madscycles

Here's my dad's one of a kind Wizard bicycle. It's hard to find much online about Wizards since they were made for such a limited amount of time by Brian Baylis. Wondering if anyone has any insights about this bicycle and how much it might be worth. It hasn't been ridden in years but has been garaged since its last service and should be in decent riding shape with some new tires. Dad insists it doesn't need a tune up and is ready to roll if you’re looking to ride it! We'd love to hear if anyone has any insights on how much it’s worth these days… thx!

Details:

Wizard, built by Bryan Baylis and Michael Howard

Year built = 1974

Frame #10

Campagnolo components

10 speed

Frame size = 56cm

Low mileage

One owner

Never raced

Never crashed


Some photos below and more at this link:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...usp=share_link

jdawginsc 

Price is not a thing if it’s a Baylis. Wow. And my size. That is a piece of art.

juvela

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thanks very much for sharing this most marvelous treasure!

slightly surprised to see it kitted with a 3TTT Gran Prix stem; they were discontinued in 1971

the forum has had prior Wizard discussions

if you wish you could use the search function to bring them up


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TugaDude

Although you do have to deal with headaches, costs and potential issues with buyers, eBay is probably your best bet if you want to get the most for it. Or another auction site or anywhere else that you can get folks who really want it bidding the price up.

wrk101 has written many times about his eBay experiences, the good the bad and the sometimes ugly. One thing I remember is him saying the buyer always wins if there is a dispute. Then there is the issue of packing and shipping, assuming it isn't a local sale. But again, if you want the most for it, that's probably going to yield the highest price.

I won't even suggest a value. All I'll say is it ain't gonna be cheap, that's for sure!

rccardr 

Well...it's worth a lot. That's for sure. All original, provenance, correct components, in really nice condition.
Could be a five figure bike.
As others have mentioned, eBay is the best place to sell, using the auction option.
Do a bunch of social media postings first, to drum up interest: here, Classic Rendezvous, Paceline, Velocipede Salon, Facebook, etc.

obrentharris 

Those are all nice components but you will do better when you market this bike to provide close up photos of the framedetails. Those are what differentiate this bike from a $1,000 bike.
Brent

Mr. 66

Just small words of caution, the brake pad holders should be open toward the back. It is possible that braking could push the pad out of the holder when facing forwards.

alexihnen 

That halves the value!

I’ve become paranoid of posting photos with the pads backwards. I have to check half a dozen times before sharing.

branko_76 

Beautiful bike !

Shipping it is risky, it won't take much to dent the top tube

and yes, better photos are a must.

Kilroy1988 

Seeing as you're in San Diego, maybe you might consider taking it to the Eroica California event in Cayucos in September? You might find an appreciative (and paying) buyer there who you can hand it off to in person.

madscycles

Thanks for all the kind/interesting notes and insights everyone! I'll get together with dad and post some more photos of the frame in a couple of days

Be sure to checkout the google link for the extended gallery in the meantime...I could only post a few photos in the forum here. Loving the forum though!

Vonruden

$3 - $5k range would be my guess, maybe more with 2 interested parties outbidding each other. If it were a 60-62 cm size, I would be one of them. A rare beauty for sure.

slshrflck

This is the kind of bike that could get me in some "overspending" trouble. It is just a tad big, so I suppose I won't have to worry about it. Spectacular bike!

repechage

Wizard was a Baylis/ Howard partnership
one cannot attribute authorship to either one.
Brian did the paint if original is about it.

handsome bike.
Mike Howard is around still I think, Brian is not.
To contact Mike ( Michael) try Facebook but do not feel bad if you don't get a response.

value is a challenge I think, while there were only just over100 made... rare does not translate to resale value.

it is a good middle size, that helps.

mpetry912 

to the right person a Wizard is worth $4000 or more, but you have to find that person.

this looks like a very nice bike.

/markp

Robvolz 

Honest assessment, coming from someone who looks for bikes they like, and has the means….
$3,000.

number wise, it is rare. They only made 142 1965 ford mustangs with front bench seats, but that does not make it more or less valuable than a bucket seat car.

At that price, both buyer and seller should be happy.

rccardr 

In my opinion, also as someone with the interest and the means, that’s way low. I’d never sell mine for that but if an original one like this in my size (which this is) came on the market for that price, would consider it an amazing bargain.

While it is true that rarity does not always result in high valuation (your above example is flawed, but that’s beside the point), in this case it does. The exact total number of Wizards produced is not known, but probably safe to assume it’s less than a hundred…maybe less than eighty. The highest production number frame of which I am personally aware is #51. The total number of known remaining existing examples is much, much lower. Among knowledgeable and high end collectors, the back story/stories alone increase the interest, and therefore the value.

Does it ride any better than any other well-made bike of the same period, or even into the 80’s? No, not really. Should it be considered an art piece? Perhaps, since like Richard Sachs bikes, it was ‘all done by hand’ and to a very high standard of quality workmanship. But the mystique of the story makes a Wizard far more valuable than something like an equally well made (but more available due to higher volume) Sachs or an equally rare (and as nice to ride) Miyata 1200.

TugaDude

Threads like this are interesting. Lots of good points all around. I'll reiterate my opinion that what the seller needs to do is get the bike into a position where bidders who "just have to have it" are competing against one another. I hope the OP sticks with the thread and lets us know what happens.

himespau 

Entering it into a C&V bike show and then saying it is available at the right price, might be a way to draw interest from the right audience.

repechage

that peak bidder frenzy was near 20 years ago

RB1-luvr

I think the Eroica suggestion would garner the most money. That's your audience with the deepest pockets and longest arms.

madscycles

Morning friends!

After a hot BTS bidding throw down between private messages and external discussion, my dad decided to part with his beloved Wizard #10 to rack up some fun tickets ($) for his golden years. It went for quite a few thousand to a very proud new owner who my dad is sure will give it a great home and new chapter with lots of TLC. Congrats to you winner winner chicken dinner if you see this post

Thank you all for your kind messages, interest and insights!

See you out there...

Madison & Kent

TugaDude

Sounds like a happy ending all around.