View Poll Results: What do you think of reproduction vintage parts?
I like them - I need good restoration options
12
46.15%
I don't like them - if it's not original, it's less desirable
1
3.85%
Who cares? It's a vintage RACE BIKE, ride the thing.
13
50.00%
Voters: 26. You may not vote on this poll
Reproduction vs Original Vintage Parts
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 4
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Reproduction vs Original Vintage Parts
The subject of reproduction versus original vintage parts has been a hotly debated topic of late. Unfortunately, very little new discussion is taking place. Instead, people repeat the same arguments for and against over and over. What is needed is a poll, so here it is.
The debate is centered around two camps: Those that believe reproduction parts are somehow bad (against), and those that want choices for restoring their vintage rides to nice cosmetic and operational condition, without paying outlandish prices for doing so (for).
The against camp thinks if it's not original, it's not as 'good'. While this argument has some merit in the concours show ring, and helps push prices for original items higher, it's not really accurate. Interestingly, many people in this camp have expensive repaints (not original), which feature at least some reproduction decals. Further, many roll with original Campy gum hoods, but not on original tires, tubes, spokes, grease, etc. Many in this camp look upon reproduction parts with derision.
The for camp likes original parts when they can get them, but they ride their bikes, and understand things wear out if you use them. They take the custom car restoration approach, which is to make the overall package nice within their budget, using a combintation of original (e.g. Campy headsets, BB's, etc.), and some reproduction or newer parts (e.g. paint, decals, lever hoods, tires, bearings, etc.). Many in this camp feel the against camp members are practicing snobbery, and wonder why all the fuss.
Note: We are not going to get into the argument here, about reproduction parts that are clearly reproductions, but which are sold as being original. Or where the seller avoids answering the question of a potential buyer about whether they are original. Everyone agrees fraud and lying are bad.
Here's your chance to weigh in, and we'll see who the majority is.
The debate is centered around two camps: Those that believe reproduction parts are somehow bad (against), and those that want choices for restoring their vintage rides to nice cosmetic and operational condition, without paying outlandish prices for doing so (for).
The against camp thinks if it's not original, it's not as 'good'. While this argument has some merit in the concours show ring, and helps push prices for original items higher, it's not really accurate. Interestingly, many people in this camp have expensive repaints (not original), which feature at least some reproduction decals. Further, many roll with original Campy gum hoods, but not on original tires, tubes, spokes, grease, etc. Many in this camp look upon reproduction parts with derision.
The for camp likes original parts when they can get them, but they ride their bikes, and understand things wear out if you use them. They take the custom car restoration approach, which is to make the overall package nice within their budget, using a combintation of original (e.g. Campy headsets, BB's, etc.), and some reproduction or newer parts (e.g. paint, decals, lever hoods, tires, bearings, etc.). Many in this camp feel the against camp members are practicing snobbery, and wonder why all the fuss.
Note: We are not going to get into the argument here, about reproduction parts that are clearly reproductions, but which are sold as being original. Or where the seller avoids answering the question of a potential buyer about whether they are original. Everyone agrees fraud and lying are bad.
Here's your chance to weigh in, and we'll see who the majority is.
#3
Señor Member
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
Originally Posted by e-RICHIE
wow - folks still care about this?!
e-RICHIE©™®
e-RICHIE©™®
__________________
In search of what to search for.
In search of what to search for.
#4
Unique Vintage Steel
lol, e-RICHIE, haven't seen many posts from you lately, surprised it was this that prompted a post. I'm far too young to remember when this was cared about - but I suppose I'll humor the OP to say I'd rather go with the part that gets me on the road and does the job it's intended. If it's original equipment, and that's what I'm going for on the bike, all the better. If it's a repo and it's half the price of the original and looks the same (and probably performs better / lasts longer), all the better as well. Live is too short and there's not enough hours in the day to ride let alone worry about if your derailleur is an original or repo as long as it's not going to leave you stranded far from home.
-- now returning to studying about things that do matter (at least to me who has an exam in a few hours).
-- now returning to studying about things that do matter (at least to me who has an exam in a few hours).
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 307
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Excuse my ignorance but, are there that many repro parts around?
When somebody says repro parts in bike language, are they referring to gum hoods, decals and paint only? I guess we could also include cables, cable hosings, brake pads, did I miss anything else?
And, using only Campy yellow grease for vintage Campy parts?
When somebody says repro parts in bike language, are they referring to gum hoods, decals and paint only? I guess we could also include cables, cable hosings, brake pads, did I miss anything else?
And, using only Campy yellow grease for vintage Campy parts?
#6
Full Member
Originally Posted by cuda2k
lol, e-RICHIE, haven't seen many posts from you lately, surprised it was this that prompted a post. I'm far too young to remember when this was cared about - but I suppose I'll humor the OP to say I'd rather go with the part that gets me on the road and does the job it's intended. If it's original equipment, and that's what I'm going for on the bike, all the better. If it's a repo and it's half the price of the original and looks the same (and probably performs better / lasts longer), all the better as well. Live is too short and there's not enough hours in the day to ride let alone worry about if your derailleur is an original or repo as long as it's not going to leave you stranded far from home.
-- now returning to studying about things that do matter (at least to me who has an exam in a few hours).
-- now returning to studying about things that do matter (at least to me who has an exam in a few hours).
this https://www.richardsachs.com/articles/rsachsperiod.html took up nearly
a decade of my life and i continued with it after the project ended. i love this
stuff but see no absolute right way to get it done. i've pasted and posted
extensively about it on my blog https://richardsachs.blogspot.com back when
i was more tethered to the hobby.
e-RICHIE©™®
#7
The Improbable Bulk
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wilkes-Barre, PA
Posts: 8,379
Bikes: Many
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
7 Posts
I see this in the same vein as any other emotional issue with bikes etc.
