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I'm curious whether a question relating to pricing a bicycle-related component or whole bike would be on topic. I know we generally frown on the "do my shopping for me" questions, but also allow the this vs. that comparisons if given enough constraints. I'm particularly interested because I intend to ask one and not have it closed. Example would be:

How much would you value this bike at: 2011 SomeBikeBrand AndModel

  • Part #1
  • Upgrade #2
  • Replacement #3

Ridden moderately, wintered in warm garage, etc.

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    In this vs that, I think its OK if theres a more general question at hand. For example, a recent trek 7.2 vs 7.5 thread also had something on replacement parts on older bikes and compatibility in it, not just should i buy this or that.
    – Batman
    Commented Sep 10, 2014 at 0:19

1 Answer 1

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I would be of the opinion that this is off topic for the following reasons:

  • Actual condition of items is impossible to judge without inspection, and therefore impossible to price accurately.
  • The price of a whole bike is largely dependent on the included components, and we will frequently get posts where the list or pictures of components will be incomplete.
  • Bicycles and components depreciate rapidly, so a price given today is out of date next year.
  • Value is sometimes highly dependent on location.

For those reasons I don't think the make a good fit for a Q&A site.

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    In addition, you'd get different answers, all as valid as each other, but all different. The poster is effectively no better off than before they asked the question. So I'd say off-topic because it doesn't add value.
    – PeteH
    Commented Sep 8, 2014 at 18:40
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    I agree that they're not a good fit, but I'd say it would be better to close them as not constructive or primarily opinion based rather than off topic, for exactly the reasons that you list.
    – jimchristie Mod
    Commented Sep 8, 2014 at 21:39
  • Value is also quite local. At the extreme, one LBS brings in containers of second hand bikes from Netherlands/EU and sells them here at a tidy profit.
    – Móż
    Commented Sep 8, 2014 at 22:16
  • There are also websites dedicated to this like bicyclebluebook.com.
    – Batman
    Commented Sep 8, 2014 at 22:59
  • Thanks guys. @Batman, I like bluebook but it's list of upgrades is pathetic so it's barely useful if you're not selling a stock bike.
    – Aaron
    Commented Sep 10, 2014 at 14:33
  • To avoid helping bike thieves I would like to suggest that people asking for prices of their bike are requested to post frame numbers. Nobody who rightfully owns a bike should have a reason not to do it whereas a thief would.
    – Christian Lindig
    Commented Feb 19, 2017 at 18:14

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