Everything has its price or at least those things that do not have an element of pricelessness from a personal, family or unique nostalgic association.
As a bit of a check and balance I often dip into the resource that is E-Bay to gauge the demand for and current values for things that come to my attention from, perhaps, a story in the news or if I come across anything interesting in the course of my daily workload.
That was the case this week when in a dusty and cobweb strewn garage at the bottom of a garden I came across this. At first glance it was just a faded red framed bicycle.
Its geometry was unusual being quite elongated and with a very upright riding position. Just above the short downtube leading to the pedal crank was a clamp style fitting and fixing indicating it to be of a folding type.
I didn't really register anything more than that this was a heavy, small wheeled shopper bike. Then the stylised writing on the main tube caught my attention.
It read "The Uri Geller Bend it-Bag it Bike.
I had not seen one before or even known about its existence. It was launched by the celebrity, Uri Geller in 2004 being a re-branded model from the existing "Bike in a Bag" product originating in China and imported by a small company based in Somerset.
Geller has shown an entreprenurial spirit in his career with amongst other products and merchandise a shelf of self help and instructional books, a jewellery range and of course an autographed spoon for members of the public to emulate the famous trademark spoon bending.
Cycling and bike technology has for a long time been a particular interest of Geller and in 1997 he promoted the Ultimate Bike- a carbon fibre monocoque machine which would be virtually indestructible against the twin enemies of conventional metal bike frames- rust and the climate.
The Bend it Bag it Bike is in comparison low tech engineering but that it all that is demanded for everyday use on harsh and potholed roads and in heavy duty operation in a commute or for doing the shopping.
The initial selling price in 2004 was between £250 and £300 and this included a free helmet.
At that time there was strong competition in the folding bike sector and the celebrity endorsement of Uri Geller was expected to be a key factor in capturing a share of the market.
Brompton and Moulton were the top end leaders in the small wheeled folding bike sector and much better known and so the Geller Bike would sit in the budget sector to appeal to leisure and recreational riders.
I have not been able to find out how many Bend it Bag It bikes were sold and there are currently none up for sale on E Bay.
That means that they are either extremely rare or very much loved and cherised by those who bought one.
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