[bushpig]

Is there a Blue Book for vintage mountain bikes and parts that provides price ranges based on condition? If not, is there any interest in such a resource. I think it would be helpful to buyers and sellers.

 

[slippy_luv]

www.ebay.com

Really, the prices old bikes fetch fluctuate so much it'd be a feat to try to compile anything. & even then it'd be like trying to predict the fluctuations of the stock market by trying to find mathematical patterns over time. Doens't really work that way. For instance, I see you like Hams. I knew of two people each willing to pay $10,000 for a Cunningham. But they both got theirs, and now Hams seem to be worth around $2000-4000, depending on the build. That's a pretty huge range. But as soon as someone else with similar resources gets to thinking nostalgic, and decides they want one, that figure skyrockets again. Fairly typical for bikes of that level. It always comes down to what it's worth to you, and more importantly, what it's worth to someone else looking for one at the same time. It's a crapshoot. But it sure is fun.

 

[Rumpfy]

www.ebay.com

Really, the prices old bikes fetch fluctuate so much it'd be a feat to try to compile anything. & even then it'd be like trying to predict the fluctuations of the stock market by trying to find mathematical patterns over time. Doens't really work that way. For instance, I see you like Hams. I knew of two people each willing to pay $10,000 for a Cunningham. But they both got theirs, and now Hams seem to be worth around $2000-4000, depending on the build. That's a pretty huge range. But as soon as someone else with similar resources gets to thinking nostalgic, and decides they want one, that figure skyrockets again. Fairly typical for bikes of that level. It always comes down to what it's worth to you, and more importantly, what it's worth to someone else looking for one at the same time. It's a crapshoot. But it sure is fun.

I don't think I could have put it any better.

 

[Rumpfy]

Is there a Blue Book for vintage mountain bikes and parts that provides price ranges based on condition? If not, is there any interest in such a resource. I think it would be helpful to buyers and sellers.

When you think of it, vintage mtb (vs. vintage road or BMX)...we're small time.
Perosnally, I'd like to keep it that way.

As for the C'Ham/Potts hunt, half the battle is money. The other half will be how well connected you are. You can be sure you're not first in line for the next Ham/Potts that shows up.
Patience, Luck, Money.

 

[bushpig]

I agree with the notion of keeping it small time. It is fun to search for nuggets of gold and in a velvet fog of market mystery. Unless there is a massive surge of interest, I am more than content to let sleeping dogs lie.

On the subject of 'Hams and Potts, given the interest, I am always surprised at the typical dearth of bidding when one appears on Ebay. I saw four 'Hams sell on ebay with light bidding in as many years and saw about the same number of Potts, not included Phoenixes.

I am happy to discover this site, somewhat circularly through CK's awesome page, and plan to keep on eye on the classifieds. Any suggestions where else someone with no connections should look?