N + 1 = DONE ? plus the worst packing job ever seen!
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
N + 1 = DONE ? plus the worst packing job ever seen!
Stick a fork in me. I am done. Complete. There is no other grail bike left in the wild I must have.
I’m certain. (Really!)
It arrived in the snow storm last night, and presented as the worst possible OTT stupid packing job ever, EVER, inflicted on a bike.
(OKAY. OP Edit: It is not the "worst", but it sure was utterly stupid. And the seller was given all sorts of photos and explanations of why it really would be better to let a bike shop do it. . .!)
Box without THIS SIDE UP or any indications of top or bottom. The shipping guy brought it from the back of the truck in an end-over-end, carried to my door, plopped it on one end and, when the door was open, just end-over-ended into the house.
Surprisingly, very little damage beyond a couple unnecessary new scratches from the loose wheels.
The seller spent nearly $400 for the “packing” (sic) and shipping. He felt the bike “too perfect” to submit to the indignity of, say, removing seat post, saddle or pedals. But then he left it at a UPS shop to be “packed by professionals!” More like the minimum wage kid in the back room. Let’s just say that the negotiations for this bike have taken months and months. The seller required, shall we say, delicate conversations.
Four lightweight cardboard boxes cut up and taped into one box. One thin, single wrap of lightweight bubble wrap. Insert bike with loose wheels. Fill to top with 1.5 million Styrofoam peanuts! ! ! OMG.
Not sure if RD cage isn’t a bit bent, but the bike is up on my stand now for deep cleaning, etc. The forks miraculously escaped damage. Cables took a hit, but they need replacing, anyway. With that snow on the ground, I’ll not be riding this for a few days.
Teaser photos. I actually forgot to take a full frame photo last night. But it will give an idea of why I'm a happy lad.
I really want to ride this – NOW! It hasn’t been ridden since the ‘80s and I’m a bit worried about both tires and saddle. No snow ride, at least for it's first test run. I can swap out wheels and saddle, but I probably have to wait for dry(er) roads.
Sated.
:-)
I’m certain. (Really!)
It arrived in the snow storm last night, and presented as the worst possible OTT stupid packing job ever, EVER, inflicted on a bike.
(OKAY. OP Edit: It is not the "worst", but it sure was utterly stupid. And the seller was given all sorts of photos and explanations of why it really would be better to let a bike shop do it. . .!)
Box without THIS SIDE UP or any indications of top or bottom. The shipping guy brought it from the back of the truck in an end-over-end, carried to my door, plopped it on one end and, when the door was open, just end-over-ended into the house.
Surprisingly, very little damage beyond a couple unnecessary new scratches from the loose wheels.
The seller spent nearly $400 for the “packing” (sic) and shipping. He felt the bike “too perfect” to submit to the indignity of, say, removing seat post, saddle or pedals. But then he left it at a UPS shop to be “packed by professionals!” More like the minimum wage kid in the back room. Let’s just say that the negotiations for this bike have taken months and months. The seller required, shall we say, delicate conversations.
Four lightweight cardboard boxes cut up and taped into one box. One thin, single wrap of lightweight bubble wrap. Insert bike with loose wheels. Fill to top with 1.5 million Styrofoam peanuts! ! ! OMG.
Not sure if RD cage isn’t a bit bent, but the bike is up on my stand now for deep cleaning, etc. The forks miraculously escaped damage. Cables took a hit, but they need replacing, anyway. With that snow on the ground, I’ll not be riding this for a few days.
Teaser photos. I actually forgot to take a full frame photo last night. But it will give an idea of why I'm a happy lad.
I really want to ride this – NOW! It hasn’t been ridden since the ‘80s and I’m a bit worried about both tires and saddle. No snow ride, at least for it's first test run. I can swap out wheels and saddle, but I probably have to wait for dry(er) roads.
Sated.
