Best way to split a bike

Hi guys

I bought a early 90s ciocc geared road bike off ebay a couple of months ago, with columbus aelle tubing and campagnolo xenon groupset. the thing is the aelle tubing is actually pretty heavy, and the groupset is not great, eg plastic brake levers.

So i'm thinking of selling it to buy a better bike.. but i was sucked in by the italian chic so spent too much on the ciocc, so was wondering the best way to split it up in order to max the money i get back?

Stuff like, taking the bottom bracket out of the frame or not? or, keeping levers and calipers together or sell the sperately..

Or could the bike be worth most all together, if cleaned and polished and marketed right?

thanks for any help

split front and back.

kinda depends how much work you can be bothered to put in (i.e. taking the whole thing to bits)

Personally, I'd have a look on ebay for a similar whole bike, keep an eye on it, see what it goes for, and also look at all the part individually and see what the total tally is for parts.

You'll get more money if you split it. Sell the frame and fork together (and include the headset) then split the rest and sell it component by component (i.e. front mech, rear mech, gear shifters, cranks and bottom bracket, wheels etc).

Split the whole lot - don't group anything and don't leave anything on the frame.

I bought a Dawes a few weeks ago loaded up with Shimano kit, which I don't get along with. I put STIs, derailleurs, wheels, chainset and pedals on eBay and I got more for the wheels and STIs than I paid for the whole bike - which also came with a Rolls seat and the tubing is Reynolds 531.

At the end of the day, people might need individual parts, so they won't buy if you list the levers, calipers and derailleurs together. Split them up (keep any wheels and levers in pairs though) and you could make a killing - I now have brand new Campag kit on its way to me and I didn't have to spend any of my own money to get it.

@murtle, I wondered who'd get there first?

kinda depends how much work you can be bothered to put in (i.e. taking the whole thing to bits)

Personally, I'd have a look on ebay for a similar whole bike, keep an eye on it, see what it goes for, and also look at all the part individually and see what the total tally is for parts.

Watching on eBay makes little sense in reality. The market there is such that two similar items days or weeks apart can end with wildly differing prices. This is particularly true of the less common items.

Second people watch, but don't bid. As if it were TV. If you're going to watch be prepared to bid.

Take a chance setting up a 99p auction and see what it goes for. Or put up a BIN at a price you think is right.

Watching on eBay makes little sense in reality. The market there is such that two similar items days or weeks apart can end with wildly differing prices. This is particularly true of the less common items.

Second people watch, but don't bid. As if it were TV. If you're going to watch be prepared to bid.

What utter bollocks.

What utter bollocks.

andyp must be a Watcher.

you will make the most money splitting and putting no reserve and a low starting price. all the people who like bargains come out of woodwork ;)

Watching on eBay makes little sense in reality. The market there is such that two similar items days or weeks apart can end with wildly differing prices. This is particularly true of the less common items.

Nope, basic economics in a diverse market would suggest that as long as the items are listed in exactly the same way they will reach the same price. Bargains can be had when something isn't reaching the correct audience, but otherwise it's a seller's market.

Watching makes sense, know how much your ceiling price is before hand and bid at the last moment.

Nope, basic economics in a diverse market would suggest that as long as the items are listed in exactly the same way they will reach the same price. Bargains can be had when something isn't reaching the correct audience, but otherwise it's a seller's market.

huh? What market are you talking about?

Watching makes sense, know how much your ceiling price is before hand and bid at the last moment.

As said, if Watching be prepared to bid. Or get your bid in earlier to stay within your ceiling price.

What is wrong with watching items? Call it market research.
I often watch auctions that I have no intention to bid on.
When the bargains come round you can be confident about what you are paying. ...and if you end up paying too much at least you know it!

What is wrong with watching items? Call it market research.
I often watch auctions that I have no intention to bid on.
When the bargains come round you can be confident about what you are paying. ...and if you end up paying too much at least you know it!

Exactly. Any company worth their salt engage in market research and watching on ebay can be equated to that. Knowing your customer is an essential marketing tool and if you want to achieve the maximum value for an item on ebay then marketing it well, i.e. clear and complete description and good photos, will help in that.

Completely dismantle the bike and list the items separately.

For frame and fork, only include the headset or BB if they are in bad condition as you wouldn't be able to move them anyway.

Then the wheels, complete with tires skewers and cogs.

Those two items make up a huge chunk of your profits so get them listed first as auctions.

Do yourself a big favour and take the time to clean each item and polish them if necessary. The buyer won't want to do it.

Be sure to take quality close-up shots. If you appear to be a pro you can command pro prices.

For items which are readily available establish the going rate and list with a BIN.

Items not seen often can be auctioned or listed with a slightly higher BIN but also add Best Offer. Sometimes the rarity of an item makes it more desirable.

Separate bars and stems. Brake levers and calipers together, etc...

Vintage bars and stems from Cinelli or 3TTT still get good prices as well as old Selle or Brooks saddles.

Lastly, if you work in a large company buy someone in your postroom a good bottle wine or scotch and get them to send some small items for free. But don't abuse this.

eBay only takes a percentage of the final selling price, not the postage charges. But don't inflate them.

For full auctions run for 10 days, starting on Thursday and ending on Sunday afternoon-evening. That gets you two weekends of exposure.

BIN auctions can be started at anytime. To avoid time wasters check the Require Immediate Payment box.

Good Luck!

And pad it out with words like 'Fixie' and 'Rare' and 'Singlespeed', get the hipster keen. :-)

I disgree about BIN prices. Puts a lot of people off. People like to gamble, put a low price and let them go. some items will go for cheap, other will make more.

I disgree about BIN prices. Puts a lot of people off. People like to gamble, put a low price and let them go. some items will go for cheap, other will make more.

I agree with Dale - does this make me certifiable?!

If you've down your research (stick that up yer jacksie cryoplasm) then you should know if there is a market for what you're selling. Start the listing at 99p and hope that people get into a bidding war. I don't think I've ever had anything go for less than a fair price and I've started frames at 99p before, including two Colnagos.

you need to get as many people interested and think that they will get it at a good price. hence low price, no reserve

And pad it out with words like 'Fixie' and 'Rare' and 'Singlespeed', get the hipster keen. :-)

I sold some underpants for £50 using that approach - be sure to add a few 'WOW's to your listing too.

And pad it out with words like 'Fixie' and 'Rare' and 'Singlespeed', get the hipster keen. :-)

Pista,Track and Bike in every title also work.

And offering to post worldwide gets the item easily seen on eBay's international sites.

And offering to post worldwide gets the item easily seen on eBay's international sites.

Be careful there if you're listing second hand on obviously used items - had a Spanish buyer win a camera from me recently who didn't understand that the shutter didn't fire properly - although it was stated clearly in the listing.

I owe Rik several beers for his help sorting out that one...

So, could you make a living, or at least a bit extra on the side, from buying bikes second hand, splitting and reslling? Is there enough in it to be worth it?

huh? What market are you talking about?

t'bay, it's a diverse/big market... if it wasn't (like FGSS for example) you'd get bargains (a mountain bike for £10 perhaps).