How Much for a Van Nicholas Bike?

Alan Scurrell has the chance to buy a six month old Van Nicholas bike which has Shimano 105 and Ultegra equipment. He wants to know what we think about Van Nicholas, titanium and most difficultly, how much he should pay for it

How Much for a Van Nicholas Bike?

Alan Scurrell has the chance to buy a six month old Van Nicholas bike which has Shimano 105 and Ultegra equipment. He wants to know what we think about Van Nicholas, titanium and most difficultly, how much he should pay for it.

Question: Hi
Got the opportunity to buy a second hand Van Nicholas Euros, less than 6 months old.
It’s 105 groupset [10 speed] with Ultegra STI’s,
San Marco era fx saddle, Van Nicholas finishing kit, FSA RD-80 wheels, Van Nich full carbon forks, the chainset is a compact.
I know it’s difficult but any ideas how much it’s worth [approx].
I’m told it’s in good condition and genuine sale,
any help appreciated and thoughts / experiences on the bike [positive or negative] greatly appreciated.
The reason i’m looking for titanium is because i have a chronic back problem and i’ve been told titanium absorbs some of the buzz whilst riding ?
many thanks Alan.

Hi Alan,
The Van Nicholas bike is a good looking machine, made from 3AL/2.5v Ti aerospace grade cold-worked, tapered titanium. It has semi compact design with all the advantages of titanium tubes with carbon forks, a very nice frame indeed.

Shimano 105 is good enough even to race on, but if it has some Ultegra then all the better, the FSA wheels are not the best on the market, but are a fair set of wheels. Al the other parts are of sufficient quality to make this a well designed and built bike.

A friend of mine had a Van Nicholas (with a different name) and I know many people who have Airborne titanium frames, which are nearly the same, they are very pleased with there bikes and they have still got them without any problems eight years later.

OK the price? This is always difficult as second hand bikes are only worth what you can get for them, it’s a buyers market. Let’s start with a new Van Nicholas with the same equipment. I’ve looked around at I found one at 2,000 euros for the complete bike. A new Van Nicholas frame costs around 1,000 euros. So from this if you are sure its only six months old then if it’s less than 1,500 euros I think you are getting a bargain.

As to your back problem, titanium is more forgiving than Alloy and as you say it can take some of the road vibrations away, you also might find that it is much more comfortable on a long ride. Good luck with your new bike and let us know how you get on.

Van Nicholas Bike