I have been watching the firestorm Re. Cyclart, pricing, business practices etc. since we started using Jim for a whipping boy some time back. I have not jumped in because I have never used Cyclart's services, but I have made what I think are some valid observations. My perspective on the issues come from my years in business dealing with the public in the musical instrument business, and my experience as a pretty darn fair amateur auto painter.
On "what he charges"...Whatever he charges, I can tell you, it's not enough. If he charged "enough" the business wouldn't be for sale. Jim would be able to go in once or twice a week, put out whatever fires are raging, and retire to his private shop to work on whatever he wants, or hang out on the beach with a beach chair and a book. We, as Vintage Bicycle Enthusiasts, by nature, live in the past. We remember when these bikes were to be had for just a few hundred dollars, and were manufactured in a world without usurious commercial rental rates, obscene workmen's compensation insurance rates, state disability insurance rates, HazMat disposal fees, environmental controls, community governments unfriendly to industrial businesses, and the rest. Additionally, we as Vintage Bicycle Enthusiasts tend to be "cheap" we fail to realize that if the bikes we like to ride were being made today, the frames would be a minimum of $2000 a piece. I suspect at least half the cost of a new frame is in the cost of the finish, not only in materials but in man/hours of labor. If the frame needs any repair, I suspect often it would be cheaper and easier to build a new frame than to repair an old, damaged one. But we, as romantics, want the old, damaged one fixed, and usually to a standard far in excess of the standard it was built to. I have an '82 Colnago Super with less than 2K miles on it, that has been indoors every moment it was not being ridden. If I got it back from any refinisher with the standard of paintwork it has, I'd want my money back.
Cycleart and their contemporaries must operate in the business environment of 2004, not in the business environment of 1974. There is a good reason most of the bikes in the world are being made in China, it costs too much to do it here and still turn a profit. As for horror stories about Cyclart's work, I don't discount what people have reported. Unfortunately, Jim has to hire from the pool of available applicants, and as I understand, they are mostly limited to members of the human race. I hope Cyclart was given the opportunity to put those situations right. Often the customer "thinks" he knows what needs to be done and how to do it. To those customers I say "fine, do it yourself". More often than not when I am diving into an old saxophone or British sports car (my field of expertise) the patient is a lot worse once you get in there. Internist/surgeons run into the same problem.
I have painted many automobiles. I have no interest in painting a bike. The many hours and minimum $100-150 in materials puts me wise right up front. Besides, I'm not set up for it. It's simply not worth my time. I'll let someone else do it.
As I stated before, I have never had a bike done by Cyclart. I own an Eisentraut A model that the previous owner had refinished by Cyclart, and the materials and workmanship are first rate. I don't like powder and I don't like white, but the bike is a stunner. I did have a Woodrup done by Joe Bell. I had a custom mixed color (light blue) and a red pinstripe on the lugs. it ended up just a tick over $600. I was thrilled and consider it a bargain. That is coming from a paint guy, someone who knows what work is, and is pretty darn fussy.
So let's quit kicking Jim and Cyclart around. Give thanks and praise to whatever God you worship that he and others are here to serve us. If you have a problem with Cyclart, I hope you spoke with the man himself in a quiet, reasonable and courteous manner, and gave him a chance to rectify the situation.
My way-more-than-2-cents worth.
Jody Fonseca
Gorgeous day in Whiskey Hill CA
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