I recall a few years back Cannondale was selling some of their previous year's Saeco/Cannondale Pro racing bikes, ridden in the Tour and Giro by various of the lesser known racers. Some were their spare bikes, others displayed "cosmetic damage and scratches" from some of the action they had seen.
There seemed to be rather little interest in this novel means of drumming up a bit of general excitement for the Marque. From what a friend recently remarked, the bikes did sell but for generally low prices. The bikes of the stellar riders (Mario Cipollini, et al) surely would have provoked more excitement - at least in the US.
I never would have considered buying an ultra-light aluminum bike which had seen some skirmishes, or for that matter even one in pristine condition. But, what of a vintage steel pro racing bike? ...
Unlike owning or collecting game-played autographed footballs or baseballs, the bicycle is a bit of sports memorabilia best enjoyed and appreciated on the road - not on the wall.
So, if someone offered me an Eddy Merckx or Lance Armstrong ridden bike, I would honestly have to pass on it and leave the thrill of ownership to a more serious fan or collector. I would simply prefer a bike built specifically for ME. Similarly, I would have no joy in owning a game played pair of Michael Jordan's own basketball shoes.
I would be delighted to view a very detailed textual and photographic exposition of any racer's or builder's bikes, but my enjoyment would really end there. And, I'm just as fascinated with bikes owned and built for average citizen riders and hearing of their own modest tales of adventure, triumph or misfortune on one of their own long cherished bikes.
Afraid I'm just a pragmatic plebeian old bicyclist... already owning too many bikes - some of which I now seldom ride.
BOB HANSON, ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO, USA
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