That’s an interesting rule of thumb — I wonder where the “good used = half retail” idea comes from? I’ve always thought, as alluded to, that there are many other factors at play that determine price: market demand, age of item, inflation, scarcity (related to sizes, production runs, place of manufacture), how much of a cult following something has, even regional interest, etc. Also, the metrics for "good used" are highly subjective and variable. With bikes like the Betty Foy/Yves Gomez — long-discontinued, a bit of a Rivendell legend for being the second Rivendell mixte model after the fabulous Wilbury/Glorius, and arguably more “golden age Riv” and desirable than current models *especially for those who prefer shorter wheelbases for any number of reasons* — the value can really float above simple formulas, depending on who’s looking.
So while half retail might work as a rough starting point, the real-world market (especially for niche bikes like these and scarce components) tends to be a lot less predictable. And that's before factoring in current new bike prices, which are affected by ongoing political and economic policies. Jim On Friday, July 4, 2025 at 1:43:03 PM UTC-4 Roberta wrote: > It might have been $1300. I really don’t remember. Also, this bike was for > sale in New York city, so more likely to command a higher price and more > potential buyers. > On Friday, July 4, 2025 at 1:32:30 PM UTC-4 Roberta wrote: > >> Bill – – one day perhaps I’ll offer you my 58 Betty Foy for sale but >> today isn’t the day! It’s a perfect city bike for me and I love it for >> that. I love it for my longer rides too >> >> It isn’t short wheelbase to me compared to non-Riv bikes, But it IS a >> short-*er *wheelbase than current Rivs. I think my 2019 homer and this >> Betty from early production run have similar wheelbase. >> >> Peech — I bought my Betty Foy complete about two years ago for about >> $1400-1600. The owner was a mechanic so I didn’t need to do anything and >> could ride it as is. The frame was in decent shape, no dents, a few >> areas beginning to rust. However, for me, it was within a 2 Hour Drive so >> I could look, test ride it, and bring it home with me without any shipping >> costs or fears that it would be damaged in shipping, or worse not even >> shipped. For this, I was willing to pay a more. >> >> I have seen others in worse shape for less money. And one beautiful Yves >> Gomez for less money. >> >> Roberta >> >> On Friday, July 4, 2025 at 11:36:38 AM UTC-4 Bill Lindsay wrote: >> >>> It depends. In a just world, everything in good condition but used >>> should be half-retail. A complete Betty Foy retailed for $2000 or >>> thereabouts, so any fair minded person would want to see a good used Betty >>> Foy for $1000, and a used Betty Foy needing a lot of new consumables well >>> under $1000. If it's just old, and essentially unused then maybe somewhat >>> more than half-retail would be appropriate. I built up a 52cm Betty Foy >>> for my wife (actually an Yves Gomez), and she barely rode it. I decided I >>> wanted one for myself in a 58 and offered the 52 in trade -OR- offered to >>> buy a 58 Betty frame set for $1000 -OR- offered to sell my 52 for $1000. >>> Somebody bought my Betty Foy frame set for $1000 and nobody came forward >>> to sell me a 58 frame for $1000. Nobody wanted to trade. Search the list >>> archive to see the post in 2022 when I was attempting that transaction. >>> >>> In an unjust 2025, a new Platypus is $4000, and a Betty Foy is a short >>> wheelbase, more retro, more "Rivendell Roots" more "golden age", sportier >>> Platypus, so it may be more desirable for a retro-Riv-fan. If you want to >>> get as many dollars as possible out of a stranger from that niche audience, >>> then try to get $3000 and see if you can find a determined buyer, and turn >>> a profit! >>> >>> In general, the bigger it is, the more it is worth. Big step-through >>> bikes are not common outside of Rivendell. Small step throughs are very >>> common. >>> >>> Bill Lindsay >>> El Cerrito, CA >>> >>> On Friday, July 4, 2025 at 7:24:15 AM UTC-7 [email protected] wrote: >>> >>>> Has anyone sold a Betty Foye, in good shape with the usual Riv >>>> components? At what price? Thanks. I appreciate the collective >>>> knowledge >>>> of this group. Happy 4th. >>> >>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/e959813f-3ef5-4343-afb4-d5fa18febaa5n%40googlegroups.com.
