What is it with Klein Mantra's and 'the bay'.

[NeilM]

I really like the look of the Klein Mantra, I always have, and nearly bought one brand new from Mud Dock when they were first released.

Discovering the whole retrobiker scene, my eyes once again turned to the Mantra, more as a play thing, rather than a serious offroad bike, due to it's well known shortcomings. With this thought in mind, I started cruising 'the bay' and other s/h ads, finding quite a few very sensibly priced bikes, but all too small for me.

I don't know if it's the onset of summer, or the apparent growth in popularity of RB's, but just recently there seems to be a spate of Mantra's coming up for sale, that are owned by people who are either very proud of their bikes, and think them a design icon, or are completely deluded as to their value.

I know it's a free market and all that, but c'mon guys, get real here.

Is it just me being a grumpy old biker, or are some of these guys just taking the proverbial?

And there endeth todays hot weather induced rant....and breathe two three four

 

[02gf74]

I know it's a free market and all that, but c'mon guys, get real here.

Is it just me being a grumpy old biker, or are some of these guys just taking the proverbial?

they are only worth what someone will pay, and as a seller, you always start high and then drop the price.

 

[jax13]

klein... over priced??? I'd never have believed it!!!


you only need to look at the price entry to mid level marin, gt, spesh & konas fetch regularly to realise either as lot of people want a retro ride OR thet cant afford a new one so they go for an older one without knowing its 'real' value.

those not fully clued up may also look at the price other more valuable kleins reach and decide a value that way.

 

[NeilM]

they are only worth what someone will pay, and as a seller, you always start high and then drop the price.

That's OK in private / classified ads, but when a starting price on ebay is over a grand or when people bid for seven days and the bike still does not make the reserve, then it is obvious to all (except the seller apparently) that the expected price is too high.

And don't get me started on the terms 'rare' and 'vintage', neither of which apply to the Mantra.

 

[Raging_Bulls]

I too notice that the prices of 90s bikes has been on the rise since before last winter, but Mantras are way overpriced indeed.

I wouldn't worry about the shortcomings too much. The early Mantras had a tendency to crack indeed, but the later ones are much better due to the revised rear section.
Just get one of the later models, and you'll be fine.

 

[lrh]

£300
http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/rare-klein-mantra-comp-mountain-bike/103143015

£450
http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/gary-klein-mountain-bike/100488185

£500 but also on the 'Bay right now
http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/rare-klein-mantra-comp-mountain-bike/102504971

 

[NeilM]

I rest my case m'lud.

First one is sensibly priced, middle one is pushing it... hard, third one is OTT, given that the ones that have actually sold on ebay recently have all finished at or under £300.

And those three are nothing in comparison to some I have seen.

 

[Raging_Bulls]

Well, in all fairness the last one is the only reliable one. The others are prone to cracking.

 

[amedias]

and the last one is much better specced as well. Advertised at £500 normally means will go for ~ 400 - 450 if cash waived in sellers face so it's not badly priced.

 

[lrh]

Don't think £350-£450 is too bad for a mint bike that was £1,500+ new. Hardtails that were ~£1k new usually go for £200+

I just bought a barely used 98 Pulse Comp out of the classifieds and paid 63% of the asking price using eBay prices as evidence.