This is kinda 'The Folding Stuff' pt. 2, but really it covers something that has a wider relevance than me poking fun at an old folding bike. As I said in the earlier post, there is a story to go with the bike which started me thinking about how these stories imbue an item with more value than the mere cost of the item itself. Intrinsic v. historical value. In the video below, you get a sense of what I mean- the shop guy is looking at what the bits that make up the bike may bring in dollars, while Chad, the bike's owner reacts in a way that shows it's true value.
It happens frequently in cycling, you've probably experienced it yourself. You have an old mountain bike or road bike that took you faithfully through some tough rides or happened to be a companion in hard times. The collection of metal tubes, bearings, tyres etc, take on more value because of what both you and the bike have experienced together. If you come to sell that bike, it comes as a surprise how little someone else is willing to pay for your memories, but that's not what they're buying- they're buying the tubes and wheels and the bike has yet to take on the stories from that rider; the slate's wiped clean, ready to start again. Enjoy the video, poke fun at the odd bike but know that we all have similar stories and that someone else will return the favour.