No idea what i got.

[Derek Gross]

                        So I bought the bike pictured. Im not sure what it would be valued at though or what i should do with it. Personally i think it just looks like a cool attempt at a TT bike, so i had to buy it. I also got an extremely good deal, like it would have been a good deal even if we werent in a national bicycle shortage. So if you could just tell me what i have really got here and what it is worth.

I also got the carbon fiber cranks in the deal, I did some research and i beleive they are the Zipp CA 380. But same with that, please just let me know what i have and what it is worth.

Thank you so much!

[Jesper]

(08-25-2020, 11:01 PM)Derek Gross Wrote:  So I bought the bike pictured. I'm not sure what it would be valued at though or what i should do with it. Personally I think it just looks like a cool attempt at a TT bike, so I had to buy it. I also got an extremely good deal, like it would have been a good deal even if we weren't in a national bicycle shortage. So if you could just tell me what i have really got here and what it is worth.

I also got the carbon fiber cranks in the deal, I did some research and i believe they are the Zipp CA 380. But same with that, please just let me know what I have and what it is worth.

Thank you so much!

Hi Derek,

Welcome to the club! An odd looking bike with that set up; not the optimal frame to make a TT out of; much of it due to geometry. It looks like a late 70s to early 80s Motobecane. Not sure of the model, looks like the top tube has the model decal. Kind of a waste with the TT disc and aero wheel set up on a longer touring style frame. Externally nutted brake mounts indicate an earlier model; the fork may not be original. Also, center pull brakes, if original, are probably more indicative of a '70s frame; but they may have been on later frames depending on the model; catalogs images and specs do not always agree with the actual bike sold off the rack so it can make it hard to compare. There are a few places you can go to in order to compare that frame to catalog examples (e.g. Bulgier.net, etc.); paint scheme/decals/original components/model, etc. should get you to with in a year or two of the frame date. Date codes (if any) on original components will also get you to within a year or two. Value of the frame is fairly minimal ($100 give or take, but I don't know how much of a demand there is for these frames). I wouldn't venture a guess on the cranks, if they seem to have any damage it might make them unsafe to use; even then being obviously used and in apparently moderate condition I would not put a high value on them, at least not if I was the potential buyer. The disc wheels run the gamut in price range, depends on make, model, hub, condition, and demand; but in general a decent disc wheel assembly will go $200 to $500 (and up). I've got a disc wheel I paid $2 for and another at $150; it just depends.

I'll say this: with that saddle buried into the seat tube and the stem raised to its present position; the individual will not really be in an aerodynamic posture which is what being on a time trial bike is all about aside from the frame geometry. Disc wheels and "aero" bars do not make a bike that much higher in performance if the frame and the rest of the bike is not set up and/or designed for it. You obviously saw that judging from your statements. I too would have been interested in a bike like that, but merely to strip it down and donate its parts to more appropriate frames. it would make a nice period correct build given the fact that the frame appears to be in very good shape, or do a mod with newer components.

Here is an "moderately old school" TT/Tri bike with proper frame dimensions for that use, too small for me (thus, selling). And a "lo-pro" TT bike that I sold not too long ago as I managed to find a better frame and more appropriately sized for me. Your Zipp disc would have looked darn good on the Nishiki!