A worthwhile topic. I think that we relax the definitions in order to include a lot more people in the community than would otherwise qualify as owners of "classics". According to the definition cited above from Classic Rendezvous, my Trek 560, Simplon 4 Star and even my Vitus 979 qualify. In fact the latter may be a true classic in the sense that was an innovation that saw the great Sean Kelly ride to victory in the TdT ahead of a field of lugged steel bicycles. I think that my Trek 560 is "classic" only in terms of its age — 26 years. The Simplon as a frame is a classic, but as a build it falls down as it uses so many new, retro parts. I had a budget.

My Woodrup is currently a frame set only. When it is completed as a build with mostly vintage SunTour and Campy, will it be a classic machine? It was handmade in Leeds, Yorkshire by one of only three people to ever braize up Woodrups. This bike in Reynolds 531c is totally faithful to the classic tradition of the clubman racer — race on Sunday and ride to work on Monday, rain or shine. But ... it was made in the early 90's! I hope to present it on C&V, but count on the tolerance of members for stretching the criteria.

I really respect the efforts of a lot of people on C&V who strive to restore classics and even vintage bikes in their true, unalloyed (), contemporary gruppos. They keep us all on track and yet embrace us who cannot follow for one reason or another — often times budgets for projects