Why do we collect?

Gavin Gilbert

An interesting comment article in the current issue of the VCC house mag. It's set me thinking about why I spend my time and money on old bikes, when I have perfectly good and frankly much more practical modern machines to ride.

I can see the attraction of the pastime to those reliving their youth, or who are able to now afford the dream bikes they coverted 40 or 50 years ago. But a lot of fellow collectors I meet are in my age-range (I'm 40) - when my youngest classic, a 79 Holdsworth 531, was new I was still badgering my Dad into letting me put 'cow horns' onto the old SA 3 speed roadster he had brought for me from a mate at work. What possible connection could we have?

For me, it's been an interest in tracing the development of the modern bicycle: from the pre-war fixed to SA clubmans machine to the Simplex equipped mid-50's racer to that Holdsworth, which to be honest is no different on a technological level to the Dawes Galaxy I purchased new from Evans 10 years ago as my re-entry into cycling.

It's the social history I love.

<hr noshade size="1">
'Cause I'm a lover not a fighter
Yes, I'm a lover not a fighter
Yes, I'm a lover not a fighter
And I'm really built for speed
Built for speed

Unknown

i've just aquired a 1960's carlton
i'm in the process of perminantly aquiring my gran's 1979 fiesta
my favorite car is a 1958 ford zephyr

i'm 23, born in the early 80's,

things were just cooler back then, had more character

spen666

I collect œ50 notes

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22nd March can't come soon enough, neither can 26th May 2007

Carbon Footprint what Carbon Footprint?

Dickie

Because we can? Maybe secretly (or not) we all enjoy riding unique bikes? I dont honestly know Gavin. I just like the look of a classic. I think 1950-1985 is my fave period.

bagpusscp

I am glad I have a short attention span . After about 2 years of collecting I have 5 projects to finish and there will not be any more . I rarley ride any of them , sticking to my modern bikes for daily use . For longer rides I love my Raleigh titainium . When I am fit it goes like $h*t off a shovel .[}:)][:D]

bagpuss

Unknown

For us older folk, probably a little nostalgia. More relevant to me I think - I am much more an occasional dabbler than a collector, is the "unique" aspect mentioned by Dickie and the simple fact that I can have something *nice*, even if not state of the art for not a lot of money. Thus if offered the choice between a '50s-'80s *classic* and a full carbon TCR for the same price, then it'd take about a tenth of a second to say "the Giant, please!"

When the *choice* is a bog standard, see 'em everywhere, 200-500 quid Trek, Spesh or whatever and a classy steel framed race bike at 200 or less, then the latter would take my cash.

d.j.
"The Angels have my 'phone box."

bonk man

I have just acquired a Mike Morris lo pro fixed wheel frame ...its probably going to be a bit of a dog [:D] and slower than my Dolan track bike but it is unusual and almost unique [only a few of them out there apparently] .. It will get used for a few time trials and once the novelty has worn off I will most likely sell it on ebay or to one of the club guys. The point is having something no one else has got in the collection.
Ever been in someone else's bike shed and quietly thought to yourself "blimey never seen one of those before"... but then again some people collect stupid things like train numbers .....loonies I reckon[:)]

Club rides are for sheep

urbanfatboy

I think some of the older bikes were beautiful in their ingenuity, given the limitation of the materials availavle, builders / manufacturers had to do someting smart ot make a good, bike, it's a nice bit of nostalgia, like looking at a lost art. Also nice when other old bike fans recognise something from their youth.

Unknown

I think the short answer is that collecting things is a pretty common activity.

I'm not a collector but do have a 1954 Hetchins which I've owned for a year but not yet built up.

I feel that craftsmanship is to be valued and so I'm looking after just one example for the time being.

I also have a tendency to buy S/H 80s road bikes and have them renovated - they are pretty good value, durable, and to my mind look good.

Like others though, older bikes for riding have disadvantages - in particular brakes and wheels/tyres and so if on a club run (unless its the VCC), you're at a disadvantage.

There is of course the vexed issue of whether to put new kit on old frames to make them more roadworthy. For the affluent the answer, apparently, is to have two of a kind - one original for display and the other modernised for riding!

I do like looking at classic bikes either in the steel or photos so keep 'em coming.

Dave

David Jones

My bikes http://picasaweb.google.com/lb1dej

My clubs: Buxton CC - South Manchester CTC - VCC - VTTA

bonk man

DEJ .. re new kit on old frames, I should think the maker of the frame would have put on whatever was the best available kit at the time. I have a 1970-early 80's Mercian 531c with modern gears, brakes and wheels+tyres. The seat is about the only thing almost in keeping with its age, comfy frame that goes well and stops in the wet[:p].

The old Viscount 'may' get the 70's treatment one day, maybe when I retire[:)]

Club rides are for sheep

bagpusscp

OK I will have to put my hands up as I have been telling porkies on this thread [:0], by saying that I would not be buying any more old bikes . Today I came home with a 1954 Claud Butler lugless designed frame . GB South of France bars , GB grider type stem , GB brakes , Brooks B17 saddle , A nice cottered chain set iffy chrome . 27 1/4 wheels chrome rims have shot it . The paint work should clean up . I will put some pictures on flickr soon .

There really is no hope for me . [;)]

bagpuss

scm

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by bagpuss</i>
... nice cottered ...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
"Nice" and "cottered"? Does not compute.[xx(]

--
It is better to have loved a short person, than never to have loved a tall.

bagpusscp

I know cotters are a nightmare , love em or loathe em classic bikes ain't so without em . I am talking 1950' s when real men rode em .[;)]

bagpuss

Unknown

"I am talking 1950' s when real men rode em ."

Before your time then, bagpuss!

I'll get me coat...


d.j.
"Not much to see,
Not much left to lose"

bagpusscp

SSSHHHHHHHH . Thats me rumbled . Ps I was out this afternoon in a storm , got pi$$ wet through . "Sgt Bash" the when all else fails cotter pin removal tool .[B)][}:)]

bagpuss