Rene Herse offering 8 80th anniversary bicycles
08-15-21, 08:19 PM
#76
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Amen, unfortunately I have it on very good info that it ain't gonna happen, at all, period. 
Which seems odd to me, him being back here in PDX, he can walk into several builders shops and probably punch his own ticket to get back at it.
Chances are working with copper tubes pays better.
Which seems odd to me, him being back here in PDX, he can walk into several builders shops and probably punch his own ticket to get back at it.
Chances are working with copper tubes pays better.
Although I wouldn't mind having one to match my wife's MAP.
Great bikes.
08-15-21, 08:35 PM
#77
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08-15-21, 11:33 PM
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Had to be crushing to have finally gotten wound up to really get after it only to have it go up in smoke. He had so many irreplaceable tools that were lost.
Very tough deal, maybe he can overcome it someday, won't be anytime soon.
08-16-21, 09:11 AM
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So what's the outlook on what happens to these bikes down the road? Are they going to be sold for half the sticker price in 5 years, or will they become collectibles reselling for twice the sticker in 10 years?
08-16-21, 10:08 AM
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It seems to me that Jan has tried to make a bike that is worthy of the Herse brand and also incorporates some historical Herse features. In my opinion he has succeeded. As for the prices of the frame and bike, I don't detect any significant markup due to the RH brand - it's just what this level of skill and quality costs, especially for a low-volume product. As an owner of an early Herse, I have no hesitation in considering this new bike to be a legitimate Herse. Obviously, Jan owns the brand, but in my opinion he also earned it. Lyli passed the torch to Jan, and I like what he has done with it so far.
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08-16-21, 10:12 AM
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08-16-21, 10:42 AM
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This application process is his attempt to have some control over that. If every buyer raves about it, then the used market mystique is likely to remain hot for a long time; less so if someone who is (by his measure) uninformed gives his bike a bad review. Maybe he learned from his own mistakes — his earlier reviews of others’ products were a lot less objective and didn’t acknowledge any market clout his opinion might have had. I’m thinking of his review of the Surly Big Dummy and the early VO crank, where he questioned the company’s claim that it was made of 7075 aluminum.
08-16-21, 11:21 AM
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It seems to me that Jan has tried to make a bike that is worthy of the Herse brand and also incorporates some historical Herse features. In my opinion he has succeeded. As for the prices of the frame and bike, I don't detect any significant markup due to the RH brand - it's just what this level of skill and quality costs, especially for a low-volume product.
08-16-21, 11:30 AM
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My takeaway is that the bikes seem really thought out and are of the highest quality. They are just way too expensive for my budget. Fortunately, they are still a ton of great, older bikes floating around. 
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08-16-21, 11:31 AM
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Prices start at $13,900 and the vendor claims that it is not making any money at this price. Who would have thought that a handbuilt steel bicycle is underpriced at $13,900.
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08-16-21, 12:02 PM
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08-16-21, 12:45 PM
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So Jan is the new Grant.. I love the bike internet
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08-16-21, 02:14 PM
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$6000 is cheap compared to what Luthiers and/or their small companies (like Benedetto) get for a custom built archtop. Check out their prices, or a variety of others. But you DO get a hand carved instrument with great materials....
I bought a Campellone archtop for $5400...it is a magnificent thing, better than the Gibson L5 I used to have. And that's a bargain price for such a guitar. or check out this guy: https://www.rancourtguitars.com
I bought a Campellone archtop for $5400...it is a magnificent thing, better than the Gibson L5 I used to have. And that's a bargain price for such a guitar. or check out this guy: https://www.rancourtguitars.com
08-18-21, 10:29 AM
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I'm glad that Jan has offered these 8 bikes. I have no idea what the vetting process for selection will consist of, but I'm hoping it results in a cohort of buyers that will actually ride and enjoy these machines.
08-18-21, 12:43 PM
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Like many entrepreneurs, Jan Heine seems to be skilled in outsourcing activities, marketing/promotion and agitating those who fail to embrace his way of doing things. He's found a niche market to exploit and is going for it.
If I had shi**ons of disposable income, I might consider adding something like this 26"-er to my bike barn. Nobilette is at the top of his game...
If I had shi**ons of disposable income, I might consider adding something like this 26"-er to my bike barn. Nobilette is at the top of his game...
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08-18-21, 12:55 PM
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08-18-21, 01:17 PM
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I imagine that news of this bike/frame is intended to provide additional cachet for the brand, in order to sell more tyres. But Panaracer Gravelkings have been good enough for me.
Much of the Quarterly is about Herse tyres, Berthoud saddles, and other expensive goodies that Compass sells (and I've never bought); but it's a pleasant read all the same.
08-19-21, 12:03 AM
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I used to be ridiculously dorky about "tenon length" or "mold marks" or "binding depth" and all that other silly ****.
I got into bikes and got ridiculously dorky about "chain stay lengths" and "cantilever cable angles" and "Reynolds decals." You know, the stuff that REALLY matters.
Brick and mortar music stores pretty much stay in business selling the Squiers and Epiphones along with consumables. I guess that's probably changing due to the nature of e-commerce.
I got into bikes and got ridiculously dorky about "chain stay lengths" and "cantilever cable angles" and "Reynolds decals." You know, the stuff that REALLY matters.
Brick and mortar music stores pretty much stay in business selling the Squiers and Epiphones along with consumables. I guess that's probably changing due to the nature of e-commerce.
Would I like a new Rene Herse? Yes for its craftmanship, but no, it would be wasted on me. But it is beautiful. But I found a replacement for the 1973 Peugeot, and the 1973 Fuji that I rode for 40+ years, that kept the spirit of the 2 vintage bikes I had (that went from new to vintage during my ownership), while giving me a cantilever brakes, a 10 speed cassette and SIS shifting, and was not fitted with matte black components. I am just glad to see that the traditional and vintage bikes are still influencing riders and being made.
Yes, I do subscribe to Bicycling Quarterly. It is the only bike magazine with bikes I would like to ride.
08-19-21, 04:40 AM
#97
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"I don't detect any significant markup due to the RH brand - it's just what this level of skill and quality costs, especially for a low-volume product. As an owner of an early Herse, I have no hesitation in considering this new bike to be a legitimate Herse. Obviously, Jan owns the brand, but in my opinion he also earned it. Lyli passed the torch to Jan, and I like what he has done with it so far."
Well put. The torch was passed to Jan and he is continuing the tradition in the same vein as the founder. In my book it is real and I respect Jan's efforts in marketing a seriously great design and style that has withstood the test of time. How does that song from Fiddler on the Roof go? If I were a rich man...yep, I'd put in for one in a heartbeat then ride the wheels off it!
As far as BQ goes, I too am subscribed as it tests bikes that are of interest to me, not the typical cookie cutter stuff, and the testers have zero problems pointing out what they see as short comings of the bikes they test. They are beholden to no one.
Well put. The torch was passed to Jan and he is continuing the tradition in the same vein as the founder. In my book it is real and I respect Jan's efforts in marketing a seriously great design and style that has withstood the test of time. How does that song from Fiddler on the Roof go? If I were a rich man...yep, I'd put in for one in a heartbeat then ride the wheels off it!
As far as BQ goes, I too am subscribed as it tests bikes that are of interest to me, not the typical cookie cutter stuff, and the testers have zero problems pointing out what they see as short comings of the bikes they test. They are beholden to no one.
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