Fifty Plus (50+) - Don't need a stinking modern Carbon Frame bike

I can't pick one from the limited selection of sub $1000 frame/fork pairs available. Besides, I rode my old school lugged Miyata CF today and she's fine.

What I need is a Reynolds Steel Breakaway Cross frame!

http://www.ritcheylogic.com/dyn_category.php?k=97991

I think I'll sell my current cross bike and the PX10 to make room. The Reynolds will do triple duty.

I wish Ritchey still made the non-breakaway frames. Those were some sweet road bikes.

I wish Ritchey still made the non-breakaway frames. Those were some sweet road bikes.

You won't know the difference...

What I need is a Reynolds Steel Breakaway Cross frame!

http://www.ritcheylogic.com/dyn_category.php?k=97991

I think I'll sell my current cross bike and the PX10 to make room. The Reynolds will do triple duty.

Great idea. The CX frame can do road/touring & light trail duty. Brillant!

Great idea. The CX frame can do road/touring & light trail duty. Brillant!

Yep, I can put the Cane Creek Strados on for road-like performance. If I travel, it goes in the case.
For winter/snow I have studded tires and wider rims. For some assistance I can install/remove the Bionx kit.

You won't know the difference...

I would know the difference in the price. :eek:

You won't know the difference...

I think Tom brazed the original frames and the new ones are made in Asia.
The Tom-built bikes are beautiful.

Breakaway road, cross and mountain. Isn't something conspicuously absent here?

Breakaway road, cross and mountain. Isn't something conspicuously absent here?

Touring?

Breakaway road, cross and mountain. Isn't something conspicuously absent here?
Yeah, recumbent. :innocent:

I have a friend who spent a lot of money on a very nice Waterford with S&S couplers. He travels some and thought it would be nice to take along. After he got the bike he checkek on insuring it and found out it was crazy expensive. Now he rides it, but doesn't travel with it because he is afraid it will get lost or damaged in transit and he doesn't have insurance.

Have you ever ridden a "crazy expensive" carbon rode bike?
"Crazy expensive is relative. I paid $4000 for my Trek Madone 5.9 SL and $11000 for my Yamaharley 11000 Silverado, $42K for my wife's BMW X3. So how is $4K "crazy expensive"? Beyond that I still have, and ride, my 1976 Viscount Aerospace. The difference is night and day. I'll ride the Viscount around the neighborhood but only the Trek for my century+ rides.

Everything listed above seems "crazy expensive" to me.:o

Everything listed above seems "crazy expensive" to me.:o

Like I said..everything is relative. I could have bought a Trek 6.9 Pro for $9K+ or a Harley Davidson Heritage Softtail for 21K or a BMW X5 for 65K..OR I could have bought a Trek 520 for $1300, a Kia Rio for $12K or a used Honda V45 Magnum for a dollar two-ninety-eight. Bill Gates 26,000 sq ft house seems "crazy expensive" but it's a drop in the bucket to his billions. If we "50+ers" didn't buy the expensive bikes because we can, then the technology used in them wouldn't filter down to the lower end bikes. They would still be using friction shifters instead of indexed, steel frames instead of aluminum/alloys etc. If you can't afford it then don't buy it. But don't castigate those who do because its "crazy expensive", particularly on this forum. Take it to the Road bike forum

Like I said..everything is relative. I could have bought a Trek 6.9 Pro for $9K+ or a Harley Davidson Heritage Softtail for 21K or a BMW X5 for 65K..OR I could have bought a Trek 520 for $1300, a Kia Rio for $12K or a used Honda V45 Magnum for a dollar two-ninety-eight. Bill Gates 26,000 sq ft house seems "crazy expensive" but it's a drop in the bucket to his billions. If we "50+ers" didn't buy the expensive bikes because we can, then the technology used in them wouldn't filter down to the lower end bikes. They would still be using friction shifters instead of indexed, steel frames instead of aluminum/alloys etc. If you can't afford it then don't buy it. But don't castigate those who do because its "crazy expensive"


Who is "castigating" anyone? I'm happy for you for being so wealthy. Buy whatever you like. I don't mind one little bit. I merely stated that all those things seem crazy expensive to me, which they do. I couldn't buy them without wrecking my family's finances. There is no reason you should feel insulted by that. Some of the things I buy seem crazy expensive to other people with less than I have to spend. We each have what we have and we do what we do. It's all OK.

BTW, I rather like my steel framed bike with its friction shifters. ;)

Who is "castigating" anyone? I'm happy for you for being so wealthy. Buy whatever you like. I don't mind one little bit. I merely stated that all those things seem crazy expensive to me, which they do. I couldn't buy them without wrecking my family's finances. There is no reason you should feel insulted by that. Some of the things I buy seem crazy expensive to other people with less than I have to spend. We each have what we have and we do what we do. It's all OK.

