70's frames were built differently than what I'll call 'modern geometry'.

In the early 70's bikes had lower BB heights and many manufacturers measured center to top. Factoring in those 2 variables and I could easily see how a 24" C2T 70's bike could have the same standover and relative fit as an 80's C2C bike.

I wonder if there wasn't some psychology going on with '70's bikes in the US, and the tendency to ride frames that were a bit too large. Several generations of Americans had maintained, for the most part, that bicycles were for children. In the '70's, American adults got on bikes, and most had absolutely no idea about frame sizing. There may have been a mentality that basically said, "well, this is an adult bike, so it should be BIG."

Yeah, I got that "You'll grow into it" thing too. At my house, we had single speed coaster brake bikes and then got "10-speeds" for our 10th birthday. I got the Schwinn Woodlands mountain bike for my 10th birthday that I had until I sold it after I got married at 25. If memory serves it was a 17", though that sounds huge for a 10 year old and it was pretty big. I mean I'm 6'3 now, and it was tiny for me when I sold it, but still, I was only about 5' at 10 when I got it.

Someone really should manufacture Yehuda Moon's "Grow Bikes" for frugal parents like ours (and like I'm going to be):
http://www.yehudamoon.com/images/str...2011-06-08.gif

Back in the 70's when I got started into cycling and racing we were told the exact opposite, they fitted everyone I ever knew into smaller bikes then what was supposedly idea due to the LBS's claiming that the smaller frame weighed less and flexed less. Being the rebel that I was I went for a bike that I thought fit me the best without feeling crunched up, so got a size bigger then they recommended. I'm 6' tall with a 34 inseam and they wanted me on a 52cm bike! Instead I got a 56 which seemed a bit small but a 60 was slightly too large, so it was easier to get the 56 to fit. It wasn't uncommon back then for a person to have a very tall seat post and a short stem. I personally think that the LBS's back then didn't have the education they do today about proper bike fitting.

Lame! Auction ended early with no buyer.
I personally wouldn't want to buy it anyway. What do you do with a bike like that?
Do unwrap it and put it together? Would you ride it?...
Or would you just let it take up space in your garage or living room like an old unopened present?

It was re-listed a day later and has been up and active for a few days:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/390449843950#ht_2107wt_754

The sale has not ended.

Ooops, my bad...
Just kidding, not lame! :P

I don't know. I think you were right the first time. S'kinda lame.

Interesting auction but kind of sad in a way. The bike's value will be soley based on it having never been used. I know for collectors this is heady stuff. It is just kind of a bummer that someone never got to enjoy it for its intended puropse and more than likely, never will.

Agree...I said it earlier as well. If you assemble it, it's instantly lost value...so it's only real value is for someone to stand over it like a playboy in the garage. If you want to ride it, or even assemble it, you'd be better off buying one in good condition without the NOS premium.

I was briefly into vinatge/classic motorcycles and I remember an ad in a collectors magazine for an upcoming auction in L.A. that featured an in the crate, early 60's BSA. The ad had the supporting papers and an x-ray of the bike in the crate. It was a rare, desirable model and there was a lot of discussion of the valuation once/if the nails were pulled out of the crate, not EVEN considering pulling the bike out.

I'm not going after it, but if I had the cash and the bike was exactly my size and dream bike, I'd assemble it and ride it no problem. I love the idea of being the first and only rider of a bike. I'm not much of a museum/showpiece kind of bike guy. If I can't ride it, I don't want it.

I'd have no issues paying premium for a brand new old bike like this and riding it.

Yup, that's the famous, in-the-crate, NOS BSA Gold Star that had been talked about for years now. The thing is, the motorcycle isn't really anything special as BSA's go.........Now if that was a Brough Superior like the one T. E. Lawrence "of Arabia" rode to his untimely demise, then it will make more sense to keep the precious cyclemummy in the crate for the next millenium as a sort of time capsule for posterity......

Chombi

Expensive wall hanger

BUMP! Somebody had to do it. :)

I don't understand why you'd pay the NOS premium price, when a 9/10 garage queen would deliver the same thing

I'd build a giant shadow box wall frame and display it as-is, all neatly arranged and fastened to the backing board with archival squirrel glue.

Huh ?....

where was I ?

As long as you have the bank account for it, then what does it matter? This bike is a fortune in my eyes but I know it's not a major purchase for someone out there. It's an expensive bike, but other hobbies can put bicycle costs in perspective really fast. Maybe someone out there has deep pockets and wants a NOS paramount. I don't think it's fair to judge that person or their purchase since we are not in their shoes. Chances are, whoever buys this bike already has a lot of nice bikes.... so this one will probably stay NOS. Who cares?

Truly, in the collector world $3,000.00 doesn't necessarily buy much.

It would be easy to find a single penny that costs that amount. As hobbies go, bicycles are still relatively inexpensive. That NOS Paramount could be the only one left of it's kind. Let's do an evaluation of other hobbies and see what one of a kind items sell for. . . .

If I were the buyer's kid, I would have to be tied to prevent me from one day sneaking that stuff into my room and putting it together overnight and taking it for some joy rides while daddy's snoring and having his Paramount dreams......Tis true, I was that kind of a kid.......Lucky I hated the loud noises my dad's guns made.......

Chombi

I'm sure are there are folks to whom the difference between $3,500 and $1,200 is insignificant. I wish I were among them. For the majority of us who are not so fortunate, I don't know that this bike makes sense, as has been already discussed. If you assemble it, it loses value. If you ride it, it loses value. I just don't get the point of this one and would personally not find the premium worth paying.

Somebody is going to pay it.

Because somebody thinks it's worth it. And that is all that matters.

Same way with the replica Contfente. Nobody though that was worth it so nobody bid.
I do think it's funny that when the owner of speedplay builds a replica Masi this board thinks it's great.

Hmmm...strange crowd around here at times!

To me, it's a whole different viewpoint. I think there is something magical about being able to get a bike like this untouched by anyone and putting it together yourself. Even brand new bikes are usually ridden around the block by the bike shop guys.

In my point of view, I'd rather put the tires to the pavement instead of just having it sit somewhere and never being used like it was originally intended. I'm a ride 'em kind of guy. I don't have as much use for something like a bike if I can't do anything but look at it.

There are people who are willing to pay $100 for burgers because they use the word "Kobe". I'm sure there is someone who will be thrilled to have this bike - and I'm sure it won't be me.

I'd be thrilled to have this bike (it'd fit me), if someone gave it to me. Wouldn't pay for it, though.