Marcus,Tom,etal,
You guys make some interesting statements with which I agree 100%.
However I think there is a fine line between collecting and investing. Since many of our interests in bicycles are rather arcane in the eyes of mainstream folks; most folks do not value these items the way we do. Therefore deals abound for those willing to invest some time and energy scouting the 'junk heaps'.
I think many of us see these 'junk heap deals' more as an investment opportunity; which we can flip to another kindred spirit and along the way help support our own Collecting Jones.
It's all good ... just keep them wheels spinning.
Nick Zatezalo Atlanta,Ga,US
-----Original Message-----
>From: marcus.e.helman@gm.com
>Sent: Aug 18, 2006 10:40 AM
>To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org, tsan7759142@sbcglobal.net
>Subject: [CR]changes in collecting and riding habits
>
>
>Tom, I have always been in favor of riding, although I think your bikes are
>all prettier than mine. The biggest change for me was to stop buying bikes
>that were close to the right size, but not a great fit, just because they
>were available, and a reasonable deal. I have gotten rid of bikes that I
>don't ride and frames that I will never build up, and I am glad to have
>done it. I have three bikes, which for me is plenty. I ride them all. I
>do occasionally feel that even three is a lot. Certainly if I was once
>again the kid working at the bike store and dreaming of a pro bike, I would
>shake my head at someone who had three. Any one of these bikes would have
>been so great to own. How could I even think of wanting more than one? On
>the other hand, they are so beautiful, so ignored by the masses, so
>affordable (relatively) and available (again, relatively) that the
>temptation to expand the collection is certainly there, and easy to
>rationalize.
>
>I sometimes go down to the basement to grab a bike to ride, and the Masi
>will say "let's go. I am the best bike you have ever ridden." The Sachs
>says "I am beautiful, and you have never given me the credit I deserve.
>The Brooks is beginning to get more comfortable. Maybe this ride will be
>the one when it finally gives in just the right way." The Cinelli calls
>out "What about me? Let's ride fixed today. I am still new here. We have
>so much to learn about each other." I do not ride them in strict rotation,
>but I do try to treat them somewhat equally. I may be anthropomorphizing
>too much, but I am also the guy who worries that his daughter's American
>Girl dolls will come to life and murder us in our sleep.
>
>Once, when my son was younger we bought him a pair of sneakers that he
>thought were the very coolest things on earth. He rarely wore them because
>he was saving them and didn't want to get them dirty. One day he found
>that his feet had grown, and he could no longer fit into the sneakers,
>which were still in almost new condition. He was so sad. Part of having
>something wonderful is in the acquiring of it. But for me, another part
>has to be experiencing the very thing that makes it wonderful, which in
>this case means getting out on the road. What am I saving it for?
>
>Rode the Sachs last night and this morning. Cinelli tomorrow. Probably.
>Marcus Helman
>Huntington Woods, MI
>
>Tom Sanders wrote:
>
>We have had the ride it or not ride it so many times that I hesitated to
>jump in here. I want to come at this from a little different angle.
>Years ago I would have said either way was fine...ride it or not ride it.
>I
>still would say that for other folks, however I find my own attitude on
>this
>changing of late. When I get out a bike to ride and time after time I just
>leave some gleaming beauty hanging and ride one of my regular riders I soon
>come to have much less of a bond with the non-rider. I no longer care to
>have bikes I don't ride. No doubt one of the reasons I sell so many nice
>bikes. Talking with others on the list, I find them expressing a similar
>sentiment.
>Now, I am not at all sure whether it is a function of growing older, of
>more
>experience as a collector of bikes, or some individual peculiarity (which
>my
>friends will attest I have in no short supply...No comment is needed here,
>Bob :^)...) but I have less and less willingness to give space to bikes I
>don't use. It is this change I wanted to comment on.
>I'm not sure if the others who have expressed a similar attitude to me have
>similar reasons for this shifting in collecting strategy or not, but if
>your
>attitude has changed on this, also, I think it would be interesting to hear
>a little of the thought process behind your present take on collecting
>bikes.
>Tom Sanders
>Lansing, Mi USA