Except the frames (steel), saddles (Brooks Pro), seat posts (Campy NR era), bars and stems (Cinelli 66 & 1A), everything is newer technology on my bikes. Oh and I guess maybe the rims, also. (Ambrosio Excellence & Excellight and Mavic Open Pro)

They all have Campy Record 9 or 10 speed groups and Look pedals.

You mean like this? :D

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f8c4765556.jpg

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...91309d12e3.jpg

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9943d95f7d.jpg

Heck, if it gets another old frame back on the road, is fast as heck and a joy to ride, why not? :beer:

This is very attention grabbing. I kinda like it.

Yikes, describes my two most recent vintage road builds to a T.

Lugged steel, Brooks Pro, Campy 2 bolt, Cinelli 66-40 + 1A, Phil hubs to Open Pros and MA2s.

Mine are downtube shift though, one set Campy Doppler retrofriction, one set Suntour power ratchet.

I have a Chorus 10 group with Open Pro wheels kicking around for a third build next year…will share everything else with the other two.

Hey jamesdak - you could school others about combining old and new since your builds that you amass (I've been following your 19 mph thread) all reflect a certain design aesthetic that works. Sort of like looking at Drillium Dude 's creations - so inspirational!

For me do like to embrace modern parts but I concur with what others say about durability, and ongoing utility of the parts.

For me, I feel that tubeless is ripe to pair with vintage hubs. The ride is so unique, I would encourage anybody to try a custom wheel build with tubeless ready rims and then to be properly fitted with tubeless tape/valves and some high performing tubeless tires that punch way, way above their class. Folks don't realize that ride quality is more like tubular than tubed clinchers. The ones I had built up are really good and the work required to get the system up and reliable is worth the effort.

Great minds think alike!

Well, things got pretty Transylvanian here, for awhile.


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...88443ed990.jpg
Franken Fredo

I've still got my Stealth wheels to try, too:


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...160cc80a4f.jpg
Stealth wheels

But, after a new powdercoat as a birthday present, I'm really liking the more classic look:


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5614e6d386.jpg
Fredo, restored.

Other than slick cables, cork gel bar tape, a taller stem and relocated shifters, it's pretty much as raced 45 years ago. The Phil Wood BB and Shimano vertical dropouts were new at the time. I've since spread the dropouts to 126mm, and fitted a 6-speed 14-28 freewheel, which *might* be low enough, usually. The Brooks Pro is currently receiving The Treatment (R), meanwhile I'm riding a Selle SMP TRK.

I’ve encountered this with folding tires (Ultra Sport II, for example, but generally all folding tires) that I’ve tried on my Ambrosio extra rims.

I just recently picked up the Kool Stop lever and keep it on the bike. This one looks handy because it’s a bit more compact, but they only spec it up to 28s and I run 32s.

Otto

New technology? No way. That would totally defeat the purpose of riding a vintage bike, in my view.
Unavoidable exceptions; synthetic grease, butyl tubes, contemporary (N.O.S.) tyres.

I modernized one of my old bikes. There is a lot to be said for modern gearing for an all around bike. It's "only" 3 x 8 so I guess it's not that modern, :). Still I love the gearing: 44/32/22 crank with 11-28 8 speed shimano cassette.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...16fbcf26f4.jpg

I was thinking the same thing. But then I thought, probably for a different thread. In terms of vintage bikes, this is more of a do what you want thread, which is fine by me.

Absolutely. I always operate from the vantage-point that although I might-as-well give the most honest reply, my opinion is no more-or-less valid than anyone else's. I hope everyone understands this.

Modern tech that helps ameliorate pain should be allowed
 

…for “Eroica” events. I would love to try to do an event on a vintage road bike with 2x6 or 2x7 friction (or allowable down tube index) shifting.

But as a 59 year old with quite a history of foot pain issues associated with bad cycling shoes, I can never see myself running quill pedals with toe clips and straps. I mean, not only is this tech dated - for me it is ergonomically too inefficient the way that the cleated shoe sole would sit too high above the pedal axle…. If I absolutely was required to dispense with my SPD-R’s Dura Ace 9100 road clipless pedals because some Eroica ruling said clips & straps only: I would at least try to do a fresh bearing rebuild on my Shimano DD pedals. But then the there would be a need to acquire some quality euro size 46.5 old-school wooden soled Duegi type cycling shoes with bolt on cleats. Could anybody post a link to some quality modern cycling shoes that would actually be comfortable over a 100+ mile day + still use toe clips & straps?

