FS: Ricky Feather, hand-made, bespoke-build, single-speed bike

Hello everyone.

I am seriously considering selling my gorgeous hand made, bespoke-built bike, made by the wonderful Ricky Feather in 2011. This is a reluctant sell, so I am only interested in serious offers. This is because the bike is very dear to my heart but, due to a significant change in lifestyle and riding habits, the bike very, very rarely gets ridden now. It used to be my daily commute in London but now I am in Somerset there is very little opportunity to ride it in the way it should be. It seems to me, it would be best if it went to a new owner who will love and enjoy the bike the way I have. That's why I am considering a sale but only interested in serious offers, because if I can't find that buyer, I'll keep it! I'm still not entirely sure I should sell it! The spec is as follows:

1. Bespoke, lugged, steel frame with unique paint job (metallic British racing green , orange and exposed stainless steel)
   
2. H Plus Son TB14 wheels with Sapim spokes and System EX hubs, hand built
   
3. Continental Gatorskin tyres
   
4. Sugino crank
   
5. Shimano free wheel 16T (but fixed 18T can be part of package)
   
6. Brooks B17 dark brown saddle
   
7. Velo Orange Grand Cru seat post
   
8. Nitto stem
   
9. Velo Orange Left Bank handle bar
   10.Brooks leather bar tape (tan colour)
   
10. Dia Compe inverse brake levers
    
11. Genetic track pedals, with CKC toe clips and dark brown Brooks leather straps
    
12. Dia Compe BRS101 front and rear brakes with metal braided cables
    
    

The paintwork is in generally good condition but inevitably has a few chips and scratches. I have a touch up paint pen which is a pretty close match.

So, my questions to you are:

1. Do you think I am mad to consider selling :-)?
   
2. Do you think it is the kind of bike someone might want to buy?
   
3. If so, do you have any thoughts on what might be a fair (ie not taking the mickey) price?
   
   

Would really appreciate your thoughts on the above to help me with my decision.

Many thanks, in advance. Cheers!

4 Attachments

Price? Size? All depends if you need the money? Have new plans? Space? If someone does buy it they might make changes ie flat bar to drop but that is their prerogative.

Sorry forgot to mention size. Obviously, because it's hand made it's not a standard frame. I'm 5'10" with inside leg 32" if that helps. I've no new plans, nor desperately need the money. I've got the space. As for price, that's one of the things I'm interested in finding out what people think. I know what I paid for it but, obviously that is different from what people might be prepared to buy it for. I'm only considering because it does not get used as much as it should and I'm beginning to feel it should be with someone who'll ride it rather than simply admire it ;-)

I'd guess £1000 would be the top end with the low to mid range components fitted. The money is in the frame but moving fixed bikes isn't as easy as it was 5 years ago.

It is a start....seat tube? top tube? Price?

It’s worth less than you think.

I don't think anything yet about what it is worth. That's why I am asking, because there's no point considering selling it if, in fact, few people value it (if you see what I mean). At least you had a space between worth and less - for a moment I read your comment as "it's worthless" :-)

I'm interested in your thoughts that the components are low to mid range. TBH I am no expert on the vast array of kit one can buy nor where brands might sit in terms of "quality pecking order". If you don't mind me asking, what are the elements of the build that are low to mid range? It would help me understand a bit more about the potential mindset of possible buyers (if I decide to sell). Thanks!

The reason everyone is asking for a price is because of the Classified rule #6

No fishing expeditions. You are either selling something or you're
not. Either it's in the classifieds or it's deleted.

If you're unsure how much to ask for it then there's a whole thread for that:

https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/174954/

Seat tube is approx 53cm, top tube approx 55cm. As for price, I don't know - I'm interested in whether anyone has an opinion. For example BJF thinks £1000 max, but mainly because of frame. Conversely, he thinks it's harder to move fixed bikes nowadays. All useful thoughts from you ladies and gentlemen. Really helps my thought process.

H Plus Son TB14 wheels with Sapim spokes and System EX hubs, hand built - Cheap hubs Built with nice rims.

Continental Gatorskin tyres - Mid range

Sugino crank - Sugino can be good (75's) but yours look like a cheaper non 144bcd model

Shimano free wheel 16T (but fixed 18T can be part of package) - Cheap

Brooks B17 dark brown saddle - Mid range in price but saddles are so personal

Velo Orange Grand Cru seat post - mid range

Nitto stem - mid to high depending on the model

Velo Orange Left Bank handle bar -Mid range and most people won't want it

Brooks leather bar tape (tan colour) - nice

Dia Compe inverse brake levers- Cheap

Genetic track pedals, with CKC toe clips and dark brown Brooks leather straps - Cheap with pointless expensive straps

Dia Compe BRS101 front and rear brakes with metal braided cables - Cheap.

Aah right, thanks for pointing that out (I'm new to LFGSS). Completely missed that. I'll repost this on the thread you've indicated and consider this one dead and buried. Thanks for your help!

Looks nice, don't forget it was custom for you so the whole bespoke bit doesn't really add much value. If you think £1k wouldn't break your heart then start at that and see where you go from there. My finger in the air says about 750 for the complete bike.

There was a feather on here a while back. Much nicer than this one with top end components. He wasn't asking too much over £1k IIRC, think maybe £1.3k

https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/335146/

What @howard is trying to say is we've seen similar bikes for sales on the forum (custom made, very expensive at time of purchase) and they have not sold for the money that was expected at the start, if at all.
I'd keep it if I were you, surely it must have some emotional value?

Thanks for that feedback. It has been pointed out that I have posted this in the wrong place - my mistake - so I'll redo this on the right thread, but I have already got some helpful thoughts, so thank you very much for your feedback. My apologies for breaking the LFGSS rules - certainly not intended. I consider my wrist to be fairly and firmly slapped! ;-)

Thank you and I agree about your thoughts regarding custom/bespoke to me etc

The main benefit of a bespoke frame is much like a saville row suit in that it is bespoke.
Once it's resold unless it's got unique features that add value in its craftsmanship, it will be no better then a off the shelf item.

£500 would be a good deal for a buyer who knows Feather Frames, £500 would be good for you because the market for bespoke fixie frames from ~10 years ago is sadly 📉

That's exactly my dilemma. It has great emotional value and I'm really torn between keeping it (even if I rarely ride it right now) or seeing if I can find someone who'll give it a new lease of life. To a certain extent (but within reason, of course!) the money side is secondary, but I really appreciate the thoughts and comments you have all made so far.

Thanks you. I'll take a look.

Very interesting. Thanks!

I like it more when newbies try to sell used foffas :)

The trouble with bespoke as already pointed out is the frame size and geo is made to order for the OP so you have a narrow market of buyers who might fit around the bespoke size.
It's a nice frame built with mid range parts that are functional.
What tubing is the frame made of..... apart from Steel, what grade steel, what brand, did Ricky mix and match for OP requirements or is say for arguments sake a full reynolds 853 tubeset (it won't be)

Now there's a question. I've been searching high and low for my paperwork exchange between me and Ricky and can't find it anywhere, which is a real shame because I'd like to know the answer, too, as I just cannot remember. I think I'll have to give it another search and see if I come up trumps. I do remember we had lots of discussion about the tubing. I'm sure Ricky might have it on record, but I don't want to trouble him with the request unless I come to the conclusion I really do want to sell. Also, I take your point about bespoke and narrow market of buyers - I very nearly did not bother posting/asking your guys for an opinion because I thought that might be a deal breaker right from the start, and I just be wasting people's time and energy.
BTW I have a Foffa for sale - it's not in great condition but if you're interested it's yours for £950 ;-)

Lol's :)