Review Details
1970s Crescent Swedish Steel Road Bicycle 56cm
Product Review (submitted on January 29, 2022):
These sport bikes are actually fairly common, especially in the European market due to being essentially high volume mass production models made during the 1970s "bike boom". The higher quality race bikes (Pepita Special, Pepita: professional high "300" series models) utilized Reynolds 531 lightweight frames with Nervex Professional lugs, Campagnolo frame/fork dropouts, and Campagnolo Nuovo Record groupsets (aluminum components, aluminum cotterless crankset). The next level below ("Sport", low "300" series models) had same frame with lower tier Campagnolo groupsets, et al. (aluminum components, cottered steel crankset). The advertised bike is of a "recreational" level (base "500" series models) easily identified by the lugless frame contruction, economy one piece steel "astabular" style crankset, spoke guard, and wide reinforced chain stay bridge for mounting a kickstand. There are mid to higher end models ("300" series) utilizing Super Vitus 971 tubing frames and Nervex Pro lugs. General value for "recreational" models is about $200-$300 depending on the market, condition, and components. Reynolds 531 and Super Vitus 971 frames (low to high "300" series models) value around $400-$600 depending on components and market. Also, high end frames were available in stainless steel which are probably the rarest and are valued at $800-$1200 or more. The advertised bike is listed at about 10 times its value. A mint condition "recreational" "500" series model with original components (including tires) would possibly be valued near $400.
I speak with experience as the owner of 2 Crescent Pepitas (320 model and 316 model), and I have nearly 100 quality handmade frames/bicycles made in England, Italy, France, Belgium, Sweden, Switzerland, Austria, Netherlands, USA, and Spain ranging from the 1930s to the present; and all but a very small percentage (5-10%) can be considered valued at $1000 (maximum value maybe at $3000) or more based on rarity and quality of the frame and/or components and condition. I can only advise that bikes of the example listed are still available at well under 50%-75% of the advertised price. If that bike actually has a market value of $2900 than I have bikes that are now worth $10,000 based on the valuation of this Cresent model.
