I saw this picture recently and thought it was interesting....





Now, my definition of "vintage" is correct- never mind what anyone else says.

The word "vintage" comes from wine. The quality of wine is dependent on the grapes that are harvested in each particular season- some seasons produce good grapes, some seasons don't. Hence the phrase of "being of a good vintage."

It's got nothing to do with age, it's got to do with the properties of the object from when it was made.

This is effectively the "model year" thing- for cars, guitars, bikes... any number of things.

So, to me- using the term "vintage" comes with a connotation of coming from a time when desirable characteristics were utilized with the object in question.

It's not just an "older is better" thing.

Aside from components, often times bike frames got specced better as production runs went along. What may have started as a hi-ten bike may have evolved into something quite respectable. A 300 series Trek from the 70s is going to be made from hi-ten. A 300 series Trek from 1987 is going to be made from double butted 531 and CrMo. Big difference.

There's "vintage" stuff and there's old stuff.


As far as what goes here... What I really dig about this section of the forum is that it is pretty welcoming (for the most part). Modern-y bikes and parts that are inspired by objects from "the good old days" are generally readily accepted. Heck, even people who post blatantly modern stuff aren't generally shouted out. But if you're a part of the community- and you're not belligerent about what does or does not belong... you're a part of the community. It's pretty slick.