Road Cycling - What is a Retro Grouch?

I've heard the term mentioned from time to time.

Is a Retro Grouch a guy/gal who only ride old bikes with old components or someone who likes the classics and will buy new stuff with the old look? Just Curious. :)

What is a Retro Grouch?

a luddite (http://www.answers.com/luddite&r=67)

A retro grouch has a steel frame bike with a Brooks saddle and friction shifters and thinks anything newer is garbage.

I think this Here (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=206161) is an example of a Retro Grouch(s) ;)

Funny this subject has come up. I got up early this morning to take a ride and the front tire of my Lemond was flat. I didn't want to mess with it so I put on the front wheel from my commuter and away I went. When I got home I was looking at the Mavic Open Pro on the Lemond and thought how nice the silver rims and silver spokes looked on that bike. I guess I am one of those folks that like the classic look on bikes.

So now I'm thinking of switching from the Bontrager Race Lights to a 32 spoke silver wheelset. Probably go with an Open Pro with Dura-Ace hub or maybe go with Mike Garcia Velocity AeroHead. Technically I'm not a Retro Grouch but I do like the look of the classics. Yes, I already have a Brooks saddle on the bike. :D

Its a catch-phrase/marketing gimmick tied to the Bridgstone/Rivendell thing.

Its a catch-phrase/marketing gimmick tied to the Bridgstone/Rivendell thing.

I'm not sure THEY would agree with you. I, however, think you make a fair point.

I'm not sure THEY would agree with you. I, however, think you make a fair point.

Right. But then again, a gimmick can be used to market a perfectly valid product.

Retro Grouch, noun

1. A bicycle enthusiast who allows other riders to work the bugs out of new component ideas before committing money to buy them for his own bike.

2. An unusually intelligent, good-looking, and humble internet poster.

Perhaps not so humble.

Retro Grouch, noun

1. A bicycle enthusiast who allows other riders to work the bugs out of new component ideas before committing money to buy them for his own bike.

2. An unusually intelligent, good-looking, and humble internet poster.


Perhaps not so humble.

:roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:

Cycling's full of marketing gimmicks, planned obsolescences and weight weenyism, all manufactured to make your wallet as light as possible. A retro grouch is a super hero with the power to see through bull****:
Q: Do you want to spend an extra $5000 to save 2 grams?
A:No.
Luddite!
Q: Do you want a bike that the sun, vibration and crashes will ruin in five years, or a slightly heavier steel bike that will last a liftime?
A:I'll take the steel frame, thanks.
Philistine!
Q: Do you want a road bike with a fugly threadless stem that looks like a mountain bike?
A:No thanks, I prefer the lines of classic road bikes, quill stems, thin tubes, horizontal top tubes, no catastrophic failures-you know, a practical bike.
Arrogance!

This'll turn into another "I feel inordinately threatened by the fact that Rivendell controls %.000000001 of the bicycle market"-thread. Ought to be entertaining.

Q:Do you want to spend an extra $5000 to save 2 grams?

i am not a number. i am a free man!



Be seeing you!

The evidence suggests that "retro grouchery" is not derived from good looks or intelligence, and certainly not from being humble, a super hero, or a labeler (Though it does seem to help if you're a know-it-all and have the internet to hide behind). Rather it is an affliction rooted in the notion that most things, including bikes, were best when the person was young. Of course youth is short lived and over-rated, but the aging person trudges painfully along, barely able to deal with the changing world, clinging to his yester-year stuff (I use "his" because it seems this is mostly a "male" malady).

The worst part of this is many of us become retro grouches, representing the golden ages of whatever. Even worse is that we seldom suffer in silence!? One disturbing trend is the emergence of a few young retro grouches, with short attention spans, who think the halcyon days were last month?

Thanks KrisPistofferson, you said it beautifully. :)

This young retro-grouch salutes you. :D

I prefer my peanutbutter in glass jars.

A Retro Grouch is a old hippie that used to ride their bike from one Dead concert to the next, trading weed for tire patches, usually has granola stuck in 2 foot long beard.

