snipped: <TheMaaslands@comcast.net> writes: "To close, I would like to comment on the post of one of my illustrious fellow New Jerseyans. The fact that this bike is being used to reduce somebody's taxation is exactly the reason why a truly honest evaluation should be reached."
ouch. it's 'dump on e-RICHIE' night. e-RICHIE ex-bayonne. a block away from the high school.
> Brett wrote among other very well put points:
>
> Brett: > Just because George Mount was "at the head of a chain that
> includes, Boyer, LeMond and Armstrong" should not be confused with
> the fact
> that George Mount was never in the league of LeMond or Armstrong.
> Even if
> cycling memorabilia exploded, it is going to take a long, long time
> before
> you get to George Mount's 1976 Olympic ride on the list of
> cycling's
> greatest achievements. George's contributions to US cycling is
> important.
> But that doesn't translate to money for George or his bike. Perhaps
> one
> should inquire to George how many endorsements he has going today as
> a
> result of his "epic" ride in 1976. I ask you, how much would you
> pay for a
> bike ridden by the George Mount equivalent from say, Switzerland?
> The guy
> who paved the way for Koblet, Rominger, and others? My guess is
> probably not
> a whole hell of a lot. Further, I feel confident that if I lined up
> the ten
> best cycling historians in the world, the most you may get is a
> glimmer of
> name recognition for George and that is it.
>
> Steven: Given that I have lived almost all of my life outside of the
> US, I
> have never been a flag-waving patriotic American. This does not take
> away
> from the fact that I recognise that George did make a contribution
> to
> American cycling. This contribution was however miniscule when
> compared to
> so many other people. I have yet to hear of a single cyclist who
> took up
> riding due to George's "epic" ride. Compare this to the incredible
> number of
> people who mention the heroics of LeMond or Armstrong (not to
> mention the
> financial rewards that became aparent) as the spur that pushed their
> cycling
> ahead. I've heard many Americans mention Kelly, Anderson, Boyer,
> Grewal,
> Hegg, Vails, not to mention such women as Carpenter, Twigg, Martin,
> when
> they speak of their cycling idols, but George? Sorry to say not a
> peep. And
> I was just starting to race and ride seriously at the time of the
> Montreal
> olympics so at my most impressionable. At that time, only Merckx's
> name
> elicited envy and awe.
>
> >
> Brett: > A note about the Coppi bike: Bear in mind that the average
> cycling
> fan in Europe had no clue it was a bad restoration, had
> questionable
> provenance, etc. In all of Europe, and this auction was hyped in
> magazines
> and was televised, no one came out of the wood work to drive the
> price up.
>
> Steven: I can attest that news of the auction was indeed carried on
> National
> news in both France and Italy as I observed it firsthand and as
> Brett
> states, there was not a single note of discord or doubt about the
> authenticity of the bike in these reports. I believe that these
> overly
> glowing reports of the possible value of the bicycle were the reason
> the
> armchair collectors never got interested in the bike. Had nothing
> been said
> about the bike, I believe that it most likely would have sold for
> more
> money. Why indeed would anybody even dream of buying a bike for
> $10-12K when
> the pre-auction hype spoke of $30-50K. As Coppi remains today a
> national
> hero in Italy, I don't think that $12K for a 'Coppi' bike is all
> that
> far-fetched to the occasional collector, $30K on the other hand is
> quite a
> different matter. In my books the auctioneers did not do their work
> terribly
> well. They set an unrealistic price for the bike that was offered.
>
> >
> Brett: > The thought that "many are adopting the "don't touch it"
> mindset
> due to the influence of Antiques Roadshow" is insulting. The simple
> reality
> is that you can always "paint up" a frame. Once you've painted it,
> it is
> impossible to go back. Once repainted it isn't original, period.
> >
>
> Steven: I know of not one single collectible item where a restored
> item is
> worth as much as an item in original weathered finish, including
> cars.
> Furthermore, when cars are refinished, they do generally get judged
> on the
> materials used for the restoration. This means that the fancy new
> paints are
> not acceptable for top show placing or votes. No Imron's, no clear
> coats...etc. Furthermore, over-restoration of cars is a very
> American
> phenomenon. In Europe and Japan, cars regularly get penalised for
> over-restoration in concours events.
>
> >
> Brett: > It was said: "If George's bike is worth $2,500 as some
> suggest,
> that means a contemporary pro bike, available everywhere with no
> history
> whatever, with a usable life span a fraction of this bike and
> absolutely no
> soul is worth twice as much?" In a word: YES. Pray hard - maybe
> someday
> there will be a viable market for historical bicycles. Until then:
> buy them,
> ride them, and enjoy cycling memorabilia as a hobby rather than a
> component
> of your investment portfolio.
>
> Steven: As I wrote to Brett in an off-list note, at the end of
> November
> 2000, I bought the 2000 season De Rosa of Roberto Conti. The same
> bike that
> was used for his 16th place finish in the Tour de France and his
> 44th place
> finish in the Giro. I have a letter of authenticity from both De
> Rosa and
> Conti that this was indeed his bike and was one of the 2 bikes that
> he used
> for the full race season (ie not his training or winter bike!) Conti
> has
> also compiled more UCI points than all but 2 American riders in
> history, so
> he cannot be considered a slouch. Cost of the bike? One third the
> list price
> of the bike here in the US! I think that this, more than the sales
> prices
> seen in shops, demonstrates the true value of today's new bikes.
>
> To close, I would like to comment on the post of one of my
> illustrious
> fellow New Jerseyans. The fact that this bike is being used to
> reduce
> somebody's taxation is exactly the reason why a truly honest
> evaluation
> should be reached. It is also in the best interst of the already
> strained
> budget of the cycling hall of fame (another New Jersey entity) as
> their
> insurance rates are dictated by the value of the displayed wares. As
> an
> enthusiast, I would rather see the hall pay premiums on a true value
> than on
> an inflated value that only goes to the detriment of the state
> coffers.
> Especially as the person donating the bike admits to having used the
> bike
> very well during his ownership.
>
> Steven Maasland
> Moorestown, NJ
>
>
>
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