Raleigh Max OGRE 15...value/"nick-ability"?

Jack479

I have the above bike at home in the shed for years.....

It's in immaculate condition, a very handsome looking bike, but no suspension, and it only has a steel frame - as far as I know.

I got it 1997, but it has hardly been used...how much do you guys reckon it's worth? Was very cool in it's day - I was 15 when I got it. I usually take it out once or twice a year at most - it's in perfect working order, as well as looking great.

Am considering commuting to work by bike - this will involve leaving it parked on the street in Dublin City Centre area, but unfortunately not close to the bike park on Drury Street.

The bike has been standing - pretty much unused - in the shed for so many years - I got a cheap bike when I was at college which did me fine. Should I do the same again, or just use the one I have and take my chances?!

I realise it's a very normal bike, not really really expensive or anything, but I've had it for so long that it would make me (like anyone) absolutely sick to see some urchin stealing it on me in 2 weeks or 2 months, when I've been minding it for so long!!

I was looking around for a "decent bike that looks rubbish", but with no luck... my gut feeling now is that I should just use the very decent Raleigh that I already have

I will be investing in a pair of high quality locks, regardless of whether it's for my own bike or a €50 second-hand job.

Any tips/advice/expertise would be appreciated!

Lumen

Here's one for £25.

Jack479

Thanks Lumen... I guess my problem is that it's woth a lot more than £25 to me, and I'd be worried that some thieving fecker will see that it's a decent make - and it really is in immaculate condition - and see it as an attractive target.

Then again I guess what's the point in having it standing in a shed? None, I suppose.

Parking on the street is just a big (unavoidable) issue for me. I'm spening €15 week on the LUAS.

Lumen

I guess scumbags (if they're fussy) tend to look for a nice looking frame, suspension and disc brakes, so presumably the biggest issue is the frame.

Perhaps you could uglify the frame, maybe in a reversible way using duct tape or similar.

There's always the chance that it looks crap already, and you're being sentimental about it. :pac:

Pics?

kona

Nackers will rob anything. Nackers dont have a cluse what Shimano deore XTR is. Nackers nont know the difference between a marzocchi fork and a RST fork.

Nackers see a bike with 2 wheels and not locked too good, they will take it.

Your putting too much effort into this, nickability bollix. Buy a good bike, buy a good lock. If you have common sense and a bit streetwise you will find places to lock your bike, that are quite secure.

My bike I cycle around on is worth quite a bit. I lock it in the City centre most days. Some times Id leave it there overnight. Never been nicked.

The only bike Ive had nicked was from my shed. If they want it they will take it.

Im not going to have my choice of bike and riding comfort and reliability affected by ****ing scumbags.

I ****ing hate scumbags, and wont let them dictate how I do things.

That Raleigh, is worth e25 if its been lying up. It would be worth alot more with a rebuild. But its a catch 22, if you dont have the tools/ability to do a rebuild, then you have to pay somebody. And there is a good 4-5 hours in rebuilding a bike correctley.
Service that and youd get around e100. Take a look on adverts and look at the ****e that people buy. People pay e100 for 2nd hand BSO.

Jack479

Yeah I've considered the tape idea Lumen, but like Kona I hate these thieving backstards and would feel angry at having to (even temporarily) deface my bike for their benefit.

No pics handy, it's like the one in the link you posted up, but it really is in immaculate condition, even the stickers are like new, so it's not just my sentimentality

It has been off the road Kona but doesn't require a rebuild, I've always it well oiled and the wheels pumped, even just for the couple of outings per year. I feel exactly like you do about letting these people dictate what I do, but nevertheless they are outand are a fact of life.

My job isn't particularly well-paying, and I've also got my rent to pay and a car to keep on the road, so I need to do what's best financially.

You're right - have a good lock and a good bike, be sensible and take your chances. I am putting too much thought into this, however I'll need to buy lights, rain gear, locks etc. so it all adds up!

PS forgive my ignorance but what's a BSO?!

Lumen

Bicycle Shaped Object.

Jack479

aaaaaah!

fixie

if your worried about your bike(s) getting robbed why dont you get the bike insured????

godihatethehils

FWIW I have an old banger of a bike (also a raleigh) I use for getting to work sometimes and I park it down by the bottom of grafton st with a pretty crappy lock. Sometimes I even leave it overnight and it's always there the next morning. I've come to the conclusion that it's unstealable...I'm tempted to leave it unlocked some time just to see what happens. That said though if you really do value it maybe you should be more careful than that.

Lumen

fixie wrote: »

if your worried about your bike(s) getting robbed why dont you get the bike insured????

Unless it covers replacement value and has a very low excess it's not much use for an old bike. And there's the sentimental value...

kona

Jack479 wrote: »

Yeah I've considered the tape idea Lumen, but like Kona I hate these thieving backstards and would feel angry at having to (even temporarily) deface my bike for their benefit.

No pics handy, it's like the one in the link you posted up, but it really is in immaculate condition, even the stickers are like new, so it's not just my sentimentality

It has been off the road Kona but doesn't require a rebuild, I've always it well oiled and the wheels pumped, even just for the couple of outings per year. I feel exactly like you do about letting these people dictate what I do, but nevertheless they are outand are a fact of life.

My job isn't particularly well-paying, and I've also got my rent to pay and a car to keep on the road, so I need to do what's best financially.

You're right - have a good lock and a good bike, be sensible and take your chances. I am putting too much thought into this, however I'll need to buy lights, rain gear, locks etc. so it all adds up!

PS forgive my ignorance but what's a BSO?!

Youd be suprised how much work a bike can need to get up to scratch from being left unused, Or even bits that you find break when you do use it.

Cycling isnt expensive, if you think in terms of the money you will save, To get a decent bike and all the bits and bobs, you would be sorted for e500-e600 if you were smart about it and shopped around. Even I dont bother with all this fancy cycling gear, I only have my bike, lights and a lock. I cycle in T-shirt and shorts, and put everything in a bag.
you say your spending e15 per week on luas, thats e60 a month, so in 8-10 months you will have it paid off, with no loss in your income. Add in the fact that you mays ave additionally in petrol on the journeys you use the bike for instead.
Enquire about the cycle 2 work scheme too, that could save you even more.

Dont let these ***** dictate how you operate. I think a bike with tape on it draws attention too. I used to do it but just wasnt bothered after awhille.

Those old Raleighs are tanks, they will just keep going and going!:)

Jack479

Have my beloved old Raleigh Max on the city roads - invested in a good Kryptonite lock, no worries... I hope :rolleyes:

Cheers for all the encouragement