The more I search for a new lugged road frame, the better a Waterford looks
12-20-17, 09:41 PM
#51
Senior Member
I have a custom stainless frame from Anderson Custom Bicycles. It's not painted and so any scratch or ding in the finish is super easy to take care of unlike a painted frame.
Waterford, and even more so Gunnar (same company), are a very good value in frames. Gunnar is a cheaper version. Waterford is sort of the artisan version with fancy lugged frames, fancy finishes etc... The low end of Waterford is just a few hundred dollars more than the top end custom geometry of Gunnar.
I also have a Gunnar Crosshairs that was made with a custom geometry option for about $1400. The whole bike, originally a 105 bike but since upgraded to eTap, came in at around $2500 (a few years ago) - not something I could touch custom geometry in at that price point with standard off the shelf bikes.
Something else to look at is Habanero Cycles. I have been contemplating a custom geometry disc brake bike. Ti would be lighter than steel so this would likely be my choice there.
J.
Waterford, and even more so Gunnar (same company), are a very good value in frames. Gunnar is a cheaper version. Waterford is sort of the artisan version with fancy lugged frames, fancy finishes etc... The low end of Waterford is just a few hundred dollars more than the top end custom geometry of Gunnar.
I also have a Gunnar Crosshairs that was made with a custom geometry option for about $1400. The whole bike, originally a 105 bike but since upgraded to eTap, came in at around $2500 (a few years ago) - not something I could touch custom geometry in at that price point with standard off the shelf bikes.
Something else to look at is Habanero Cycles. I have been contemplating a custom geometry disc brake bike. Ti would be lighter than steel so this would likely be my choice there.
J.
12-20-17, 09:46 PM
#52
Senior Member
Yep. Same shop/factory with two brands for different price points.
12-20-17, 10:23 PM
#53
Aluminium Crusader :-)
I understand if you want something nice, custom and schmick, but if you're open to a bargain, I highly recommend the Holdsworth Competition from Planet X. The frames, made with Columbus Spirit, are currently 600 GBP on Planet X, which, less the VAT, is $670 USD on today's exchange rates (plus postage, of course). Columbus Spirit usually costs at least 2 or 3 times as much
I've got one, and the more I ride it, the more I like it. The only downside is that mine didn't come with a headset.
They're not light -- my size L is 1840g, bare, no fork -- but the big tubes and huge head-tube makes it quite stiff for steel.
They come in these two colours. Neither of these are mine
I've got one, and the more I ride it, the more I like it. The only downside is that mine didn't come with a headset.
They're not light -- my size L is 1840g, bare, no fork -- but the big tubes and huge head-tube makes it quite stiff for steel.
They come in these two colours. Neither of these are mine
12-21-17, 06:55 AM
#54
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Waterford has been making high end bikes since the Schwinn Paramount days. Loved those when I was young. Quality frames and beautiful paint jobs. Obviously, you can find great bikes at cheaper prices but if I had the coin to spend, I cannot think of too many I'd rather have. Pegoretti,.... Pretty short list.
02-02-18, 10:11 PM
#56
Aluminium Crusader :-)
Incidentally, the Holdsworth Competition is currently on sale for 450 GBP, which should be cheaper without the vat
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FRHOCO...ition-frameset
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FRHOCO...ition-frameset
02-05-18, 10:03 AM
#57
Senior Member
I was actually going to buy a custom Gunnar Roadie but it came out to be the same price as a Waterford. Waterford hadn't yet inflated their prices as they had on the Gunnar and everything I spec'd on the Gunnar that increased its price came included with the Waterford.
I'm so excited to get this bike built! Its going to be a Campy Chorus build with a mix of Thomson/King/Hed parts.
02-06-18, 04:10 PM
#58
Senior Member
Mine has not shipped yet. I ordered it around 12/20, but if I'm 10 days behind you I guess I should assume mine will follow shortly after yours.
