Author Topic: Thorn Audax Mk1 value?  (Read 4954 times)

Far-Oeuf

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 134
Thorn Audax Mk1 value?
« on: November 20, 2014, 03:50:49 PM »
Hi,

I've had a mk1 Audax for a few years (bought second hand), but it's unlikely to ever be used as I don't subscribe to the N+1 way of thinking.   It's rust free, though has been used a lot so the surface paintwork is marked quite a bit.   It is black, 56cm (ETT) and has the original Thorn/Audax/Reynolds decals.

Anyone suggest its potential value (frame and forks)?   Is it worth stripping it and having it powder-coated, or better as is?

cheers,
Doug

Danneaux

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8287
  • reisen statt rasen
Re: Thorn Audax Mk1 value?
« Reply #1 on: November 20, 2014, 04:40:07 PM »
Doug,

It is hard to recover the costs of refurbishment in a subsequent sale. It is more likely with a private sale, but if you go the eBay route, you also have their commission to consider.

More, it seems people want to see the bike in original livery (even if worn) to grossly verify claims of origin and marque, and if a respray is to be done, they prefer it to be in their chosen color or style. Given this, I'd leave it as-is.

Real-life example: A couple years ago, I put a pre-used frame in a too-large-for-me size on eBay in its original paint, chipped and scratched. I did use automotive wax to make it shiny for the photos, though it didn't help the flaws. The eventual buyer cited this as a primary reason for his purchase: "It's authentic, the scars all mean something". Closing price was within 5% of the average for similar frames in better condition, but I may just been lucky. So many used bike sales depend on timing and that magical match between a desirous buyer and a product they want. Auction fever plays a part as well. There were three bidders in this case, and I think that drove the price up higher than otherwise, given its condition.

Best of luck,

Dan.

Far-Oeuf

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 134
Re: Thorn Audax Mk1 value?
« Reply #2 on: November 20, 2014, 07:30:41 PM »
Thanks Dan.

Danneaux

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8287
  • reisen statt rasen
Re: Thorn Audax Mk1 value?
« Reply #3 on: November 20, 2014, 09:47:48 PM »
Back again, Doug, as I realize I answered only half your question...

As for value, I've found a good index can be found in eBay closing prices. Hit the Advanced Search tab, then enter what you're searching for and tick the box for "Completed Listings". The prices marked in green-colored font are what the item actually sold for...red indicates it didn't sell. A person can soon develop a pretty good feel for how much you can expect for a given item.

Prices vary by the season as well, so keep that in mind.

Tip: I've found late-Winter/early-Spring are the best times to sell bare frames, as people are thinking "project bike" then, and have time to complete it before the arrival of better weather. Advertise it in Summer and it's already too late; Winter...Spring and Summer seem forever away and people are tired from shoveling snow. Yep; late Winter and early Spring for bare frame sales has always worked well for me.

Best,

Dan.

Far-Oeuf

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 134
Re: Thorn Audax Mk1 value?
« Reply #4 on: November 20, 2014, 10:29:45 PM »
great advanced ebay tip!   Sadly I can't find any similar bikes.   I did find this though: http://web.archive.org/web/19980703165135/www.sjscycles.com/audax.html#top, from which I can identify the frame as an oversize 575, and have all the measurements.

cheers,
Doug

Far-Oeuf

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 134
Re: Thorn Audax Mk1 value?
« Reply #5 on: November 20, 2014, 10:45:25 PM »
ahhh, obviously...   the first is rarely called a 'mk 1'.  a search for 'thorn audax 531c' turns up a few things.

leftpoole

  • Guest
Re: Thorn Audax Mk1 value?
« Reply #6 on: November 21, 2014, 10:44:10 AM »
Hi,

I've had a mk1 Audax for a few years (bought second hand), but it's unlikely to ever be used as I don't subscribe to the N+1 way of thinking.   It's rust free, though has been used a lot so the surface paintwork is marked quite a bit.   It is black, 56cm (ETT) and has the original Thorn/Audax/Reynolds decals.

Anyone suggest its potential value (frame and forks)?   Is it worth stripping it and having it powder-coated, or better as is?

cheers,
Doug

Hello,
This bike is worth approximately nothing!
But it is worth riding and keeping if it fits you. After many Years and numerous bikes I have experienced some great loss financially. However this can be viewed as 'expenses' of a great hobby?
But as I mentioned earlier the bike is only really worth what someone is 'willing' to pay. Out of date parts and an old out of style frame. One day when you are old (er) the frame will be a 'collectors' item.
What is a 'collector'?
A collector is someone who finds that nobody wants to buy what the collector has 'collected'!
Regards,
John

Far-Oeuf

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 134
Re: Thorn Audax Mk1 value?
« Reply #7 on: November 22, 2014, 09:22:32 PM »
seems around £300-350 for a 'good' complete bike is a guide.   The build quality of this particular Audax is what convinced me to continue with the CT.  The lugged frame has perfect joins, there's braze-ons for everything (more than on the CT4), it has an understated colour-scheme, etc.   1" threaded headset and caliper brakes rule it out for me, unfortunately.

a poor photo, but you get the jist...


Danneaux

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8287
  • reisen statt rasen
Re: Thorn Audax Mk1 value?
« Reply #8 on: November 22, 2014, 10:45:27 PM »
Doug,

This is still a remarkable bike. I'd suggest a cleanup (clean and shine, remove the tape residue) and fresh photos for posting. You've a good, undistracting background to show it off. I think you'll come out of it with a respectable price, based on what's shown here. Will you be selling it as a frame alone, or pretty much as pictured? If the latter, I think I'd remove the "onesie" parts shown -- a single brake lever and caliper, single (front) downtube shift lever and rear derailleur adjustable stop, rear mudguard, taillight mount, single bottle cage.

It's been my experience people are put off by such things and the need to find a half-match rather than viewing them as "value-added" extras (which they are). Alternatively, you could reinstall the mates to the parts that are there and come out pretty well I think.

Others may differ, but this has been my experience and that of a friend who is using eBay to liquidate his used-bike shop after 25 years in business.

Hopefully helpful,

Dan.

Far-Oeuf

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 134
Re: Thorn Audax Mk1 value?
« Reply #9 on: November 22, 2014, 11:22:23 PM »
absolutely helpful Dan.  this is just a third of a way through the strip/clean process.  the THORN logo is very slight sparkly, which makes the frame even better.   stuck seat-post is bringing things back down to earth, boiling water not yet enough to shift it...

thanks, Dan.

leftpoole

  • Guest
Re: Thorn Audax Mk1 value?
« Reply #10 on: November 23, 2014, 11:04:45 AM »
absolutely helpful Dan.  this is just a third of a way through the strip/clean process.  the THORN logo is very slight sparkly, which makes the frame even better.   stuck seat-post is bringing things back down to earth, boiling water not yet enough to shift it...

thanks, Dan.


Stuck seatpost? Nightmare for most.
What size is the frameset and how much do you actually want or envisage value?
Regards,
John