Jan, you gave me a chuckle, the first that this thread has provided.

well you implied some sort of comparison between the two. When you say lotsa money in a name, and choose the circuit + $ over the merckx, it not too big of a leap to think your saying they are different mostly in name only. Of course I'm talking merckx in general, and I suppose you were refering to the specific ebay merckx.

"Puffery"? "So-called elite bikes"?

Sounds like you are just trolling for an argument. No thanks. As most here know, I'm not a collector, I'm a rider. Every one of my bikes has been acquired through selling another bike, save my Cinelli, which I got as part of an insurance settlement, when a careless driver ran me down on my Panasonic AR6000. It was my only bike for over 20 years.

I now have most every rider I want, and if I acquire another bike, one will be sold. I buy bikes for their ride quality, not status. It just so happens bikes with great ride characteristics seem to have been bestowed this 'status' you speak of. Ever wonder why that is?

Not supposing anyone knows who the buyer is, let us speculate. How much do you think this frame will be ridden? Do you think it will be repainted? I rather doubt it will be repainted, but nor do I imagine it will be ridden a great deal --I'm guessing less than 1000 miles per year.

If you'll read my original comment you'll understand the context of all that came afterward from me. And in several places afterwards I emphasized my specificity.

I think it's a huge leap for you to assume I implied they're different in name only. Did you read the full thread?

J

Kinda sums it up for me, except I have several "niches" or purposes (only two of which are filled at the moment), and I like variety, so I'm not sure I'd be happy with JUST one bike:

- commuting/transportation.
- coffee shop / grocery run (fun, stylish, shiny, fairweather) - my equivalent of having a classic old sports car for driving on nice days.
- Recreational-road -
- mountain bike/ winter commuter

I dont mind putting money into these bikes, and would rather have three or four really nice bikes than 10 mediocre bikes.
That said, I do love to wrench, so I can picture a number of other bikes coming through (for flipping).

I read most of it, though I tend to skip over stuff that seems troll-ey or bickerish.

True. It came to $2490

I think people collect and ride bikes for a myriad of reasons. And most of the reasons have associated with them a full aspect of egotism. People are "proud" of the names - and all that lies behind it - of their bikes. They love the feeling of exclusivity as much as anything about them.

I was having some fun with the words but to deny that some "puffery" and "elitism" exists in the bike world is to bury one's head in the sand.

Just an opinion.

Plus shipping...

I won! I won! Did I overpay? I hope not. This frame is going to make an awesome fixie! :)

Sorry, but I wouldn't spend ANYTHING for a fine example of a Schwinn Circuit. Still looking for a nice flat-crown Merckx in my size...

SP
Bend, OR

What would you folks estimate the real value of that frame is? I ask because I have access to the exact bike built up with modern Chorus in better shape for less than a grand, same size, same cable routing over the BB, same everything. I hesitated because the frame was old and I thought that it had been re-painted, have I made a huge mistake?

I really cannot believe the odd coincidence...and I really cannot believe how high that auction went! Do you reckon the bidders were mostly in Europe?

Perhaps I should be quiet, since I know less than many here, but what I've found is that at the higher levels price and value become subjective. It's inconsistent and the value truly is "whatever someone will pay." What I've found is that there are certain general guide lines...a Merckx in x condition is worth about xxxx.

When it's something truly special, that xxx price is out the window and it's all about finding the right buyer...and I don't think it usually happens on ebay. I think those sales generally take place between high end collectors who know one another. When on ebay...you're rolling the dice and hoping one of those guys is looking. Or you're a buyer and hoping you can buy it without those folks noticing...and counting on being able to find them later to sell it.

Yes, that "special" factor is generally very subjective but I figured that maybe the age and condition of this Merckx makes it special on it's own...

If the frame is as you describe, and if you still have access to it, then it would seem to be a pretty good bet. The second highest bidder on the ebay frame, after all, is still in the market; and you know how high s/he was willing to go for that one.

I, personally, wouldn't go for it. It's a good bet, but I'm not a betting man.

To each their own, I guess, I get off on Vitus, Peugeot and Gitane 80's race bikes, others get off on EMs like this one, the next group will be buzzing around Miyatas, the next bunch of people will be all excited about the latest rare Bianchi in CL or eBay....etc..........and when you have a passion for certain bikes along with many others. there would be a test on who wants it most. The wallet will be the weapon and supply and demand will determine how big the weapon needs to be to win....in this case $2400.......Many will never understand why one will pay $2400 for a flat fork crowned, early EM with a big scratch and rust on the TT, but the buyer and the other bidders know why they will.
Heck, I'm sure many here would snicker at the price I paid for my Carbone last year, but for me the bottom line is I now have one and am very happy with my experience on building up and riding the bike....Sometimes you just can't keep waiting around till the price is "right" and life's just too short to do so.
JMOs

Chombi

That last bidder is a robot.....it was trying to scam someone...... but failed.... it will be up for bid again.

its a $100 frame.... its got ****in rust, Cheaper to build your own frame... with much better tubing, and lugs... paint ect....

the ebay listing was a scam, that was a Bot making the bids to rise the price.... it failed.

I will respectfully disagree with CDM on this one.

Ugo De Rosa helped EM set up his factory and was a mentor. The factory was set up in 1980 and I have seen a very early bike that actually had De Rosa panto'd lugs on it, but this one did not, in fact the earliest EM seat stay caps were in Script (his sig) and these are the later ones. I would say that this bike is early but not built by De Rosa.

As I originally posted, this is an emotional buy, for whatever reason but the seller must be so happy!

Interesting point. The same buyer also bought a $485 Athena group from the same seller (item 230526341236), engaging in a bidding war with a zero feedback buyer. Let's see if these items get re-listed.

Aha, the plot thickens! But the buyers in the bidding war for this Merckx are not zero bidders, the guy who came in second has 373 and the winner has 165

I'm looking for.........the next bike that I like and haven't owned or ridden before. I don't yet even know what it is or what the reason will be. That a personal aesthetic that's as well-considered and valid as any other.

Now at 68 years old I've ridden "seriously" since the '70s and have had many bikes of different traditions and quality. I insist that the hobby/activity at least pay for itself. At the end of the year I give any extra money away to a favorite charity.

I expect there are many here who ride for the good of others. if you have some extra cash and don't have a dream bike in mind here's a cause worth supporting. In my opinion, of course.

It's what was on my mind when I made my Circuit+cash v The Ebay Merckx comment.

http://www.smiletrain.org/site/PageS...FURj7Aod40eDEg

Cheers and respects to all.

J

I will agree with vjp on this as well. My understanding is that the early Merckx's with the script signature on the seat stay caps were more likely to have Ugo's hand on them. I think the bike in the auction is more likely a 1982-83 model. I have a 1983 will identical details, serial number just a bit higher.

I am pleased to see the price, if it holds, as I am planning on selling mine. Anyone looking for a Faema replica with a fully pantographed Record grouppo in a 54? :D

Yes...I can offer you $300 for it...since that's the going rate for comparable bikes (schwinn Circuits).