treebound 

I'm not looking for a valuation on this, and this will probably end up just being an educational exercise for me, but I'm trying to get a best guess on a Waterford. I think the guy selling it is a storage unit or estate sale reseller based on other stuff he has for sale. I also suspect he is fishing for a best/highest offer, but since he is over an hour away I don't want to fly blind.

My best guess is maybe a late 80's or early 90's bike, probably an 8 speed cassette on back, and maybe close to my size. Looks like a brazed-on lowrider mount stuck onto the leading edge of the forks, not sure if that is typical of how Waterford added those instead of imbedding one through the fork tubes. Also looks like maybe the saddle has Schwinn on it or maybe something else.

Anyway, any hints or helps would be appreciated. I'm just looking at it to add to my stable since I've never had a Waterford, but I suspect I'm in competition with some bike flippers looking for a 10x return on their dollars.

This is the only pic I have so far:


Edit: all the seller can say is Shimano 105 so I'm fairly sure he is just playing his cards close to see what he can get for it. Not sure if it is worth the drive or game, and will probably be beyond my budget when all is said and done. But I still want to learn what i can. A Waterford is one of my "want to have one someday" bikes.

dazevedo

I would ask the seller for the serial number then look on Waterfords site Serial Numbers or e-mail them. Best way to get the correct information.

treebound 

I don't think I have a chance to get a s/n out of the guy, hard enough so far to get what I've gotten so far. His current high offer is probably someone on the site here, I suspect one of three people. But like I say, just looking for myself and learning what I can.

Ps, thanks for the s/n link, got it bookmarked now in case I run up there to look at the bike in person.

xiaoman1 

OP,
Do a search on the web.."Waterford" and include bike forums...I got a lot of hits and some questions on value etc.
If you are buying for a personal ride flippers will not want to pay a reasonable price for it because there is little room for profit on the other hand if you are planning to flip..well it's on you.
Ben
I also think this should be moved to appraisals because you will get more info there...if you are concerned other members are after it don't be they probably already have seen the post.

9volt 

I might have contacted that guy earlier this morning...

Sounds like he wants to setup some kind of bidding war, which I have no interest in. Sent you a PM treebound.

Can anyone confirm if it has one of the Modolo stems that is known to fail at the clamp bolt? - https://bikexprt.com/witness/product/stems.htm

sdn40

I was the first guy to talk to him this morning and he thinks its worth more than it is. He was going to give me final shot at any offers - I said no thanks.
I told him the Shimano 105 were pretty good components, so I assume that's why he is emphasizing it - LOL
I think its a touring model (Waterford designation), you can tell by the brakes. The road bikes go for quite a bit - this is not one of those. I think excellent condition value was $400 ish on one of the bluebook links

bargainguy

It's a farther drive, but this Waterford looks like it's in soooo much better condition and some extra goodies:

https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/bik/6180762533.html

The condition of the original Waterford you're interested in would scare me a bit, and I'm not afraid to tear into a bike. General grime doesn't faze me, but I see a rusted chain, stay mounted kickstand which may have damaged the stays, paint chips...I'll bet this one requires a full overhaul, and even then, the seller is probably not wanting to let it go cheap. I'd pass.

sdn40

Yep - two different animals

Bianchigirll 

Did Waterford make a lot of touring bikes or is that a cross bike?

sdn40

I had to dig a bit this morning and did find the model but now cant locate it quickly. I'll keep looking but Waterford called it a touring bike if I recall correctly

treebound 

Waterford has a decent history in touring style geometry if I understand correctly. I'm looking for more relaxed geometry these days which is also why this bike caught my interest. I suspect the above is correct in that the guy thinks he is sitting on something more, might do okay in some areas though.

The Modolo stem failure looks downright scarey in the link above.

I just found his craigslist posting as well. I think I'll wait to see if he gets back to me with the s/n and go from there. If any of you others can or want to do the deal with the guy then no problem from me. If any of you do get it then I'd be interested in how the bike checks out and how it turns out once cleaned up and gone through.

sdn40

He's a scrapper cleaning out an estate.
"The brakes move side to side" is what he told me so that should tell you all you need to know. I'm sure he googled it and the rest is history. A bit like the guy that thinks his PDG Paramount is worth $2,000 so I just wished him luck on the sale. I'm sure his phone is ringing off the hook regardless

treebound 

Yep, agreed.

The Golden Boy 

I'm not in on this one.

Just in case...

treebound 

(Lost my typing, starting over)

Okay, got more info and based upon what he said I think this is a 1999 model year 1900 Adventure model bike, probably a 54cm frame size. And after I looked at the picture a little closer there is some paint damage on the top tube below the nose of the saddle that I would want to get a closer look at. All said, I think I'm out of this one. Oh well, another will come along soon enough. Thanks for all the comments above, I learned a bit today and that is always a good thing.

curbtender

Sure that damage was from his lock. And, oooooooh, the kickstand.

treebound 

The kickstand doesn't bother me.

xiaoman1 

I never succumb to a bidding war if I hear that I will give you the last shot...I am out, either set a sale price or to me, it's B.S.and a waste of my time.
BTJM, Ben