[CR]Re value in 1967

(Example: Events:Cirque du Cyclisme:2007)

Date: Thu, 26 Oct 2006 16:28:53 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Greg Lone" <gwlone@yahoo.ca>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Re value in 1967

Hi one and all. I would like to add my two cents worth on the relative cost vs earning subject. Hopefully It will not be viewed as being too political or off topic. I entered the workforce in 1972 as a part time High school student, also in the automotive parts field {the local G.M. dealer where my Father worked full time} at $2.50/Hr. The journeymen both in the shop and the parts dept were at $8.00 to $10.00/ Hr.dependant on Qualifications and service {non union}. Prices of the day were in my experience roughly one tenth of what they are today. Except real estate which has gone completely nuts in western Canada. The problem is that the wages have not even remotely followed that same 10 fold increase. The local trades and technical people have just started to crack the $30.00/Hr. level. It's no wonder it now requires a two income family situation to even come close to the standard of living a single earner middle class family enjoyed in the 70's. The 80's recession , the doldrums of much of the 90's ,and now a return to some fairly serious inflation in the 2000's have made many things a lot more {relatively} expensive. There are some good bikes on the market these days, however they are almost exclusively produced off shore. If you compare a current handmade frame set I think you will find it has become significantly more expensive in "era adjusted " terms. If you need a real shock however ; look away from classic bicycles for a moment , and consider vintage motorcycles. They are frequently selling for prices that make even the highest of collectible bicycle prices seem quite reasonable. For the time being at least ,I would consider classic bicycles to be a great value and a lot of fun. Just not quite as affordable as they once were. Greg Lone Langley {just east of Vancouver} British Columbia Canada

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