They usually oppose anything "new" made for a bike in the last 30 years, only ride Brooks saddles (and these only because they can't find a town cobbler to make teir our for them). You can spot them easily because they will be the really fast old guys who pass you (riding your beautiful carbon bike) while riding some "great" old steel touring bike with 20 ft3 canvas saddle bag, DT or bar end shifters, cantilever brakes, and clips. If they are a young retro grouch they may have adopted clipless pedals, but will never use anything other than SPDs (usually with sandals).

Moustache handles and handlebar moustaches are often common calling cards. The phrase "Sturmey Archer" is their mating call, and respond readily with "..is real" whenever anyone mentions the name of that iron alloy that contains some carbon...yeah carbon....

They are usually well read, have played an instrument or two, participate in local theatre, and have a secret desire to chuck everything to learn how to be a blacksmith. When not riding a bike they can be found inside the oldest/smallest bike shops in the area, teaching physics at a local school or university, or recycling cans.

They can be lured with the promise of showing them any folding bike design at least 30 years old.

...I can go on....

Speaking from personal experience? :p


A Retro Grouch is a old hippie that used to ride their bike from one Dead concert to the next, trading weed for tire patches, usually has granola stuck in 2 foot long beard.

They usually oppose anything "new" made for a bike in the last 30 years, only ride Brooks saddles (and these only because they can't find a town cobbler to make teir our for them). You can spot them easily because they will be the really fast old guys who pass you (riding your beautiful carbon bike) while riding some "great" old steel touring bike with 20 ft3 canvas saddle bag, DT or bar end shifters, cantilever brakes, and clips. If they are a young retro grouch they may have adopted clipless pedals, but will never use anything other than SPDs (usually with sandals).

Moustache handles and handlebar moustaches are often common calling cards. The phrase "Sturmey Archer" is their mating call, and respond readily with "..is real" whenever anyone mentions the name of that iron alloy that contains some carbon...yeah carbon....

They are usually well read, have played an instrument or two, participate in local theatre, and have a secret desire to chuck everything to learn how to be a blacksmith. When not riding a bike they can be found inside the oldest/smallest bike shops in the area, teaching physics at a local school or university, or recycling cans.

They can be lured with the promise of showing them any folding bike design at least 30 years old.

...I can go on....

A Retro Grouch is a old hippie that used to ride their bike from one Dead concert to the next, trading weed for tire patches, usually has granola stuck in 2 foot long beard.

They usually oppose anything "new" made for a bike in the last 30 years, only ride Brooks saddles (and these only because they can't find a town cobbler to make teir our for them). You can spot them easily because they will be the really fast old guys who pass you (riding your beautiful carbon bike) while riding some "great" old steel touring bike with 20 ft3 canvas saddle bag, DT or bar end shifters, cantilever brakes, and clips. If they are a young retro grouch they may have adopted clipless pedals, but will never use anything other than SPDs (usually with sandals).

Moustache handles and handlebar moustaches are often common calling cards. The phrase "Sturmey Archer" is their mating call, and respond readily with "..is real" whenever anyone mentions the name of that iron alloy that contains some carbon...yeah carbon....

They are usually well read, have played an instrument or two, participate in local theatre, and have a secret desire to chuck everything to learn how to be a blacksmith. When not riding a bike they can be found inside the oldest/smallest bike shops in the area, teaching physics at a local school or university, or recycling cans.

They can be lured with the promise of showing them any folding bike design at least 30 years old.

...I can go on....

:beer: hilarious--I love steel frames, brooks saddle, non-"anatomic" handlebars, quill stems and a few other things that retro grouches covet--but the full-on Rivendell-esque/beeswax/pine tar soap/birkenstocks routine goes a bit far imo


the "classic" stuff I like is out of sheer pragmatism, not a "lifestyle"

the superhero-costumed team jersey guys I see at the park crack me up too though

I can't see how you can laugh at the above (hilarious imo) post and not laugh at the weightweenie, carbon-everything guys as well, seems like different sides of the same coin--two extremes

I'm not racing or riding to "prove a point" so I guess that's why neither extreme interests me

