guide price for 853 MTB frame

[ultrazenith]

First of all, I hope I'm not breaking the forum rules, but I'd like to get advice on guide prices for a particular type of frame I'm currently searching for.

I love steel, and I'd love to own an 853 frame, brand not too important. Something like a late 90s Raleigh 853 MTB frame would be a good example, but there are others.

My first guess (or hope) is maybe 100 gbp for a standard, but good condition 853 frame, more for a special frame, less for one in grotty condition. Does this sound about right?

Again, my apologies if this is out of order.

 

[highlandsflyer]

Sounds doable, I bought a few at this price point. If you are a common size then it shouldn't be too hard with a little patience.

I forget the make, but there is an 853 almost identical to the Jamis Dragon that goes for much less, apparently fabbed in the same factory.

If you are 6 2 or near you can try my Jamis Dragon for a few months for a £100 deposit plus postage, but I want it back!

 

[markwashington]

You should be perfectly able to pick up an 853 frame for £100, I bought a Genesis Altitude 853 frame from Ebay for £35, granted it was crazy cheap, but I don't think they go for much more than £50-70 usually. I also bought a 1999 Explosif frame on here for £100 and sold a 1998 Explosif frame for £120 and Konas usually command a bit of a premium. The RSP frame you want is a strange beast, they go for vastly differing amounts, I'm pretty sure I've seen them go from about £80 - £200 for the frame only.

A Rock lobster 853 might be worth looking out for as they usually go for around a ton and can be bought with or without a disc mount.

There does seem to be a big jump from something like an Explosif, Raleigh or Rock Lobster to a more bespoke frame which go for more like £3-400. I'd happily pay £400+ for an 853 Hot!

 

[ultrazenith]

If you are 6 2 or near you can try my Jamis Dragon for a few months for a £100 deposit plus postage, but I want it back!

Thanks for the offer. Sadly I'm 6'4", and wouldn't trust myself with a loaned bike, the way I ride.

 

[The History Man]

My 21" Rourke 853 was under £200 (just) inc posting. A steal I thought.

 

[Osella]

As this is possibly partly my fault; I think I should say that you will probably be looking at the pricier end of those frames if you're limited on frame sizes - as there are generally fewer about.. however...
Don't limit yourself to solely 853.

Voodoo's Bizango and Hoodoo 90's steel frames are excellent and weigh the same or less than an equivalent 853 in many cases. Some Voodoos were 853, but the Columbus frames are very light; and my '99 Hoodoo with proprietary 'Black Magic' tubing is within 2g (on the same scales!) as my same-size 853 Raleigh(!)

Of course; the difference is that it's an almost 'off the shelf' tubing mix AFAIK rather than being handmade in the UK for example; but then again that's the same with any Pipedream, Rock Lobster et al..

 

[highlandsflyer]

I think you will need a little patience to hit that price point/frame size. Saying that, it can work in your favour as large frames often take a while to sell.

 

[suburbanreuben]

...
Don't limit yourself to solely 853.

..

+1 .

Just because a frame has an 853 sticker does not mean it is necessarily any good. A frame can get the sticker by just having a couple of pipes in 853. The others may be good steel too or they could be gas pipe. There are other manufacturers' tubesets out there which have similar properties. Don't dismiss them.
I have a hunch that 853 has become the all conquering , must have, tubeset solely due to a favourable exchange rate making it cheaper than similar products. I'm happy to be proven wrong though.

 

[highlandsflyer]

If you want something versatile, you could do worse than take a punt on this one, can run vees or discs.

Same as mine but the larger 21" version, should fit you well as I am 6 2 (+/- a bit depending on my back) and like to ride small frames on the 19" I am in heaven.

Brazed/welded too. Very nice and I am sure it will go for bugger all thanks to the size, and how common they are in the US.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/jAMIS-DRAGON-BI ... 2a4571b429

Nice Renault 4 behind it too, they must be rare in the States. So rare it is not one on second look!