:-)
__________________
1959 Hilton Wrigley Connoisseur (my favorite!)
1963 Hetchins Mountain King
1971 Gitane Tour de France (original owner)
* 1971 Gitane Super Corsa (crashed)
* rebuilt as upright cruiser
1971 Gitane Super Corsa #2 (sweet replacement)
1980 Ritchey Road Touring (The Grail Bike)
1982 Tom Ritchey Everest
(replacing stolen 1981 TR Everest custom)
1982 Tom Ritchey McKinley (touring pickup truck)
1985 ALAN Record (Glued & Screwed. A gift.)
1959 Hilton Wrigley Connoisseur (my favorite!)
1963 Hetchins Mountain King
1971 Gitane Tour de France (original owner)
* 1971 Gitane Super Corsa (crashed)
* rebuilt as upright cruiser
1971 Gitane Super Corsa #2 (sweet replacement)
1980 Ritchey Road Touring (The Grail Bike)
1982 Tom Ritchey Everest
(replacing stolen 1981 TR Everest custom)
1982 Tom Ritchey McKinley (touring pickup truck)
1985 ALAN Record (Glued & Screwed. A gift.)
Last edited by LeicaLad; 02-23-14 at 09:26 AM. Reason: Not really THE worst. Just really, really stupid.
#5
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Chicago
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Bikes: 2012 Moots VaMoots-74 Peugeot Mixtie U018-73 Peugeot U018
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Nice lugs! What brand and model is the bike? As a seller, I prefer to ship CONUSA, or going international, just the frame/fork. I do my own packing, this way I know it's done right. It takes usually 3 to 4 hours, but I'm satisfied when I'm done.
__________________
Moots VaMoots 2012-Peugeot Mixte 1974-Peugeot Mixte 1973
Moots VaMoots 2012-Peugeot Mixte 1974-Peugeot Mixte 1973
#6
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Berkeley, CA
Posts: 7,389
Bikes: '72 Cilo Pacer, '72 Gitane Gran Tourisme, '72 Peugeot PX10, '73 Speedwell Ti, '74 Peugeot UE-8, '75 Peugeot PR-10L, '80 Colnago Super, '85 De Rosa Pro, '86 Look Equipe 753, '86 Look KG86, '89 Parkpre Team, '90 Parkpre Team MTB, '90 Merlin
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Last edited by gaucho777; 01-22-14 at 12:30 PM.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Berkeley, CA
Posts: 7,389
Bikes: '72 Cilo Pacer, '72 Gitane Gran Tourisme, '72 Peugeot PX10, '73 Speedwell Ti, '74 Peugeot UE-8, '75 Peugeot PR-10L, '80 Colnago Super, '85 De Rosa Pro, '86 Look Equipe 753, '86 Look KG86, '89 Parkpre Team, '90 Parkpre Team MTB, '90 Merlin
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Worst packing ever? Not even close. Perhaps you missed the packing job on a Gillot bike that was recently discussed over at the CR list. No box even!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/makfrea...7638044964926/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/makfrea...7638044964926/
#8
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: NYC+NNJ
Posts: 1,302
Bikes: i don't have a bike. a few frames, forks and some parts. that's all
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wow. that 2nd photo does look frightening. glad the beauty survived the package mayhem, and congrats.
amazing paint job i see on the frame—and awesome photography grabbing the details!
deadly curious what it is, may i ask?
amazing paint job i see on the frame—and awesome photography grabbing the details!
deadly curious what it is, may i ask?
#9
Senior Member
I bought a Mercian from a man that said he use to own a bike shop in the 80's. Well, I guess re received more bikes than he shipped, because he used the UPS packing service too. I only agreed to pay $125 for shipping, but UPS charged him a total of $260 for packing and shipping 2 boxes. They must get paid by the peanut because both boxes were filled with peanuts and nothing was tie wrapped.
I still find the stray peanut in my workshop from unpacking it.
Were you waiting at the door for the UPS man to deliver it?
I still find the stray peanut in my workshop from unpacking it.
