Classic & Vintage - Bikes then and now game

Sequoia

Then: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4933429770_b14a4648cb.jpg
Now: http://www.bikejournal.com/images/solidaritarianretreat%20spring%202006%20025.jpg

Raleigh has probably done more to recycle the names of models and have a long history to draw from... am actually fairly pleased with their new offerings (Grand Prix and International) as they retain classic geometries and are very much what the original bicycles would look like after someone did a modernization.

In my mind the Raleigh Lenton is the classic club bicycle of the 40's and 50's but one of the earliest examples of them recycling this name was when they put it on what is a dressed up 5 speed Raleigh Sports.

There is nothing wrong with the mid 70's Lenton as it is a very attractive bicycle but... it isn't a Lenton.

I think Raleigh borrowed that idea from Chevrolet, look at a late 1950's Impala and an Impala from more recent times. Completely different animal. Car companies can get away with it, there are so few examples of 50 and 60 year old models, especially in this country where they put 500kg/m² of salt on the road every time there are a few flakes of snow in the air. It's harder for bicycles, because it's fairly easy to find examples of 50 year old models, they are hanging in some poor sod's garage, where grandpa left them in 1964, when he quit riding......

1986 Schwinn Prelude

http://bikecatalogs.org/SCHWINN/1986/LightWeight/FULL/1986Ltwt11.JPG

Today

http://i.imgur.com/uhQID.jpg

My oh my is that "today" version unattractive....

My oh my is that "today" version unattractive....

it looks like the same paint job as my BSO high timber schwinn.. which is fine on a cheap hybrid.

btw, all of these are why i turned off many google alerts for CL.

sloping top tubes...:cry:

sloping top tubes...:cry:


!?!?!?!? ;)

http://www.oldspokeshome.com/sites/default/files/images/0-victor_c-full.preview.jpg
1891 Victor

http://www.highsnobiety.com/uploads/RTEmagicC_undftd_spalding_white_2.jpg.jpg
Current



Spalding put Victor out of business by not paying for a huge order, so it's only fitting!

!?!?!?!? ;)

http://www.oldspokeshome.com/sites/default/files/images/0-victor_c-full.preview.jpg
1891 Victor

http://www.highsnobiety.com/uploads/RTEmagicC_undftd_spalding_white_2.jpg.jpg
Current



Spalding put Victor out of business by not paying for a huge order, so it's only fitting!

Just tried looking that up and can't find anything.

I think Raleigh borrowed that idea from Chevrolet, look at a late 1950's Impala and an Impala from more recent times. Completely different animal. My first car, 1965 Impala. Second car, 1968 Impala. Next car, 1970 Impala.............currently in a 2010. I always wanted the '66 SS, but settled for a '96 SS instead. I suppose I've had about a dozen or so. Still, a basic 4-door family sedan, decent ride for the money, despite the detour to a monster car in the 90's. IMO, the '68 was the best. A little less mpg than I'm getting now, but with a 26-gallong tank.

1940s Bianchi

http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac311/iabisdb/Bikes/ob2.jpg


2012 Bianchi

http://www.bianchiusa.com/uploads/pics/OLTRE_Super_Record_11sp_Double_2.jpg

Wilier Triestina

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_atrK-jBKJKY/Sn7F8ofUEzI/AAAAAAAAIeU/u9YtLrWO3b0/s1600/wilier+gioiello-ramato.jpg

http://www.wilier-usa.com/files/images/colori/road2010/zoom/zero7.jpg

I think some of the companies are still making really nice looking bikes, just way different. I like the Bianchi and Wilier posted above, and even the Pinnarello back a bit. If you're going to go carbon/aluminum, at least give them some sexy curves.

1940s Bianchi


2012 Bianchi



Do you happen to know the model names of those?

Do you happen to know the model names of those?

The 40s is the Folgare. The '12 is the Oltre.

Sequoia

Then: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4933429770_b14a4648cb.jpg
Now: http://www.bikejournal.com/images/solidaritarianretreat%20spring%202006%20025.jpg

I'm in no way a modern bike basher and will usually be found on one. But in this case the old wins on every level, and loses no points on function for the intended purpose. I was just looking at a similar year Sequoia that came into the LBS. The work on the frame was really impressive. They were built at Miyata, and Specialized must have laid down the law on QC at the time because this example was really superbe.

Just tried looking that up and can't find anything.

