What's the deal with people looking down on old frames?
#126
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To the OP - wanna fix or even buy my old black and white TV? Well, in my opinion, vintage bikes, to our newer generations, fall into that same category - old, out dated and pretty much useless in an all color, high density media society.
And, for what it is worth, I really like old bicycles and the kids make me chuckle with their inexperience in life, in almost all things. But we all gotta learn.
My first ride, on a too small Trek road bike, lasted less than 100 feet. Why would anyone want to ride this or that when either is just old and silly, when compared to a new mountain bike, or one of those BMX things. But look at me today - built owned and ridden hundreds of vintage road bikes...
And, for what it is worth, I really like old bicycles and the kids make me chuckle with their inexperience in life, in almost all things. But we all gotta learn.
My first ride, on a too small Trek road bike, lasted less than 100 feet. Why would anyone want to ride this or that when either is just old and silly, when compared to a new mountain bike, or one of those BMX things. But look at me today - built owned and ridden hundreds of vintage road bikes...
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#127
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Sounds like the kind of "dissembling" that would make Garak proud....
#128
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I have several old 10 speeds and I look at them as pieces of art. The paint decals chrome. I here Atala's weren't the best of bikes at least many people are of that opinion, but to me they are truly fantastic looking. You can't go wrong with the classics.
#129
Rhapsodic Laviathan
The amount of time I spend caring about what others think...
Most of the threads like this don’t match my experiences either - I very rarely hear others criticize someone else’s bike - any comments you hear tend to be positive. Usually folks like crazy old bikes.
Biopace is fine for casual riding...it feels weird over time when you’re really cranking. If you like it, use it. Most people don’t know what it is.
Most of the threads like this don’t match my experiences either - I very rarely hear others criticize someone else’s bike - any comments you hear tend to be positive. Usually folks like crazy old bikes.
Biopace is fine for casual riding...it feels weird over time when you’re really cranking. If you like it, use it. Most people don’t know what it is.
#130
Rhapsodic Laviathan
I have no problem with old bikes, old mtbs were always my favorite because they had traditional diamond frames, such as my 83 High Sierra. Plus they can be cheaper to have(outside bike shops), and cheaper to get parts/upgrade. I don't have money to buy 400+ dollar bikes, nor find a justifiable reason to spend enough on a bike that a motorcycle will do better for same, or even cheaper. I even mess with and often make brilliant rides out of walmart bikes, which usually are little different than old bikes parts wise. Speaking of cost; I can't see why certain bikes go for what they do, like Schwinn World Tourist. Paying 300+ dollars for that is like paying 8000 dollars for a first gen Taurus. Not too mention newer relaxed geometry roadbikes look too much like beach cruisers to me in profile. And I can probably drop some of these guys on my beach cruiser.
I've never had anybody make fun of my bikes, other than at the skate park, but that isn't antagonistic, riding the High Sierra around in the bowls probably raises questions. Oddly enough; I had many people love my Genesis Roadtech thinking it was a very expensive bike with all the work I put in to it; lizardskin bar tape, schwinn world tourist crank, sealed BB, Deore rear derailure from my old Lotus Pegasus, Lexis( Alexis?) rims, some can't remember satin aluminum brake levers as an actual need breaking the stock ones in a low side fall, Custom seat stem, and Bontrager seat, CST Corre tires. The only things I hadn't managed to change which would've completes the bike was changing the brake calipers and hiten steel fork. But it got stolen. I have a Denali to relive that glory, though.
I've never had anybody make fun of my bikes, other than at the skate park, but that isn't antagonistic, riding the High Sierra around in the bowls probably raises questions. Oddly enough; I had many people love my Genesis Roadtech thinking it was a very expensive bike with all the work I put in to it; lizardskin bar tape, schwinn world tourist crank, sealed BB, Deore rear derailure from my old Lotus Pegasus, Lexis( Alexis?) rims, some can't remember satin aluminum brake levers as an actual need breaking the stock ones in a low side fall, Custom seat stem, and Bontrager seat, CST Corre tires. The only things I hadn't managed to change which would've completes the bike was changing the brake calipers and hiten steel fork. But it got stolen. I have a Denali to relive that glory, though.