Were you waiting at the door for the UPS man to deliver it?
__________________
80 Mercian Olympic, 92 DB Overdrive, '07 Rivendell AHH, '16 Clockwork All-Rounder
80 Mercian Olympic, 92 DB Overdrive, '07 Rivendell AHH, '16 Clockwork All-Rounder
#12
Senior Member
gotta be ritchey with faux lugs.
__________________
1 Super Record bike, 1 Nuovo Record bike, 1 Pista, 1 Road, 1 Cyclocross/Allrounder, 1 MTB, 1 Touring, 1 Fixed gear
1 Super Record bike, 1 Nuovo Record bike, 1 Pista, 1 Road, 1 Cyclocross/Allrounder, 1 MTB, 1 Touring, 1 Fixed gear
#13
Bianchi Goddess
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
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Beautiful so far. I like the way the pump peg matches the housing stops.
it actually came just like that no box? FedEx turned me away last week for a box wrapped in kraft paper how did that get through.
Worst packing ever? Not even close. Perhaps you missed the packing job on a Gillot bike that was recently discussed over at the CR list. No box even!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/makfrea...7638044964926/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/makfrea...7638044964926/
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
#14
Senior Member
At least there were peanuts. I bought a Raleigh Competition GS off of eBay, and it got shipped in two boxes: one for the complete bike minus the wheels; the other had the two wheels. Neither box had ANY packing material at all. The bike was just dropped inside the cardboard box, free to bounce about, and the box was taped up. Same for the box of wheels. Miraculously everything arrived without any damage!
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
And I AM a man of my words.
Yes, THAT Ritchey touring. Asking $12,500. That's why it took months of carefully worded notes, etc. etc.
I believe that I have "earned" this bike in that labor alone.
Amazing photos of the Gilliot packing. Whew. It, too, appears to have survived in spite of the wild mis-packing.
I will get better photos up when I can. The bike is in excellent condition, although none of the Ritchey decals are. Odd. But, I don't care.
It IS the bike I've been waiting for. And I would love to stand it side by side with Fender1's Ritchey. They are both fine examples of the art.
Yea! ! !
__________________
1959 Hilton Wrigley Connoisseur (my favorite!)
1963 Hetchins Mountain King
1971 Gitane Tour de France (original owner)
* 1971 Gitane Super Corsa (crashed)
* rebuilt as upright cruiser
1971 Gitane Super Corsa #2 (sweet replacement)
1980 Ritchey Road Touring (The Grail Bike)
1982 Tom Ritchey Everest
(replacing stolen 1981 TR Everest custom)
1982 Tom Ritchey McKinley (touring pickup truck)
1985 ALAN Record (Glued & Screwed. A gift.)
1959 Hilton Wrigley Connoisseur (my favorite!)
1963 Hetchins Mountain King
1971 Gitane Tour de France (original owner)
* 1971 Gitane Super Corsa (crashed)
* rebuilt as upright cruiser
1971 Gitane Super Corsa #2 (sweet replacement)
1980 Ritchey Road Touring (The Grail Bike)
1982 Tom Ritchey Everest
(replacing stolen 1981 TR Everest custom)
1982 Tom Ritchey McKinley (touring pickup truck)
1985 ALAN Record (Glued & Screwed. A gift.)
#16
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Berwyn PA
Posts: 6,478
Bikes: I hate bikes!
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And I AM a man of my words.
Yes, THAT Ritchey touring. Asking $12,500. That's why it took months of carefully worded notes, etc. etc.
I believe that I have "earned" this bike in that labor alone.
Amazing photos of the Gilliot packing. Whew. It, too, appears to have survived in spite of the wild mis-packing.
I will get better photos up when I can. The bike is in excellent condition, although none of the Ritchey decals are. Odd. But, I don't care.
It IS the bike I've been waiting for. And I would love to stand it side by side with Fender1's Ritchey. They are both fine examples of the art.
Yea! ! !
