Waterford Precision Cycles is a custom metal-frame builder rather than a conventional bicycle company with fixed models and standard build kits. Its current range centers on individually designed steel, stainless-steel and titanium frames for road, all-road, gravel, touring and travel applications. Complete bicycles can also be ordered around the finished frame.
The present operation is a revival of the Waterford name. The original Wisconsin factory closed in 2023, and production resumed under a new team after the brand changed hands in 2025. Current Waterfords are built in Colorado and should be distinguished from frames produced during the earlier Wisconsin period.
A rider might consider Waterford when standard geometry, component compatibility or appearance does not provide the desired result. The company can tailor tubing, fit, tire clearance, mounting points, cable routing and finish to the individual order. That flexibility comes with a high price, a production wait and more responsibility during the design process.
What Waterford Precision Cycles Makes
Waterford’s current series describe frame material and construction rather than a fixed geometry or riding category:
- 22-Series Artisan: Lugged stainless-steel frames using selected KVA and Reynolds tubing, generally aimed toward road and long-distance pavement use.
- 22-Series: TIG-welded stainless-steel frames with fewer geometry restrictions and options for road, all-road, touring, travel and gravel configurations.
- 33-Series Artisan: Lugged Reynolds 853 steel frames with traditional construction and customizable paint or other finishes.
- 33-Series: TIG-welded Reynolds 853 frames covering pavement and off-pavement applications, including wider-clearance gravel builds.
- 55-Series: TIG-welded titanium frames using butted Reynolds titanium tubing for road, all-road and gravel applications.
- Custom complete bicycles: Component selection, finish and final assembly can be included as part of the commissioned build.
The Geometry Is the Product
Waterford’s current frames do not rely on familiar model names such as “race,” “endurance” or “gravel.” The series selects the material and construction method; the consultation determines what the bike becomes.
That distinction is important. A custom frame is not simply a stock bike made in an unusual size. Head-tube configuration, bottom-bracket standard, brake mounts, hub spacing, tire clearance, cable placement, bottle bosses and component fit are established before fabrication. TIG-welded construction generally permits more freedom in geometry and tire clearance, while the lugged Artisan frames favor more traditional proportions and narrower stated tire ranges.
Custom design can solve genuine problems for riders with unusual proportions, established fit requirements or a specific use that falls between production-bike categories. It can also create an expensive mistake if the brief is vague. A made-to-measure frame is only as useful as the measurements, component plan and riding priorities supplied to the builder.
What to Know Before Buying
Start with accurate fit information. Record saddle height, saddle setback, handlebar reach and drop, crank length, preferred bar width and the geometry of any current bike that fits well. A professional fit is particularly useful when the new frame is intended to correct discomfort or a significant position problem.
Decide on components before approving the drawing. Tire size, fenders, racks, drivetrain, brake type, axle spacing, bottom bracket, fork dimensions and cable routing all affect frame design. “Room for 50mm tires” is incomplete without accounting for the selected rim, actual measured tire width, mud clearance and front-derailleur or chainring requirements.
Material choice also affects ownership. Painted Reynolds 853 frames need intact external finish and internal corrosion protection, especially in wet or salty conditions. Stainless steel and titanium reduce that concern but cost more. Lugged construction adds visual and traditional appeal, but it is not automatically lighter or better suited to every geometry than TIG welding.
Custom orders involve deposits, design approval and limited opportunities for changes once fabrication begins. Quoted production times can also move with workload, finishing and component availability. Buyers should have every specification documented before authorizing production.
For a used Waterford, identify the production era and serial number before assuming current specifications or support apply. Older frames may use rim brakes, quick-release hubs, narrower tire clearance or standards that differ substantially from a newly commissioned Waterford.
The brand best suits riders who know what they want from fit, handling and component compatibility and are willing to participate closely in the design. Someone who wants immediate availability, easy returns or a simple comparison between standard build levels will be better served by a production bicycle.
Verified brand information
Waterford at a glance
Company, ownership, warranty, and support details collected from official brand sources.
Company
Identity & ownership
- Founded
- 1993
- Founder(s)
- Richard Schwinn, Marc Muller
- Headquarters
- Durango, CO, USA
- Operating status
- Active
Ownership support
Warranty, service & dealers
Share support experience- Support region
- US
- Warranty region
- US
Official resources
Historical bicycle archive
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58 archived bicycle records.
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