Waterford help
 

Hi guys. I am posting this for a friend who is looking for a value of his Waterford. He just recently purchased a new bike and with things the way they are this bike unfortunately has to go. He believes it is from the mid 90's so it is not really C&V but I figured being a Waterford you guys may know best. Components are Chorus 9.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...aterford-1.jpg

Hard to see much with my phone, but based on a couple of guys at the LBS who've tried to sell their Waterfords you really need to detail the specifics as much as you can. Waterford does a lot of custom geometry along with their standard geometry so getting good, clear, accurate, specific dimensions along with good pics will make a huge difference in finding the right buyer for it.

Price could be anywhere from $250-$2,000 depending upon the specifics of the bike. I know, not much help at all, but if a Waterford came my way close to my size and within reach of my budget I'd be all over it to the point of selling a couple of keeper bikes to get it.

I'll check on the geo specs. I do know it is around a 54 and is built with 853 tubing

Hmm, I'll take a stab at it...can't tell if it's aluminum or Ti, though.

Aluminum 54 frame, CF fork, Chorus 2x9 Ergos, Mavic aero rims w/Vittoria tires, looks like Selle Italia saddle, maybe a Flite or a Fusion, maybe Elite Ciussi cages, looks like a threaded headset with a quill adapter and modern stem. I see wiring but no cyclo. I'd say 1200-1500.

Ti 54 frame, CF fork, Chorus 2x9 Ergos, Mavic aero rims w/Vittoria tires, looks like Selle Italia saddle, maybe a Flite or a Fusion, maybe Elite Ciussi cages, looks like a threaded headset with a quill adapter and modern stem. I see wiring but no cyclo. I'd say 1200-1500.

-$15 for the bar wrap. Cinelli/Bontrager/Spira Italia, tons of folks make wrap that matches the tires and saddle.

I'd love to have it, and yeah, I'd sell a couple keepers to get it. 3 if it was Ti.

Thanks Robbie. The frame is Reynolds 853 steel.

Uh, OK.


Chro-mo steel 54cm frame, looks like CF fork, Chorus 2x9 Ergos, Mavic aero rims w/Vittoria tires, looks like Selle Italia saddle, maybe a Flite or a Fusion, maybe Elite Ciussi cages, looks like a threaded headset with a quill adapter and modern stem. I see wiring but no cyclo. I'd say 800-1200 solid.

-$15 for the bar wrap. Cinelli/Bontrager/Spira Italia, tons of folks make wrap that matches the tires and saddle.

I'd love to have it, and yeah, I'd sell a couple keepers to get it. Most folks that buy it would be a gaga if it was aluminum, but I prefer the steel. Problem is, when you start talking steel, the market shrinks, and for that money, some would prefer Italian and more vintage. Their loss, because the ride is probably as good as they're going to get on any steel bike, the components are just killer. When you start talking a grand, steel tend so lose its appeal to the broader bike market.

A sharp buyer who knows bikes will pay that. I would.

See if you can get a close up of the stickers or decals on the top tube and elsewhere, I might be wrong but I suspect something. I can't zoom in on the pic with enough clarity to make them out.

As to improving sales appeal I'd get rid of those tires, swap out the stem for something more "classic" looking, change the bar tape to a more conservative color, and put a basic black saddle of decent quality on it. Just my opinion but those are things that would trip my trigger if it fit me and I had the cash available.

edit to add pic:
Something along the lines of my ML

Ill get some closer pics for ya...........

Dump the ugly bar tape, ditch the Mavic decals and pitch the seat.

Seat: solid black
Bar tape: Should match one of the 2 frame colors
Tires: either leave the yellow (why?) or slap on a pair of cheap all balck Michelins for $13 each.

I'll say $800-1000.

If the aim is purely to sell, a makeover may help it sell, but will cut your return.
Take it in steps, and see what comes up.

1) Just remove: any yellow oval not on a rim (fork, seat post). Bar wrap. Excess top tube decals.
Cost: 0, and tell the buyer you'll give them a $20 for their choice of bar wrap. It works.

2) Step 1) above, and swap out what looks like an adapter and stem for quill while you're at it.
This may be a problem if that's an oversize (31.8) bar. Cost: $30, if a bar is needed, $20 more.

3) Steps 1) and 2) above, and swap out the saddle (I like that one, though) for a subtle one.
Cost: $30-$50 plus saddle difference of $30-$50, now you're at $60-$100 just to sell it.

4) Steps 1), 2) and 3) above, plus a tire change, which is $50-$80 for decent ones.
Cheap tires turn off people who'd spend $800-$1000 on a bike.
Cost now is $110-$180 and it's not even sold yet.

The rub is whether you have to spend $110-$180 just to attract a buyer who'd pay $1200 max. Your net may be $1000 if that works. However, with just removal of decals and wrap, you've spent nothing, done no work, and you may get the $1000.

I have friends who can, and do, spend $1000 on bikes, including some who buy nice Italian frames for $300-$400 and then another $500-$600 on a modern group, repaint, decals. They know about Waterfords, and would spend $800-$900 on that bike, then bring it to me to make it look the way they want it to. None would want it looking like that, mainly because they're older and not into the colors. (I have one who spent a lot of money to "quiet down" his P3C).

But I also have friends who like the yellow tires and the visibility of a colorful bike. Simply put, though, they are not into steel. One ride would probably cure that, but the trick is getting them on it.

+1 to the tempered voice of reason.