Originally Posted by
mazdaspeed
If all you have is $300 then you do what you have to (been there before). If you have a little more to spend I think it's worth exploring the possibilities of modern bikes. The thread starter asked for reasons not to go with a vintage bike and there are lots of valid ones. I'm not surprised everyone here is against that notion but I guess I'm one of the few that enjoy both vintage and modern bikes for different reasons.
I am not a total luddite... if my Cooper gets another upgrade it will probably be to Ultegra and would use the 6400 crank as it would fit well with the vintage steel and not look amiss like the newer 9 and 10 speed versions.
The frame and fork are the heart and soul of a good bicycle... if that isn't right all the high end kit is like putting lipstick on a pig.
A quality vintage frame with some modern upgrades can be the best of both worlds.