I've been told that I need to get rid of one of these. Any idea what they're worth, or in the case of the KHS whether it's worth stripping it and selling the bits?
*deep intake of breath*
I always swore I'd never sell this one, but due to a pesky one-in-one-out arrangement I've got to decide between this and another (modern) bike.
The frame's a classic - it was built by one of the framebuilders at Roberts for himself in '91(ish), as one of the prototypes for the Dogs Bolx. It's the same front end as the DB we know and love, but the back end was the same as the White Spider Comp. You can see the extra work that went into it if you take the bottom bracket out - the vent holes drilled in the shell where the seat and down tubes are joined are larger than normal to reduce weight, also it was never stamped with a frame number.
Forks are Pace RC35s bought second hand ten years back, so they're not exactly period correct. They've got the twin carbon braces and grease ports, along with the grease gun, a tub of pace grease and a spare set of springs.
The seatpost is made by Formula (of carbon bike fame). It was a custom job made for me by the guys there, using an American Classics clamp bonded onto a 27.0mm carbon tube, which I was told was the front suspension spar from an early 90s F1 car.
BUT. The seatpost hasn't moved in almost 20 years and is firmly seized in place. The frame could do with a respray anyway, so it's the right time to get a framebuilder to get the post out (hopefully with strict instructions not to damage it). Worst case, you could get the post chopped to where it leave the frame, and you'd be left with a good length seatpost if you're a bit shorter than my six feet.
The front wheel is original - a Mavic 231 rim on a '93 shimano LX hub. The nipples are alloy, alternating black and silver. The rear is a silver V-brake compatible Mavic 717 on a fairly recent disc-compatible XT hub.
Everything else isn't worth mentioning, Avid V-brakes, knackered flite saddle, anonymous bar and stem, single speed kit.
I agree that this where the value is, but 500 notes for a well used Roberts that needs a respray and with a seized seatpin - seriously?
I saw a decent condition White Spider pass through Fleabay in the last six months, with much better spec and it achieved barely in the high 300 or so notes!
I agree that this where the value is, but 500 notes for a well used Roberts that needs a respray and with a seized seatpin - seriously?
I saw a decent condition White Spider pass through Fleabay in the last six months, with much better spec and it achieved barely in the high 300 or so notes!
Really? I dont have a clue, its quite a rare one. Maybe that was a bit high. I would try for £400 complete though, you'd hope to get £250 for frame, forks £70 or so, so complete £400 would seem about right.
You almost always get more from splitting a bike and looking at the decent parts on that bike I'd definitely say you'd get more that way if you can be bothered to do it.
You almost always get more from splitting a bike and looking at the decent parts on that bike I'd definitely say you'd get more that way if you can be bothered to do it.