Marc wrote:
"I was also of the opinion that only Herse randonneuse bikes with all of
the RH bits were where the value was until I had the chance to examine one of the cyclo-sportif/racing frames up close. Granted, the machine in question does have some of the Herse bits, but one of the details which struck me as being extraordinary was the internal routing of the cabling. Granted, internally routed cables are not that unique; however, the true
Herse touch lies wherein each of the entry and exit holes for these cables have beautifully filleted reinforcements. Also, it appears that to accomplish the internal routing of the front derailleur cable, a special
bottom bracket was fabricated with an eye towards aerodynamics. Seems like every time I examine an Herse frame, I see something different and extraordinary."
Are you perhaps looking at a different bike? Looking at the photos that
appear here: http://www.reneherse.com/
Personally, I don't doubt that there will be somebody who will pay at least the opening bid, because as Barnum said, "there is one born every minute". For me, a collector buying this bike is only slightly better off than a Maserati collector buying a Maserati TC: a quaint filler to complete the collection.
Steven Maasland
Moorestown, NJ
USA