Originally Posted by fender1

While no fan of hacking vintage bikes to pieces for fixed gear conversions , I have no problem with a 20 something taking an old road bike and riding it enjoying it regardless of make or model or configuartion. If they take off the orignal componets, what is the crime? No one here has ever purched a used component that was not attached to a peroid correct bike? In fact it is how many folks here complete thier projects.

I used to collect vintage guitars until I realized I could only play one at a time and the managing of the collection was eating into the time acutally spent playing. It is why I limit my bike ownership to 3. I have often wondered when I see pics on this site of people with many, many bikes how much riding gets done?

I have also pulled many very nice functional bicyles out of the trash and sold/given to "hipsters". I would rather that the bikes get used than end up in a land fill or melted down and tuned into a Kia Sorrento. I also take all non-saleble bike items and give to the Neighboorhood Bike works in Philly so people who don't have bikes and need transportation can bulid thier own bike. Should I hold on to that Suntour VX deraileur for the next 25 years so it becomes worth more or give it to some one who can use it now on a non-"correct" bike? I choose the latter.

I can understand that if you are a serious collector, building a collection to eventually bequest to or start a museum why this type of thing would bother you. Other than that, I think the kids should have thier fun. I for one have done many stupid things regarding collectabilty of items thoughout my life, it however did not dimninsh my enjoyment at the time. YMMV