Hex Tube Silver King

[Freqman1]

Young people today are all about the internet and social media. Most young people are into posting all over social media they post pictures of everything they are into, the burrito they just ate their newest outfit they bought. This is probably the best vintage bike site on the planet and how many 20 somethings have joined? If the younger generations are getting into vintage bike collecting they sure are keeping it quite. Again I pose the question "how many 20 year old's were at Monroe and MLC buying up vintage bicycles? I'm getting no responses because they were not there and my comment about this being a dying hobby is 100% correct. There is no stench of death, it is a slow trickle down ,down , down. There will always be someone collecting vintage bikes but it is not a growing hobby. This is not an opinion it is the facts.

I would ask you "How many bike swaps/shows have you been to in the past year?" At both MLC and Monroe I saw plenty of young people. In fact one guy in his late '20's/early 30s dropped at least $20k on bikes and parts. Guys like @C M Gerlach had his son with him as did many other dads and families. Look how this site grows continually. A few bikes in the past two months have sold for $30k. To me, these are not indicators of a dying hobby. As for young people anyone who has been around collectibles for more than a day understands the interest is developed early but it usually isn't until later in life that folks can really afford to indulge in their hobby-once the kids are gone. So if you want to support your 'facts' with empirical evidence, rather than a gut feel, then I'm all ears.

 

[coasterbrakejunkie1969]

Clearly I have not been to either, that is why I asked. Any time you want to provide actual facts that would be great. You saw one person , one spending money at the swap, If I really cared to I could go back and show you at least 10 posts of members who admitted their kids and family have absolutely no interest in their collections and no interest in their collection or collecting themselves. I’ll do me, you do you. Good luck going forward

 

[byke!punk]

The hobby is dead. Long live the hobby.

 

[coasterbrakejunkie1969]

I never said dead

 

[byke!punk]

I never said dead

Are you a part of / engage with any of the countless bicycle groups on other social media such as facebook?

 

[John]

https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/2...june-6-june-7-2025.257206/page-2#post-1782561

I got there at 7:00 and set up shortly after. Did really well with small parts and the stuff flying off my tables were things I had for years...

 

[Nashman]

Young people today are all about the internet and social media. Most young people are into posting all over social media they post pictures of everything they are into, the burrito they just ate their newest outfit they bought. This is probably the best vintage bike site on the planet and how many 20 somethings have joined? If the younger generations are getting into vintage bike collecting they sure are keeping it quite. Again I pose the question "how many 20 year old's were at Monroe and MLC buying up vintage bicycles? I'm getting no responses because they were not there and my comment about this being a dying hobby is 100% correct. There is no stench of death, it is a slow trickle down ,down , down. There will always be someone collecting vintage bikes but it is not a growing hobby. This is not an opinion it is the facts.

Sad but true. At 68, I think I was in the majority/most were older at the Hershey Car show/antique everything flea market last Fall. I bet ML and Munroe were the same this Spring? At least most age 45-50 plus.

Lets just enjoy it in whatever form it takes in all stages of original, restored/correct or not, basket case, parts, pics, memories, but most important the human factor and friendship/fellowship and respect to others. The stories, memories and even the tall tales are all part of the fun. It's fine to correct an example presented as "bone factory stock" in a constructive manner, but not maliciously.

Not everyone can afford or even cares if their bike is "correct" and if people are reluctant to join the hobby for fear of being criticized, then that's just sad. Again, some characters boast about "original/correct" and may need to be "reeled in" but often silence is golden. If a proposed restoration project owner is seeking advice, then let 'er rip with opinions and facts.

 

[Rusty72]

@Nashman , I agree 100%, very well said.