Bike decals and their worth
07-25-06, 07:32 AM
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Bike decals and their worth
I have an ALAN ALU LS Triathlon frame i bought for $80. it was NOS and came with some really fugly yellow decals. The frame itself is beautiful, blue and clear colored annodized alum. I built it on a budget to be a commuter bike and i love it.
1) If i remove the decals, will i de-value the collectibility of the frame?
2) What would be a same way of removing the decals without scratching the frame? will a hairdryer work?
thanks for any advise
1) If i remove the decals, will i de-value the collectibility of the frame?
2) What would be a same way of removing the decals without scratching the frame? will a hairdryer work?
thanks for any advise
07-25-06, 07:58 AM
#2
Former Hoarder
I the frame is considered a collectible and you have no plan to restore it, then yes, removing the decals will devalue it. If it's a rider and not a significant collectible, go ahead and taje them off.
As for removing them, if there is not a clearcoat over them, then using a the hairdryer will work.
55/Rad
As for removing them, if there is not a clearcoat over them, then using a the hairdryer will work.
55/Rad
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07-25-06, 08:21 AM
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If it is so collectible that whether or not it has decals is an issue, then you probably shouldn't be riding it as a commuter. Road dings will also decrease the value, you should store it in a controlled environment!
If you only paid $80, then what are you hoping to get for it used? If you get 2 times what you paid, you will make $80... If this is the case (and I have no clue if it is the case) then I ask... Is riding a bike with fugly decals worth the possibility that you might make $80?
Personally, I think you should do whatever adds value to YOUR enjoyment of the bike. You are the one that matters. If you really love the bike you should plan on riding it forever and forget about resale value... If the decals bother you, and they aren't under clear coat, then take them off... If they are under the clear coat, you will probably not be happy with the results of removing them.
If you only paid $80, then what are you hoping to get for it used? If you get 2 times what you paid, you will make $80... If this is the case (and I have no clue if it is the case) then I ask... Is riding a bike with fugly decals worth the possibility that you might make $80?
Personally, I think you should do whatever adds value to YOUR enjoyment of the bike. You are the one that matters. If you really love the bike you should plan on riding it forever and forget about resale value... If the decals bother you, and they aren't under clear coat, then take them off... If they are under the clear coat, you will probably not be happy with the results of removing them.
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Slow Ride Cyclists of NEPA
People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
07-27-06, 12:11 AM
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Alan frames were sold with numerous other brand decals, so feel free to remove them. You could almost put anything on an Alan and it would be nigh on impossible for somebody to say that they weren't original decals. The only other frame that I have seen with more variants of decals were the Vitus aluminum frames.
