Originally Posted by Kommisar89 (Post 9624251)

I'm not sure why but if anything bikes seem to have dramatically outpaced inflation. I bet $200 would have bought a really sweet frame in 1972. $1000 today won't get you anything close to it judging by what they are asking for these. Using the calulator, you would have to have paid $2500+ for bike in 1972 to equal a top of the line $12k - $14k pro bike today or almost $400 for one of these framesets. But IIRC a top of the line bike in 1972 went for around $500, maybe $700 for an all out full custom hand made touring bike like a Rene Herse. I think $2500 would have bought you a darned nice car back then.

Originally Posted by scbvideoboy (Post 9244461)

I hate the look of todays bicycles...

Originally Posted by unterhausen (Post 9627464)

I have to admit to having sticker shock after ignoring bike prices since the early '80s.
Two data points: a Paramount went for just under $500 in 1975, and I remember the name Italian bikes going for $750 or so at that time. By 1980, you could easily spend $1500 at the top end on an Italian bike. So we are talking $2500 to almost $4000. Sure, the top end is more than that now, but you can do pretty well for $4k. And depending on your perspective, today's $1500 bikes are probably better bikes than the top of the line bikes from 1980. But I didn't say that in C&V

Originally Posted by Ronsonic (Post 9627515)

One of the things these prices are telling us is that we are getting our vintage steel for less than the intrinsic value. That is to say, it costs more to make than we are paying. That is not a permanent situation in any market. It is true that most new steel is positively elite in fit, paint and features compared to a lot of our old pipes. However, that doesn't change much since even a cheap new lugged steel frame goes for close to a grand.

I have no gift for investments or financial advice, but to me, the market says it's a good time to buy the best of the vintage stuff and sit on it. This "OMG he wants $300 for that handmade Italian frame" is going to look silly in a couple years.

Originally Posted by oldpedalpusher (Post 9627539)

Using a CPI inflation calculator that $500 1975 Paramount would cost only $2,000 in today's dollars... a bargain. ;)Greg

Originally Posted by Bianchigirll (Post 9628014)

{Gruppo Bici N.A. is also planning to prepare vintage framesets under Bianchi, Coppi, Frejus, Ganna, Giardengo, Gloria and Legnano with consumer-supplied graphics; the company is pursuing license agreements with these companies.}

I was just skiming that article. this seems interesting you can have these brand names placed on a noname frame for 2000$ not a bad deal. I think they should just offer to to put the consumers name on it a brand/model
"Family_Belly" brand bikes LOL

Originally Posted by oldpedalpusher (Post 9630466)

Your Bianchi is downright beautiful... :thumb:

...simple timeless classic elegance.

It's no wonder they're trying to sell "copies". ;)


Greg

Originally Posted by dit (Post 9630791)

Most nice framesets in the early 70's were in the area of $400 if my memory serves correctly. Some were a little less and some were a little higher. I believe a Paramount was around $375 in the late 60 's but took a big price jump in the early 70's. I think the Paramount tandom was $450 to 475. This was still a lot of money. GM skilled trades were making about $4 an hour.