Selling my bike, but for how much?

[breeze]

I've been riding a lot more this year, and its time to think about a new bike that is a better fit for the riding that I want to do. I've been slowly going on test rides, but that's another post.


How do I figure out where to price my old bike? Should I replace the tires and get a tune up before selling her? How do I deal with the shipping, if necessary? Any other advice about selling a bike online? Thanks!


FWIW, I'll probably post her for sale here, as well as on the local CL and some other places. I'll be selling my Terry Susan B.

[snyderd25]

I am wondering the same thing! Anxious to see what the experts say!

[TigerMom]

I've never sold my bike. But I would probably do it on Craigslist so that you don't have to worry about shipping.

Some people sell their bikes on Craigslist and then meet at a bike shop (instead of your house) so that the buyer feels more confident that you are not selling them a crap bike.
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2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

[indysteel]

Are all of the components original to the bike? How many miles are on it and is the frame in good shape? I would get a basic tune up but not repkace the tires unless they're im really bad shape. I also would only sell it locally. This a steel commuter, right? I don't know that I'd expect to get much for it and, frankly, if it were me, I'd just hold onto it as a back up bike.

Ask yourself how much you'd be willing to spend on a 8 year old bike when there are lots of new bikes to be had in the market. IMO, the best thing the bike has going for it is that it's steel, but I'm not the average used commuter buyer will appreciate that.

But that's the nice thing about Craigslist. It's free. If you don't get a nibble after a couple of weeks, drop the price.

[breeze]

TigerMom, meeting potential buyers at the LBS is a good idea, and one I hadn't thought of. Thanks!

Indysteel- Thanks for your reply-- you've given me some things to think about. Yes, everything on the bike is original and in great shape. The bike was carefully stored from 2005-2011 and only has been ridden a few hundred miles because I've had some fit issues (and life issues). I've heard that Terry bikes (especially the smallest ones, as mine is) tend to hold their value in resale and am hoping to use the proceeds towards a new road bike. Because it is such a small bike and a relatively small brand, I'm not sure how much of a response I'll get via CL. I've posted it to the Terry forums in hopes that someone there will buy it-- there seems to be at least some market for the Susan B, as it was/is a really popular model. I had a good conversation with someone from Terry last week at the BikeNY expo about this, but I've never shipped a bike before and didn't know what to expect. I guess I should just call my LBS and find out how they do it.

[indysteel]

Good luck selling her. I'm glad you've looked into the value of Terry bike specifically, as I can't say that I know much about there cache as a brand. She's a pretty little bike!

[Grits]

I listed my old bike on Craig's List but ended up selling it when a friend posted for me on one of his riding group chat rooms. After I sold it, I got several inquiries from my Craig's List ad, but by that time it was probably 3 weeks or more after posting. I did sell two sets of wheels through Craig's list, and one I had to ship. I was able to get a box from my LBS and researched cheapest shipping (Fed Ex, btw).

[Trek420]

Of course you could offer it for sale here :D There's also a Terry forum: http://community.terrybicycles.com/wordpress/forum.php

But we'd rather you stay and sell it here. Pictures please!

[breeze]

Grits- Good to know. I've sold a few things on eBay, but never something as complicated, shipping wise, as a bike. I'm hoping that I'll get some interest locally.

Trek420- I've listed it here, and I hope that it is someone's dream bike! :D Check it out: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?p=637578#post637578

[tulip]

Selling a private party bike at a bike shop??? Seems a bit insulting to the bike shop, wouldn't you say? I mean, they are trying to sell bikes, too. I never sell my bikes, so I can't help with the question on price.

[Trek420]

Selling a private party bike at a bike shop??? Seems a bit insulting to the bike shop, wouldn't you say? I mean, they are trying to sell bikes, too.

My LBS often has a used bike or so on the floor. A Rodgriguez the last time I was in. If he takes a cut I don't know how much. Perhaps it's as a favor to the owner who is using the sale to upgrade or thin the herd. Some of the bikes in his loaner fleet are trade ins from customers and so his build anyway.

His trade ins are all excellent bikes. While I waited for the Mondonico to be built I rode a bike from his "trade in/loaner fleet". The one closest to my size is a Della Santa. Who gets to just loan one of those? I believe it was a trade in and a delight to ride but a little big, hence the Mondonico.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGAUVUukQak

I'd hate to sell any of mine but if I did would go through my LBS.

[lovelygamer]

Good Luck!

I bought my bike lightly used (less than five rides) for $125.

[tulip]

My LBS often has a used bike or so on the floor. A Rodgriguez the last time I was in. If he takes a cut I don't know how much. Perhaps it's as a favor to the owner who is using the sale to upgrade or thin the herd. Some of the bikes in his loaner fleet are trade ins from customers and so his build anyway.

His trade ins are all excellent bikes. While I waited for the Mondonico to be built I rode a bike from his "trade in/loaner fleet". The one closest to my size is a Della Santa. Who gets to just loan one of those? I believe it was a trade in and a delight to ride but a little big, hence the Mondonico.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGAUVUukQak

I'd hate to sell any of mine but if I did would go through my LBS.

The OP is talking about selling her bike on CraigsList and meeting the buyer at a bike shop to seal the deal. Different than selling it through the bike shop.

[Catrin]

The OP is talking about selling her bike on CraigsList and meeting the buyer at a bike shop to seal the deal. Different than selling it through the bike shop.

I have done this twice. I don't know how many bike stores will actually serve as the 'go-between' or sell a used bike on commission, but mine will not as they want to avoid liability issues. They have no problem with their parking lot being used as a meeting place, and they were able to confirm with my buyers regarding how the bikes had been taken care of.

[breeze]

Tulip, good point. I did ask the LBS whether I could do the exchange in their parking lot, and they said yes, that it happens all the time. I also had the bike tuned up there, so perhaps that's why. It's the same LBS that I asked about shipping the bike if I sold it online.

My reasoning was one of safety- I never meet CL buyers at my home. I could have chosen a supermarket parking lot or anywhere else, I guess, but an LBS made sense to me. It also makes sense that the buyer could have the bike checked out.

[BarbaraJo]

I upgraded my bike last year,and sold both my DH and mine on Craigslist. We were trying to justify the costs of replacing two bikes that were only a year old...now that it has been a year since we sold them we have often wished we didn't. It's always good to have a spare bike in case of break downs, or visitors stopping by that want to join a ride or whatever might come along. Plus you can never replace that bike for less and you really don't get a great resale price on used bikes....just a thought!

[rivergal]

I sold my entry level road bike after having it checked by my LBS. Let my former Triathlon coach know it was available, and she found me a buyer that was getting into sprint Tri and needed a better bike. Got about 45% of original value, and got her a good new home. All in all pretty happy with the transaction.