The Pilgramage to Waterford

[Thorn]

Well, a little prodding from y'all; a little prodding from the folks I ride with; and a swift kick in the behind from, of all places, my boss to take the time as comp time and just go do it, I finally bit the bullet and made the pilgramage to the Waterford plant.

I went in terrified and more than just a little nervous; I left knowing that I had done the right thing. I have confidence that the new bike will be the right fit and the product well made.

The fit process was very analytical and not so much "does this feel right?" as much as "wrong angle, let's try this". A couple of times I sucked my breath as he made the adjustments thinking, "but it felt OK as it was". Each time, when he was done, sure enough, it was better. In the end the new bike will a little shorter in heigt and 5cm shorter in top tube length.

Egads...even though I knew the bike I had wasn't perfect, I thought it was close. But early in the visit it was clear they knew it wasn't. The guy that did the fitting, Dave, looked hard at my original bike and picked up on things like the fact that the saddle was pushed all the way forward and stem too short for the bike and knew it was wrong. When the owner walked in, he took one look at my bike; one look at me and said, "Way too big." Yep, these guys had clearly done more than a few custom bikes in their time. I rather liked the fact that they were able to say that yes, hat I'm getting is not standard geometry, but, also it is well within the expected. My guess is that if I'd gone with a bike shop that hadn't done enough custom fittings that I might have been way off their curve instead of "totally expected, just not stock sizing for any manufacturer".

When we were done we got to tour the factory. It isn't a big place, but a lot goes on in that space. Dave explained each step and the attention
to detail that they apply at each step. What became clear is that not just Dave, but the guys on the factory floor, seem proud of their product. To me, pride in product means it will be good. My confidence level has just zoomed up. I think I might have done the right thing!

Thanks, ladies, for kicking me along.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

That is going to be one great bike for you.

[rij73]

Ooh! It sounds very exciting! How long will the process take?

[Thorn]

Thanks Lisa--he even showed me a couple of Rivendells (am I correct that you're a Rivendell owner or am I matching to another name?).

rij...looks like about 6 weeks for the frame. I guess that means around Christmas time or a little later for the full bike...won't be able to get it on the road, though, until April/May when the salt comes off the roads. But, I figure looking at the beauty (and she will be beautiful, of course ) will be my incentive to keep up the riding through the winter--after all, I wouldn't want to let her down on her first ride!

[DebW]

Oooo. Congrats. Which of their models did you go with?

[indysteel]

How exciting, not only that you're going to get a pretty steel bike out of the deal, but most importantly, one that fits. I'm green with envy. The bike shop that did my fitting for my Bianchi sells Waterfords. I'm leaning toward Ti, but if I go steel, they're definitely an option.

Have you thought about color, lugs, decals and the like?

[Thorn]

The model will be the RS-33. I wanted a bike that is light, has a good snap and yet is comfy after 100 miles. I left it up to them to choose the model that fit those requirements. So, it will be the oversized, oval steel S3 tubing, TIG welded, no lugs; the sport road model, not the racing model so that handling should be softer.

As for color, I had been leaning towards a fade scheme from a dark cranberry into a dark orange, but then I saw the Harlequin magenta/gold. Depending upon the light angle, the color can be some shade between magenta and gold. On a round surface, it has a nice effect with the colors that the paint can appear were all within my chosen colors. Figured I couldn't lose and it should be fun.

I'm putting over it their new stylized decals. I really like the script font--gives an elegance to the bike. I saw it today on several bikes. It looked good.

In the TMI side...the bike is being funded by stock options from a former job. I had worked for a small company. It was a good job. We got bought by a big multinational. The job went downhill, but I ended up with some "blood money"--I so liked my job that it was like taking payment to take away a good friend. Anyway...I decided that I would use the money to increase quality of life. I figure splurging on a custom bike fits into that definition so it will be bittersweet...but it also means I can justify frivilous things like harlequin paint and Campy Chorus. I've never splurged like this on myself before...feels wierd (but I better not get too used to it )

[mimitabby]

Thorn
the bike sounds absolutely awesome. I've seen the paint job that Waterford can do! (I like your color combo better than the one I saw though)

I really look forward to following your story...

[DebW]

Are you going for a steel or carbon fork?

My recent custom bike was also funded by a stock option windfall, though I'm still with the company.

[Thorn]

They're going to put on a carbon fork. His reasoning was weight. My bike is big because...uh...I'm big. I think I read on their forums that Waterford tends to go with carbon forks unless a high reliability usage is planned (e.g., cross country, self-supported touring).

Mimi--some of the bikes they had there were really cool looking. I'm not a pastel sort of person, but I was surprised how nice the pastels looked with the more traditional panels. I asked the guy if they ever had someone request a color combination that was a disaster in the making. He described one case where they did an "intervention". They kept the woman's colors, but changed where and how they were used on the bike. In the end, it worked and she was happy.

[mimitabby]

I would love to go to the Waterford factory!
you could give guided tours!

[Mr. Bloom]

Shows you how clueless I am...I thought you went to Ireland to buy crystal!

[jobob]

Thanks Lisa--he even showed me a couple of Rivendells

Waterford actually used to make Rivendells about 10-12 years ago. My Dusty, a Rivendell road bike that I bought second hand, was made in 1996 at the Waterford factory and it's got the decal to prove it.

Ed: to emphasize the "used to"

[elk]

Waterford actually used to make Rivendells about 10-12 years ago. My Dusty, a Rivendell road bike that I bought second hand, was made in 1996 at the Waterford factory and it's got the decal to prove it.

Rivendell doesn't make their own bikes? Do they put components together?
Confused!

I saw a shiny black Waterford that I thought was beeeeyooootiful!

[KnottedYet]

Riv's bikes are made in Japan, their cheaper bike is made in Taiwan. They have this awesome double-garage behind a little strip-mall thing in Walnut Creek where they complete the bikes.

Trek and I hung out there nearly all day once...