BTW, I rather like my steel framed bike with its friction shifters. ;)

Well it's not like I'm "crazy wealthy". My daughter is out of collage and on her own, I'm in my "prime producing years" and no bills. I have some disposable income I can FINALLY spend on what I want. The term "crazy expensive" really has become a derogatory term for older bikers riding bikes beyond their "capabilities" to which I take offense; Fred, poseur, etc. My money will buy a far better bike than the talent of the younger guy's on the Road Bike forum will earn them.

I think you are reading WAY too much into completely non-offensive comments.

Ok

Aw, man! Don't give in now! Are you Rabid or not?

Give in? To what? Point was made. Nothing else to say.

Ok

In some ways I agree with your philosophy on attainable wealth.
I have no kids, not married, decent job, with minimal debt. I just bought a new Mercedes, a high end mountain bike (XTR, XT stuff), getting the turbo's refreshed on my Maserati, etc.
Although one should live within their means and not cause personal economic failure.

O by the way....A Ridely Damocles/ SRAM force/Rival will be ordered this week.

In some ways I agree with your philosophy on attainable wealth.
I have no kids, not married, decent job, with minimal debt. I just bought a new Mercedes, a high end mountain bike (XTR, XT stuff), getting the turbo's refreshed on my Maserati, etc.
Although one should live within their means and not cause personal economic failure.

O by the way....A Ridely Damocles/ SRAM force/Rival will be ordered this week.

I've' never understood the term "crazy expensive" when applied to bikes. You can buy a Timex for $15 or an A. Lange & Sohn for $250K. Both tell time. One is a utility, the other is making a statement. There is nothing "crazy expensive" about a high end bike. It cost more than an XMart bike but less than a new, low end, Japanese cruiser motorcycle.

In some ways I agree with your philosophy on attainable wealth.
I have no kids, not married, decent job, with minimal debt. I just bought a new Mercedes, a high end mountain bike (XTR, XT stuff), getting the turbo's refreshed on my Maserati, etc.
Although one should live within their means and not cause personal economic failure.

O by the way....A Ridely Damocles/ SRAM force/Rival will be ordered this week.

I've' never understood the term "crazy expensive" when applied to bikes. You can buy a Chinese watch for $15 or an A. Lange & Sohn for $250K. Both tell time. One is a utility, the other is making a statement. There is nothing "crazy expensive" about a high end bike. Sure it costs more than an XMart bike but less than a new, low end, Japanese cruiser motorcycle.

Ok I agree except making a statement incorporates bragging, look what I have, etc. A A Lang Shone watch can bring personal happiness, self satisfaction and investment attributes.
Does not necessarily involve an external statement.
I have nice high quality items including watches (Raymond Weil & Bell&Ross) and could not care less about a statement it makes to anyone. I get personal satisfaction of knowing the intricate handmade and painstakingly attention to detail that is involved NOT a bulletin board.

You can buy a Timex for $15 or an A. Lange & Sohn for $250K. Both tell time. One is a utility, the other is making a statement.

<Hyjack><Rant> I read this and was totally floored. There are folks here who can buy whatever they want and do so, there are people here who can also buy whatever they want but struggle to justify and end up with a reasonable compromise. There are people here who struggle financially and would love to have a high end bike but need the money for other priorities and there are people here who are every where inbetween. I did not know we had folks here who needed to spend a lot just to make a statement! Wow - I'll stop here before the war starts</Rant></Hyjack>

My CF bike doesn't stink - I went out in the garage and sniffed it just to make sure...
BUT - my steel bike has the sweeter ride - so I can certainly buy into your decision!
Reynolds is most certainly a fine material - however I am a Columbus fan, just my preference. In working out the tradeoffs in building up a touring bike I am definately not going to use my MTB frame (Aluminum). I have found a frame builder that makes a beautiful Columbus Novachrome touring frame - that would be sweet.

I'm not against carbon frames or more expensive carbon frame bikes. It's just that I realize I don't "need" a modern frame immediately. My Miyata 1990 carbon frame is one of my favorite bikes.

The breakaway makes a lot of sense. It should make a good replacement for my Al/CF cross bike and fit the niche of a transportable full sized bike. The main theme of my stable (9 strong) is to cover a lot of different types of bikes - and ride all of them.

We have our second child entering college this year. My wife, however, has returned to the work force and we have a 521 prepaid plan. I could afford the $5k - or spend $2k on a nice Kestrel Talon with full Dura-Ace. To avoid marital strife [wife thinks one $200 bike is enough] I'll continue to flip bikes, refurbish old ones, and build new ones.

