>I certainly hope the fine products from these American builders will be
>considered classics - let's be honest - there is very little in as far
>as quality that the euro's have over our frame builders. Add to the
>list Columbine, Holland, Confente (kinda American), Davidson, Waterford,
>etc... the list goes on.
This is a thread I don't see as off topic at all because I'm sure I'll still be collecting in 50 years and as has been stated the meaning of "classic" is always evolving. With that said the above list of builders will of course be collectible. To me what's interesting what will be our Peugeot PX-10, Raleigh International, or Colnago Super in 50 years. These bikes were all built in a workshop enviroment and designed to be ridden hard and stored wet, yet they are almost more desireable than "artisan" bikes. This comes from the emotional value we place on objects from our past. These are the bikes we can't predict easily, but those of us that have been working in the bicycle industry might have a better chance since we see so many of the newer bikes and the people that own them. I will now make a few predictions for the future, some obvious some not and only includes things produced since 1990.
The collectible group in 50 years will be the Mavic ZAP group. The original one that you have to replace the battery in every 150 miles. I owned one of the Cannondale R1000's with the full ZAP kit and sold it for rent and now I whack my head into my desk each time I think of it. Also any of the early "superlight-supertrick-CNC" parts of the 90's. Just look at how collectible trick stuff from 20 years ago is today. If you have a set of the purple Grafton cranks left put them in a box. Any of the American deraileurs by Paul's, Joe's, Rhino, or White Industries. The desire for all these things is already there and things you couldn't get $10 for 3 years ago are going for $50.
The PX-10 of the 1990's will be the Trek OCLV frames since they brought high performance to the masses. Also the Giant TCR and OCR frames will be popular because of being the first mass produced compact frames. Sadly, I see few "lightweight" collectors in the future since most of the emotional energy spent on bikes since '85 has been on mountian bikes. I won't go into MTB's here but I think road collectors will be similar to track only collectors today. I think the biggest "lightweight" market will be with touring bikes like the Trek 720 and Cannondale T1000 since most bikes today are being produced as go-fast bikes and few "real" touring bike are being built. The numbers inside the industry also say that people buying touring bike hold on to them longer than other bikes creating a larger emotional investment.
Only time will tell what will be "classic" in the future. We each have our own thoughts about what constitutes "classic" and I'd say try to be flexible if you want to see the hobby grow ad more people get involved. As a quick example I don't think anythng produced after 1958 or so should be called classic, but I don't see any problems when someone calls a Cinelli Lazer classic. If you keep your eyes and ears open to others you might learn something and find new interests.
enjoy, Brandon"monkeyman"Ives
Brandon and Mitzi's-- "Wurld uv Wunder"
http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/
Monkeyman's on going bicycle part garage sale
http://www.uweb.ucsb.edu/
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