What Mid-Priced Bicycle Today Is Tomorrow's Cult Classic Collector?

[jyl]

This is kind of an odd question that may seem pointless, but I have my reasons . . .

If I were to spend up to $1,500 on a new road bicycle, could I get a great-riding bike that is also a future classic - a bike that in 10 or 20 years will be a rare collector's bike with a cult following, and worth as much or more than I paid for it? If so, what bicycle would that be?

[Jim Bremner]

somthing with a "fixed" gear.

you need to look @ what's "hot" in the 18-28 crowd

that's what's cooking with gas!


surly,soma,swobo or iro

[M.D. Holloway]

John L. - I think, but can not prove yet, that the collectors items of the future will be those things that will not be around in the future. Good quality products will be taken care as opposed to products that are of queastionable quality or durability.

Buy the cheapest piece of crap that won't last. Keep it in its original box and don't touch it for 20 years. It will be the only one like it left.

Think what a Yugo would be worth if completly in tact, mint condition with zero miles on it?

[jyl]

Okay, that could work, but I want something I can ride and love during those 10-20 years, so no cyclo equivalent of the Yugo.

[911pcars]

Originally posted by jyl
This is kind of an odd question that may seem pointless, but I have my reasons . . .

If I were to spend up to $1,500 on a new road bicycle, could I get a great-riding bike that is also a future classic - a bike that in 10 or 20 years will be a rare collector's bike with a cult following, and worth as much or more than I paid for it? If so, what bicycle would that be?

John,
Used Litespeed or equivalent or a classic Italian steel frame. Ti is light, even a 5 year old frame, and it's going to last a long time. CF isn't despite the sexy curves most CF frames seem to have. Check Ebay. People upgrade their bikes and the resale value usually isn't great. Look around and you'll find a deal on someones hardly ridden money pit. Know your frame specs first to weed out the nice bikes that won't fit you. But will you be riding the same bike in 10, 15 years? Maybe, maybe not. "Classic" bikes usually have "classic" components that will be difficult to find in the future.

Per Lubemaster's suggestion, if you're looking for an investment, park it in a bag, then find a driver to ride.

Sherwood

[einreb]

Originally posted by jyl
This is kind of an odd question that may seem pointless, but I have my reasons . . .

If I were to spend up to $1,500 on a new road bicycle, could I get a great-riding bike that is also a future classic - a bike that in 10 or 20 years will be a rare collector's bike with a cult following, and worth as much or more than I paid for it? If so, what bicycle would that be?

I think you would have a tough time finding a new complete bike for that amount that could be considered a future 'cult classic'.

There are a lot of small frame builders that you can get a frame for a bit less than that. Small handbuilt manufactures will almost always have a 'cool' factor. (i.e. http://www.soulcraftbikes.com/)

Another thought would be to buy a used bike that is already a classic. Nice older Italian steel frame and 8 or 9 speed campy can be had in that price. I bought a used Colnago CT-1 full campy record for about $2500. A preposterous amount of money for a bike, but $2k less than new and its freaking gorgeous.

[greglepore]

I can't think of anything, really. Their is clearly some higher end stuff, but nothing "mid priced". The stuff that I wish I had bought 10-20 yrs ago is stuff like the ADR scheme Bottecchia (same paint as LeMond's 89 tour bike) or a 7 Eleven Merckx. Nothing really like that today, as the "pro team" stuff is mostly disposable. I do have a very cool MX Leader Merckx in Motorola colors that is worth much more than I paid for it used, and there is tons of that stuff out there, but nothing new. I'd buy a used classic frame and hang new components on it, keep the old stuff for the collectors when you sell.

All of the cool lugged stuff is likely to be collectible, but none is mid priced. Bianchi has a very cool line of curved tube carbon stuff this year, but its likely the tip of the "styled" iceberg, not the apex.

[BertBeagle]

I bought a Kona fire mountain at a yard sale. the guy was asking $5 and I beat him down to $3. It was in nice shape. Went from the yard sale to the local bike shop to get it looked at and the bike shop guy offered me $200. I had it tuned up and ride it occasionally. I am not a bike guy but did see that it looked like a nice bike so I bought it. Anybody know of the reputation of Kona bikes? Probably not a future "cult classic".

[creaturecat]

Italian steel - the only way to go - for collectability.

here is one of mine, Tomassini Techno - Record C with Delta brakes

[tabs]

I have an Araya AERO..with the Shimano AX components. All the tubing is ovaled. It was the first of the aerodynamic bikes. That thing used to whisper FASTER Tabby Faster.... I also have a Kline Mountain Bike circa 1991 which I paid about $1300 for, I never rode that thing. Its like Brand New.

[pwd72s]

Ahhh, yes...Moscow by the Willamette, aka/Portland Oregon...where many feel it is their civic duty to slow down auto traffic by clogging up the roads with their bicycles. One of these fanatics even stopped a city bus by pulling in front of it and stopping. A passenger got off & punched him. All caught on tape, and dutifully reported on the nightly local liberal views shows. These faded flower children look soooo cute in their spandex outfits!

[911pcars]

"These faded flower children look soooo cute in their spandex outfits!"

Paul,
Easy to generalize. You might be surprised that cyclists are a cross-section of your community - any community. Cars are not always the answer to go from point A to point B despite the advertising hype by GM, Toyota, Mobil, etc. Cycling is also a form of exercise, like walking.

This is straying off-topic.

Sherwood

[pwd72s]

Originally posted by 911pcars
"These faded flower children look soooo cute in their spandex outfits!"

Paul,
Easy to generalize. You might be surprised that cyclists are a cross-section of your community - any community. Cars are not always the answer to go from point A to point B despite the advertising hype by GM, Toyota, Mobil, etc. Cycling is also a form of exercise, like walking.

This is straying off-topic.

Sherwood

Oh, so I should talk only about the old Raleigh 10 speed hanging in my garage? Sherwood, this IS the off topic board!

[911pcars]

Paul,
I thought the topic was John's (JYL) search for a classic bike? Do we need to go off-topic within this off-topic?

If you want to start a new thread on the flower children who cycle and/or advocate cycling, be my guest.

Sherwood

[nostatic]

lugged steel frame from an American small manufacturer. You'd have to buy used though.

Second would be a tig'd frame from a small builder.

The euro steel bikes might be cult, but to me something like an Eisentraut or Rivendell or Davidson will have more pull than a Colnago, Cinelli, etc.

[dd74]

What will be "classic" tomorrow is a gamble. I'd say anything that is steel, though steel seems to be a new "in" material, though it's been around since the inception of the bicycle.

Tubing helps - old Columbus SL and SLX seems to be a rallying point. I'm not certain the same will stand for Reynolds 853.

Name manufacturers help too - LeMond comes to mind. Some early LeMond bikes have been going for some nice $$$.

Old race bikes are a good bet. 7-11 bicycles, team Colnagos, etc. I've heard copies of Floyd Landis' c/f bicycle will have some classic status - for obvious reasons.

My Peugeot is a good example of what you're asking: the first mass produced c/f race bicycle, 16 lbs., and full Campy C Record of the era. Bike shops here always want to buy it off me for more than I paid for it in 1987.