Onthel : Vintage Bike

Onthel was a vintage bicycle that popular in colonial era. In those era, the bicycle used by important people such as land lord, village head man, and another nobles. That make Onthel became a luxury vehicle and has become a badge of honor and prestige. Brands such as Gazelle, Hercules, Phoenix, etc has coloring bike market competition. After eroded era and almost all of the bike not produce again, Onthel got knockout by the presence of Mountain Bikes and Motorcycles. In 80 - 90s vintage bicyles mostly hang on the garage and warehouse. But time is always spinning and history call they back.

The development of Indonesia Tourism, making antiques began to glances back. The need to attract tourist impacts for Onthel to show off again. Almost all tourist sites that are related to the colonial era provides vintage bicycles rental as a tour vehicle. This make the prestige of the old bike back again. Some people my already have become proud to show their vintage bike, which my has been simply ignored in the warehouse. Then they create Onthel community and attract other people with their prestige feel.
          
Now, Onthel lovers was increased during more vintage bicycle community spread in every city, include in my city. Every week, Onthel community in my town always do routine activities such as gathering or traveling convoy around district. If the first fans mostly elderly, now many young age are getting interested. This makes the price of the vintage bikes getting higher. I've search in some online shop, vintage bike such as Gazelle can be priced up to 10 millions rupiahs even more (depending on specification). But price never be matter when it comes to prestige.