into something that they know they will see again at some point.
Guys have their bucket lists and if what is there for sell is not appealing visually (or needs a lot of money to get it right) the guys will sit and will wait because as i said before... at some point something will show up in the right condition for the right numbers.
We have seasons too, like 2 months ago was EM day after day and the stuff was sitting there, other times had been De Rosas, then TItanium american builders and so on and so far.
So at the end is... $ and Condition or the things will sit there... ebay is the same, buyers know that at some point the right numbers and condition will show up.
We havent done stats about the brands he own.... would be interesting to see that from the whole universe of forumites like 70% has an EM for example.
If you want to sell stuff sometimes you have to throw freebies as incentive, that works IMO, but from there to get all the money put in a bike since day one is just impossible because we (i dare to use the word WE) dont care about that because we are in the same boat... neither care about the sentimental value nor about if rare or not, as i said before something could be really rare outside the forums or in the street, but here is bread of every day.
In general lines as steve said... if something is sitting is because the numbers are wrong, condition is wrong or just nobody needs it which is the case sometimes but if the number is right the impulsive buyers will jump to those items right away even if they do not need it or even if is the wrong size.
charliedid
12-06-2019, 07:41 PM
I’ve been buying and selling high end bikes on this forum for a very long time. Here is the order in which a high end bike sells with ease:
Price
Price
Price
Condition
Price
Price
Price
Size
Price
Price
Price
Bike frame, not a complete bike
And...
Price
Pretty much.
glepore
12-06-2019, 08:05 PM
The market is a pretty efficient place. Unless you write a seriously bad ad, things are worth what they're worth. If its worth more to you than the market, keep it. Otherwise, fish or cut bait.
The market for custom steel rim brake bikes is aging out and saturated. Start there.
JasonF
12-06-2019, 08:16 PM
I’ve been buying and selling high end bikes on this forum for a very long time. Here is the order in which a high end bike sells with ease:
Price
Price
Price
Condition
Price
Price
Price
Size
Price
Price
Price
Bike frame, not a complete bike
And...
Price
I've also sold some nice stuff here (multiple Sachs, Seven, Moots, high end Italian, etc, etc...) and the only thing I would add to Steve's post is another line or two of "Price". I consciously price stuff to sell and I don't recall ever having to bump or take more than a day to sell something. I've been around here for a while, and there's always the lament that bikes are not moving...they moved at the depths of the Great Recession and they move when things are good (like today)...If you have something that's not selling it's not the market - it's the seller.
ultraman6970
12-06-2019, 08:49 PM
The seller? would you please elaborate?? in which sense is the seller?
jc031699
12-06-2019, 09:04 PM
The seller? would you please elaborate?? in which sense is the seller?
I think he means the price that the seller named
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rallizes
12-06-2019, 09:06 PM
The seller? would you please elaborate?? in which sense is the seller?
he means it is the seller pricing a bike too high that results in no sale
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