I think Tom brazed the original frames and the new ones are made in Asia.
The Tom-built bikes are beautiful.

Yes, the current bikes are made in Taiwan. My guess is that they are TIG welded as the beads are very small and very consistent. It looks a lot like a nicely fabricated Ti frame.

Have you ever ridden a "crazy expensive" carbon rode bike?
"Crazy expensive is relative. I paid $4000 for my Trek Madone 5.9 SL and $11000 for my Yamaharley 11000 Silverado, $42K for my wife's BMW X3.

The best part is the "Gee whiz" factor with the neighbors.

They probably don't even notice the X3 but tell them that you paid $4,000 for a bicycle that you still have to pedal and they all go "GEE WHIZ!"

Just got back now from a 140 mile ride in great weather on my road Break-Away. Got a good wheelset for it (Ambrosio rims and Dt Swiss 240 hubs). Had a 100 mm stem flipped up because Iwanted to try and make a more upright long distance bike, but I am much more happy with a flipped down 110 mm that I put on for this ride. It handles well and is great on less than good tarmac. I do not quite understand why they do not make a touring model, maybe the market just isn't big enough.

Who wears a watch anyway? My LBS gave me a great price on a new bike with electric DA (basically the cost of the Di2 for the whole bike). I'm not sure I want the stuff as it's too look at me. I like nice bikes and I ride enough and can still put out enough power to tell a difference between frames. Anyone want to buy my Indy Fab Ti CJ with 10sp DA?

Have you ever ridden a "crazy expensive" carbon rode bike?
"Crazy expensive is relative. I paid $4000 for my Trek Madone 5.9 SL and $11000 for my Yamaharley 11000 Silverado, $42K for my wife's BMW X3. So how is $4K "crazy expensive"? Beyond that I still have, and ride, my 1976 Viscount Aerospace. The difference is night and day. I'll ride the Viscount around the neighborhood but only the Trek for my century+ rides.

It has been years but I still miss my old Viscount. But then after so many years it may just seem as if it was a smooth rider.;)

I would know the difference in the price.

No, the steel Road BreakAway is about $1200. I don't see a regular steel frame much less than that.

I packed an Ultegra equipped Madone for shipping last Friday. The box felt so light that I felt compelled to check the workbench to be sure that I hadn't left out any parts.

I own a 19 pound aluminum Klein that's a really, really, really nice bike. It's certainly way more bike than a guy like me could justify. Never-the-less, packing that Madone set me to thinking.

Maybe I'll get some titanium QR skewers for the Klein and call it even.

No, the steel Road BreakAway is about $1200. I don't see a regular steel frame much less than that.

There are many. The point is that this same frame would cost less without the added cost of adding the breakaway hardware etc. No way around that. Nothing against breakaways. They seem like a great idea and a good execution. But it would be nice to be able to get a Ritchey frame without that feature if you didn't need or want it.

There are many. The point is that this same frame would cost less without the added cost of adding the breakaway hardware etc. No way around that. Nothing against breakaways. They seem like a great idea and a good execution. But it would be nice to be able to get a Ritchey frame without that feature if you didn't need or want it.

US$1200 for a Ritchey Breakaway is still less than a Gunnar Sport frameset with S&S Couplers for US$1700 (last I looked).

There is also the cost of the luggage if one is so inclined...Another US$600.

There are many. The point is that this same frame would cost less without the added cost of adding the breakaway hardware etc. No way around that. Nothing against breakaways. They seem like a great idea and a good execution. But it would be nice to be able to get a Ritchey frame without that feature if you didn't need or want it.

If there was sufficient demand, I'm sure Ritchey would. If he were to make a regular steel frame, I don't think there would be a lot of differentiation from other products in the marketplace. Basically making it a travel bike (and touring bike as sold by Dahon) allowed Ritchey to continue with a viable product. I would also suspect it also allows Ritchey to increase their profit margin per bike.

My CF frame does not smell bad?

If there was sufficient demand, I'm sure Ritchey would. If he were to make a regular steel frame, I don't think there would be a lot of differentiation from other products in the marketplace. Basically making it a travel bike (and touring bike as sold by Dahon) allowed Ritchey to continue with a viable product. I would also suspect it also allows Ritchey to increase their profit margin per bike.

I'm not trying to make a business case, I'm simply stating that I miss a product that is no longer offered.

I ordered the Breakaway frame on Saturday from PeformanceBicycle. I got $150 off and free shipping. I have a FSA FD, FSA Compact crankset, and DA bar-end shifters on hand.