It is not a problem to me for someone to use parts for the looks, nor is it a problem if someone does really care that they have the genuine article.
As for me, I have neither the money, nor the inclination to be concerned with whether a bike has the genuine parts. I buy bikes to ride! As long as the parts are at least as reliable as the items they pretend to be, I have no problem.
It is not a problem to me for someone to use parts for the looks, nor is it a problem if someone does really care that they have the genuine article.
As for me, I have neither the money, nor the inclination to be concerned with whether a bike has the genuine parts. I buy bikes to ride! As long as the parts are at least as reliable as the items they pretend to be, I have no problem.
__________________
Slow Ride Cyclists of NEPA
People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Slow Ride Cyclists of NEPA
People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: n.w. superdrome
Posts: 17,687
Bikes: 1 trek, serotta, rih, de Reus, Pogliaghi and finally a Zieleman! and got a DeRosa
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times
in
9 Posts
I voted that I'm in favour of them and here is my thinking on the subject:
It varies from bike to bike.
My RIH is a 1975 model and it has semi melted world logo hoods.
With the exception of tires the bike is all original (including discoloured
bar tape) AFAIK.
I have no intention of repainting or restoring the bike, its more like preservation,
so for this particular bike I would tend towards NOS (if I can afford it). It
should be noted this isn't one of my daily riders.
The Pog frame I just bought has already been repainted by the
original owner, and will get a repaint and new repop decals (I could not
find period correct original decals). As its a pista frame and I intend to
ride it at velodrome initial build will be a frankenbike, whatever fits gets
put on. Eventually I would like to refinish with all period correct pista
components.
I should note that none of my bikes will ever be a concours winner,
nor entered in any competitions. I like to ride them
and if that means using reproduction parts so be it.
e-RICHIE yes this is still a big tsuris even amoung us
little pishers.
It varies from bike to bike.
My RIH is a 1975 model and it has semi melted world logo hoods.
With the exception of tires the bike is all original (including discoloured
bar tape) AFAIK.
I have no intention of repainting or restoring the bike, its more like preservation,
so for this particular bike I would tend towards NOS (if I can afford it). It
should be noted this isn't one of my daily riders.
The Pog frame I just bought has already been repainted by the
original owner, and will get a repaint and new repop decals (I could not
find period correct original decals). As its a pista frame and I intend to
ride it at velodrome initial build will be a frankenbike, whatever fits gets
put on. Eventually I would like to refinish with all period correct pista
components.
I should note that none of my bikes will ever be a concours winner,
nor entered in any competitions. I like to ride them
and if that means using reproduction parts so be it.
e-RICHIE yes this is still a big tsuris even amoung us
little pishers.
__________________
Sono più lento di quel che sembra.
Odio la gente, tutti.
Want to upgrade your membership? Click Here.
Sono più lento di quel che sembra.
Odio la gente, tutti.
Want to upgrade your membership? Click Here.
#9
Elite Fred
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Edge City
Posts: 10,945
Bikes: 2009 Spooky (cracked frame), 2006 Curtlo, 2002 Lemond (current race bike) Zurich, 1987 Serotta Colorado, 1986 Cannondale for commuting, a 1984 Cannondale on loan to my son
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 60 Post(s)
Liked 42 Times
in
19 Posts
IT's all about the difference between a restoration and a renovation. The restoration by e-RICHIE of the Masi is a thing of beauty, but the original frame is worthy of the effort. Repro parts on that frame would be like a moustache on the Mona Lisa. On the other hand I see nothing wrong with taking an older mass produced steel frame, cold setting the spacing to 130 mm, and outfitting it with a modern drive train or converting it to a fixie.
#10
Unique Vintage Steel
Originally Posted by e-RICHIE
this https://www.richardsachs.com/articles/rsachsperiod.html took up nearly
a decade of my life and i continued with it after the project ended. i love this
stuff but see no absolute right way to get it done. i've pasted and posted
extensively about it on my blog https://richardsachs.blogspot.com back when
i was more tethered to the hobby.
e-RICHIE©™®
a decade of my life and i continued with it after the project ended. i love this
stuff but see no absolute right way to get it done. i've pasted and posted
extensively about it on my blog https://richardsachs.blogspot.com back when
i was more tethered to the hobby.
e-RICHIE©™®
#11
juneeaa memba!
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: boogled up in...Idaho!
Posts: 5,632
Bikes: Crap. The box is not big enough...
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
One more generation (I think) and the point of reproduction parts will probably be moot. Although it seems like the supply of Campy stuff is endless, it will dry up, as the 40's-50's parts supplies seem to be doing. Then the good stuff will get really, really expensive, and the consumable stuff like the hoods and brake pads will become unobtainable. If the bike is to be ridden, it'll have to be ridden with reproduction stuff...and bikes are made to be moving works of art, experienced in a way that no other artwork can be experienced (excluding, say, a Ferrari F-50 or a ducati 750GT).
#12
Newbie
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I like the highest quality ones, the ones that are truly authentic in appearance and feel and fit, and use them. Even concours autos -- the 100-point cars - must rely upon excellent quality reproduction parts. Without the parts, the show would soon be over. The ride much sooner. JB Froke
#13
Full Member
Originally Posted by JB Froke
I like the highest quality ones, the ones that are truly authentic in appearance and feel and fit, and use them. Even concours autos -- the 100-point cars - must rely upon excellent quality reproduction parts. Without the parts, the show would soon be over. The ride much sooner. JB Froke
a-effin-men, brutha!
e-RICHIE©™®