Betty fore resale value

[peec...@yahoo.com]

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.

[Bill Lindsay]

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

[Roberta]

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

[Roberta]

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.

[J J]

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 

[Max S]

LOL... "make a profit..."  that's a line of thinking I am guilty of as well... Adjusting for inflation, $2,000 in 2009 is about $3,100 in 2026. 

And, of course, the market always speaks. Some people like the "short" wheelbase of the older Rivs, so who knows. 

- Max "who has a 58cm Yves Gomez that's been freshly repainted and handsomely appointed that he'd consider letting go to a good home" in A2 

[Johnny Alien]

My experience is that the "golden era" means something to some of the old heads here (of which I am one) but generally is not a real thing for most people. I see the current line up of Riv bikes consistently selling faster and for more money than the classic ones. The Rambouillet is a good example. That is a fantastic road bike that was made in Japan during what I think is peak Rivendell but often sells for well under what a current Roadini would sell for.

[Joe Bernard]

I think the dealbreaker for many with "golden era" Rivs is tire size and road caliper brakes. Modern Rivs mostly run v-brakes with lots of room for big tires, they bring the money. 

[Jason Fuller]

I think a combination of "half retail" and "inflation corrected" is a good place to start. One might argue that inflation is not relevant, but I would argue that because Rivendell componentry and frame "technology" is basically unchanged between then and now, it's fair to include inflation for an apples-to-apples comparison.  A Rivendell shouldn't depreciate as fast as an average consumer bike due to their timeless qualities. They shouldn't appreciate in value either, because they are more of a tool than an art piece, but I think it's fair to get most of your money back out of one, even 20 years later. 

All this said and based on what I've seen similar era Rivendells go for, I'd suggest $1500 - 1800 is a fair price if it's in good shape.  I've seen them posted for less as well as a lot more, but I think that's about where you'll get a sale in a reasonable amount of time without undercutting yourself. 

[J J]

Max, that is a lovely example of an Yves Gomez. Is the warm golden mustard (or butterscotchy?) color based on any of Riv’s official production colors? The muted tone is very beautiful and perfect for the bike. Great pic, too!

On Friday, July 4, 2025 at 3:45:30 PM UTC-4 Max S wrote:

[Ryan]

It looks like the Harvest Gold option offered for custom frame orders in the early 2000's but I could be mistaken. It's a great color which subtly changes depending on lighting indoors or out. Very nice bike Max...maybe you can tell us what color it is. 

[Max S]

Thanks, JJ. To answer your and Ryan's question, I believe it's a "pencil yellow" – https://encycolorpedia.com/e19526 – “…RGB color model #e19526 is comprised of 88.24% red, 58.43% green and 14.9% blue. In the HSL color space #e19526 has a hue of 36° (degrees), 76% saturation and 52% lightness”  It does respond very nicely to different lighting conditions, and is just lovely. 

BTW, 42 mm tires fit without problem (without fenders, that is). 

[Patrick Moore]

I forget where I heard it, but I also have heard that 1/2 of retail is a good starting point for estimating the FS price for a used item in good condition and ready to use but not completely overhauled. 

[Bill Lindsay]

- Max "who has a 58cm Yves Gomez that's been freshly repainted and handsomely appointed that he'd consider letting go to a good home" in A2 

Well, I have offered $1000 for a 58cm Betty Foy/Yves Gomez frame and fork on this list before, and that offer holds for you Max.  Let me know if you want to let me buy yours :)

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

[J S]

I'd love to find a Betty or a  Yves Gomez in a 52cm. After my last fall I think a step through would be very prudent. 

[Roberta]

Max—your bike is gorgeous!!!!

Roberta