AlexCyclistRoch

I used to be steadfast that my road bikes HAD to be steel frame, friction shift and tubulars (preferably box-section w/eyelets). Lately, however, I've allowed just the least bit of 'modern' cycling; an aluminum Cannondale with indexing (albeit on bar-cons), but still with tubulars. I'm still not ready for clinchers, brifters, or any cassette with more than 7 cogs. Am I still a retrogrouch, or just a semi-luddite?

ButchA

I agree with you. I love my C&V '85 Fuji Del Rey. Granted, it's not the fanciest. It's not the most high end, top of the line model. But to me, it's great and darn near indestructible! Looking back, I was at the right place at the right time on Craigslist last year. I still can't believe the VCU college kid didn't want the old Fuji anymore after he graduated (it originally was his dad's bike, new in '85) and his dad didn't want it back either. I snatched it up for such a steal!!!

I rode a newer Fuji model at the nearby LBS, and honest - I didn't care for it at all. The STI/Brifters freaked me out at first. The geometry of the bike was making me feel like I was going to topple over the handlebars!

No thanks... I am happy and content being "old school".

jtbadge

Only kind of. Steel frame and rim brakes on all road/cross/gravel bikes.

I like modern stuff like 10/11 speed groups, 1x, wide clincher rims, lower spoke counts, fatter tires, and carbon forks.

noglider 

If you insist on riding on tubulars, then you're a retrogrouch.

droppedandlost 

I usually only get grouchy when someone makes fun of my steel bikes.

John E

Those are points on which you and I differ. I am all for wider rims and somewhat fatter tires.

Ex Pres 

You're still grouchy.

I'm not, but I still do not own or have ever ridden a full carbon bike. I do own a mostly magnesium bike, however, and the Record/Chorus 10s Ergo shift wonderfully.

For some reason, I still like steel frames when it comes to hills, despite the few extra pounds.

bulldog1935

all steel, currently no tubies on the ground, though two sets on the wall.
One index shifting bike, upright with thumbies, 2x9 compact double, and I like it on this bike. Other bikes are friction. And my daughter's bike indexes.
All hammock leather saddles except my daughter's go-fast bike which has a carbon pan with gel.


we both have toe clips/straps on our go-fast bikes

AlexCyclistRoch

I'm just too invested in tubular technology; lots of tires people sold to me cheap, extra wheelsets I picked up for a song, and even a complete bike that sold for half of what it was worth, just because it had tubulars. I like the ride, and the ability to run with lower pressures and NEVER worry about pinch-flatting. I occasionally ride a 'modernish' road bike with clinchers, and I always find the ride appalling. Oh, and I can repair any tubular (except Tufo) that people give to me only because they had a flat.....

fender1

My preferences are better than your preferences....

bulldog1935

people give tubular wheelsets away all the time

here's the only bad thing about tubies

noglider 

I have a lot of old bikes, but I'm not much of a retrogrouch. I just don't like bikes that won't take tires fatter than 25mm. I prefer tires that are at least 28mm wide. All the other new aspects of new bikes are nice, except derailleurs look plain, and cranks look ugly.

Bandera

Suit yourself unless applying for a position in the Period Correct Police Department where rigorous enforcement of matching date codes is required.

-Bandera

repechage

I drive stick shift cars.
Almost makes me a 1%er.

Lascauxcaveman 

My car is a stick shift, too. That sort of thing is pretty common on a 23-year-old Subaru wagon. I've been hoping to upgrade to a 10-year-old Subaru wagon, but the ones with manuals are few and far between.

All my bikes are pretty retro, but I do own a couple sets of brifters I accidentally picked up along the way. Jury's still out on them; they're older ones and they never seem to work perfectly for more than two rides in a row. Squirt-squirt, click-click-click-click-click...

The Golden Boy 

Although I "appreciate" pretty much all bikes- I really only pay attention to bikes with level top tubes.

RobbieTunes

In between bouts of apathy, I sometimes am discerning.

iab

I have never owned an automatic.

iab

Even these?

Cinelli XCR with Super Record 001 by iabisdb, on Flickr

rowebr

I must have revised my grouchy-meter, because I just finished building my retro-roadie Guerciotti. Brifters are now acceptable in certain circumstances, but for road bikes level top tubes are still mandatory.

rowebr

Ok now I've changed my mind about level top tubes as well!

uncle uncle

My velocipede has a "My other velocipede is a Bone-shaker" sticker on it.

Loose Chain

Yes, especially that. Level top tube (mtbs exception), steel frame, rim brakes. I quit using sewups a long, long time ago.

squirtdad

me too (at least one). It is a badge of honor for my 18 yr old to be one of the few kids he knows who knows how to drive a stick....and has he says my old 97 bmw (which is newer than all my bikes) "whips it"

as for retrogrouch....I just like what i like....which is primarily the look of a classic steel diamond frame.

I also like the ride of steel.....my next new bike would be a steel custom

My bikes are a mix of technology based more or less on use or hoped for use

I am a big guy so I like 32 spokes

89 miyata 1400 upgraded to utegra 9sp sti....my ride fast (sorta) full kit bike, just got a new ultegra/open pro wheelset, may rebuild the old hubs to tubular wheels.

Nishiki...reworked as a 1x8 upright utility/commuter

84 torpado super strada....pretty much original, found a set of tubular wheels so running Tufos....just to see what tubies are about (I like them) Tottally fun to ride so commute on it. keeping it old school in case I ever ride the
Cino Heroica.... but get tempted to put a cheap modern campy group on it as it is fun to ride.

Wildwood 

For me, I moved from 5sp friction, to 7 indexed, to Campy 9. Then finally between '00 - '07, 10sp (Chorus/Record/Centaur) on frames of custom Carbon, Ti, and custom lugged steel (which are still with me).


At some point around '05/'06, the desire to ride numerous classic steel framed bikes, and compare the differences in frames, tires, saddles, etc was started. Probably because I like lugs (7 of 9 roadies are lugged steel) and value old stuff if it is useful and simple to maintain. The hills in west St. Louis county offered great cycling and a Craigslist with Peugeots, Raleighs, Centurions.


Retrogrouch??? 50/50.
I do ride tubular on vintage and the newer ones, with a few clincher sets as backup.
And YES, manual transmission on the car.