Originally posted by TimB
any frame fromthe 80's is giving up a lot to even the cheaper modern frames.
Most modern frames are carefully engineered to give you the right blend of strength weight and responsiveness.
I've relegated My 1989 model Bianchi SL to a training bike with odd bits and pieces hanging off it. It's way heavier than an really cheap AL frame I picked up my LBS for £200! It's also more flexy and there's no discernable difference in ride quality.
Bike gemetry and design hascomealong way over the last 15yrs.
Balderdash.
There have been no bike geometry or design innovations of much consequence in the past 50 years--save mtn bikes of course. Certainly superior quality metals and tube sets are available; and TIG welding has allowed the introduction of low skill, mass manufacturing of bike frames (as well as aluminum and Ti frames). Nevertheless, a good butted and lugged steel frame from the 80's will be a pound or so heavier, but will ride just fine for anything other than very high performance racing.
Dave
who likes dropping young snot-nosed titanium racer types while riding his old, lugged steel fixed gear bike