#131
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Great discussion. I’m big on both vintage road and mountain bikes—especially mountain bikes. I’ve only ever experienced positive feedback and sometimes a discussion ensues. Still, if someone did have a problem with it, I’d just give them a quick “see you on the trail.”
#132
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I know that this is a good topic, it's Chock Full O'Newbies!
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#133
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It really is the opposite for me. I look down on anything new. I do not like brifters, do not care for so called disc brakes, CF, meh, sick of matte black bicycles. Does anybody make bicycles anymore other than Trek and Specialized? I will go to an event, and there will be nothing but (mostly older folks, well heeled) on the newest CF Trek (black) or Specialized (also black). And then some black Giants thrown in for good measure and that is it!
And, while on the subject, it is okay to wear cycling shorts other than black also.
And younger folks, so sorely missing from any scene, hey they make these things called bicycles, and they are FUN and you can ride them and have FUN! and in the REAL world, not some virtual pretend world. Where are you? When I was young I never saw older folks and now that I am older I never see younger folks!
And, while on the subject, it is okay to wear cycling shorts other than black also.
And younger folks, so sorely missing from any scene, hey they make these things called bicycles, and they are FUN and you can ride them and have FUN! and in the REAL world, not some virtual pretend world. Where are you? When I was young I never saw older folks and now that I am older I never see younger folks!
Last edited by Loose Chain; 05-19-19 at 08:34 PM.
#134
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This is a pretty epic first post/rant that hits many of the old classic rants of the past. Well done!
takes on these:
takes on these:
- BSO - "old Walmart bike"
- LBS denied service - "bike shop mechanic... turn my bike away"
- Elliptical rings - "trash the biopace"
- Worth it to upgrade - "putting ... $500 dollars in parts and service"
- Backhand against flippers - "scrapper trying to refurbish bikes to resell"
- Rant against new bikes - "I don't need the newest and shiniest carbon bike at the moment."
- When one deserves to have a better bike - "when I feel like my skills have progressed to deserve having one."
- Inflamed by internet scoffers - "I can't really avoid [letting it get to me] when it comes up in the face-to-face interactions ... random people on the Net. "
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#135
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Thread Starter
It really is the opposite for me. I look down on anything new. I do not like brifters, do not care for so called disc brakes, CF, meh, sick of matte black bicycles. Does anybody make bicycles anymore other than Trek and Specialized? I will go to an event, and there will be nothing but (mostly older folks, well heeled) on the newest CF Trek (black) or Specialized (also black). And then some black Giants thrown in for good measure and that is it!
And, while on the subject, it is okay to wear cycling shorts other than black also.
And younger folks, so sorely missing from any scene, hey they make these things called bicycles, and they are FUN and you can ride them and have FUN! and in the REAL world, not some virtual pretend world. Where are you? When I was young I never saw older folks and now that I am older I never see younger folks!
And, while on the subject, it is okay to wear cycling shorts other than black also.
And younger folks, so sorely missing from any scene, hey they make these things called bicycles, and they are FUN and you can ride them and have FUN! and in the REAL world, not some virtual pretend world. Where are you? When I was young I never saw older folks and now that I am older I never see younger folks!
Besides the occasional Orbea or YT being a little more interesting to look at than the typical Trek, if it gets those folks out riding, then no complaints from me! As for CF and disc brakes, can't really knock them because they're solid, solid advancements in tech that make riding more comfortable for the people who like what they have to offer.
And to counteract your last point, it is now where we're seeing an explosive growth of bicycle use, people are using it to commute more than ever before (https://bikeleague.org/commutingdata)! Your experience might be a location thing then because here in the Bay area there are plenty of people like me in their mid 20s or even younger shredding the trails and streets. Most of the folks in group rides however, are definitely older though. It's about building the right infrastructure for bicycles more than anything.
Last edited by turtledove; 05-20-19 at 01:53 PM.
