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Post by brianbutler on Mar 15, 2022 11:52:16 GMT
It is possibly a statistical fluke but there have been very few vintage 10-speeds on Craigslist and Facebook for many months. I'm not actively looking to acquire any more bikes right now but I do look at the listings, as I have for years. Until last fall, well over a third of the listings were vintage steel frame road bikes. Now I rarely see any. I hope the situation changes because I like looking at the pictures and doing mental restorations.
Brian
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Post by wheelson on Mar 15, 2022 13:28:32 GMT
It is possibly a statistical fluke but there have been very few vintage 10-speeds on Craigslist and Facebook for many months. I'm not actively looking to acquire any more bikes right now but I do look at the listings, as I have for years. Until last fall, well over a third of the listings were vintage steel frame road bikes. Now I rarely see any. I hope the situation changes because I like looking at the pictures and doing mental restorations.
Brian
I don’t know, Brian, but during the last two seasons new bikes were mostly unavailable and every old bike imaginable was brought in to our shop for repairs. We were typically four weeks backlogged. The last part of the season saw a large increase in e-bike conversions and sales. So far this season, it’s all about e-bikes. I don’t get it personally, we’re talking $1600 US minimum. I would expect another bike boom like the one in ‘73-‘74, but e-bikes are a wild card not seen then. Maybe fear of a gas crisis has everyone “holding”. Best, John “wheelson” |
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Post by brianbutler on Mar 15, 2022 15:04:57 GMT
It is possibly a statistical fluke but there have been very few vintage 10-speeds on Craigslist and Facebook for many months. I'm not actively looking to acquire any more bikes right now but I do look at the listings, as I have for years. Until last fall, well over a third of the listings were vintage steel frame road bikes. Now I rarely see any. I hope the situation changes because I like looking at the pictures and doing mental restorations.
Brian
I don’t know, Brian, but during the last two seasons new bikes were mostly unavailable and every old bike imaginable was brought in to our shop for repairs. We were typically four weeks backlogged. The last part of the season saw a large increase in e-bike conversions and sales. So far this season, it’s all about e-bikes. I don’t get it personally, we’re talking $1600 US minimum. I would expect another bike boom like the one in ‘73-‘74, but e-bikes are a wild card not seen then. Maybe fear of a gas crisis has everyone “holding”. Best, John “wheelson” Everyone I see on an e-bike is on the bike trail, which is flat and therefore requires no pedaling at all. They are basically out for a scooter ride, not exercise, and most of them look like they could benefit from some easy pedaling or walking. You have to start somewhere I guess, but an e-bike on a recreational trail seems contradictory.
Brian
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,390 
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Post by Jem on Mar 15, 2022 16:04:23 GMT
I like the idea of people getting into cycling by getting an e-bike when maybe they wouldn't have - but I agree with you on that Brian.
Also the electric needed to re-charge them, and the spent lithium batteries in a few years time will be another eco problem to deal with (same with electric cars too)
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Post by wheelson on Mar 15, 2022 16:40:29 GMT
I like the idea of people getting into cycling by getting an e-bike when maybe they wouldn't have - but I agree with you on that Brian. Also the electric needed to re-charge them, and the spent lithium batteries in a few years time will be another eco problem to deal with (same with electric cars too) Total agreement here, an e-bike is not in my foreseeable future. We have sold several e-road bikes, mainly to guys and gals near or exceeding my 73 year vintage. I think their goal is to maintain high mileage rides with a little assist on the way back. Again, I’m not there yet, and I desperately need the exercise anyhow. Best, John “wheelson” |
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Post by triitout on Mar 16, 2022 0:15:26 GMT
I like the idea of people getting into cycling by getting an e-bike when maybe they wouldn't have - but I agree with you on that Brian. Also the electric needed to re-charge them, and the spent lithium batteries in a few years time will be another eco problem to deal with (same with electric cars too) Not to worry, the recycling demand for lithium batteries is there and growing to meet the demand. I'm still not comfortable getting passed by out of shape e-bike cyclists blowing by me on the bike path.  techcrunch.com/2022/02/17/ford-volvo-join-redwood-materials-to-launch-free-ev-battery-recycling-program-in-california/ |
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Post by brianbutler on Mar 16, 2022 1:46:48 GMT
I like the idea of people getting into cycling by getting an e-bike when maybe they wouldn't have - but I agree with you on that Brian. Also the electric needed to re-charge them, and the spent lithium batteries in a few years time will be another eco problem to deal with (same with electric cars too) Not to worry, the recycling demand for lithium batteries is there and growing to meet the demand. I'm still not comfortable getting passed by out of shape e-bike cyclists blowing by me on the bike path.  techcrunch.com/2022/02/17/ford-volvo-join-redwood-materials-to-launch-free-ev-battery-recycling-program-in-california/Hopefully there will be some design standards that make it easier to recycle lithium-ion batteries because it is currently a relatively inefficient mess. A similar problem exists with the leaded glass in cathode ray tubes. The lead is valuable and hazardous but separating in from the glass is inefficient. As a result, there are growing mountains of CRT's.
Brian
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Mar 16, 2022 5:17:56 GMT
As far as the old steel bikes go; young folks have been discovering them and often like what they see. Also, new road bikes tend to be insanely expensive.
Perhaps it is a good time to cull the herd?
Cheers
Jim
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Post by brianbutler on Mar 16, 2022 10:53:06 GMT
As far as the old steel bikes go; young folks have been discovering them and often like what they see. Also, new road bikes tend to be insanely expensive. Perhaps it is a good time to cull the herd? Cheers Jim Good point. Brian
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,390
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Post by Jem on Apr 3, 2022 16:28:53 GMT
That is good to hear Michael! |
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Post by dracco on Apr 7, 2022 15:06:24 GMT
If only they'd stop turning them into bloody fixies!
It breaks my heart to see a classic racer castrated in this way.
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