In a message dated 4/23/03 5:34:41 AM, classicrendezvous-request@bikelist.org writes:
<< ----- Original Message ----- From: "goodrichbikes" <goodrichbikes@netzero.net> To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2003 3:18 PM Subject: [CR]Originals vs. Replicas
In the case of randonneur bikes, why is it that that the Herse's and Singer's fetch more loot and respect than the replicas that builders like Toei and Hirose make? At least, this seems to be true in the US. The Toei's almost across the board, are better built and finished than the French builders that he's imitating. Is it that people want the originals? Is it that collectors are more interested in the "oldness" of the French bikes? Or is it a Euro-centric bias? Probably all of the above. Thoughts?
Curt Goodrich Minneapolis, MN >>
Hello Curt and all,
I think Jan Heine may have some insightful insight on this but I'll toss my two centimes in.
If we skip the randonneur bikes for a moment (there are few if any Randonnee events or riders from Japan to my knowledge, thought a one or two have attended PBP when I was there a while back). Randonneur bikes are really very specialized.
The Herse and Singer and similar touring bikes were very innovative and had a certain style standardized by FFDC. Within these constraints there was much innovation with geometry, style and accessory integration.
Copies and reproductions no matter how fine (or superior) are rarely as valuable as the originals. Would a technically correct copy of the Mona Lisa done with modern materials and techniques be as valuable than the original even if superior? Not likely. Could someone take an older research paper and given time for innovation and new technology rewrite it and have superior technical documentation given those resources? Sure you could. Could Herse or Singer improve on Japanese repro, I think absolutely.
Could Herse or Singer produce a bike and after seeing the completed product on the road and interviewing the owner, later recreate the machine with improvements at every level if properly motivated? Could they build their bikes much better with fewer cost constraints by the customer? I think, Certainly! I think that if fellow lister Richard Sachs were asked if he build a finer bike if given twice the time and three times the money he could make some small improvements. Would these changes be noticed, maybe but primarily by him?
On a side note. I met a Japanese journalist abroad a while back who was very displeased with some of the Japanese makers mentioned. He was adamant about the lack of quality control. I was surprised to hear this as I had seen (not taken down, cut apart, closely inspected) many of these fine frames and found them to be not only good but outstanding in many areas. I own a Herse and would have little reservation obtaining a fine Japanese tourer described above.
Yours in Cycling,
Gilbert Anderson
North Road Bicycle Company
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Raleigh, NC 27603
USA
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