Originally Posted by
KonAaron Snake
That's a great question - I have no interest in them, but some do. I could see the argument for them, and classic is definitely subjective. There is a market for Speedwells, teledynes, etc. I don't find them classic because they were known for cracking, breaking...etc. Also, I don't think many were really aware of them, or really desired them, when they were around. Did Merlin and the other early functional ti frames really build on these?
Many old classic bikes were not successful during their time in the market. The ti one I forget the name of was the one with the welded gussets... Felma Titan was it, I never knew of that band at the time. Speedbicycles.ch has an entry.
Pretty wild, probably not successful but an early adopter of the metal.
Those early ti bikes are finding a niche, but not a high dollar one yet.
Sometimes the predecessors of success are the failures of others.
I will agree that some bikes are just that, old and will never attain classic status, widely anyway. Some bikes are not at the top end but were influential. Knowing what to hold long term and what is but a mere tulip who's time will son pass is an interesting problem.