Rank_21
Retro Guru
In france I haven’t seen the classic « hipster » buying retro mtb parts, rather younger people who already practise the sport and enjoy the older cool looking mtb’s simply because 90’s stuff has bling and character. The UK market just like the German one has more buyers willing to shell out. Another noticeable shift has also been the availability of bikes. I used to see loads of 50’s, 60s, 70s etc town, race bikes being used by students for example. They all have 26 inch Mtbs now as the older stuff has likely ended in the tip. When parts need to be replaced, some likely want to restore using period correct parts.If we consider retro MTBs versus some other markets I am into, I don’t think it’s too bad. Look at classic cars and price movements there over the last decade or so.. More recently vintage watches. Forget about anything approaching value for money, no matter how hard you hunt.
We are fortunate that we have, and retain, a thoroughly niche hobby. One with high barriers to entry, from a knowledge if not financial, perspective. Whilst prices may increase with time here, as interest grows or supply diminishes.. the hobby will never have mass market appeal. Hence price growth is probably capped.
I know some members reference supposed hipsters as a driver of higher prices, but I don’t see it - and I spend a lot of time in Hackney, Dalston etc. I don’t see dudes with big beards and sleeve tattoos debating the merits of a Yo versus a DB at the local coffee shop, nor decorating their single speed with Grafton.
I would say that eventually pricing will increase at the extent and speed that we ride our parts into the ground, on one hand.. and will decrease at the extent to which older members die out (sorry) and their wives dump their collections onto the Bay. Somewhere in the midst of this we will hit a clearing price.
As for prices, if your patient you end up getting what you want at a reasonable price - If you price too high nobody buys. Retrobiking is super cheap like mentioned compared to other hobbies. I’m riding a Sunn right now, well kitted out. The most expensive thing was the Egs levers that cost me 160euros (nobody will sell you those for 50p), in total 400ish euros spent. I didn’t spec to original and thats the reason it cost me so little. I would never spend excessive amounts on syncros stems and seat tubes because you can have the same thing for a lot less with little difference. My advice for cheap entertainment- Buy complete bikes, buy ahead of time and stock up when the price is good, never be picky