Also, as far as Reynolds tubing goes, Mercian doesn't have to pay overseas shipping to get their materials, which could make a slight difference in their favor, and which would account for some of the lower asking price.
On Mon, 15 Jan 2001 08:47:18 -0800 "Diane Feldman"
<feldmanbike@home.com> writes:
> Having recently bought some lugs that are probably 40+ years old
> from an
> English supplier, I have to wonder if the price advantage of frames
> like
> Mercian has to do with backlogs of materials that were purchased at
> prices
> from the 1950's to 70's. Also, Mercian uses more or less standard
> lugs and
> fittings while Herons use proprietary investment cast designs,
> there's a lot
> of design and other costs to recover there.
> DF
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <CYCLESTORE@aol.com>
> To: <cyclist@dimensional.com>; <Arthurradley@hotmail.com>;
> <randonneurextra@hotmail.com>; <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Sent: Friday, January 12, 2001 8:34 PM
> Subject: Re: [CR]heron bicycles prices of frames and bicycles....
>
>
> > Howdy gang read below, comments follow,
> >
> > In a message dated 1/12/01 5:29:15 PM, cyclist@dimensional.com
> writes:
> >
> > << On Fri, 12 Jan 2001, Jerry Moos wrote:
> >
> > > I think Ted is correct about Heron pricing - what looks like a
> bargain
> at
> > > $700 is too high at $1000. One can get some pretty nice
> handmade frames
> > > from UK, including Mercian, for not much more. I have a similar
> concern
> >
> > A "basic" Mercian is 300 pounds. With the current exchange that's
> about
> > $445 US. Add 40-45 pounds for shipping and you're just over $500
> US.
> > Hell, I went ape with options (rack painted to match, headset
> installed,
> > extra braze-ons, more paintwork, etc) and mine came to $770 US
> w/shipping.
> >
> > Marinoni (sp?) of Canada has some very nice frames at attractive
> prices,
> > too.
> >
> > On the Heron,
> >
> > Is the price too high or is it more than you want to pay today; uh
> or
> maybe
> > tomorrow? If you can get a Mercian with the works and a
> Marroni(sic) at a
> > bargain price does that mean they are better for you needs;
> probably not.
> Of
> > course the Heron may not be exactly what you want either. Would
> you buy
> two
> > if they were $500.00 each?
> >
> > The Heron guy mentioned earlier may not have a viable business
> selling 100
> > frames a year (A hundred is a lot of frames but business overhead
> eats
> away
> > at you) at minimal markup. From the spec I see on the Heron's and
> the
> cost
> > of development and their sheer uniqueness should allow them to
> hold their
> > value for some time. This would most likely make it a good value
> and you
> > even get to ride it.
> >
> > I purchase my Rene Herse which in 1983 I paid enough money for to
> buy 22
> > Mercian frames (I like Mercian Frames by the way). I've been led to
> believe
> > it is worth 4 times my original purchase price (88 Mercians?) and
> their
> are
> > willing buyers. I got to ride many, many thousands of enjoyable
> miles with
> > fantastic memories. I feel it was the best bargain I ever found.
> >
> >
> > The Marinoni(sic) and Mercian today are exceptionally good buys
> because we
> > enjoy a strong dollar. I remember shopping for a bike made in
> England when
> > the pound sterling was $2.50 dollar to the £1.00; not $1.50, ouch!
> I think
> > the $775 figure mentioned above would work out to $1285.90 if math
> my is
> > correct. English bikes has always seemed to be a bargain however
> even
> with
> > sky high exchange rates. The dwindling of the numbers of current
> builders
> in
> > Britain reflects the fact that this will not last forever as costs
> rise
> over
> > time. It is sad to see old outfits close but many are nearing
> retirement.
> >
> > I'm not rich or bike poor but if something I really wanted cost
> $300.00
> more
> > (a mere two full weeks pay in our shop) than something I liked,
> well I'll
> get
> > what I want. Besides they might cost more later. The real true
> bargains
> and
> > related saving come in buying the correct thing once, something
> that will
> > last.
> >
> > I sell lightweight frames from around the world and I sell more
> over
> $1000.00
> > than under $1000.00. Over $4000.00 frames have not been uncommon
> either.
> It's
> > all in supplying what people want once by listening to their real
> needs,
> > wants and desires. The right $100.00 frame is better than the wrong
> $1000.00
> > dollar one. That's what I think.
> >
> > My current dilemma is I want something $3000.00 more than lots of
> things I
> > like (and I like nice ones as well as plain ones) a lot.
> >
> > Time for winter sale I think, you guys will be first to know.
> >
> > Yours in cycling
> >
> > Gilbert Anderson
> > The Bicycle Outfitter
> > Raleigh, NC USA
> >
> > --
> > cyclist [at] dimensional [dot] com
> >
> > http://www.dimensional.com/
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> >
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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