Yes, THAT Ritchey touring. Asking $12,500. That's why it took months of carefully worded notes, etc. etc.
I believe that I have "earned" this bike in that labor alone.
Amazing photos of the Gilliot packing. Whew. It, too, appears to have survived in spite of the wild mis-packing.
I will get better photos up when I can. The bike is in excellent condition, although none of the Ritchey decals are. Odd. But, I don't care.
It IS the bike I've been waiting for. And I would love to stand it side by side with Fender1's Ritchey. They are both fine examples of the art.
Yea! ! !
We can schedule a "Ritchey Ride" whenever you are ready! Congrats!
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: RTP Area, NC
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Bikes: Somebody stole them all... I walk now.
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Looking forward to seeing the whole bike. Sounds like it's time to update your signature -
1959 Hilton Wrigley Connoisseur (clearly my new favorite!)
1963 Hetchins Mountain King
1971 Gitane Tour de France
1971 Gitane Super Corsa
1984 Tom Ritchey Team Competition
1963 Hetchins Mountain King
1971 Gitane Tour de France
1971 Gitane Super Corsa
1984 Tom Ritchey Team Competition
#18
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Indeed, I must.
I'm curious about serial numbers in this period. Brian, I went back through our old threads, but don't see an actual serial # on your touring frame.
This one is T58015R. The seller was the original owner and said that was the date. I asked if it might be frame #15 of that month, but he insisted it was the date Tom finished the frame (prior to the painting). He said that Tom's shop wasn't that busy (his words) and that he didn't think he was making more than a bike or 3 per week, at most. (Again, his words.)
This new page (discussed in its own thread here in C&V) has another: https://www.vintagemtbworkshop.com/19...chey-road.html
The Old Mountain Bike site has a mis-identified bike: T2802R, as a 199x Road. Eric, site master, thinks this re-dating to 1980 would be correct.
But, this style of serial number seems to have been a very short window. Anyone else have examples to share?
I'm curious about serial numbers in this period. Brian, I went back through our old threads, but don't see an actual serial # on your touring frame.
This one is T58015R. The seller was the original owner and said that was the date. I asked if it might be frame #15 of that month, but he insisted it was the date Tom finished the frame (prior to the painting). He said that Tom's shop wasn't that busy (his words) and that he didn't think he was making more than a bike or 3 per week, at most. (Again, his words.)
This new page (discussed in its own thread here in C&V) has another: https://www.vintagemtbworkshop.com/19...chey-road.html
The Old Mountain Bike site has a mis-identified bike: T2802R, as a 199x Road. Eric, site master, thinks this re-dating to 1980 would be correct.
But, this style of serial number seems to have been a very short window. Anyone else have examples to share?
__________________
1959 Hilton Wrigley Connoisseur (my favorite!)
1963 Hetchins Mountain King
1971 Gitane Tour de France (original owner)
* 1971 Gitane Super Corsa (crashed)
* rebuilt as upright cruiser
1971 Gitane Super Corsa #2 (sweet replacement)
1980 Ritchey Road Touring (The Grail Bike)
1982 Tom Ritchey Everest
(replacing stolen 1981 TR Everest custom)
1982 Tom Ritchey McKinley (touring pickup truck)
1985 ALAN Record (Glued & Screwed. A gift.)
1959 Hilton Wrigley Connoisseur (my favorite!)
1963 Hetchins Mountain King
1971 Gitane Tour de France (original owner)
* 1971 Gitane Super Corsa (crashed)
* rebuilt as upright cruiser
1971 Gitane Super Corsa #2 (sweet replacement)
1980 Ritchey Road Touring (The Grail Bike)
1982 Tom Ritchey Everest
(replacing stolen 1981 TR Everest custom)
1982 Tom Ritchey McKinley (touring pickup truck)
1985 ALAN Record (Glued & Screwed. A gift.)
#19
Senior Member
Ha!
Right on!
