I seem to have rattled some cages. In trying to be amusing, I was perceived as snarky, and I regret offending those who took offense. The seven grand surprised me, although not as much as the response my post has received.
I would like to clarify my earlier post. There isn't anything wrong with a couple of guys wanting this bike for $7000. There isn't anything wrong with Colnagos in general, and I understand the rarity and originality of this one raises its value above others. The post wasn't meant to criticize Colnagos, collectors, buyers, sellers, ebay or anything else. I observed (as have others on this list) that the condition of the bike was a bit rough. What I was asking was whether there was something about this bike in particular that made it get bid up this high, when recently there have been bikes on ebay of similar pedigree, in better condition, that sold (or failed to sell) for far less.
One respondent suggested I "do my homework". Here is some of what my "homework" has turned up: Some of you believe that this is the earliest example of an original Colnago. Some of you don't. Some feel that the bike is wearing its original parts, while others are sure it isn't. Some feel the selling price was a bargain, others that it was simply two guys with more money than sense, still others that it is fair market value.
I don't think there is anything wrong with this. We wouldn't put the same dollar value on any bike, or agree on the significance of any transaction. No amount of research can establish, before the fact, what a bike will go for on ebay, nor is there any way to know whether this is a bellwether or a glitch.
Again, I apologize for raising some hackles and assure the community that I meant no disrespect to the bidders or the Colnago.
But what's up with those cranks?
Michael Shiffer
EuroMeccanica, Inc.
114 Pearl Street
Mount Vernon, NY 10550
(914) 668-1300
euromeccanicany.com