Interestingly, a pair of NOS world-logo hoods went for $108 on eBay just recently. Additionally, I currently sell NOS shield-logo ones for $79/pr. They are an extremely popular item. Where can I get those KoolStop pads to fit R/SR? Mafac and R/SR don't use the same pad, BTW. Cheers, Greg Parker Dexter, Michigan http://www.bicycleclassics.com
Date: Tue, 16 Nov 2004 09:35:37 -0800 From: "Tom Martin" <tom@wilsonbike.com> To: <tsan7759142@comcast.net>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Subject: Re: [CR]Market for re-manufactured old parts
If the component makers (shimano, campag, mavic) and resellers (bike shops, distributors) can charge market rate for the 1970s era $20.00 hoods today:
http://westegg.com/
What cost $20.00 in 1975 would cost $71.30 in 2003. Also, if you were to buy exactly the same products in 2003 and 1975, they would cost you $20.00 and $5.61 respectively.
Anyone willing to pay $71.30 for a pair of disposable 'world' gum hoods that will last a few years? Note though, that any retail price will need to be based on standard production runs and current channels of distribution. And how big a market are we- a couple of thousand tops- for vintage bike collectors worldwide? I would gather the hoods would be made in their Record carbon crank factory, with a more craftsman level workforce, a la e-ritchie. How much would Mr. Sachs charge for vintage 70's RS logoed hoods? Imagine Richard halting his work on someones frame to slave away over a brake lever hood mold, pouring- by HAND!- hot liquid latex into the dies? I suspect they would not be cheap. (Hey, maybe I gave RS an idea for a new market to exploit- I want 10%!)
Gumwall tires on the other hand are a completely different game. 27x1 1/4" tires are sold by the hundreds in bike shops every year. These are of course low end replacement tires for schwinns and Boom Bikes. The demand for AM replacement gumwall tires has never gone away since millions of bikes were made for years and years, and still is. Even an upper end tire in that size in skin wall, while not easy, is still obtainable. Panaracer, IRC, Hutchinson all still make these tires available in their catalogues.
Same thing goes for brake pads. Hey- you can buy better made Kool Stop and Fibrax brake blocks for your old Campag and Mafac calipers today for $15 for a set of 4. (KS-CR: available at any bike shop with a few days notice).
Happily with one less box of random bike parts post Veloswap,
Tom Martin
Oakland CA