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!

[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.