Work in progress 3/25/00 last updated 11/13/03
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Poor |
Fair |
Good |
Very Good |
Excellent |
Take-Off |
New/NOS |
The Velostuf Grading System tries to provide an objective way to determine the condition of a bicycle frame/fork or component for use in buying, selling and collecting. However, two people often times have different opinions about these things, so please use this as a casual guide only! Damage should be called out (pointed out, or mentioned) specifically apart from the condition, eg. bent fork from collision or bent derailleur from getting caught in the spokes. Repaint or rechrome should also be called out. "Original" is generally used to describe a frame or complete bike that has not been repainted, rechromed or had any components replaced. It is appropriate to give details on a partly, or mostly original bike. Also, polishing of aluminum usually changes the luster away from the original patina and should be called out in higher grades.
Poor: Very extensive wear or heavy/abusive use that will negatively affect the utility of the frame or the function of the component. Items in this condition may not be safe to use.
A frame in this condition will likely have significant dents (15mm x 15mm x 5mm deep or larger) in several tubes, weak, or worn-out threads in eyelets, etc. and severe and heavy scratches to the paint and undercoat over the majority of the surface. Chrome, if present will be severely pitted and/or bubbling with rust. Decals and headbadge, if present will likely be very scraped or gouged. Rust will be very evident including some structural rust or perforations due to rust or chroming/rechroming. Alignment is likely to be off enough to significantly affect the ride, eg difficulty tracking straight with hands off of the bars; difficulty getting the front wheel straight with axle set deep into the fork ends.
A component in this condition will have severe and heavy scratches as well as evidence of very extensive wear. Metal will be displaced as a result of the deep scratches. Rust will be visible on steel parts, and powdery oxidation may be visible on alloy parts. Moving parts will be sloppy and misaligned due to wear. Bearing surfaces will show heavy use and perhaps pitting. Overall, the component will have an ugly look and will operate poorly and/or noisy, if at all.
Fair: Extensive wear or heavy use that may negatively affect the utility of the frame or function of the component. Items in this condition may not be safe to use.
A frame in this condition may have small dents (10mm x 10mm x 3mm deep) in several tubes, weak, or worn-out threads in eyelets, etc. and moderate to heavy scratches to the paint and undercoat over the majority of the surface. Chrome, if present will be pitted and/or bubbling with rust. Decals and headbadge, if present will likely be significantly scraped or gouged. Rust will be evident including some heavier rust that has visibly taken away some of the thickness of the tube metal. Alignment may be off enough to affect the ride.
A component in this condition will have heavy scratches as well as evidence of extensive wear. Metal will be displaced as a result of the deep scratches. Rust will be visible on steel parts, and powdery oxidation may be visible on alloy parts. Moving parts will be sloppy and misaligned due to wear. Bearing surfaces will show heavy use and perhaps pitting. Overall, the component will have a ragged look and may operate poorly or noisier than normal.
Good: A frame or component in "Good" condition will be fully functional, and have some pleasing luster in the paint, chrome, and other metal parts. Most bikes and components that have provided years of service will fall into this average grade.
A frame in this condition may have some (1-5) small dents (10mm x 5mm x 1.5mm deep), preferably not in the downtube, fork blades or chainstays. The paint will show some (5-10) moderate (1-4 mm wide x 10-40 mm long) scratches that go through the the topcoat and undercoats, but won't displace metal. Chrome, if present will show only minor pitting in those areas subject to a harsh environment such as the fork ends and right chainstay. The chrome should generally be brilliant. Decals should be no more than 15-20% damaged or missing. Headbadge should be complete, but may be missing some paint or enamel. Minor rust will be evident in areas where sweat or water collects. Any areas of rust larger than 1-2 mm x 10-20 mm should be called out. Alignment may be off slightly, but it shouldn't affect the ride in most circumstances.
A component in this condition will have typical scuffs scratches from moderate use which will negatively affect the cosmetics, but should not affect it's function. The majority of the scratches should be moderate with a minimum of displaced metal.
| Rims- Good | Hubs- Good | Brakes- Good | Seatpost- Good | Saddle- Good | Bottom Bracket- Good |
| Crankset- Good | Pedals- Good | Shifters- Good | Headset- Good | Stem- Good | Handlebar- Good |
* Rims: Should be true laterally and radially with no flat spots. There may be some slight bulging at the braking surface at the spokes. Decals may be damaged or missing. The luster of the metal may be lacking. Eyelets may have red, or powdery white oxidizing. Some eyelets may be slightly displaced from the tensioning of the spokes.
* Hubs: Some original luster of metal should remain. Oxidation should be moderate. Bearings may be out of adjustment and show wear upon inspection, but there should be no pitting in the cups or cones. Axle should be straight. Axle nuts may show slight rounding on one or two of the edges, but should function well with the intended wrench. Spoke holes may show evidence of having been built in in 2 different directions but should not be so out-of-round as to weaken the hub.
* Brakes: Pads, cables and housing will show various amounts of wear- extensive wear is to be expected. Chromed steel hardware will show light to moderate rust/oxidation. Caliper arms may show scuffs and scrapes, although these parts are generally not subjected to heavy scrapes. Road spray can mar laser etched logos or writing on the caliper arms. Brake cable housing may look good, but the internal sheathing (if used in housing) may be worn away in some spots which may reduce effectiveness. Brake levers will likely show evidence of some heavy scrapes- but levers must move freely without any binding, and not exhibit too much lateral play. Brake hoods must be complete and usable, but may show some dryness and cracking. It is common for a "Good" brakeset to have fair, poor, or non-existent hoods- buy/sell price should be adjusted appropriately.
* Seatpost: Alloy posts will show moderate insertion marks that are deep enough to catch a fingernail on easily. Scratches this deep generally can not be sanded and polished out without causing out-of-roundness and reduced diameter. Upper hardware will show some rust or corrosion. Valuation may depend on placement of the scratches, (are they visible when inserted into a seat tube?). Chromed steel posts will show moderate rust or corrosion, but should have an overall pleasing look. Scuffs or scrapes will be present.
* Saddle: Leather saddles will show some light to moderate cracking and dryness, and slight pulling away of the leather from the rivets. Green oxidation around copper rivets, as well as discoloration and gouges in the leather are common in this grade. The leather must not be so soft as to sag excessively under the rider, or so hard as to be very difficult to break in. This can be difficult to determine without lots of experience. Plastic and leather saddles alike will have moderate scuffs on the rear sides from pavement and brick wall abrasion. Rails may be very clean, or quite scuffed in this condition. Problems with the visible portions of chromed, or painted rails will negatively affect the value.
* Bottom Bracket: Bearing surfaces of axle and cups will show plenty of wear, but no pitting. This must be confirmed through very careful inspection. Pitting will become worse quickly with use and is generally not acceptable in parts that take stresses like the bottom bracket. Wrench flats on the fixed cup may show some rounding from installation or removal. Notches on the adjustable cup lockring may also how some damage from installation or removal. The grease shield, if present, may be cracked.
* Crankset: The
* Pedals
* Shifters
* Headset
* Stem
* Handlebars