[CR] =?iso-8859-1?q?Id=E9ale=2C_what_downfall_off_classic_bike_collecting=3F?=

(Example: Humor)

To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
From: "Toni Theilmeier" <Toni.Theilmeier@t-online.de>
Date: Fri, 23 Jul 2004 22:47:11 +0200
Subject: [CR] =?iso-8859-1?q?Id=E9ale=2C_what_downfall_off_classic_bike_collecting=3F?=

First, Idéale have stopped making saddles. The story is in Cycle History 13, p. 129 in Arnfried Schmitz´ article.

Next, I don´t think there is any problem in cycle collecting continuity. I am so sure because appreciating veteran cycles is very much an acquired taste. Many youngsters simply have not had enough time to evolve into people who can look closely enough to see what distinguishes one bike from the next. If this ability ever comes, it will mostly come later in life. So I do not find it worrying that there seem to be very few youngsters among us.

I even contend that cycle collecting as such will only be appreciated by the general public lateron in the history of collecting just because it´s that unspectacular and because cycling still is a relatively undervalued form of (tran)sport.

Also, the situation that there are many goodies available to few collectors is already upon us. Many wonderful, but not top-class things simply cannot be sold for more than a relative pittance even now. What would you buy, the well-equipped Vindec club machine or the Hetchins with the same components?

Well, and as to eBay with its gold digging mentality - the aim- and breathless rush of the computer age enters the domain of the close look. The purposefully re-awakened killer instinct drowns deliberation, the little rivulets we could enjoy suddenly are roaring business mainstream. Internet auctions are quickly destroying the credibility of cycle appreciating as a quiet pastime drawing its strength from being unspectactular. To my mind that´s where the real threat to our hobby emanates.

My four \u20ac-cents.

Regards,

Toni Theilmeier, Belm, Germany.