I built this Paramount that I got for next to nothing up during pandemic and rode it a lot. Removed the brake tabs and welded on the disc mounts and added a Surly fork, converted it to 650b tubeless, painted it, really pieced it together into what I figured was my dream bike. In the end I tried it with every sort of bar and tire size combination imaginable, but the thing is… I just prefer to ride my beater bike. Nothing compares to the one that just gets you from A to B 2ith whatever detour you decide in between. Sitting up, riding slow, never being worried about it locked up at the bar. I'm trying not to be a hoarder and I have plenty of other bikes so I think I'm going to let the Paramount go. I don't need to make back everything I put into it and I hate to see folks listing project bikes and asking ridiculous astronomical prices for them, but I also can't just give it away for next to nothing.
What do y'all think? Do xbikers like to buy a completed custom project, or is half the appeal just building it yourself? I feel like for me, with this bike, it was really just about the build and making it look pretty. Spent a bunch of time and money for what amounts to a sculpture rather than a tool. Threw in a photo of my beater at the end. It's not as pretty, but I guess that's what I like about it.
by MeAndGeorge
21 Comments
Might get lucky but IME you’re better off selling the parts, unfortunately, or else you’re gonna wait a long time for a buyer who wants exactly your build AND doesn’t want to build it themselves. Unless the price is very low.
Depends on the market. What do you “need” to get out of it?
What’s the spring on the seat post for? Theft? Steampunk suspension post?
There is definitely a market for well put together bikes like this, but I would guess its hard to stand out in the classifieds listings when other similar bikes will be selling for so much less.
Ultimately, niche things have relatively small markets, but if you are patient I am sure you’ll do ok
What’s the story with the bent chainstay?
What’s “next to nothing” to you? IMO your pool of buyers drops off significantly above say $200
Might sell for $50. Zero chance anyone wants to pay real money for welded on disc brake conversions.
If I needed a bike I’d be happy to pay 300-400 for it, more than that and I’d be likely to do it myself.
It’s cool! Probably 100-200 where I live. I never expect to get my money back. Usually the basics (new tires, cables, brake pads, lube and labor) put any bike I’ve re-habbed over budget.
Realistically, nobody wants a heavily modified bike. Except perhaps if the bike was reassembled by a reputable workshop and there is proof that the entire job was done professionally by an expert. Then you can put a nice sticker on it and ask a higher price for it.
I would pay maybe 150-200 € for that bike and that’s just because I want to use some of its parts for my own projects
I love looking at people’s builds on marketplace, usually goes for peanuts. Unless youre going off commission, you’re in for the love of the game
For what its worth, this shit is awesome and i would keep it
Sell the fork and parts that have value, bin the rest. Frame is worth zero because of the modification. Can’t sell something like that to a stranger. Maybe give it to a buddy who understands the risk?
Your “beater” is a pretty decent build in itself so I’m not surprised you prefer it. Nice builds all round!
Best way to get a lot of money for a project is to part it out sadly
In my experience only if they didn’t care or know anything about bikes. They just want something ridable
Jeez tough crowd here. It’s not like it’s a complete freak show. Lots of folks around me are looking for a functional gravelly/city bike and there’s not much to be had under 500. I would think you could get some bites on it if you sell it well
In fairness, it’s a very nice beater.
Hey OP, just my two cents… If you don’t mind me asking: Which big city market are you in? If you’re ready to move on from this, I’d recommend trying to find the closest big city bike trader on Instagram and share there. Start at what you think is fair for this… I’d say $700-$800 to start. Mention everything you shared here and see if there’s any interest.
These were very special and unique/rare frames, so there’s definitely an interest and market, but it’s getting smaller each year as boomer/Xers/millennials knew Schwinn and knew Waterford, but Gen Z’ers don’t seem as nostalgic as millennials. But, they would probably be more interested in the fact that this is already disc-ready since they’ve only known bikes with disc brakes.
If you don’t get any bites or only get low ballers, just disassemble the bike, part it out but hang on to the frame. There’s a chance that one day in 5-10 years, you’ll want to do something with it again. But at that point, if you haven’t touched it in years, just sell it for whatever you can. You might have a better chance getting top dollar in the Midwest where there’s more nostalgia and appreciation for Schwinn and Waterford. Best of luck!
During the pandemic, I broke a brifter in a freak slow speed crash where I found a patch of ice in the shade and the way the bike got laid down, the brifter dug into the ground like a stake and snapped. I couldn’t find anything for less than $500-600 and this was for 10 speed. I did find some 10 speed time trial bar end shifters, and I had some old Cane Creek brake levers and a Salsa wide drop bar so this was a little semi project by necessity. New bar tape and matching cables because why not.
Some guy saw the set up and had to have it, he wanted bar end shifters without having to figure it out. He offered me essentially what I paid for the bike 10 year prior so I sold it to him. So yes, if you find the right buyer who has dreamt of something specific about your setup and doesn’t want to go through the trouble.
I’ll allow myself a photo to reminiscence.
https://preview.redd.it/c2lkuwo0i5df1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fb3693994772fabeef62332cdd43f482b9c76a73
Regardless of anybody’s opinion here, all you need is one person to value this thing higher and off you’ll go.
I recently sold my 2000s era trek madone with 80s campagnolo parts for *eight hundred dollars.* Nice parts, nice frame, TERRIBLE, AWFUL combination.
Pop it up on Craigslist, ask a grown up price for it. If somebody wants it, they’ll reach out.
I find people here incredibly undervalue bikes compared to my actual lived experience. They act like these things are worthless.
Fuck the haters. If you want it gone now price it low. If you don’t care about timing post it high and see if you get any bites. But you don’t need permission to price it high and nobody has any reason to be offended if you do.
This is a pretty sick build. I’d ride the hell out of it and call it good. It’s functional and unique, if you have something cookie-cutter I’d sell that if you need to make space.