Re: [CR]heron bicycles prices of frames and bicycles....

(Example: Humor:John Pergolizzi)

To: bicyclemark@juno.com
Cc: feldmanbike@home.com, CYCLESTORE@aol.com, cyclist@dimensional.com, Arthurradley@hotmail.com, randonneurextra@hotmail.com, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 2001 15:58:05 -0500
Subject: Re: [CR]heron bicycles prices of frames and bicycles....
From: "Richard M Sachs" <richardsachs@juno.com>


without knowing all the details, (who really does), mercian makes their frames, as they have for generations, and heron doesn't. they buy them built to their own specs. the low cost of cast lugs and the time saved using them favors heron as far as costs go...as it would help costs at mercian if they use pre-finished parts. (they must use some in SOME of their frames). also, mercian makes many models, and i'm sure generates additional income from their painting business, their repair business, and from the retail sales of parts, frames, and bicycles of other types that leave thru the front of the shop. (as i recall, many frame shops were an adjunct business to retail stores which sold the gamut of ephemera). and just as witcomb cycles did when i was there, mercian, more likely than not, imports goods from the continent and re-sells them favourably. the chain of distribution 'over there' is very different than here. in the end, my point is that the manufacturing costs and selling prices between these 2 brands have almost nothing in common. e-RICHIE

On Mon, 15 Jan 2001 09:58:05 -0800 "Mark A. Perkins" <bicyclemark@juno.com> writes:
> 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/~cyclist/ >>
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
>
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