Hi All,
I recently found a 1978 Holdsworth Championship for sale near me (UK-based) but I’m struggling to get determine if the asking price is too much.
From the photos, it’s it great condition. No obvious rust, no paint chipping, recently serviced (all cables replaced, chain checked, BB cleaned and regreased, hubs done, headset cleaned and regreased, etc). It also has a Campy Nuovo Gran Sport groupset.
The seller is asking £575 which seems high to me, but I don’t really know much about these, so I can’t tell. My love affair with Peugeots has skewed me, as I can’t imagine paying that much for a 45 year old Peugeot in anything less than pristine condition.
Does anyone have experience with these? What would you pay for a ‘78 with Reynolds 531 and Campy groupset?
Here’s a catalogue link: [http://www.nkilgariff.com/HoldsCats/Cat1978/Championship78.jpg](http://www.nkilgariff.com/HoldsCats/Cat1978/Championship78.jpg)
Here’s the listing for the bike with photos: [https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/road-bike-vintage-holdsworth-/1457675767](https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/road-bike-vintage-holdsworth-/1457675767)
Thanks!
by scratch_mcallister
4 Comments
I might haggle a bit, but if it’s hardly worn (look at the braking surface in the rims)@ and the chainrings) I’d snap it up if I didn’t have a 1975 Holdsworth frame hanging on my wall.
The value of vintage bikes is sort of arbitrary. $575 costs about the same as a new entry level bike at most bike shops, I would rather ride this than a Trek FX1.
You are paying a premium for vintage, but I have paid 200 for a 531 frame alone. Add in all the parts and it’s not a bargain, but I wouldn’t say it’s outrageous. I am not a Campy guy, so I can’t say what the value of the components is.
Update: I was able to get it for £425 so I went for it. Needs a little TLC and new tyres but overall happy with it. Thanks!
Good deal getting it for less than asking.
But the way I look at it is if I had to track down transfers and refinish the bike you would easily have a few hundred in that doing the work yourself. Stripper, sand paper, tape, thinners, epoxy primer, base, and clear adds up quickly. Then if you are doing pinstripes that is more stuff one shot paint, because I always want a color I don’t own, and then have to find my brushes because the wife or kids used them when they shouldn’t. That means at least one brush.
A clean bike vintage bike not needing paint is worth a good bit more to me and I own all the stuff to refinish a bike. I can do it but I certainly don’t want to do it unless I have to.
A bike in an easy touch up color like white or black in great shape is thing of beauty.