Opinion Please, single speed or leave?

[gclark8]

Opinion please: if I convert this bike to flat bars and single speed will it sell?

I have had it on the market for two years as a TT-Tri bke.
http://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/viewt ... 25&t=16550

[BRLVR.v2]

Turn it into a townie style, like tokyobikes style.
And a more realistic price would see it sell.

[ozdavo]

I think your ad viewtopic.php?f=25&t=44729&p=677481#p677481 leaves a lot to be desired...
[*]Full list of specs
[*]photos of components
[*]age

Also, it looks pretty old so I think maybe your asking a bit much. I think it should be left as a Tri bike, unless the tri components are worth it to sell separately?

[CommuRider]

TT bikes are CF now so another for flat bar conversion. Though lower price with an FB.

[HappyHumber]

I think your ad viewtopic.php?f=25&t=44729&p=677481#p677481 leaves a lot to be desired...
[*]Full list of specs
[*]photos of components
[*]age

Also, it looks pretty old so I think maybe your asking a bit much. I think it should be left as a Tri bike, unless the tri components are worth it to sell separately?

+1 Maybe put a dedicated ad for it in the market place.... but yeah... you might do better with size info and part spec list.
Having seen it in the flesh a while ago - I might've got it in my head (maybe incorrectly) it's got 650b wheels?

Even if you just flat bar it.. you should be able to also recoup some coin on the barcons & brake levers seperately.

Otherwise part it out and itemise them in a seperate ad. Have a browse of other past ads for a general indication of going rates.

But hey.. no shortage of opinions from us in the peanut gallery

[ghettro]

I guess it depends how much you value your time.

Single speed:
You have to figure out how much it will cost you to convert it to anything else then re-advertise it. Subtract the cost of the single speed conversion from your price as well as your time and/or labour (single speed wheelset, new cockpit setup, new chain) It all adds up quickly to probably a few hundred which is half of your asking price... IMHO not worth the time. Also it looks like it has vertical dropouts which means you need a chain tensioner which looks lame.

Splitting it up for parts
you have to consider the fact that you will spend an exponentially larger amount of time administering the sale of all the small parts, you are also risking not selling all the parts (quite likely you will end up with some stuff left over) and then you will have to store these parts that you don't sell.

Selling it as it is:
Original condition is almost always worth more than any conversion or restoration - this generally applies to any kind of second hand item.
There is nothing wrong with it so if I were you I would leave it as is and stick it on ebay. If it hasn't sold for 2 years, then you are asking too much. As long as it's not too obscure or poorly described you will generally get a market price on ebay give or take.

Tips for getting the best price
- Good pics and lots of them!
- Good clear description written in proper English
- Possibility of shipping interstate (larger market)

Big picture is that it is a lower priced bike that is a bit older, so you are never going to get big bickies for it. There are better ways to make money...

[gclark8]

All replys read. The main problem has been size of bike and the 650c wheels.

This 54/54 TT frame needs a rider about 5'10" with average-to-long torso.

As a flat bar bike with shorter stem 5'7-8" will fit ok.

I would consider selling:
Frameset, frame is NOS,
Frameset + wheels
or I can configure as required, all parts are new or NOS.

[jaseyjase]

georgie, i second parting it out and selling in parts, ie groupset and wheels, frame/fork.

or maybe jump on more TT dedicated sites and spruick it there, theres always a buyer out there somewhere

[HappyHumber]

regardless, George... I think merely listing the specs in this thread where you've asked for advice probably won't help.

You'll need to start a dedicated "WTS" thread with a brief listing in the subject header of what it is or the parts broken down. People genuinely looking, or just browsing for such a bike or parts will have less chance of finding the info if it's just buried in a thread with a subject that doesn't imply you're necessarily selling something.

per Jase's suggestion; you'd do well to browse some of his WTS ads in the market place here to get an idea of what makes an effective ad or listing. You gotta be direct & specific in what you want to buy or sell..

Gotta remember... this is the in'net - attentions spans are short.

[gclark8]

The bike is listed here: http://www.triwa.org.au/chat_site/viewforum.php?f=2,
However, I have ordered parts to make an 8 speed flat bar commuter bike.

[munga]

take it to the beach for some photos. its a tri bike. on a trainer in your loungeroom makes it look sad.

[gclark8]

The Flat Bar build is not that cheap, with new 8 speed components, just under $800!

Single speed is a little better, $625 with new components.

I will leave the bike as is (TT-Tri) for now and take some better pix.