Originally Posted by tarmusic
(1) What kind of responses (compliments/heckling/etc.) do you guys/gals get when you show up with your vintage Raleighs, Schwinns, etc.?
(2) Does having "only" ten speeds put you at any kind of disadvantage?
Tarmusic,
Welcome and enjoy your ride.
As to 1), the response varies. My riding mates know and love "Mimi", my '68 or '69 Peugeot U08. I ride reasonably fast and long and keep up reasonably well (by sucking a fair amount of wheel!
) They expect to see me on her and don't say much at all.
On the other hand, at a ride like the Hotter N Hell, it's always surprising the number of positve comments I get, even by guys in their twenties who can tell what Mimi is. The people at Oklahoma triathlons are absolutely encouraging when she is racked sporting vintage Scott aero-bars.
As to 2), it is a disadvantage to ride an old 27 pound 10-speed downtube friction-shift Peugeot. It's also a disadvantage to be 56 years old and weigh 200 pounds. So what? We always finish in time for beer!
Tyson
Cushing, Oklahoma