Copake Bicycle Auction October 2024 Recap

The 32nd Copake bicycle auction took place on October 12, 2024. With that auction in the history books now, let's take a look at prices on roadsters and similar utility bikes.

Overall, prices on utility bikes were quite low. Given the effects of inflation in the US market and the rise of electric bicycles gradually replacing traditional bikes, it seems like prices are down in much of the vintage bike hobby.  

[Note - the final price to the buyer is often higher when taxes, fees, and buyer's premium are thrown in. If the bike is to be shipped, the price of shipping also has to be considered. While these prices are pretty low on paper, the buyer's final "out of pocket" cost may be considerably higher].

This very clean men's 22-inch Raleigh DL-1 sold for $270. Given the outstanding condition, that's a pretty good bargain. The 22-inch frame is also a desirable frame size, given that it is paired with 28-inch wheels on the DL-1. Someone got a good deal.

 

 

The ladies companion to the men's DL-1 also sold. It also was in excellent condition. Being a ladies' bike, it sold for less money. At $210, it was not a bad deal at all.

This much older ladies' roadster also sold. At $180, it was not a bad buy, given it is a pretty well-equipped bike. Sadly, many of these bikes end up disassembled for parts for men's bikes. They deserve preservation in their own right, but at $180, you're often looking at something that will be parted-out.

This interesting Swiss Army bicycle sold for just $210. You'll often see these priced in the $400-$650 range online, but this example sold for a lower price. Someone got a very good deal, given how much these usually sell for. Swiss Army bikes have a collector interest apart from just "old bike people". Vintage military item collectors and Swiss Army collectors (think people who collect Swiss Army Knives) also like these bikes. Switzerland is a mountainous country, but the preference was for a single-speed bike there. They must get off the bike and push it uphill pretty often...

A slightly different item is this semi-custom Raleigh Lenton. This is a classic 1950s Lenton that has had a few upgrades, but everything looks pretty tastefully done. It sold for $360, which is a pretty good deal for a classic Lenton with decent upgrades. I have a beautiful, 1953 Lenton in that same color and size that I recently rebuilt, and which was a restoration winner in the 2024 Bikeforums "On the Road Again Challenge" (see HERE).

Final Thoughts

The prices on classic utility bikes and roadsters haven't jumped compared to previous years. They still are one of the more affordable categories in the vintage bike hobby. [For a contrast - look at how vintage BMX and mountain bike prices are through the roof the past few years]. Vintage "3 speed" style bikes are still a great way to own and ride an old bike, without breaking the bank. The one downside, I think, is that the past few Copake auctions have been pretty thin on classic utility bikes. One of their auctions a few years ago did have a nice variety of three speed bikes at good prices, but 2024, like the past couple auctions, had only a few of these bikes on offer. The prices were pretty buyer-friendly, but hopefully we will see more of these bikes turn up in future auctions.