[CR]Re: Very nice E-Bay Colnago...to ride or not to ride it

(Example: Framebuilders:Rene Herse)

Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2005 16:11:06 -0700 (PDT)
From: Raymond Dobbins <raydobbins2003@yahoo.com>
To: Classic Rendezvous Bike List <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
In-Reply-To: <MONKEYFOODYwlib4g3S000015c2@monkeyfood.nt.phred.org>
Subject: [CR]Re: Very nice E-Bay Colnago...to ride or not to ride it

i have an nos 1978 guerciotti ny show bike - the prior owner didn't ride it, i've never ridden it in the 14 years that i've owned it, and i have no intention of ever riding it. i have plenty of other bikes to ride, and i think it deserves to be kept nos.

so, self-confessed poseur that i am, i have to say that i think it would be a shame to ride the ebay colnago. if you can afford to buy this colnago, you can probably afford to buy another used one to ride (some people on this list have done it). or like somebody already suggested, just buy a used one, fix it up really nice, and ride it. this bike should be appreciated, or rather, treasured, for what it is - a vintage lightweight time capsule that cannot be replicated and ought not to be violated. btw, the fact that the value would go down immediately after the first ride, does not even factor into my opinion. i think the bike should be preserved in nos condition based on its historical value, not its financial value.

the fact is, i doubt too many people who would buy this bike would do more than take it out once for a couple of miles, just to see what it feels like. i can understand that. in fact, early on in my collecting years, i acquired an nos cinelli laser, and i rode it several times with my local club - until i came to my senses and stopped :) but my guess is that this colnago will go to a mature collector's home, and will be preserved in its nos condition.

so in conclusion, yes, i agree with the seller: significant bikes should not be ridden. now - is this a significant bike? i think so (hmm, do i smell a thread there?)

ray dobbins
miami florida