The rapid clicking of a spinning bike wheel echoed through the quiet room, an oddly antique sound, as if we had travelled back in time. The sound alone is enough to send a chill down the spine of any bike lover, a rhythmic clicking that belongs to machines of a certain vintage.
Modern technology has done an amazing job in eliminating the “clicks and clacks” of bikes of the past, as steel frames have fallen out of fashion in favour of the lighter carbon fibre and titanium. Improvements in the drivetrain and gears have also changed the sound — newer bikes swoosh and swirl instead, and the reduced noise and higher performance are of great appeal in today’s industry.
Since everything old has become cool again, retro bicycles have become increasingly popular. But maybe no one loves them more than Somsak “Tor” Jariyasakdipong.
He has spent five years and 10 million baht amassing what could be Thailand’s largest private collection of high-end vintage bicycles, with 70 much-loved road bikes on show above his business in Bang Phrom. “The sound effects are just part of the whole appeal,” Mr Somsak said, adding that classic bikes have many attractive features that are almost non-existent in modern bikes.
All the bicycles in his collection feature chromoly steel alloy frames and date from the 1970s to 1990s, and most are Italian and hand-made. The bike whose wheel he was spinning is one example: a blazing red 1980s Tommasini with bright yellow handles.
As the wheel slowed, a relaxed smile appeared on Mr Somsak’s face. Walking around his collection, he gazed at the bikes fondly and would stop to touch the cold, sleek metal.
He said he had more than 60 rare handcrafted models, which were sought-after for the beauty of their design. To him, the bikes highlight the artistic genius of Italian bike makers like Patelli, Ernesto Colnago and Ugo De Rosa. Admired for their tasteful designs and the markings carved into the chromoly frames, these rare bikes are often at the top of the list for vintage bike collectors.
“Italian artistry is truly mind-blowing,” Mr Somsak said. “It’s like everything they do is art. The buildings, food, bikes, just everything.”
Pointing at the head tube of a blue 1980s Patelli, Mr Somsak said Italian artistry outshines the rest in terms of beauty while their expertise on bike performance was also second to none.
Also highly prized in the collection are Japanese Zunow and Panasonic models from the 80s. He said the Japanese built competitive bikes with comparatively cheaper materials, which made them miles ahead of their competitor in terms of performance against price.
The Japanese bikes’ sleek and colourful features stand out brightly against the darker tones Italian designers favour.
Mr Somsak is a little bit lost for words when asked how he judged their value. He looked at a 1970s Patelli hanging on the wall, then shifted his eyes towards his latest acquisition, a purple 1997 Colnago Olympic Master that cost him 200,000 baht and quite some time to acquire.
“It’s the feeling, I can’t explain it but it’s there,” he said. “Maybe it’s the attraction, and sometimes it’s the thrill of the hunt. The true value of each collectibles lies in the eye of the collector and each of them are judged differently.”
While the acquisition processes mostly involves long hours on internet research and phone calls, the excitement in his voice made it sound like a grand adventure. Indeed, the treasure hunt has taken him half a world away as he seeks out rare models.
“Well, one thing is certain, and this hold true for every collector, the harder it is to get your hands on a collectable, the more valuable it becomes in the eyes of the owner.”
Mr Somsak said it is quite common to miss out on acquisition attempts, and there are many reasons a bid may fail. If he has any regrets about chasing bikes but returning empty-handed, he doesn’t show them. “It’s a race, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose,” he shrugged.
He also has help, with his business adviser Jarunat Sachaphondeth serving as second mate on the “treasure hunt crew” and having proven an invaluable asset to him.
A lot of research is involved, and it also requires a fair amount of patience.
“I just go into every site possible, post ads, talk to people and whatever it takes to track down the acquisition,” Mr Somsak said. “It’s frustrating a bit when you run into dead ends or hoax contacts. We fly to Europe and then it’s a totally different bike, or people trying to dupe us.
“But, then, when we finally get what we were looking for, three months and two more countries later, it was worth it.”
One of Mr Somsak’s most prized possessions is the 1997 purple Colnago, which took him almost six months to track down. But he says all the money and hard work has been worth it.
Most of the vintage bikes are purchased from the collections of aficionados, so they usually arrive in excellent condition. Mr Somsak regularly applies top-grade lubricants and dusts the bikes, and because most have long been kept indoors, the paintwork is still in great condition. Replacements for any parts that have been damaged or worn out over time can be found online.
While Mr Somsak’s heart belongs to vintage and retro bicycles, his business is all about the modern machines. Speed Moto Max, an official distributor of Cannondale bicycles located near Ratchaphruek Road in Bangkok’s west, is one of his ventures.
The business is on the ground floor, along with a cafe, while the vintage collection is on the second floor. Entry is free and open to anyone interested in admiring the collection and learning about the cycling world.
Along for the ride
Pinarello Montello SLX
1984 Championship edition
One highly prized model in Somsak Jariyasakdipong’s collection is a Pinarello Montello SLX, one of the most powerful and advanced bikes of the late ’80s.
The model won gold at the 1984 Olympics, and won the Spanish Vuelta a Espana (Tour of Spain), Giro d’Italia and several stages in the Tour de France.
The dream Pinarello, as it was called, was the ultimate bicycle of its time and famous riders included Olympic champion Alexi Grewal and 1988 Tour de France winner Pedro Delgado.
De Rosa 1980-83 edition
Mr Somsak’s De Rosa from the early ’80s is a vintage gem. This is one of the very few in the world with pantograph engraving on the entire bike and is arguably the most desired for collectors of vintage models.
Nothing about the bike is outstanding in terms of performance, as the value comes from its beauty. This is true of many of the bikes in Mr Somsak’s collection, which tends to lean towards beautiful bikes rather than technology and performance.
Sounds of the past: Modern technology has eliminated the ‘clicks and clacks’ of older bikes, as steel frames have fallen out of fashion in favour of the lighter carbon fibre and titanium.
Pedal power: Mr Somsak loves retro bikes, but he also runs a shop selling more up to date models, such as Cannondales.
