formicaman, what trails are you riding? I recently got back into MTBing and have been riding the trails in Wissahickon and am finding them very difficult. I have a front suspension but rode rigids back in the 90's and don't remember having as much trouble as I've been having recently. Either the trails are harder or I'm getting older and out of shape. Man, I hope it's the former.

On another note, I've been bitten by the vintage road bikes myself. Got a couple sitting the basement now waiting to be built back up.