I admire classic constructeur bikes as much as the next guy, but $560 for a stem? I choose to believe someone bought this to complete an original Singer that was missing the stem. The yen to dollar exchange being what it is, though, it's probably on its way to Japan to sit in a display case.

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

A couple people really needed that bad, nice day for the seller!

I don't recall seeing a stem with a side-oriented fixing wedge (is there some other name for that part?). I can't think of why it would be made that way; any thoughts?

I've seen several like that. I don't see how it would perform any different than one in which the wedge is front or rear oriented. Certainly it's better than an expander wedge (silly Italians).

it's not just a stem.
the top is a light-switch and has provisions for internal wiring.

Nice, but still about $350.00 more than I would have ever considered paying for one.

I'm sure others can say the same about bike stuff that we all have splurged on on occasion.

I'm pretty sure this stem will be going on a bike where it fits well. What other stem would one use on, say, an Alex Singer?

And I checked out the pictures closely -- whether or not the stem has a light switch is undetermined (it's hidden obviously) but if it doesnt, the stem can easily be retrofitted to do so. You'd need this stem...or a custom to have this feature.

If I had a Singer that required that particular stem, I would happily pay $560.99 without blinking.

The additional value it would add to the bike is much more than that, imho. When you're playing around with a bike of that caliber, the devil is in the details...

A $560 stem is easier to store than a $560 bike you might not ever ride.

Also, some $560 bikes need things. Like a $560 stem, because the one that came with the bike is, like, totally wrong.

But I guess if I had $560 to spare, I'd buy a $250 bike that didn't need much, and spend the other $310 on cables, tires, and beer.

To each his own, I guess.

^^^^

I like your thinking.

J

well, you're clearly not one to spend thousands on an Alex Singer in the first place, then...

It's all a personal thing and the final price for this stem does not neccessarily follow the logic of your typical C&V component for sale.
Sometimes when you feel like you just have to get something you just go and get it for as much as you can afford at that time. I'm sure that many of those bidders have also experienced the mistake of being reluctant when a similar opportunity presented itself and then never happened again for many years till now, like maybe another stem like this years ago......and they have been kicking themselves on the butt since then. Now they are trying not to do the same mistake again even if it take over 500 bucks to get it.....in short, the stem in that condition must be $500+ rare these days.
Ehhh......what's 500 bucks anyway. It's just the price of a kinda nice watch. Tha's what I told myself when I bought some personal "must have" expensive C&V components earlier this year.

Chombi

I'm wondering what I have in my parts boxes that I can sell to the guy who lost the bid at $559.50?

surprised somebody hasnt come out with a knock off version.

Velo Orange has fillet brazed stems in the works, but they're not quite the same.

sweet. more mediocre stuff from VO.

Electra has an AS-derived stem that looks similar to an original, although still on the "faux" side of things. Knock-off / just looks only / VO quality (probably made in the same factory, actually).

Jitensha Studio makes a custom stem that's on par with an Alex Singer. I believe Toei in Japan makes 'em, actually. They may or may not be only available to Ebisu or Toei owners. https://www.flickr.com/photos/william...ol-359434@N25/

$560? Each to his own; it's probably worth it to the buyer.

Me?
$350 for the bike.
$100 on new disposables.
$75 for dinner and drinks,
$35 for the pole dancer.

Trickle-down economics.

I like the way you think, but I'd run your list in reverse. Start off with a Schwinn Circuit, and the rest is gravy.

Hey!!, you forgot the piss boy!!

Chombi

That $560 is quite amazing when you consider it started at $20.00.

I wonder if the seller expected that.

I really believe if I posted that I hated riding my bike in a hailstorm, 5 people would post how much they love hail.

What I do not understand is the exchange in the Q&A section:
Q: Where did this come from/what bike?
A: My Alex Singer. I sold it three weeks ago on ebay. I am 6'2" and needed a longer stem. This is a 10 cm stem.

So, this guy put a replacement stem on his Singer and then sold the bike on ebay but kept the original stem? I don't see the listing for the bike on the completed listing search. Why not include the stem with the bike and keep it all intact/original? Apparently, because you can sell the stem for more $. I wonder if the guy that bought the bike had to shell out another $560 for the stem that should have been included with the original bike listing. I can only hope the stem which was sold with the Singer was similar to the original.

#1
Yes!, we used to put buckets out when it hailed big ones, when I lived in northern Wisconsin store em in our freezer and drop them in our drinks like alien ice cubes!......you would know not to stay out when it's hailin...wouldntcha??

Chombi

Here is the listing for the bike: 130409377388. It sold for only $1000, no mention of the stem. I wonder if Singer racks will also appear in a future listing

Seems like a bargain for a basically well cared for Singer. My size. Had I seen that auction it might have been mine now. The stem sale is sort a consolation for the seller, after that.