Lots of history goes unnoticed. Spalding never actually made bikes, despite the fact that many bikes are branded Spalding. They were made in Chicopee Falls, MA, by the Overman Wheel company (I.E. Victor). AG Spalding didn't make a single bike, though he was the largest customer for Victor. It's generally agreed that Victor went under after AG Spalding refused to pay for an order he placed, where they then became back-stocked on bikes, etc. They (over at Spalding) also re-branded Christy saddles, world renowned for their anatomic design, made elsewhere, but marketed best by Spalding. Such a saddle was a whopping $21 back around the turn of the century, when a bicycle was between $30 and $100, depending on the era.

[QUOTE=BigPolishJimmy;13597430]Schwinn Varsity

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/BigPolishJimmy/finished%20varsity/after_varsity_002.jpg

QUOTE]
I have that exact bike in my dining room now but with a rear rack. EDIT:And the original green and white "S" saddle.

I'm in no way a modern bike basher and will usually be found on one. But in this case the old wins on every level, and loses no points on function for the intended purpose. I was just looking at a similar year Sequoia that came into the LBS. The work on the frame was really impressive. They were built at Miyata, and Specialized must have laid down the law on QC at the time because this example was really superbe.

No law had to be laid down. Miyata frames were always as good as or better than the client had a right to expect.

http://www.bikejournal.com/images/solidaritarianretreat%20spring%202006%20025.jpg

It matters not what bike it is under it but a saddle in that position destroys the view. There's probably a "My hands hurt" thread in the 41 right now.

No law had to be laid down. Miyata frames were always as good as or better than the client had a right to expect.

I second that emotion. I had a Two Ten, and it was anything but a "lower level" bike.
I've not seen a Miyata that wasn't an excellent ad for the brand.

...They were built at Miyata, and Specialized must have laid down the law on QC at the time because this example was really superbe.

Miyata were arguably the best of the Japanese mass volume manufacturers during the 1980s. They were obsessed with Quality Control to the point where they had their own tubing mill, so they could control the quality of the tubes. That's why people like Lawee and Sinyard selected them to manufacture their bicycles, because they were the best. If anything, Miyata taught Specialized about Quality Control.

PP, Entertaining thread. :) I don't have anything against modern bikes and it seems Raleigh has best kept the spirt intact as far as past and present models with the same name. I don't know why, but I expected it from Raleigh.

The auto anology mentioned earlier really strikes a chord with me. My household has had just about every generation of Ford Mustang and each has had a very different group of fans when displayed at car shows. The car that fractured it's fan base the most was the maroon '65 coupe that looked OEM, but had a 351 Windsor and Tremec 5 speed (not an easy task) which now resides in Finland. Much the same as when someone on this forum presents a frankenbike.

Brad

I'm in no way a modern bike basher and will usually be found on one. But in this case the old wins on every level, and loses no points on function for the intended purpose. I was just looking at a similar year Sequoia that came into the LBS. The work on the frame was really impressive. They were built at Miyata, and Specialized must have laid down the law on QC at the time because this example was really superbe.

At least Specialized kept the same basic mid to light touring function with the resurrected Sequoia. I have a 2004 'new' model and it has rear rack mounts and 3 bottle mounts. They should however be ashamed of using the classic and fitting Expedition badge from their great touring bike on the low end comfort bike that now uses it.

I just picked up a 2008 Volpe for my girlfriend. And so far, it is a blast to ride.

Then (courtesy of Old Ten Speeds):
http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/Bicycles_Table/Italian_Bicycles/Bianchi_Bicycles/Bianchi_Volpe_1987/Bianchi_Volpe_Full_Side_2.jpg

Now (not the exact one I picked up, but the exact model, size, and componentry):
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/3249/b01tr6.jpg

1983 Schwinn Voyageur:

http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/ww54/brockd15/Bikes/1983%20Schwinn%20Voyageur/IMG_3197.jpg

2011 POC :(:

http://media.performancebike.com/images/performance/products/1500/30-4071-RED-SIDE.jpg

They do use a script that is akin to that used in the sixties and early seventies.

I would have liked to see the new International look more like the pre-1973 models, but to each their own...

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx54/shobud4/1971%20Raleigh%20International/Copyof1971DL170001.jpg

Cannondale Touring:
THEN:
http://ox.equinenow.com/bikes/data/photos/4851_1.jpg
NOW:
http://video.cannondale.com/images/09/CE/spec/v2/9TS2_BLU.jpg