Retro bicycle brands that didn't survive

[vivelesalpes]

Simplex - gear shifters that were the weapon of choice during the early/mid eighties and marmite derailleurs - you either loved or hated them.

Maillard - quirky hubs that required a special tool - swallowed up by Sachs who morphed into Sachs.

Gipiemme's still knocking around - a lot of there stuff was re-badged and not their own design. They still 'make' wheels.

Spidel - the original French attempt at a groupset (mainly a Maillard / Simplex / Stronglight combo platter)

 

[konahed]

Muddy Fox?
Alpinestars? Dont think they make bikes anymore.
Raleigh - do they still make serious bikes?

 

[DrewSavage]

Raleigh do - a friend of mine has just bought a Raleigh Clubman and it's lovely.

Did Muddy Fox make road bikes? I never knew!

 

[DrewSavage]

DrewSavage the reason some pieces claim a higher price has to do with many things. Quality, heritage, collectability, rarity, current trends, etc etc.

A very good point. I guess what I'm after is good equipment that isn't necessarily subject to current trends and may be under-rated or unknown by many people?