I was actually going to buy a custom Gunnar Roadie but it came out to be the same price as a Waterford. Waterford hadn't yet inflated their prices as they had on the Gunnar and everything I spec'd on the Gunnar that increased its price came included with the Waterford.
I'm so excited to get this bike built! Its going to be a Campy Chorus build with a mix of Thomson/King/Hed parts.
I was actually going to buy a custom Gunnar Roadie but it came out to be the same price as a Waterford. Waterford hadn't yet inflated their prices as they had on the Gunnar and everything I spec'd on the Gunnar that increased its price came included with the Waterford.
I'm so excited to get this bike built! Its going to be a Campy Chorus build with a mix of Thomson/King/Hed parts.
J.
02-07-18, 01:17 AM
#59
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I don't know how they can keep some of their custom frames selling at such reasonable prices. I wonder how many hours are actually spent on each bike and how many they build each year. Is every facet custom? I love the Waterford's, and frankly that Holdsworth was pretty darn fine as well.
I just picked up a Speedvagen. Went the custom route with quite a few upgrades like carbon seat tube, integrated bar/stem painted to match, and a painted to match Envy seat mast topper. Did a personalized fitting, and then waited about 10 weeks for build and delivery.
I just picked up a Speedvagen. Went the custom route with quite a few upgrades like carbon seat tube, integrated bar/stem painted to match, and a painted to match Envy seat mast topper. Did a personalized fitting, and then waited about 10 weeks for build and delivery.
02-07-18, 10:02 PM
#60
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Mine has not shipped yet. I ordered it around 12/20, but if I'm 10 days behind you I guess I should assume mine will follow shortly after yours.
I was actually going to buy a custom Gunnar Roadie but it came out to be the same price as a Waterford. Waterford hadn't yet inflated their prices as they had on the Gunnar and everything I spec'd on the Gunnar that increased its price came included with the Waterford.
I'm so excited to get this bike built! Its going to be a Campy Chorus build with a mix of Thomson/King/Hed parts.
I was actually going to buy a custom Gunnar Roadie but it came out to be the same price as a Waterford. Waterford hadn't yet inflated their prices as they had on the Gunnar and everything I spec'd on the Gunnar that increased its price came included with the Waterford.
I'm so excited to get this bike built! Its going to be a Campy Chorus build with a mix of Thomson/King/Hed parts.
02-08-18, 03:31 PM
#61
Senior Member
i just joined this forum today because i'm starting the journey of a custome steel frame build. have been leaning towards waterford with record and king/hed stuff (pretty much exactly what you're doing). can i ask how you plan to build it? did you order everything through your local shop?
02-16-18, 09:33 AM
#62
Senior Member
02-16-18, 01:04 PM
#63
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I'm working through FitWerx. They are a shop/fitting studio. The guy who owns it has a great relationship with Waterford so he is the one in communication. With them. As far as my parts, I've ordered them through him and there has been little if any mark up over going direct to an online retailer. In fact in some cases I've come out ahead. So far it's been a good experience
now i have to go listen to elvis costello.
02-18-18, 09:52 PM
#64
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My ST-14 frame arrived at Vecchios about two weeks ago and I picked the bike on Feb 10. The frame has high stack and short reach, with the hope that I'll be able to ride it into my 70s, which is starting to seem not so far away. The bike has Ultegra 8000 components, Zipp stem, handlebars and seat post, VO Grand Cru long reach rim brakes, the new Mavic OpenPro UST rims, 32c gatorskins. I picked it up during a snow storm, had a couple of very short rides after work last week and a longer ride yesterday. It is a dramatic change from my 1991 Cannondale ST600, which is the only other road bike I've ridden in the last 27 years, apart from a few short test rides on the Roubaix and Diverge, so I can't compare it to other modern bikes. The frame geometry is closer to the Diverge, and the ride seems similar, as best as I recall from a test ride 4 months ago, very stable. Even with 20 to 30 mph winds yesterday, it was an awesome ride. I plan to move some spacers to lower the handle bars and might cut the steerer tube a little shorter if it turns out I really don't need the height.
