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Old 07-05-18, 03:47 PM
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cdmurphy
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Location: San Marcos, CA
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Bikes: Too many, but sometimes not enough.

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Not really. There are some brands that only made high end bikes, and some that only made junk, but most brands offered bikes in the whole range of quality. Like anything, what something is worth is a product of scarcity vs demand. Imbalances in either can result in something being "valuable", or not. There are some extremely nice, world class bikes made by small, or relatively unknown makers that are worth no more, or even less than the sum of their components. In other cases, bikes with just ho-hum components or build quality can be fairly valuable. (Peugeot PX-10)

The most valuable brands only made very high end stuff, and were widely known for it (and desired then, and now.) Rene Herse, Richard Sachs, San Rensho, and many others command premiums today, because they only made desirable bikes. Most other brands, like those on your list, made some really nice ones, and some that were just decent. What they might be worth is usually only casually related to their quality or ride characteristics.

None of this is static either. Brands that were well respected and valuable in the 50s and 60's may be virtually unknown now, and may not be worth much of a premium. (Umberto Dei) Other brands may become more valuable as people wax poetically about certain models on the internet. (ahem... Centurion Semi Pros and Iron Mans)

Then you get to the Japanese bikes, which in many cases are even better built and finished imitations of Italian bikes. Some are beginning to become sought after, but most are just considered quality bikes.

All in all, it really comes down to the specific bike, it's condition, and any mystique surrounding the brand. Rankings and listings are just for fun discussions while you are snowed in over the winter.
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