"Vintage" Prices

[jasond]

I'm looking for an older bike to commute to and from work on as my company currently has no space to store a bicycle inside. I've been scouring craigslist for used Raleigh's and Shwinns that date back to the 70's and 80's. I'm seeing prices from $15 to $200 and am wondering how much should I be willing to spend?

Many times the cheaper bikes are just way too far and would require a bit of a drive whereas the pricier bikes seem to be a bit more local. I know I have to factor in gas and my time for the bikes that are further away but realistically its more about how quick can one be to get to the bike. This is a bit of an issue as I'm sort of busy at the moment with different things.

Also, it seems like the word Vintage automatically drives the price up a few, just an observation.

Thanks
Jason

[wasfast]

I'll assume you're looking at older bikes with the intent of spending less money. My very high level surfing of craigslist shows exactly what you mention, that tank bikes from the 70's are suddenly "vintage" and therefore worth real money.

If it were me, I'd buy something lower end but new. The old bikes are fraught with potential costs. 27" wheels (can't find tires easily), steel rims that are anything but durablee or light, downtube shifters, single pivot brakes and poor brake shoes, weigh an absolute ton, non sealed bearings that need servicing regularily. The list is long. If you want something to ride regularly and reliably, look elsewhere like Performance, Nashbar etc.

[tmessenger]

Look at the Good Will or garage sales you should be able to find something in the $30~$50 range.

[Matthew J]

downtube shifters,

And this would be included among the other drawbacks why?

[Hawker]

I've done the "vintage" Craigslist thing several times to find commuter bikes.

3 recommendations:

1. Broaden your search. I'm particularly fond of the the Japanese bikes from the 80's -- Univega, Fuji, Lotus, Panasonic, Centurion. You're looking for one that was ridden for a season or two, and then put away, or one that's been ridden but well maintained. In Seattle these are $100 to $250 in good condition.

2. Don't forget to budget for updates/repairs. An old bike is likely going to need new tires, tubes, brake pads, bar tape, pedals, and a saddle -- at a minimum. Maybe more. It's worth paying more for a bike that doesn't need anything major. Avoid low-end bikes completely (steel rims, gaspipe tubing) -- they aren't worth the trouble to fix up.

3. Consider a used mountain bike if your budget is tight and your commute is short. At least around here, used MTB's in really good condition are cheaper than "vintage" road bikes. You can get a good, non-suspension, steel mountain bike for $100 any day of the week around here -- put on slicks, fenders and a rack and you've got a commuter. I think especially if it is going to be parked outside it attracts less attention than a vintage road bike in good condition.

[pruckelshaus]

Keep an eye on the C&V section at BikeForums -- good bunch of people, and there are enough "junkies" there who need to get rid of the old so that they can bring in the new.

Oh, and if you were closer, I'm thinking of getting rid of my 58cm "shopping bike"...a Schwinn with a Tretubi frame and components that work...

[EricKeller]

the problem with the new breed of ignorant collectors is that they are keeping some truly abhorrent "bike like objects" from assuming their proper place in a vat of molten metal. I'm not sure why you would go back to the '70s or '89s for a user bike, seems like too much work.

Consider putting faster tires on a mtb. You should be able to pick up something reasonable for a good price.

[winmonster]

I'm in the same boat. Really tired of looking at the local craigslist ads where cheapo department store bikes with the dual-levered brakes and stem mounted shifters are being hawked for way too much money. I'm going to go wasfast's route. Something new, but lower end. It will cost just a bit more upfront, but it will be easier to maintain and will not be coming with any baggage. I'm stuffing away a dollar here and a dollar there until the difference in price is made up.

[Craig Ryan]

Do you want a cheap looking bike, or a cheap bike?
I'd get a decent bike and make it look like it's a pos.

[Bssc]

First what are you requirements fora bike ? new cruisers can be cheap and quite good for commuting also older MTBs too

hit craigs list and some of the used shops there is one on Rt 1 in NH just up the road

the concourse at MOT is having a swap there may be some real good candidates there too

[jasond]

Thank you for the suggestions. I'm sort of looking for something I can just ride an 18 mile round trip to and from work. Too be honest a single gear or fixie with a rack would be perfect as I would have little maintenance. The note about the maintenance an older bike will bring is a good reminder and one I am considering. My budget is only constrained due to my up coming prenuptuals and the fact that a bicycle was just delivered to my house 2 months ago. So there is a good chance that the bike will only need to work from now until the snow falls. Considering those two things I'm trying to spend very little but get something that will work for a little while. I would use one of my other bikes but they are just too expensive to leave outside on a bike rack. Also, I'm getting more and more apprehensive about riding an expensive bike through Lawrence MA.

Thank You Everyone,
Jason

[bigbill]

I commuted on a Soma in Hawaii. You could easily build up a single speed on the cheap. The advantage will be that the frame will be new with good paint and eyelets for a rack and fenders. My Soma held up to daily rides through brackish puddles and rain.

[jasond]

So after searching craigslist for a little while I found a Raleigh Technium for $120. It works perfectly and just needs some tires. Now I need a rack, some panniers, and fenders. That'll probably cost more than the bike itself.

[Hawker]

It works perfectly and just needs some tires. Now I need a rack, some panniers, and fenders. That'll probably cost more than the bike itself.

If you spend more on that than you did on the bike it just means you paid the right price for the bike.