Monetary value wasn't much of a factor for either party in this case, I think, although I know Brian has been advertising the Berthoud locally for a while at almost precisely the same price as my total investment in the Merckx (including his labor for the build). However, while an MXL frame exactly like this one isn't easy to find there are a lot of comparable frames readily available on the market, as with the rest of the components. I reckon it would cost me nearly twice as much to build up a bike like the Berthoud what with the fancy bags, racks, dynamo hub, and excellent condition Record long cage derailleur and carbon levers. So on that front I've got no qualms!

-Gregory