Depends. Many were built to be raced. Many are past their racing life. Most of us can't push them anywhere near their intended limits anyway. Some people collect old tools. But I don't believe an old hammer is necessarily crying out for a handmade nail, or an old saw for old growth timber. In general I agree, but I also think it's OK to collect and enjoy old things, especially handmade ones, simply for the skill that went into them or the history they represent and embody or the aesthetic enjoyment they bring or the wealth of detail they reveal. While I have no problem with riding old bikes - even rare and expensive ones - I don't quite get the mentality that says they must be ridden else some higher purpose be thwarted. No, they're not art, but cool old things can still be cool even when they're not used. The "highest state of perfection" stuff gets a little numinous for me. (Some Shaker furniture is in museums where I can enjoy it without being able to sit on it. To me that's OK.)