Originally Posted by
gridplan
With regard to the Bob Jackson, was that $500 for the frame or the entire bike? If it was just for the frame, that would be a lot -- about $2400 in today's dollars. From a quick scan of the CR archives...
$500 for a Cinelli Super Corsa in '73
$353-$500, depending on components, for a Cinelli Super Corsa in '74;
$725 for an Alex Singer
$430 for a Colnago Super in '71
$450-500 for a Colnago Super in '73
I had a bicycle buyer's guide in 1972. About all I could do at the time was drool over all the black and white photos of the bikes in that guide. But I distinctly remember the top of the line Cinelli selling for $750, Chiorda for $500, Frejus/Legnano Professional and Bianchi Specialissima going for $375. Top of the line Gitane Super Corsa for $450, Tour de France for $225, Mercier 300 for $225. Wish I still had the guide...
What made the Cinelli worth all that was a mystery to me, still is, as I've never ridden one. Workmanship sure looks nice from the photos I've seen, though.