Sadig:
First let me reassure you are not part of a dying hobby. I would offer that you and the other members of the CR are way ahead of the curve when it comes to discovering, collecting and keeping alive an era of cycling, that up until recently, has been overlooked by many. NAHBS just increases the exposure for the quality old stuff.
In a way Lister's have benefited greatly by being ahead of the curve as shown by the "shocking" prices that are being seen over and over again for stuff sold on eBay. Increasing prices for stuff that many of us own come from increasing demand. That is a good thing.
In the car collecting hobby, the groups in the 1950's called themselves "The knot hole gangs". A way of describing looking through knot holes in barns to find great cars cheap. It was about the chase. It was about who could find the best deals and accumulate the most. And finally it was about documentation and originality. That is kind of how I see Lister's.
I believe, what you saw and the builders you met at NAHBS are the equivalent to the great builders you always dreamed of meeting from the era's you collect. I would think that when the craftsmen displayed their best works at shows back in the 19XX's many people walked away and said, "who in the world is buying those bikes? They cost over a $1000!" Most people then hoped of owning just one great bike, and only time has allowed the prices to come down to allow collections of 15-20 bikes. The people that are paying $9000 for a custom ride at NAHBS are the same ones that are paying "extreme"prices on eBay for old Raleigh's. Unlike Lister's, however, its not about the chase, its about the pleasure of having, no matter what the cost. Again, nothing wrong that. If they don't buy, the rest of us will never have the chance of some day getting it second hand at a price we would be willing to pay.
Our team just took delivery of our custom De Rosa Corums. Hope you had a chance to meet Doriano at the show. He is a great guy.
Welcome NAHBS with open arms for what it is. The chance to live history, and if you got $9K a chance to own a piece.
Jim Kruse http://www.MenofSteelRacing.com Fort Wayne, IN
Message: 5 Date: Sun, 28 Feb 2010 16:38:10 -0500 From: Sadiq Gill <sadiqgill@gmail.com> Subject: [CR] NAHBS...Thoughts and Questions To: Classicrendezvous Rendezvous <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Message-ID: <c76dc511002281338l64107509ifc39834a46a572d9@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"
Gals and Guys.......
Got to go to NAHBS because it was in my city. My first NAHBS or such type event. Obviously, very different than Cirque. The bikes were beautiful to behold each and everyone. The work and precision on each was stellar. I own a variety of nice hand built bikes: an early 80's Columbine, a Bruce Gordon, a Moulton, a 76 DeRosa, a few keirin frames, a few Hurlow built bikes....I wonder how an of those would have fared? More importantly, I wonder if I am part of what has essentially become a dead or dying hobby. 20 years from now, will people own 15-20 of the bikes I saw this weekend? I am guessing no. I completely understand why the frames cost 5k or more, but I wonder who is buying these? I'd love to be; but, while I can easily justify buying an entire Columbine for $800, it would be harder to justify buying a _________________ for $9000. I wonder if anyone will ever collect or obsess over these bikes like we do over the ones from 20-30 years ago? Outside of the two wheels and recognizable form, I am not sure if many of the bikes I saw are part of 'my hobby'.
Thankfully, Wayne Bingham was there so I could buy a NOS Edco front derailleur for $25. Likewise, Dale Brown seemed in good spirits even though his slacks were excessively ventilated at one point. I did really enjoy talking to Mark DiNucci and Dan Polito. My favorite looking bike was done by Zanconato--perhaps it was the Molteni Orange paint scheme that trapped me. The Mills Brothers seemed to be channelling the simple understated beauty of fellow NC builder Fonveille McLean.
And then adding to the perfect pessimistic storm--the list went down while the show was being held. Felt kind of lonely w/o bike things to read. You guys need to take better care of yourselves. I don't want to be the last one here turning out the lights....
-- Sadiq Gill Richmond, Virginia US&A Latitude: 37.58 Longitude: -77.51472
MenofSteelRacing.com