I came to the conclusion that the seller was wacked. Good for you for having the determination to stick with it through to the end. Sorry about the poor packing job. How exciting.
Right on!
I came to the conclusion that the seller was wacked. Good for you for having the determination to stick with it through to the end. Sorry about the poor packing job. How exciting.
Last edited by Aemmer; 01-22-14 at 02:14 PM.
#20
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Berwyn PA
Posts: 6,478
Bikes: I hate bikes!
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Indeed, I must.
I'm curious about serial numbers in this period. Brian, I went back through our old threads, but don't see an actual serial # on your touring frame.
This one is T58015R. The seller was the original owner and said that was the date. I asked if it might be frame #15 of that month, but he insisted it was the date Tom finished the frame (prior to the painting). He said that Tom's shop wasn't that busy (his words) and that he didn't think he was making more than a bike or 3 per week, at most. (Again, his words.)
This new page (discussed in its own thread here in C&V) has another: https://www.vintagemtbworkshop.com/19...chey-road.html
The Old Mountain Bike site has a mis-identified bike: T2802R, as a 199x Road. Eric, site master, thinks this re-dating to 1980 would be correct.
But, this style of serial number seems to have been a very short window. Anyone else have examples to share?
I'm curious about serial numbers in this period. Brian, I went back through our old threads, but don't see an actual serial # on your touring frame.
This one is T58015R. The seller was the original owner and said that was the date. I asked if it might be frame #15 of that month, but he insisted it was the date Tom finished the frame (prior to the painting). He said that Tom's shop wasn't that busy (his words) and that he didn't think he was making more than a bike or 3 per week, at most. (Again, his words.)
This new page (discussed in its own thread here in C&V) has another: https://www.vintagemtbworkshop.com/19...chey-road.html
The Old Mountain Bike site has a mis-identified bike: T2802R, as a 199x Road. Eric, site master, thinks this re-dating to 1980 would be correct.
But, this style of serial number seems to have been a very short window. Anyone else have examples to share?
#24
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Eric has asked me to report back if we all (collectively) conclude this is correct AND if we have any additional bikes with similar numbers.
My 1981 mtb had the number stamped on the drive side dropout. This bike, the serial is right centered on the bottom bracket. Seems he moved around a bit.
more photos after I escape the office...
__________________
1959 Hilton Wrigley Connoisseur (my favorite!)
1963 Hetchins Mountain King
1971 Gitane Tour de France (original owner)
* 1971 Gitane Super Corsa (crashed)
* rebuilt as upright cruiser
1971 Gitane Super Corsa #2 (sweet replacement)
1980 Ritchey Road Touring (The Grail Bike)
1982 Tom Ritchey Everest
(replacing stolen 1981 TR Everest custom)
1982 Tom Ritchey McKinley (touring pickup truck)
1985 ALAN Record (Glued & Screwed. A gift.)
1959 Hilton Wrigley Connoisseur (my favorite!)
1963 Hetchins Mountain King
1971 Gitane Tour de France (original owner)
* 1971 Gitane Super Corsa (crashed)
* rebuilt as upright cruiser
1971 Gitane Super Corsa #2 (sweet replacement)
1980 Ritchey Road Touring (The Grail Bike)
1982 Tom Ritchey Everest
(replacing stolen 1981 TR Everest custom)
1982 Tom Ritchey McKinley (touring pickup truck)
1985 ALAN Record (Glued & Screwed. A gift.)
#25
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Join Date: May 2009
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I think the road serial numbering started and the "park bench" chainstay ended in 1980. My Ritchey road bike (crit, not touring) was purchased in 1980, has no serial number, does not have faux lugs, and has the park bench. That said, it is probably a 1979 frame, as it was a custom order that was never paid for and Tom sold it at a discount to an acquaintance months later. I recall reading that the park bench was very labor intensive - perhaps that is why it was only made for a couple of years.
Congrats, glad to see it went to a good home.
Congrats, glad to see it went to a good home.