Steel road bike - help with asking price

[Divebomb]

Getting ready to pass this bike on to someone else as it’s a bit long in the TT for me. I bought it in 2004(?) While working at a shop:

Specialized Allez Elite Cr-mo 55 (TT 55.5). Columbus FOCO tubing. Ultegra 9 speed, handbuilt wheels: Ultegra hubs/Open Pro rims.

Thinking I would have no need to ever sell, I’ve replaced the wear items in the drivetrain over the years and it functions flawlessly. Dura-Ace BB, Thomson stem. Mechanically excellent, aesthetically very good with minor paint chips. Framesaver used a few separate times during overhauls.


Alternatively, I could price it down a little with original shimano r450 wheels, original saddle, a cane creek HS, Original stem.

What’s a fair price for something like this these days? Far from boutique but a bit of a wolf in sheep’s clothing that is nicer than many might think. Weighs in at 18lbs as pictured. Zero issues (except fit for me).

TIA!

[prototoast]

Bikes are selling well these days, so maybe you could get around $300. Neither wheelset will affect the price much.

[Divebomb]

Thanks Prototoast. I thought more than 300, and appreciate your opinion.

QUOTE=prototoast;2760662]Bikes are selling well these days, so maybe you could get around $300. Neither wheelset will affect the price much.[/QUOTE]

[thirdgenbird]

Based on what I’m seeing, I would list it well above $300.

[makoti]

Bikes are selling well these days, so maybe you could get around $300. Neither wheelset will affect the price much.

I just got $325 for a 1997 LeMond Zurich with gears that didn't work & both of us felt it was underpriced. We both walked away happy.

[prototoast]

Thanks Prototoast. I thought more than 300, and appreciate your opinion.

QUOTE=prototoast;2760662]Bikes are selling well these days, so maybe you could get around $300. Neither wheelset will affect the price much.[/QUOTE]

You might be able to get more, and don't let me stop you from trying.

[rallizes]

you should see what 300 gets you in NYC

[bigman]

That is a steel foco frame - i would think that bike would be worth at least $500.

[Divebomb]

Yeah - I thought so too Bigman. it’s not 4130. It’s a legitimate double butted tube set and a pretty clean build to boot.

That is a steel foco frame - i would think that bike would be worth at least $500.

[pbarry]

Prices for bikes on CL have gone up. Ask $725 and see what kind of reponses you get. :) $600-650 seems fair.

[thirdgenbird]

I would say $550-650 based on the general market that I’ve seen.

This could be a great entry for a new rider. That frame is well worth upgrading with a modern group.

[Hilltopperny]

It’s an old rim brake bike with shimano 9spd. I think there are a lot of optimistic numbers being thrown around. For example I had a Shimano 9spd ti/Carbon Serotta in excellent shape that couldn’t fetch $750. I believe the $300 to be the most accurate Foco tube set or not. It is a nice bike, but the market hasn’t doubled for these types of bikes IMHO. I would list it for $400-$450 and be willing to come down if necessary. Maybe check sold listings on eBay and se if you can find a better reference.

It also depends on where you are located, but the current bike boom is based off of new bikes being sold out and it is my understanding the new stock will be here in a month or so. The market for older rim brake road bikes is still not that great in most places that I have seen. At least this one has name recognition and a cool tube set, but I think anywhere above $500 is highly optimistic.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[thirdgenbird]

It appears there is a ton of compression between $500 and 800 in the current market. Not much worth buying below $500 and a world of difference in a $500 bike and $800 bike.

It’s ugly out there
https://newyork.craigslist.org/search/bia?query=road+bike&max_price=400

[tctyres]

you should see what 300 gets you in NYC

Not much: Whole grain rice cakes and an inner tube.

That bike in NYC would fetch $600, likely within 2 hours.

[DRZRM]

I think there is a real opportunity to sell bikes right now, shops are largely sold out. I've been able to sell all the kids bikes I had sitting around in my garage that my boys have outgrown. I've asked for half of what they originally cost me and various neighbors with growing kids who can't find bikes have been happy with the pricing, and though I'm sure I could have sold them for more on the open market, it is way more than I expect I would have gotten before the pandemic.

I don't know that this impacts the high end bike pricing we generally trade in around here, but for folks who don't want to take public transportation, commuter bikes are selling like hotcakes.

[Divebomb]

Thanks for taking the replies all. I now feel validated for my uncertainty in pricing this bike! I’m in the DC/Baltimore area and believe that it might go quick north of $500. I’m not ready to list it yet, But will follow up to let you know how it goes.

[Spaghetti Legs]

I was curious what an entry level bike cost these days and a Fuji aluminum frame with Bottom end Shimano 7 speed double is $660 shipped. A new version of the Allez with 8 speed Claris is $800. course we all know, OP, yours is a better bike. I'd ask $600, post links to the "cheapo" bikes for comparison with explanation how yours is better, maybe settle for $500 if you don't get offers within a day or two.

Non pandemic-related bike boom I'd say around $400.