Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Classic & Vintage
Reload this Page >

What modern component can you not live without?

Search
Notices
Classic & Vintage This forum is to discuss the many aspects of classic and vintage bicycles, including musclebikes, lightweights, middleweights, hi-wheelers, bone-shakers, safety bikes and much more.

What modern component can you not live without?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-03-15, 01:09 PM
  #1  
Aspiring curmudgeon
Thread Starter
 
icepick_trotsky's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Saint Louis
Posts: 2,486

Bikes: Guerciotti, Serotta, Gaulzetti

Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 111 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 26 Times in 13 Posts
What modern component can you not live without?

Much as I hate to admit it, I'm addicted to hyperglide freewheels. They make even the crummiest vintage derailleur shift like a dream, and the Shimano ones are an absolute steal as $12 a pop. I have them on every freewheel bike I have, even an otherwise period correct C-Record bike.

What modern component can you not live without?
__________________
"Party on comrades" -- Lenin, probably
icepick_trotsky is offline  
Old 09-03-15, 01:11 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Elwood Indiana
Posts: 7,268

Bikes: they change so much I'm tired of updating this

Mentioned: 168 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1212 Post(s)
Liked 1,128 Times in 427 Posts
My Fizik Arione.
__________________
Semper fi
sloar is offline  
Old 09-03-15, 01:17 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 968
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 113 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
modern shifters.
09box is offline  
Old 09-03-15, 01:20 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
cyclotoine's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Yukon, Canada
Posts: 8,759
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 113 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times in 14 Posts
the diamond safety bicycle frame. Freewheels and hubs. pneumatic tires.
__________________
1 Super Record bike, 1 Nuovo Record bike, 1 Pista, 1 Road, 1 Cyclocross/Allrounder, 1 MTB, 1 Touring, 1 Fixed gear
cyclotoine is offline  
Old 09-03-15, 01:21 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
cyclotoine's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Yukon, Canada
Posts: 8,759
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 113 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times in 14 Posts
I can live without out but modern full sus, hydraulic disc brake wide handlebar mtbs are a blast.
__________________
1 Super Record bike, 1 Nuovo Record bike, 1 Pista, 1 Road, 1 Cyclocross/Allrounder, 1 MTB, 1 Touring, 1 Fixed gear
cyclotoine is offline  
Old 09-03-15, 01:25 PM
  #6  
feros ferio
 
John E's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,796

Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;

Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1392 Post(s)
Liked 1,324 Times in 836 Posts
For me, LED lighting is the single greatest enhancement in bicycle technology in the past half-century. Helmets which provide more than scalp protection are equally valuable. Tires have improved considerably, as well, as have brake pads.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
John E is offline  
Old 09-03-15, 01:26 PM
  #7  
feros ferio
 
John E's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,796

Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;

Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1392 Post(s)
Liked 1,324 Times in 836 Posts
Originally Posted by cyclotoine
the diamond safety bicycle frame. Freewheels and hubs. pneumatic tires.
Don't forget derailleurs and multi-ratio internally geared hubs.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
John E is offline  
Old 09-03-15, 01:46 PM
  #8  
Banned
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,480
Mentioned: 93 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1361 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 423 Times in 282 Posts
Whether one agrees or not, I'm going to call the hydration backpack a component. Riding a variety of bikes and style, its become a habit to wear. This goes with the tools and spare carried in the hydration pack.
crank_addict is offline  
Old 09-03-15, 01:49 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
fender1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Berwyn PA
Posts: 6,408

Bikes: I hate bikes!

Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 431 Post(s)
Liked 710 Times in 233 Posts
Schmidt Dyno hub
fender1 is offline  
Old 09-03-15, 01:50 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Upper Left, USA
Posts: 1,915
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 634 Post(s)
Liked 444 Times in 298 Posts
I love brifters. Maybe it's my MTB background. I can function on DT shifters, but it's gotta be integrated brake/shift for a bike that's a rider. My riders also get dual pivot brakes, at least in the front.
tricky is offline  
Old 09-03-15, 01:57 PM
  #11  
Freewheel Medic
 
pastorbobnlnh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: An Island on the Coast of GA!
Posts: 12,882

Bikes: Snazzy* Schwinns, Classy Cannondales & a Super Pro Aero Lotus (* Ed.)

Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1452 Post(s)
Liked 2,195 Times in 962 Posts
SPD clipless pedals. Just don't feel safe in straps and cages any more.
__________________
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!

Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com





pastorbobnlnh is offline  
Old 09-03-15, 01:58 PM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
jeirvine's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 3,332

Bikes: '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '72 Gitane tandem, '72 Raleigh Super Course, '73 Raleigh Gran Sport, '73 Colnago Super, '76 Fiorelli Coppi, '78 Raleigh SBDU Team Pro, '78 Trek 930, '81 Holdsworth Special 650B, '86 Masi GC, ’94 Bridgestone RB-T

