kkuchenski

Custom Built “Painted Hills Bike” from “7 Bikes for 7 Wonders” Contest

I won this incredible, custom-built woman’s touring bike during Travel Oregon’s “7 Bikes for 7 Wonders” contest.

Before the contest was held, Travel Oregon made promotional videos about this bike. Follow these links to learn more about how special this bike is:

https://rideoregonride.com/7-bikes-7-...ed-hills-bike/

https://www.roadbikereview.com/review...-painted-hills

https://traveloregon.com/trip-ideas/o...for-7-wonders/


Touring Bike for Woman 5’1”-5’6”
Built by “Igleheart Custom Frames and Forks”
Custom Paint by Keith Anderson
Wide 42mm tires
Disk brakes
Full Racks Front and Rear
Four canvas “Black Star Bags” saddle bags
Cabela’s Fly Fishing Rod
Fly rod carrying case below top tube
Three water bottle holders
Hand pump
Bell
Hub generator-powered headlight
Fitted, water-resistant bike cover

I was informed that the designer said this bike is worth $9,000 retail.
This is a one of a kind, custom-built bike—one of seven collectable bikes designed for the Travel Oregon contest.

Does anyone know how much I should ask for it?
Any suggestions of people I could contact?

psy

I'm by far no expert, and didn't bother to google the frame builder etc...but because its women's specific for a shorter lady, it probably hurts the value just a little. That said, I'd guess anywhere between 2000-3500 depending on components/ wheels etc and the market your selling in. And since it's a one off its really worth whatever someone's willing to pay in the end. If you want to sell it I'd try eBay.I'm sure someone else here knows better.
beautiful bike btw.

id ask 5000 and auction it if it was mine.

bwgride

You should identify specific components, by make and model, plus dimensions of bike, to obtain a more accurate estimate of the value. While the builder claims it is worth $9,000, it would be very difficult to find a buyer for that price. Anyone willing to spend that amount would more likely seek a custom frame and bike to match their body and style. From the pictures available, it is clear there are expensive components on the bike, but the pictures are not complete so those interested cannot see specifics.

ironwood

Ingleheart used to be in the Boston area and was well respected for his custom frames. He moved to the Northwest, probably that is now a center of bicycle innovation. Too bad it doesn't fit you. Maybe one of the other winners could trade with you.

tmac100

You can ask whatever you wish, BUT it is only worth what someone gives you. Who really knows?

djb

certainly an interesting bike. Hopefully you have time on your side and can figure out a realistic value, but also to take into account the fact that it is a special bike, so finding a buyer that is looking for this level of quality/cost may take a while.
I suspect taking your time to evaluate a price based on the parts etc etc and then advertising it in the right places (ie, to go after the right buyer--ie discerning, someone who knows the value of it and would be looking for something of this higher value) would be the smartest way to go at selling it.

I think its fair to say that folks who would willing to spend x thousands of dollars on a touring bike are going to be few and far between, so finding the right places to put word out about the bike would be better for you. In the end, you want to get the most for it, so finding the right market so to speak makes sense to me.
Around here in Montreal, a higher up touring bike is going to cost someone about $2000 can. so when you factor in the stuff with this bike--probably better components, the racks, the panniers, the hub generator, this doo dad and that doo dad--its not unrealistic to find someone who would be putting 3 or 4000 into a touring setup anyway, so we come back to "finding the market" so to speak.

good luck

chasm54

Lovely bike. If it fits you, I'd keep it.

If not, then I agree the difficulty is finding the right buyer. I'd Ebay it, with a reserve price (maybe $3000) because that's the way to reach the widest possible audience. Give it a detailed write-up including precise measurements, close-up photos and details of all the components, and include the links to the promotional videos etc. There's a pretty healthy market on Ebay for touring bikes, you should do OK.

djb

I dont have experience with ebay (and therefore wary of it and it going too low simply because the right people dont see the ad) but seems to me it wouldnt hurt doing some detailed ads in bike stores (if possible), outdoor stores (REI type stuff) and obviously places like this where you will get a much higher percentage of folks knowledgeable of the type of bike and value of it from the parts/design aspect.

as a very unique "package" ie the super neat paint job, matching bags, seat, etc etc, it would appeal to more well off older folks who have the disposable income to buy a cool pristine "turn key" touring package--know what I mean, kinda like selling any high end stuff, houses, cars, whatever, finding these folks would be my priority.

the uniqueness of the bike too would have added value, to someone who might think of being able to resell it at some point down the road.

ps, I'd visit some bike stores and get an idea of what someone would be putting out for a comparable quality (ish) touring bike+racks+panniers+Brooks seat+generator hub+ etc etc so you can get a real world figure of what joe blow would put out of pocket for a touring rig+stuff.

TheReal Houdini

Ebay is a good option but it will be challenging for a novice to provide enough detail to command the maximum price on bike in that value range. I would consider talking to local bike shops about a consignment sale either at a retail outlet or on-line. The difference between what you can get for the bike and what an industry insider can get should more than pay the consignment fee.

bikemig 

This is obviously a custom bike but I'm skeptical that it is collectible, either the bike or any of the gizmos that came with the bike. Anyone can go out and buy a nice custom bike like this.

