What's up with asking prices lately?

I like the sales of insanely overpriced 'custom built bikes' (often from BLB) where the seller lists the RRP of every single part as though we'd actually give a fuck.

Yes

Like this for example

https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/274779/#comment12735150

I think it's an amazing bike at a good price, but for some reason I knew it would have problems getting sold here.

Another bargin.. https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/274087/#comment12502364

Soon vintage bikes with pedegree will be out of price reach for many. They are a few years behind the increases seen in classic motorcycles, classic cars and houses in good locations. No longer is it easy to pick up bikes for a song, nor should it be. There are a finite number of bikes and components out there. In the 80s when campag record and super record was the staple choice for club riders and pros alike our local club consited of 40 active cyclists. This number now is 400. When each member realise they can have something beautiful, collectable and useable for specific events and sunny days then this sentiment arrives at each and every club then it will be too late. Buy well now and enjoy something that will bring pleasure for years to come. Stock up on good clean vintage Campag if you can, especially non aero levers as they were components swapped for aero levers as the trend arrived in the late 80s and lots of bikes have japanese items still on them. Research what was in the 70s and 80s peloton, the bikes and clothing too, then decide what is for you and pursue them like a person posessed. The pleasure to have period correct stuff can be equal to hunting down cars and motorcycles but for a fracton and much easier to maintain. Some examples of bikes are Yamaha fizzies, 70s honda 750/4 and Black Bomber 450. Very vanilla Ford Escort mk1 and 2 which were cheap family cars, now with massive price tags. Fiat 500s could be picked up for 150 quid in 1990 now they are 10 grand for a good one. Have a look in the cars apprecian thread a bmw 3l csl was posted up yesterday, my mate has 2 of these, in 2004 he estimated one of them was worth 20k, the one on ebay has a tag of 90k today , Its all relative. I see bikes here that have been brought in from the continent get bumped over and over which are fantsastic deals, especially if viewable in town and not someting that will arrive by box a week later that may have hidden problems. As the euro has stengthened over this year future prices will have to reflect the differance. I may be completely wrong and we may see that 80s Colnago prices have halved in the next 6 months, but I doubt it!

... to get a 1976 Mercian with nuovo record ...

Wierdly, dunno why you say this, but I have a 76 mercian with NR too ... spooky ...

That is good fiction. Where have the poll gone when you need them.

1000.

If you're listing on here take about 15-20% off an ebay completed listing to account for the fees incurred in the sale and bigger audience that the listings attract.

In terms of classic stuff - investors always want to diversify their portfolios and non-cash assets are always a winner if you pick a rising market as it is tax free. The buy in price to art and wine has been getting higher so bicycles are a good choice as they look nice and aren't liable to deterioration.

I don't think that art and wine buyers diversify portfolios into old road bicycles. They might be nice - I have several - they might be classic - but they're not really a sharp investment.

I don't really see brokers advising on the merits of SLX versus 853 etc etc. It's mostly hobby.

A certain Ferrari garage at Brands Hatch have some stunning vintage road bikes hanging up on the walls(not for sale). They look at home along side the F40s and Daytonas there.
Some 50 years ago Brough Superiors were given the nick name 'Rough Inferiors' by some Velocette owners, I am told by a relative who had Velos, anyway. Trends determine how prices move and once supplies run dry because collectors keep the bikes and bits, we will see big numbers on the bay for components. Average mass produced stuff will always stay low as the numbers sold were vast.

sorry for being late. I meant that albeit that stock is being bought, it's still around and will come back eventually.
But yeah you're right.

The stuff that kills me is the local guys that will sit all day on craigslist/want ads and just scoop up any reasonably priced vintage frame so they can flip it on ebay.

Awhile ago I was literally getting into my car to buy a local Viner Track (needed TLC but no dents) for $150. I was actually the first person that replied and the buyer agreed.
I then get told (as I'm driving on the way) that someone offered $250 and he sold it out from under me before I could even counter offer. I couldn't even sleep the previous night because I was so excited about getting this frame/restoring it.

Then a week later I saw the frame on ebay for 3X the price in the same condition....from the usual seller that's been sitting on the exact same ridiculously priced NOS Campy parts for the past 6 months.

Maybe I'm odd but I actually get a little satisfaction when I sell used stuff for good deals if I know it's going to someone that will appreciate it/get a lot of personal use out of it.

1000

ummm what?

That Olmo Sintex is probably cracked too. I sent an email a while ago pointing it out, and was told he would check it out. But it's still for sale. Not cool :(

Probably cracked? Where?

Top of the RH seat stay. One of my 2 Sintex looked the same. Removed the paint to find hairline crack at the braze; will add photo when home later. 99% certain it has cracked and as the seller has not acted on the polite and private email I sent him months ago (don't see how you can 'investigate' without removing paint?) don't mind calling it out.

Link: http://www.vintagevelo.co.uk/p1180141/

Also this Sintex Pista looks to have suffered the the same fate and been repaired: http://www.pedalroom.com/bike/olmo-sintex-pista-22957

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Well spotted.