auchencrow

It seems to me that there is increased interest in some C&V bikes, despite the malaise in the C&V market here.

- Maybe it's just a local phenomenon, but some marques that were usually misspelled or listed as generic "10-speeds" in the past, now have reasonably accurate descriptions - and higher asking prices too.

(I won't mention which one(s), because I don't want to bias anyone.)

-But what about you?
What trends (or mega-trends) in C&V are you seeing?

miamijim

Fixie/SS is dying

Low end bike prices are going lower.

High end complete bike prices are holding.

High end high condition parts are very collectible

High end high condition Italian framesets are very collectible

High end Simplex derailleurs are hot

FuzzyDunlop

Geared bikes as opposed to fixies, which most people have noticed.

Around here there seems to be a growing interest in three speeds and town bikes. We've had some well attended Tweed Rides, and I think people see three speeds as a nice commuting alternative to their old hybrid or mountain bike.

RobbieTunes

STI's are more in demand.

Dweebs looking for STI "105 or higher" for $200-$300 are increasing.

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

I think the prices on pre-1970 stuff are climbing.

KonAaron Snake 

I've seen a lot more people looking for a sporty bike that has clearance for fenders and thick tires. I'm noticing lots of racks and a lot fewer SS and FG. The SS and FG I am seeing are less often conversions and more often new bikes. I'm noticing fewer suspension forks (thank you Surly!). Suntour seems to be really picking up!

The biggest trend I'm seeing, and one I think is really great, is the continued emergence of the cyclocross bike as a commuter.

Cannondales and Kleinns seem hot to me (especially Kleinn) while French is cooling off. I'm seeing a lot more Mixtes...particularly Japanese ones.

rhm

+1. GB hiduminium brakes have gone through the roof on ebay in the last couple of years.

English made derailleurs can still be had pretty cheap, which shouldn't really be a surprise.

BigPolishJimmy

My 70's road bikes seem to be 10-speeds, and my 80's bikes seem to be 12-speeds, I'm not sure if this 'more gear choices' trend will catch on. Time will tell

funkflex

+1 on the fixed gear craze slowly dying down. Seeing more and more fixed bikes pop up for sale on Craigslist. Reading a lot of ads stating " I thought I liked this style of bike, but I realized I don't." I guess doing "tricks" on a road frame isn't cool anymore .

canyoneagle

There seems to be an increased market for transportation bikes such as Townies (Converted C&V and retro-styled new bikes) and Dutch-style bikes.

vinfix

Vintage style must be catching on, since manufacturers like Schwinn and Raleigh are offering steel frame bikes with retro styling

canyoneagle

+1 to to your +1

Maybe the ridiculous fad of "skinny" men's jeans will die a similar death.

DVC45

Mixte's (twin top tube) sells fast.

RobE30

^I hope so! The only benefit to wearing tight jeans is that they can't get caught in your chain.

funkflex

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCJ8mCV39M8

ColonelJLloyd 

^ Right. I always think "manly" when I see a Miller Light. It's like having sex in a canoe.

If gasoline prices rise this year as is predicted, we'll see greater demand of bikes of all kinds, especially those in the $200-400 range that are most suitable for commuting.

KonAaron Snake 

Women seem to be moving back towards mixtes and step throughs while hybrids seem less popular. In my area Linus is selling VERY well and Jamis seems to be doing less well (which I think is a shame...I love the Coda line as commuters). The Raleigh 3speeds seem to be selling briskly, but they only sell for sub-$200.

Cynikal 

I really don't think that the fixed gear fad is dying as much as there are now more low priced complete bikes available. Converting an old road bike is now more expensive than buying a complete Kilo.

Townies are getting really big which is great. People are really using their bikes to get around the city here.

kingsting

Over the last year, I've noticed a lot of Dutch style, loop-frame bikes as accessories in television and magazine advertising.

Doohickie

Funny, I was gonna say that hybrids seem to be heating up. Older Specialized Rockhoppers and Schwinn Crosscuts seem to be more desireable. Hybrids that can handle the fatter tires are popular here.

leaping_gnome

Next hot item - RH rear dropout replacements.

Seriously, it seems like whenever I get an interest in a praticular part for a project, like Simplex LJ or Suntour Superbe, I watch the prices jump up!

Being born at the trailing edge of the baby boom sure has its downside.

Jim

Epicus07 

From a Seattle perspective,

Italian bikes are few, far between and expensive.
Cyclocross are the most common commuters with racks and fenders etc.
Freds still buy high end carbon.
Hipsters still ride fixies in tight jeans. (drugs and isolation in a culture that accepts them for the tools that they are has slowed their evolution)
Hybrid bikes are only bought by overweight noobs and are quickly traded in for road bikes.

I haven't flipped a bike in 6 months :*( My Guerciotti ruined me. I typically reserved the 2nd bike slot for a bike that fit me that i could ride for a few months until i got bored then flip for a profit. Between winter craigslist being cold and unexciting and a wonderful italian ride nothing has tempted me to add a third.

This is the longest i've gone without buying a new bike. What's wrong with me?

Perhaps Cascades bike swap next month will tempt me. Whats not to love about an airplane hangar filled to the ceiling with great used bikes / parts? Its my favorite holiday of the year.

sorry for going OT.

Mr. Embrey

Touring frames/bikes are up.

Been that way a while though.

triplebutted

Vintage stuff seems to be getting older. Kinda like in the same timeline as my lifeline.

Chombi

A resurgence in the popularity of DT shifters....with retrofrictions now more and more becoming de rigueur for most C&V builds.....as more and more new C&V bike riders want to try the old minimalist, more direct method of shifting gears, plus the aesthetic benefits on the bike it provides.
Same with Tubular wheels/tires......It was just recently when I remember not even seeing any tubular tires or glues in many bike shops. Now they have them all over, ableit, mostly just low priced tubs like Vittoria Rallys, but you don't have to search out for them too much anymore.
The old AL and CF bonded frames are more generally accepted by the C&V crowd as viable everyday rides too as they notice that despite all the naysayers, there is no epedemic of C&V bonded Al and CF frames breaking apart under riders.......there never was. It was mostly all hype and paranoia. Lots of these frames are still staying together for their owners going on almost 30 years now.
And no, just because you have a whippy..ish frame it's not automatically considered junk anymore as people's perception on what a good riding bike really is had changed through the years.
JMOs

Chombi