Finding the right buyer will probably be tough and consignment in one of Portland's bike shops is probably the OP's best chance at maximizing a price on this. The OP is going to have to be realistic as to what this bike is worth because $9k is just marketing speak.

saddlesores

sure, but that's what the IRS is gonna appraise it as, since high value winnings like this
are included in income. what's your tax bracket? you might donate the bike to a
charity auction, and claim the $9000 deduction. might be worth more that what you
could get selling it.

TheReal Houdini

Let's assume the op's income is over 400K (more power to you), then you're in the 40% tax bracket and you'd be better off taking a 9K deduction on your taxes than a less than $3600 sales price....

Prolly you should sell the bike; financially speaking.

fietsbob

Run a Cinderella Contest , Marry the Woman it Fits?

djb

thou art a goof.
Now I would marry the woman it fits, but then I'm already married.

tedder

I assume you are in Portland? You should wheel it into Gladys Bike (Alberta, about E 28th). They focus (not exclusively) on selling to women, and occasionally take consignment bikes.

rawklobster

I have to agree... I'm building a custom frame with an insane amount of bells and whistles and it's only clocking in at around $6000. I can't believe I just said "only".

mev

Depending on the state, you'll also have state taxes. For example, 40K in Oregon is 9% (state) + 25% (federal) = 34%*$9000, greater than a $3000 sales price.

mstateglfr 

At $5000, someone could buy a custom frame and the exact components the want, from most builders around the country. That frame would be exactly what the customer wants in the exact color and in the exact size.
If I had $5000 to buy a touring bike, I wouldn't go for something that's already made.
That's just me, but I would think the market would be limited for a pre-made bike at that price.


You(earlier) mentioned it may be worth more because its collectible. Is it? I don't know any reason why it would be. Its just an incredibly good looking bike that was specially made.
I would think ebay would give you the widest audience and chance to sell it for max value.

djb

logically, the most important thing to do is to get a proper real life idea of what someone would be paying for a similarly equipped bike, so tallying up the cost of the components , racks, panniers, generator hub etc etc.

So if someone would be spending easily $ X on a touring bike, and all the doodads like racks, panniers etc, then selling a bike like this which will certainly have higher quality components than most stock bikes would not to too hard to sell at a X dollar higher price than someone is going to spend anyway.

the top selling points/attractions would be:
-nicer components (for anyone really into bikes, this is a real draw)
-a certain amount of doo dads that would cost less than if the person buys piece meal their own racks, panniers, etc etc
-and a certain cachet, or uniqueness to the bike, which Im sure to a real bike person would be an attraction

so in the end, for X more than they are realistically going to spend on a stock bike, or X less than they would spend on a custom bike, they get a cool bike that they are happy with as its a nicer bike than a stock whatever--not to mention that a custom build like this will most likely be assured that it is put together really well, wheels etc compared to a stock bike.

its the coming up with the cost of the doo hickies etc that will be important.

and yes, someone getting a custom frame is always going to be a preference, but given the height of person this bike was designed for, theres a good chance it would fit numerous people as is very well.
Heck, if on consignment, a store could easily include in the price stem changes that would fine tune it quite a bit, at little cost to the store/seller.

for me the bottom line is to go after bike people who really know bikes, and will appreciate the value of the bike overall, parts, design, uniqueness--and then put a price on it that will save them some money to whet their appetites even more (compared to them buying a custom bike on their own).

indyfabz

He was with Fat City in Somerville, MA. Fat City was an early builder of MTBs in the east. When Fat City moved to NY some of the people stayed in MA and started Independent Fabrication. Igleheart's resume doesn't mention him ever being with IF. I have an IF road bike. Interestingly, Igleheart's lettering design evokes the block lettering IF has used:

20th Anniversary Tee - All Gear

While the bike might retail for $9K based on what he charges (On his web sire he has extra charges for things like more than one set of eyelets and extra water bottle bosses), I don't think anyone would pay anywhere close to that amount for it, especially due to the limited market.

kkuchenski

Let's say my income is less than 15K (so I probably can't afford the taxes on this bike), then would it be smart to donate the bike to a charity?

kkuchenski

It fits me! And I am a woman! And I am already married!

My brother won it with me so it's a bit unfair to him to get nothing out it. And we can't pay the taxes. But I do want to keep it!

kkuchenski

I definitely see your point... I guess to considerate a "collectible" I would need to find a buyer with interest in all seven of the bikes Travel Oregon designed for the contest.

saddlesores

well, if you're married filing jointly with an income of under $15K you
shouldn't be paying any taxes at all.

djb

Excuse my ignorance, but why do taxes come into play? I wouldn't have thought that winning a microwave oven or whatever has to go onto your taxes. I realise winning a big sum of money that may be the case, but if you win a bike, and use it (of do whatever you want) why do taxes come into play.
Guess I shouldn't bring this up, but it's not something that would have occurred to me. Maybe it's diff in the states than here.

Good luck with this whole thing, not to mention the sibling side of it.