Mentioned: 67 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 786 Post(s)
Liked 520 Times in 281 Posts
Modern 8/9-speed chains are da bomb.
__________________
The man who dies with the most toys…is dead. - Rootboy
jeirvine is offline  
Old 09-03-15, 02:07 PM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
cyclotoine's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Yukon, Canada
Posts: 8,759
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 113 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times in 14 Posts
Another for high power LED's, clipless pedals and I'll add.. very recently.. dropper posts.
__________________
1 Super Record bike, 1 Nuovo Record bike, 1 Pista, 1 Road, 1 Cyclocross/Allrounder, 1 MTB, 1 Touring, 1 Fixed gear
cyclotoine is offline  
Old 09-03-15, 02:08 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
cyclotoine's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Yukon, Canada
Posts: 8,759
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 113 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times in 14 Posts
Originally Posted by crank_addict
Whether one agrees or not, I'm going to call the hydration backpack a component. Riding a variety of bikes and style, its become a habit to wear. This goes with the tools and spare carried in the hydration pack.
though, incredibly, water bottles are back in style and carbon frames have glove boxes now for tools!
__________________
1 Super Record bike, 1 Nuovo Record bike, 1 Pista, 1 Road, 1 Cyclocross/Allrounder, 1 MTB, 1 Touring, 1 Fixed gear
cyclotoine is offline  
Old 09-03-15, 02:31 PM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
Blue Belly's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Vermont
Posts: 1,200

Bikes: Pinarello Montello, Merckx MX Leader, Merckx Corsa Extra, Pinarello Prologo, Tredici Magia Nera, Tredici Cross

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
Originally Posted by pastorbobnlnh
SPD clipless pedals. Just don't feel safe in straps and cages any more.
Yes, & I don't care if you hate me for it!
Blue Belly is offline  
Old 09-03-15, 02:35 PM
  #16  
Señor Member
 
Wilfred Laurier's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,066
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 649 Post(s)
Liked 292 Times in 215 Posts
Indexed shifting
Wilfred Laurier is offline  
Old 09-03-15, 02:48 PM
  #17  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Central Virginia
Posts: 4,780

Bikes: Numerous

Mentioned: 150 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1677 Post(s)
Liked 3,096 Times in 913 Posts
I live and ride without these on some of my bikes but the caliper brake centering screw is a wonderful invention.
Spaghetti Legs is offline  
Old 09-03-15, 02:53 PM
  #18  
Señor Member
 
USAZorro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Hardy, VA
Posts: 17,923

Bikes: Mostly English - predominantly Raleighs

Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1491 Post(s)
Liked 1,090 Times in 638 Posts
What's the definition of "modern" here?

Maybe I can turn this around and mention a couple C&V items that I don't especially care for.

Downtube shifters. I came of age using bar-end shifters and never really developed a great love for the downtube shifters. Nothing against them really, but not my preference. Bosses for downtube shifters are basically an invitation to retrofit with brifters.
Rat traps. I don't mind having them there as a guideline for where my feet should go, and I like being able to pull up on them and get a little better power transfer, but I've never used them with cleats, nor can I see myself really wanting to. I'm with the pastor in preferring SPDs when it comes to that.
Steel wheels. When I squeeze the brake lever, I'm usually doing it because I want to stop. If I liked having my desires wantonly disregarded, I'd own cats. Give me alloy rims, or give me death (which is what steel wheels could lead to).
Kickstands. Hated them since the first day I rode a bike with 27" wheels. No modern equipment replacement I can think of here, unless one counts team cars.
Super Skinny Tires. I used to buy into the "skinnier is better" dogma, but have since learned that Emperor has no clothes. I really like the modern, high volume performance tires that are available now.
__________________
In search of what to search for.
USAZorro is offline  
Old 09-03-15, 02:54 PM
  #19  
Aspiring curmudgeon
Thread Starter
 
icepick_trotsky's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Saint Louis
Posts: 2,486

Bikes: Guerciotti, Serotta, Gaulzetti

Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 111 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 26 Times in 13 Posts
Originally Posted by cyclotoine
though, incredibly, water bottles are back in style and carbon frames have glove boxes now for tools!
News to me. Has anyone used one of these?

__________________
"Party on comrades" -- Lenin, probably
icepick_trotsky is offline  
Old 09-03-15, 03:00 PM
  #20  
Senior Member
 
OldsCOOL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: northern michigan
Posts: 13,317

Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712

Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 659 Post(s)
Liked 595 Times in 313 Posts
The Vuelta Corsa Lite wheelset on my '88 Cannondale Criterium Series. They were meant to be together.
OldsCOOL is offline  
Old 09-03-15, 03:02 PM
  #21  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 635

Bikes: CAAD10 5, Trek 1000 Alpha Series

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
you all still riding on those steel rims, huh?
aquateen is offline  
Old 09-03-15, 03:07 PM
  #22  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 102
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Padded handlebar tape...
richietables is offline  
Old 09-03-15, 03:12 PM
  #23  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,156
Mentioned: 481 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3810 Post(s)
Liked 6,690 Times in 2,610 Posts
Campy 10-speed ergo brifters for a Shimergo drivetrain.
nlerner is offline  
Old 09-03-15, 03:35 PM
  #24  
Senior Member
 
79pmooney's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,904

Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder

Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4806 Post(s)
Liked 3,928 Times in 2,553 Posts
My all time favorite bike DOES NOT HAVE: gears, a freewheel, clipless pedals or any electronics. None of my bikes have brifters or carbon fiber.

All my bikes have steel forks and waterbottle cages. All have dropped handlebars. All have frame pumps.

Ben
79pmooney is offline  
Old 09-03-15, 03:40 PM
  #25  
Senior Member
 
embankmentlb's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: North, Ga.
Posts: 2,401

Bikes: 3Rensho-Aerodynamics, Bernard Hinault Look - 1986 tour winner, Guerciotti, Various Klein's & Panasonic's

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 159 Post(s)
Liked 375 Times in 162 Posts
Originally Posted by pastorbobnlnh
SPD clipless pedals. Just don't feel safe in straps and cages any more.
plus one!

ipod music.
embankmentlb is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.