Originally Posted by
dan32888
So many people want to convert an old road frame when it costs more than a new road frame. It would make sense if that person had a particular frame in mind due to ride characteristics or even a cool color or something but I do not think that is the case. I have an old road bike: it is flexy as hell and weighs a ton. On top of that, it has road dropouts and tons of chipped paint with surface rust. Sure it is sort of a classic lugged look but it is pretty unpleasant to ride compared to a modern road bike.
Would you strip down a 30 year old cheepo car to the chassis and build it back up with completely new parts? Same applies here.
But you're operating under the assumption that all old road bikes are like yours: "flexy as hell" with "tons of chipped paint and surface rust." But not all are, and the blanket comparison of older road frames to a "30 year old cheepo cars" is laughable.
Not all old frames are crap, not all new frames are the hottness. It really depends on the material and the maker, but I'm willing to bet that an "old" lugged, steel road bike will usually be sturdier and last longer than most of the sorry-welded 4130 frames going right now.
Rant all you want. In 20 years old frames from the 70's and 80's will be in much higher demand than anything you'll buy off of BikesDirect today.