[CR]Classic parts in Europe and Italy

(Example: Bike Shops:R.E.W. Reynolds)

Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2006 13:03:09 -0800 (PST)
From: "Tom Dalton" <tom_s_dalton@yahoo.com>
To: Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: [CR]Classic parts in Europe and Italy

Brandon wrote:

"If you look it's out there just ask Baron at Renaissance Cycles."

I dunno Brandon, it seems to me that BC is doing a lot of looking around in Europe and coming up with some cool stuff, but by no means is he able to get all the 'it' in "it's out there." A few examples of ordinary, everyday bike junk that I don't see anyone coming up with on a regular basis.

Record cranks, particularly in 172.5 or 175, especially in EX or NOS condition.

Globe logo hoods

ANY model of handmade vintage tire, even from the 80s. When did you last see an NOS CG or CX or Crit cotton or Strada 66???

SSC blues in 32 or even 36 holes

Old logo 66-42 Cinellis in even decent condition.

Binda Extras

These are just a few of the staples from the mid-80's and earlier that are all but unavailable now. If they are available, the prices are so crazy that I refuse to believe that there is any signifcant amount of this stuff sitting around on the shelves of European shops, no matter how far afield they may be. My impression is that if anyone is looking for it, it's BC, and he's coming up empty-handed, by in large. If he could get globe logo hoods, he could easily sell them for $100 a set, so I'm sure he has plenty of motivation to find the stuff. It's just not out there.

I'm sure there are a LOT of well-used vintage race bikes in Europe, and there are even some that were not pressed into service as city bikes. But even these will most likely need hoods, straps, tires, etc, to be brought back up to snuff, and the stuff just isn't there.

If you're not picky, and want functional equivalents, no problem, but the real deal? Don't hold your breath.

That's my take on it.

Tom Dalton

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