I have a small bicycle repair (and sales) business that I run from home. I'm in a small coastal town that has a huge tourist population on weekends and holidays and as the area is relatively flat, a lot of people get around on bikes. As this is my area of expertise I'm in a fortunate position.

I've seen a huge change in attitude in the past few years towards old bikes. A few years back it was tough to sell an old bike and everyone wanted new. Now the opposite is true and I'm getting pretty good prices for vintage bikes, even with a high amount of "patina". I also sell new bikes but keep the prices as low as possible, sometimes not much higher than a good vintage bike.

The point I'm making is that there does indeed seem to be a "bum for every seat", not just in the car sense. I have some customers that look at a new bike and just dismiss it immediately, wanting instead the "cool" vintage bike. I have others that look at the old bikes and say "but I can buy a brand new one for the same money!" I point out that they have a choice and so does everyone else.

We are all on this forum because we love Sandmans.

No two are exactly the same, in fact many are vastly different, but all are worth what someone will pay for them.

In the end, it doesn't really matter what they are worth as long as you love them.