Charlie Young wrote:
>
> Well, though disinclined to criticize others' aesthetic sensibilities, I'll
> enter into this discussion. I concur, in part, with Steven's assessment that
> Vlad should repaint if he doesn't like the color or doesn't want to provide
> endless responses to those who confuse it with a Bianchi. I believe that Ron's
> handiwork is certainly on a par with the Bianchi Reparto Corsa works. I also
> concur with Chuck that Bianchi doesn't have a lock on celeste as a color.
>
> I disagree slightly with Steven in that I do think that Ron's bikes will fetch
> top value someday. Though less widely known than the Italian marques, the fact
> that Ron built all of the frames by himself will be appreciated in the future.
> Witness the past discussions on the list of the merits and desirability of
> Sante-built Pogliaghis, Faliero-built Masis, Denny-built Hetchins, etc. For
> this same reason, Sachs, Baylis, and other solo builders will also be more
> highly prized than those from famous name brands that may be built by any
> number of different (and sometimes highly competent/unsung) but anonymous
> builders working as employees or subcontractors.
>
> Charlie Young
> (2) British Racing Green Ron Coopers - one a repaint due to the original finish
> being to far gone, the other original.
> Honeybrook, PA
Me too!!! A Ron Cooper was the first bike I planned on buying after getting brochures from every frame builder I could find in the English speaking world in 1976.
There was a Bikecology store I went to in Santa Monica and I use to endlessly read their mailorder catalog for advice on my first bike purchase. Alas, the Cooper was going to be around $800 with nice Japanese parts (couldn't afford Campagnolo) and I wound up getting a brand new in the box "full Campy" Raleigh Pro Mk IV for $507 with my tax refund in April 1976.
I've been looking for a Ron Cooper with the 70s graphics ever since; lots of them were sold in SoCal because of Bikecology. I think Ron Cooper's bikes are very desirable since he built them all on his own from what I understand. (An Aqua one would be nice ;)
Chuck Schmidt SoPas, SoCal
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