#136
Senior Member
I volunteer at a high-volume, big-city bike Co-op. We see mostly vintage bike stuff; vintage does not necessarily mean good. In fact, about 90% of what we see is vintage bad, meaning that if our time, and their personal time was accounted for properly, it would make more sense for them to junk the old and buy new.
Appreciation for vintage stuff largely depends on the bike and the audience. I was in the shop last week with a new (yes, new) Vitus 979, that had been sitting in a box in the attic of a French bike shop for 33 years.
That got a lot some attention; too much so, in that I had to leave, but I got surrounded by the staffers, and peppered with excited questions and fawning praise.
However, I know if I were to roll this time capsule up to the start line of any organized race or Fondo, it would be seen as an antiquated relic, and I would be seen as having poor poor judgement. Not to be trusted in the pack..
Appreciation for vintage stuff largely depends on the bike and the audience. I was in the shop last week with a new (yes, new) Vitus 979, that had been sitting in a box in the attic of a French bike shop for 33 years.
That got a lot some attention; too much so, in that I had to leave, but I got surrounded by the staffers, and peppered with excited questions and fawning praise.
However, I know if I were to roll this time capsule up to the start line of any organized race or Fondo, it would be seen as an antiquated relic, and I would be seen as having poor poor judgement. Not to be trusted in the pack..
#137
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It really is the opposite for me. I look down on anything new. I do not like brifters, do not care for so called disc brakes, CF, meh, sick of matte black bicycles. Does anybody make bicycles anymore other than Trek and Specialized? I will go to an event, and there will be nothing but (mostly older folks, well heeled) on the newest CF Trek (black) or Specialized (also black). And then some black Giants thrown in for good measure and that is it!
And, while on the subject, it is okay to wear cycling shorts other than black also.
And younger folks, so sorely missing from any scene, hey they make these things called bicycles, and they are FUN and you can ride them and have FUN! and in the REAL world, not some virtual pretend world. Where are you? When I was young I never saw older folks and now that I am older I never see younger folks!
And, while on the subject, it is okay to wear cycling shorts other than black also.
And younger folks, so sorely missing from any scene, hey they make these things called bicycles, and they are FUN and you can ride them and have FUN! and in the REAL world, not some virtual pretend world. Where are you? When I was young I never saw older folks and now that I am older I never see younger folks!
On the other...yeah...it’s boring going on rides where the bikes all look the same. There is an artless monotony to it. I miss the days of beautiful paint, and distinctive marquees with mythology. As much as I enjoy my CF stuff, they do lack that style. That verve. It’s nice having both!
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#138
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#139
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On the one hand...at the end of the day, it’s not about how the bike looks, it’s how it rides. I like my CF bikes, and disc brakes are pretty darn sweet! I like the handlebar position on my black specialized. I love STI, and I like wide gear ranges that shift smoothly with no effort.
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#140
Senior Member
Years back when I got interested in older bikes I acquired a nearly mint Via Carisma for approx $25 or $35. I sold it for $100 a short time later. (I thought I was one heck of a smart guy at the time.) This was a time I would say my taste and knowledge in bikes was still developing. To this day, I wish I still had that Via Carisma; it truly have just the right fit and feel; but I wasn't mature or developed enough to recognize what a great fit it was for style of riding I like. After having bought and sold many bikes in the past 10 years, I regret selling only a couple and that Via Carisma is one I regret.
#141
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My CV frames are 25in and above, they mostly look up.
Tim
Tim
#142
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#144
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A California grad student set out to prove Rotor was a gimmick, and did tons of research, using pro's and fast amateurs.
Turns out, it is not.
Not that I like oval rings, but the research showed they are basically a zero advantage at lower skill levels and gain in advantage as skill/speed levels rise.
Imagine that.
#146
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#148
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#149
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#150
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I think the attitude you are seeing may be more prominent amongst the MTB crowd than it is with road bikers. But then, I usually only ride with other C&Vers, so I'm not sure. We recently had some funny/interesting comments from folks when we did the annual Monster Cookie Ride here, but then, we also passed a lot of folks on $3,000 plastic wonderbikes, and one lady that had fallen over not a mile into the ride on hers, and couldn't get up because she was stuck in her clipless pedals.