"Old school" vs New....
Originally Posted by
ButchA
…So, my main question: How many of you still have an "old school" bicycle that you still ride and that you still enjoy, aside from owning/riding a more modern, more advanced, Trek or Specialized or <insert other name brand> ???
I had a Bridgestone RB-1, circa 1986, that many riders I met, and even
Sheldon Brown considered a classic.
Originally Posted by Sheldon Brown
Bridgestone "road" bikes, particularly the legendary RB-1, combine frame design taken from classic Italian road bikes of the '70's with excellent Japanese workmanship and functional, reliable parts. The RB-1 was extremely popular with racers, and held its own against competing models costing hundreds of dollars more.”
I can’t recall how it compared to my previous Mercier racing bike, circa 1972. The Mercier bottom backet had worn out, prompting the RB-1; that was totaled in 2012.
Originally Posted by
Jim from Boston
...After the introduction of carbon fiber bikes, I always wondered if the premium prices of CF, which I considered to be about $2000 was worth the presumed enhanced riding experience.
The Bridgestone was totaled in 2012 in an accident from which I was not sure I would ride again. Well I did, and decided to get a CF. My trusted mechanic said here’s the bike you want [Specialized S-Works], knowing my riding style. Well the MSRP was $8000, but he got it for me at half off...
I’m not that conversant with the technical specifics, so the price becomes a common reference to tell what a fine piece of machinery it is…
Originally Posted by
Jim from Boston
…My average speed stayed the same, but I think I was hampered by injuries from the accident, and I believe the new bike compensated at least to maintain my average speed. I did note that I was more inclined to sprint (successfully) to beat traffic lights before they turned red.
I further craved the smoothness of the ride, including the shifting, making cycle-commuting more pleasurable. Of greatest benefit, while long (greater than 40 mile) rides took the same amount of time as before, I felt much less tired at the end…
Then, this summer I took my cycle training to a new level, not experienced in over four decades of riding, mainly because,
Originally Posted by
Jim from Boston
…I do have the advantages of a very nice minimum 14 mile one way commute that is easily extended; and a high end, very comfortable carbon fiber road bike that encourages riding...
So count this old-timer as
New School.