The colour is Waterford's chameleon metallic. Not the best pictures - I'll add some outdoor pictures later.
The colour is Waterford's chameleon metallic. Not the best pictures - I'll add some outdoor pictures later.
Last edited by GailT; 02-18-18 at 10:02 PM. Reason: add pictures
02-18-18, 10:29 PM
#66
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That paint is amazing! Beautiful.
02-19-18, 08:08 AM
#67
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My ST-14 frame arrived at Vecchios about two weeks ago and I picked the bike on Feb 10. The frame has high stack and short reach, with the hope that I'll be able to ride it into my 70s, which is starting to seem not so far away. The bike has Ultegra 8000 components, Zipp stem, handlebars and seat post, VO Grand Cru long reach rim brakes, the new Mavic OpenPro UST rims, 32c gatorskins. I picked it up during a snow storm, had a couple of very short rides after work last week and a longer ride yesterday. It is a dramatic change from my 1991 Cannondale ST600, which is the only other road bike I've ridden in the last 27 years, apart from a few short test rides on the Roubaix and Diverge, so I can't compare it to other modern bikes. The frame geometry is closer to the Diverge, and the ride seems similar, as best as I recall from a test ride 4 months ago, very stable. Even with 20 to 30 mph winds yesterday, it was an awesome ride. I plan to move some spacers to lower the handle bars and might cut the steerer tube a little shorter if it turns out I really don't need the height.
The colour is Waterford's chameleon metallic. Not the best pictures - I'll add some outdoor pictures later.
The colour is Waterford's chameleon metallic. Not the best pictures - I'll add some outdoor pictures later.
i have to ask. are you a pretty tall guy? what frame size would this be similar to?
02-19-18, 10:03 AM
#68
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I'm about 6' 4", my Cannondale ST600 is a 25" frame, and this is very roughly similar to that, although a little lower standover height with the sloped top tube, slightly steeper 74 degree seat tube angle, shorter top tube, taller head tube, so it's very much an endurance frame geometry.
02-21-18, 07:44 AM
#69
Senior Member
My ST-14 frame arrived at Vecchios about two weeks ago and I picked the bike on Feb 10. The frame has high stack and short reach, with the hope that I'll be able to ride it into my 70s, which is starting to seem not so far away. The bike has Ultegra 8000 components, Zipp stem, handlebars and seat post, VO Grand Cru long reach rim brakes, the new Mavic OpenPro UST rims, 32c gatorskins. I picked it up during a snow storm, had a couple of very short rides after work last week and a longer ride yesterday. It is a dramatic change from my 1991 Cannondale ST600, which is the only other road bike I've ridden in the last 27 years, apart from a few short test rides on the Roubaix and Diverge, so I can't compare it to other modern bikes. The frame geometry is closer to the Diverge, and the ride seems similar, as best as I recall from a test ride 4 months ago, very stable. Even with 20 to 30 mph winds yesterday, it was an awesome ride. I plan to move some spacers to lower the handle bars and might cut the steerer tube a little shorter if it turns out I really don't need the height.
The colour is Waterford's chameleon metallic. Not the best pictures - I'll add some outdoor pictures later.
The colour is Waterford's chameleon metallic. Not the best pictures - I'll add some outdoor pictures later.
Can I ask if you spec'd the rear triangle to accept 32 or is that the norm? Stiiiilllllll waiting on mine
02-24-18, 04:51 PM
#71
Senior Member
I recently got a set of tubeless wheels (HED Belgium+, DTSwiss 240 hubs, CX-Ray spokes - <1500g) and mounted them up tubeless with the Schwalbe G-one speed in 30c. Very fast set up, amazingly light for a clincher and just a super plush ride. Be worth it to try those on that frame if they would fit.
J
03-22-18, 11:22 AM
#73
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Great color. Enjoy.