For Cino, I outfitted my bike with a 2 x 6 drivetrain with downtube friction shifters. A few times I struggled to find the right gear (and had too short of a chain to achieve big-big) but overall it was fine. For pedals, I went with new V-O flat pedals with no clips or straps. I have several bikes, some old, some new, with flat pedals and don’t have a problem with slippage. I rode clips and straps for many years and never found them comfortable. I’m on SPDs for the non-vintage rides.

Flat pedals are great. I find that using bmx style shoes that have a little sticker sole helps when using flat pedals.

I see a double endorsement of flat pedals here. It is something to think about and I guess it would allow more options for foot movement that could prevent hot spots, cramps and allow for better fitting shoes - however, I guess I am a stubborn old roadie that wants to "clip-in" to something. Man, did I ever miss my chance at getting the Duegi's that I wanted back in the day. Instead I chose Puma (cleated) cycling shoes thinking they were more high tech. They ended up absolutely killing off my feet!

Not on THE bike but ON me, on the bike. ;)

I'm a fan of flannel, have read about MTB shirts made with polyester and spandex built in, turns out some are all poly. Most of them are very spendy so I was put off by that but many of them are very cool to be sure.

I finally stepped up when I found them at Eddie Bauer and go on sale all the time, often for 1/2 price, still a bit spendy and 100% poly.

These work fantastic for me, layered with merino and a cotton tshirt can be good well into the 40's, I was amazed how well they work and very easy to regulate by unbuttoning, rolling up the sleeves and managing the base layers, keeping hands warm, etc.

EB's are now comfort, stretchy and another level more comfortable with spandex added, LL Bean has wool blend versions and cotton one's as well, may be trying one of those out after Christmas. ;)

Again, these work fantastic and are amazing, IMO.

Turns out they are on sale for 1/2 off right now.

https://www.eddiebauer.com/p/1292459...e%20Blue&size=

I now have a closet full of these and wear them all the time. :twitchy:

I used to write off all sorts of modern parts were sort of indulgent- but more recently have found myself giving them a pass as long as they can keep an old bike on the road. I’ve especially found myself more ok with more gears (up to 10) especially as 6, 7, 8 speed parts start to get harder to find.

I put the same Cane Creeks on my 1989. I opted for the compact.

If that Armstrong is a racer, then it would not look out-of-place for it to use a Benelux rod front mech. I use one on my '63 and it is efficient and a lot of fun.

It's a 3-speed, so outfitting it with derailleurs of any kind would take some doing. (And decrease the diversity of my collection.) ;)

Lol.

Just stating the obvious here but 'modern' is used as 'current' in most general situations.

Indexed shifting is... ancient, not vintage in 2021.

30 year old Ultegra 9 speed STI is not modern tech, it's vintage, borderline ancient even.

Flat pedals are great for a bike that gets used to get around town, grab groceries etc. I have some on my 80s Shogun touring/commuter bike currently.

That said, they look fairly out of place on a bike that is otherwise period correct. If you've added modern lights, fenders, brake levers etc to your vintage frame then the flats look fine.

Maybe so but in our realm, downtube = ancient vintage, index = vintage vintage, STI = modern vintage, C+V ain't current, modern or general but we do embrace all of it as needed to suit ourselves. ;)

I have Ergo on my newer bikes, but the old steel get the downtube shifters, save for my MiamiVice Ironman where I installed 8s Sachs Ergo, well, just because.
No disc brakes, tubeless tires or electronic shifting.
And any pre-'83 bike that would have would or should have come with tubulars, ride tubulars.

But I don't consider myself a retrogrouch, though I've never even test-ridden a full carbon bike.
I do ride my 2000-2010 10s Ergo clincher shod bikes as often as anything else.

I do want to build up an older frame for gravel/cross w/10s indexed Campy bar-ends running 38-40s.