Originally Posted by John E
The Vintage Bicycle Association puts the cutoff in the mid-1980s. Road bikes before that date consistently had toeclips, 5- or 6-speed friction shift, lugged steel frames, and either centerpull or single-pivot sidepull brakes. Since mountain bikes evolved a bit later, I would put the old-school / vintage demarcation closer to 1990, before front suspension appeared.
I think everything I own or ride (see signature) qualifies as vintage, including the rider.
Key point about about the TYPE of bike...I have a friend who restores BMX bikes from his youth, all of which I was too old (big?) to ride the years they were produced. I consider my 1989 Marin Pine Mountian somewhat vintage or at least 'old school'. (the kids tell me so)
And well...I have never graduated from toe clips
