Brother B,
Well, I also made the assertion that the collectability of KOF frames would depend on their (Dare I say it for fear another Joe S tongue lashing) artistic merits. So, what makes any frame collectable? History, Pedigree, Sentiment, Style or Art? Anyone else? Demand! Rarity ?
With Rivendell, they have "cult"ivated a following. Not to mention that Rivs tend to be geared towards a more laid back country cycle crowd which just happens to be what most of us will want as we get older. Now, will a stripped down Riv naked for all to see be any harder to identify than all the mystery bike boom bikes we seem to struggle with a few times a year? I don't think so.
What I do think though is that what is collectable to us and the reasons we collect will be different for the next generation. Most of us have a few bikes hanging in our garages that we coveted when we were younger. And there are alot of folks out there now that covet Rivendells.
But, I think a majority of the KOF frames now will have to stand on their artistic merit. The avg. age of this group is about 52 years old. When a cyclist in his 20's starts collecting in his 40's will it be a bike that is now a fifty years old or more to him or something he raced on? Or better yet, what Lance raced on? Or will the bike he lusts for be the Redcay his Dad rode and let him touch as a youth? Or, will it be the artsy-fartsy frames from Columbine? Hey, I want one!
As most of you know, my collection is mostly KOF, buy American. I also like the idea of a single craftsmen doing things with what looks like a pile of metal to me to make something beautiful and utilitarian. I wish I could do that! I don't really collect to see if something will hold value but I am interested to see what happens.
Mike "I'll galdly spend anyones 15K on a bike for me" Wilkinson Castle Rock, CO