I just like to ride a nice bike, have a good ride, have some fun

It should be pointed out to all the carbon fiber/lycra weenies that Riv sells and recommends a whole lot of new technology on their website, too.(Example, Grant P. finds the new "Rapid Rise" stuff by Shimano to be superior technology.) Of course, most of you critics have probably never even looked at the catalog or site, though. Have fun stuffing your strawmen! :)

(For the record, I own a few of both newfangled and oldfangled bikes. My current favorite ride has an Al frame with a sloping top tube. :eek: Grant P. has a lot of good insights on cycling, and doesn't get me all butt-hurt the way he does some of you roadies, though.)

It should be pointed out to all the carbon fiber/lycra weenies that Riv sells and recommends a whole lot of new technology on their website, too.(Example, Grant P. finds the new "Rapid Rise" stuff by Shimano to be superior technology.) Of course, most of you critics have probably never even looked at the catalog or site, though. Have fun stuffing your strawmen! :)

(For the record, I own a few of both newfangled and oldfangled bikes. My current favorite ride has an Al frame with a sloping top tube. :eek: Grant P. has a lot of good insights on cycling, and doesn't get me all butt-hurt the way he does some of you roadies, though.)

I used to fly fish, and owned a German Shepard too.

There are some humorous posts here - with elements of truth sprinkled in. I consider myself a neo-retro-grouch. I feel more comfortable using older shifting technology on steel frames because I know how to work on it myself, and I know that with a bit of care, it will still be rideable after my riding days are through (still 30-40 years out with any luck).

I do like riding swiftly though (well in relative terms for me at least). I like lightweight stuff (which doesn't rule out some of the older frames/equipment). On the other hand, if I had the cash to spare, the full carbon Scott at the LBS has some attraction on me (ok - I'd still be tempted to use bar-con shifters on it though). Maybe when they start discussing Orbea, Felt, Litespeed & Giant in the Classic and Vintage Forum, I'll be ready to make the big jump. :D

I used to fly fish, and owned a German Shepard too.
I just throw sticks of dynamite in the water, and I have a robot dog. Step into the 21st century, old-timer.

I just throw sticks of dynamite in the water, and I have a robot dog. Step into the 21st century, old-timer.

Okay, I just need to order two more spare Pearl stems and I'll be ready to go--no looking back, promise. :p

just because Grant is a "marketing genius", as others have said, doesn't mean it isn't a worthwhile product--the two aren't mutually exclusive

he's not selling weight-loss pills on infomercials to the soap opera demographic, he's marketing to intelligent people who lead active lives and enjoy the outdoors--there's nothing wrong with that

I can't wait until DocRay (that guy is hilarious imo) comes and says Rivendell is a cult, while sporting a cervelo avatar, cervelo bike, defending Basso against doping allegations, all wrapped up in some maple leaf nationalism that he doesn't think is nationalism simply because he's not from alabama and isn't flying the stars and bars

seriously--when I saw this thread, first though "Dude, there's gonna be some hilarious DocRay/OCP crowd posts."

:beer:

Okay, I just need to

...

you need to post some pics of your new lugged steel spectrum!

Anyone who uses the word "brifter."

The funnest grouches are the ones that don't know they are grouches :lol:

Retro Grouch, noun

1. A bicycle enthusiast who allows other riders to work the bugs out of new component ideas before committing money to buy them for his own bike.

For a period of AT LEAST 20 years........:D

you need to post some pics of your new lugged steel spectrum!


I have some pics, but need to find the mini USB.



For a period of AT LEAST 20 years........


:roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:

This thread would have a totally different spin in the Classics section.

This thread would have a totally different spin in the Classics section.


Those guys are Retro Studs.

A Retro Grouch is one who understands that compact frames look like "girls bikes".

Al

A Retro Grouch is a old hippie that used to ride their bike from one Dead concert to the next, trading weed for tire patches, usually has granola stuck in 2 foot long beard.

