On this page I have

• My suggestions on how to determine the value of a bicycle
• Interesting Highwheel accessories

Suggestions on how to determine the value of a bicycle

NOTICE TO EBAY'ERS: November 14, 2005 An eBay seller (item number: 6579317909) has linked to this page without my permission. Please note that I do not believe his bicycle is an original. All the parts in the photos look to be reproductions - the cranks, handlebars, brake, seat parts, rear wheel do not look like originals, nor do they look like they were originals "upgraded". One big giveaway is the front hub: notice how the hub flanges are welded to the axle. No original highwheel was ever so crude. The front wheel bearings appear to be modern sealed bearings. Please bid with caution. Thank you. Robert I get a fair amount of email from folks asking what their bicycle is worth. Unless it's a highwheel, I really don't know. And keep in mind that anything old is only worth whatever someone will pay for it. Just because someone has a highwheel for sale for $10,000 doesn't mean it's worth it. What follows is based on what the final auction prices I've seen on eBay and what I've noticed through the Wheelmen newsletter advertisements. These are not price guarantees, nor will I buy your bike for these prices (because my wife doesn't want me to spend any more money on bikes!). For a regular old highwheel, reasonably complete, and not rusted through, figure a ballpark price between $1,000 and $4,000. If a buyer is looking for a riding bike, you'll get less if the bike doesn't have ball bearings in the wheels and pedals. Most riders seem to prefer a hammock saddle, so leaf-spring models also bring in less. Highwheel safety bikes command more money. An Eagle (with the small wheel in the front) will start in the $8,000 to $10,000 range. A Star (also with the small wheel in front, but uses ratchets instead of pedals) will also start in the $8,000 to $10,000 range. Springfield Roadsters (another ratchet drive, but with the big wheel in the front) are about double that: $15,000 to $20,000, provided you find one. If you have a bike other than a highwheel, I suggest logging on to eBay and searching for a bike like the one you have. Be sure to check the "completed" items as well so you'll know what the bike(s) actually sold for.

Highwheel accessories

There's some neat accessories for a highwheel. Unfortunately, some of them are worth as much as the highwheel itself. (How'd that happen? Because all the little gadgets that people put on highwheels tended to break after a few years. Then they were removed from the bike, put in a drawer or thrown away, and over time they disappeared. They cost a fortune now because they're just next to impossible to find.) Billings and Spenser "Made for Pope Mfg Co" wrench. Cyclometer Hub lamp A highwheel friend gave me an 1897 Billings and Spenser wrench, which works great. Still, I really wanted an official "Made for Pope Mfg" Billings and Spenser wrench. As I was creating this page, I spotted one on eBay. It's a bit pitted, but heck--so was my bike. So I bought it. When it arrives I'll try to take a clear photo of the stamping. Wrenches will run between $10 and $50, depending on condition.   My highwheel had the remnant of a cyclometer on it. Cyclometers in the highwheel days were notoriously inaccurate, but that didn't stop people from buying them. Recently on ebay this wonderful Spaulding Alarm Cyclometer appeared. When I saw it, the price was already at $1,600. I figured it'd go up at least $500 more by the time bidding ended. It finally sold for $2.600. The seller was kind enough to take some photos of the cyclometer next to a ruler so you can get an idea of its size. (Photos by Vince Whalen. Thanks, Vince!) Here they are: Here's a front view of the cyclometer: Here's a closeup of the face. Sorry it's not a straight-on view! Here's the side view. The purpose of the weight on a stick was to make the cyclometer's face viewable while you were riding. The cyclometer mounts on the front wheel hub. Hub lamps also mounted on the hub, so you had to decide if you wanted to know how far you've ridden or if you wanted to ride at night. Stories from the 1880s told of how poorly made hub lamps would come apart in the wheel, usually resulting in the parts jamming in the spokes and causing a header. Ouch! Hub lamps, in decent condition, run between $1000 and $2000 on eBay. Even in bad condition they bring in about $1000. I haven't seen enough repro hub lamps to get an idea of their worth, but by coincidence, one repo hub lamps appeared on eBay as I was creating this page. I'll try to get permission to copy the photo, and I'll report on the selling price when it's available.