Classic & Vintage - a quandry

the weather has gotten amazing lately (at least here in MD) and i've been riding my bike at least 15 miles everyday. I ride an old guerciotti with an original gipiemme group set. yesterday on my ride i got a flat tubular (second since i got it in march) and something unsettling occurred to me. things wear out and break, everything degenerates with use (which i think is only natural and obvious). so clearly this means that the components on my bike are going to degenerate with use. the last thing i want to do is replace the original parts with something else, especially since the bike hast the entire original group set. parts don't last forever but i don't want to ever have to replace the parts on the bike with others. seeing the guerc with other parts seems so wrong to me. yet, i love riding that bike and i don't think i could stop. so this brings me to my current dilemma.
do i hang the bike up on the wall and never ride it again? do i ride it until the parts begin to fail, then hang it up and never ride it again? or do i ride it til the parts get useless and then replace them? or should i try to find all the same components that my bike currently has to keep as back-ups?
what to do, what to do.

I'd only hang it on the wall if I was planning on selling it someday for big bucks. Otherwise, ride it till it falls apart. If you take good care of it, that might not be in your lifetime.

The answer, based on your stated preference, is obviously to ride it...

Look for replacement parts now, and if you see good deals pick them up. If not, then it becomes a more urgent quandry when something breaks without a replacement... Worry about that then. Just keep your eyes open for the correct components, and you will have the right parts in your stash when you need them. The force seems strong in you.

There is plenty of time to hang a bike on the wall, don't rush it.

The answer, based on your stated preference, is obviously to ride it...

Look for replacement parts now, and if you see good deals pick them up. If not, then it becomes a more urgent quandry when something breaks without a replacement... Worry about that then. Just keep your eyes open for the correct components, and you will have the right parts in your stash when you need them. The force seems strong in you.

There is plenty of time to hang a bike on the wall, don't rush it.

+1

Plan B, which is the path I've chosen: get more bikes. Spread the love - and the wear and tear - and your Guerciotti will have its lifespan considerably extended.

I just bought a second hand Masi that was ridden hard. It has a rust spot on the bottom of the top tube that was more than likely from a sweaty rider. Its going to eat the tube...I don't care I am riding the frame.

It also had a rear drop out re-welded...I don't care I'm riding the frame.

Don't hang it up. Replace your chainrings/freewheel/chain/cables/pads then ride again for several thousand miles.

As always...steel is real! It rusts but lives at least 100 years.

Follow the advice given here on the forum for all Guerciottis 60cm and smaller. For 61cm and larger, please disregard all posts here, strip bike, and send fork to me for nice profit.

-Kurt

Follow the advice given here on the forum for all Guerciottis 60cm and smaller. For 61cm and larger, please disregard all posts here, strip bike, and send fork to me for nice profit.

-Kurt

Kurt -

Tall man here, in need of a chrome fork to replace the dented one on my 62cm Ciocc. Where does a guy look if we wants to keep things cool and Columbus? PM me if you've got any hot tips.

As for the Guerc - geez, I can't imagine hanging a bike on the wall unless it was ridden by someone important or is worth more than I can imagine having in my checking account.

Yes, Maryland (and Va) has been beautiful lately!

I've got it! Acquire many bikes... one for every day of the week... or month should work. Ride a different one every day. That way it will take 7 to 30 times as long for the parts to degrade under normal circumstances. All of them should still be salable/ridable after you're dead.

+1 on getting more bikes - variety is good. You get less wear and tear if you spread your commute among 3 bikes. Although I don't have anything that special, my favorite ride is for sunny days and weekends. Beater bike on gray/rain days, and one bike for the in-between & back-up.

It nice to step outside in the morning, look-up at the sky and decide what to ride today.

I have not been able to convince my accountant that I need a fourth.

Kurt -

Tall man here, in need of a chrome fork to replace the dented one on my 62cm Ciocc. Where does a guy look if we wants to keep things cool and Columbus? PM me if you've got any hot tips.

I'd love to have a hot tip for you, for then I wouldn't be seeking forks for my two 61cm Guerciottis. Sorry I can't be of any better help.

Incidentally, let me know if you happen to run into anything :D

-Kurt

well, this exactly the advice i needed.
currently i do have three bikes for exactly the reasons you all seemed to suggest. one ultra beater for rainy days and such, one bike for commuting on normal days, and the guerc for serious rides and nice long fun ones (like for critical mass).
i've actually been looking for replacement parts and so far i have an extra set of brakes and I'm keeping an eye out for others. the parts are in such good condition that they will easily last another 500 miles.
recently i bought a book on bike maitenance so that i could keep it in the condition i got it. from my understanding and from what everyone has said, as long as i maintain it the bike should last a real long time. which is really good to hear because i don't wanna hang it up anytime soon.
the bike sees somewhat limited use, being that its only for races, training, and stuff... so it'll last longer that way.
so, i'm gunna ride it into the ground, then replace the parts, ride it into the ground again, and then probably hang it up because by that time i'll probably be about 50 and will have another great bike to ride haha.
but seriously, thanks for the advice... it was really tearing me up about what i should do with my baby haha.