They usually oppose anything "new" made for a bike in the last 30 years, only ride Brooks saddles (and these only because they can't find a town cobbler to make teir our for them). You can spot them easily because they will be the really fast old guys who pass you (riding your beautiful carbon bike) while riding some "great" old steel touring bike with 20 ft3 canvas saddle bag, DT or bar end shifters, cantilever brakes, and clips. If they are a young retro grouch they may have adopted clipless pedals, but will never use anything other than SPDs (usually with sandals).

Moustache handles and handlebar moustaches are often common calling cards. The phrase "Sturmey Archer" is their mating call, and respond readily with "..is real" whenever anyone mentions the name of that iron alloy that contains some carbon...yeah carbon....

They are usually well read, have played an instrument or two, participate in local theatre, and have a secret desire to chuck everything to learn how to be a blacksmith. When not riding a bike they can be found inside the oldest/smallest bike shops in the area, teaching physics at a local school or university, or recycling cans.

They can be lured with the promise of showing them any folding bike design at least 30 years old.

...I can go on....

And recognized by the aroma that they exude from wearing the 100% wool jersey and shorts that they rarely wash (takes the natural oils out of them and makes them less water-proof).

A Retro Grouch is one who understands that compact frames look like "girls bikes".

Al


nope. those people are idiots and/or insecure with their own sexuality

There's a bumper sticker on the door of Rivendell's shop that says "Wear Wool, Sit on Leather, Ride Lugged Steel." That pretty much sums it up.

In some cases, I'm a retro-grouch. I oppose change for change's sake and long for the days of bikes that lasted longer than a racing season.

I'm NOT a retro grouch 'cause I've been on the tail end of the upgrade fever that's swept cycling. I ride a compact AL S-Works with 9 sp Dura Ace. I own a steel bike, but its 853 and TIG welded. (It does have all XTR which I'm very happy about! Now all I gotta do is ride the darn thing!)

I haven't gone 10sp 'cause I don't really see the need. When JRA I shift my 9sp brifters 2 gears to mimic the feel of the 6/7sp clusters I rode as a college student. Do I NEED 1 extra cog? Nope. Do I want it? Not at the moment, but I can see a time when finding 9sp stuff's gonna be harder.

I think Ti cogs, chains, and spokes (had em!) are bad ideas.

I don't ride carbon bars on my road bikes 'cause they still skeer me. Probably won't change that opinion for a while. I didn't when carbon forks first came out, but I ride one now!

I don't own wool anything. The last wool jersey shrank so bad my GF couldn't wear it!

Give me modern stuff... to a point.

M

I was gonna make a thread like this a while back, but never got around to it.

In addition to the above descriptions, I'll chance it to add that there are certain things a retro grouch is thankful for but would never admit to.

Examples:

The retro grouch is secretly thankful for the advent of STI, because it allowed him the option of using bar-end shifters instead of downtube shifters (when I was younger, ALL the retro grouches razzed me about my bar end shifters).

The retro grouch is also secretly thankful for the advent of the compact crankset, because it allowed him the option of using a triple (when I was younger, unless you had a 52/42 double, you were a "fred").

Funny thread though.

Those that think wool smells worse than synthetics have never owned wool.

Did people actually wear wool when they rode bikes? :eek:

The term was first used in print in the early 90's in a bike review of a Bridgestone mountain bike. Shimano had switched from top bar thumbshifters to under bar shifters that used two levers. Grant Peterson didn't think they worked as well and continued to spec the thumbshifters when every other manufacturer followed Shimano in lockstep. (Who knows what sort of holy hell was being raised in the editorial offices when they decided to review a bike with a component from last year. Angry phone calls from manufacturers, threats to pull advertising, we can only speculate). The writer referred to Grant as a retro grouch for not changing over also. I don't think Grant liked the label because it implied he only liked older stuff when actually he does adopt new technologies when they are an improvement. He also adopts new technologies when older better ones become hard to find. Rivendell makes a beautiful lugged stem for threadless that goes about as far as possible to make that whole program decent looking.

So, based on the original use of the term, it means anyone that hasn't adopted the latest technology, whether it works better or not. That would include every one of you still riding a nine speed cluster (frankly, I don't see how you can live with that deplorable situation).