The Palo Alto is a "fully modernized vintage steel racing bike". I didn't pay very close attention to weight when I built it, and it sits at 20.5 lbs. Modern 10sp Campagnolo drivetrain, mixture of Veloce/Centaur - with a triple.

My varsity is the the same way, NO RAIN

It's hard to get an apples to apples comparison but I'll given an example. Last year I raced in a triathlon using a mid-80's Peugeot. It was in it's time an entry-level club racer.

This year I raced in the same triathlon using an entry level racing bike from 2005.

I was a little over 1/2 mph faster. I think I can safely say that most of the speed gain was due to the bike since my swim and run times hadn't changed much at all from the previous year. I've commuted regularly with both bikes, the Peugeot last year and the new bike this year and my race experience is pretty much in line with what I see day to day. My fast cruising speed, which is about what I race at in a triathlon, is .5 to 1 mph faster.

My top end is a lot faster on the new bike which is partly due to gearing.

1/2 mph may not seem like a lot but it makes a huge difference in a race. I finished about 10 places higher in my age group.

I'm sure a modernized bike from the 80's with a high end steel frame would still be competitive with modern road bikes on a flat course. It would have a tougher time against modern triathlon bikes.

What's the difference between an 80s time trial bike and a modern triathlon bike? I mean, aside from the fact that you ride the triathlon bike in your panties?

Proof? Reasons? The reason most bikes 30 to 40 years old are still around is because they were lightly ridden. They made junk frames and components 40 years ago just like they do now. A quality bike from any era will last many years if properly maintained and cared for.

The reason is that the parts will most likely stop being available a few years down the road. How long does a carbon fiber frame last if it's ridden constantly from day one? 5 years? Ten? It seems most bikes now are made for the moment, not so they will still be ridable 30 years from now. Set a CF bike beside the garage
for 20 years like most of the steel bikes I find. I surely wouldn't trust it further than I could throw it. Twenty years from now I will probably not be able to throw it very far, despite it being light, hehe.,,,,BD

Time will tell I guess. I have a carbon-fiber mast for my sailboard that's about 15 years old. I have no qualms about using it and did just last weekend. I have a carbon tennis racket that's about the same vintage that I still play with as well.

My brother has a fiberglass sailboat from the 60's and I see 20 year old or more fiberglass boats all the time. These boats have spent a large part of their lives outside at least partially exposed to the elements as opposed to many bikes that spend most of their lives indoors. Just a hunch, but I think carbon fiber would probably outlast fiberglass.

Yeah, if a carbon fiber whatever has been sitting out in the sun, rain, and snow for 20 years I probably wouldn't trust it. But I doubt I'd want a steel framed bike that had been given similar treatment.

Aerodynamics and a more aggressive riding position. Steel framed bikes with round tubes aren't as "aero" as modern tri-bike.

Cervelo is a popular tri-bike manufacturer. They wind-tunnel test their stuff and they have a lot of interesting information on their site that confirms some of the pro-vintage statements you see here.

For example, weight, even on a hilly course isn't nearly as an important a factor as people make it out to be. Aerodynamics is everything and body position is the most important factor in how aero you'll be. Wheels can make a big difference but modern wheels can be put on an old bike, though they might look strange. An aero frame has less impact than aero wheels but can save you a minute on a 40k ride.

And virtually nobody uses a traditional speedo in triathlons anymore ;-)

Heh. "New"! The frame is 22 years old.

That is new by my standards. Only my mountain bike is newer, and not by much.

My early-80s Super Record equipped Gianni Motta weighs in just above 19lbs (sans bottle cage). Don't have any good pictures at the moment. And haven't weighed it in probably 20 years. That was with silk racing sew-ups on it. Right now it has a cheapie carbon fork on it while I get the steel for repaired - that's probably a bit lighter but the mid-section aero rims I put on when my Fiammi Gold Labels fell apart might weigh slightly more than the golds. Maybe not with modern tech and all. Unless I was racing really seriously at a high level, it wouldn't make much difference. I'm lighter than the average dude so that more than cancels out the 3 lb difference.

Chris

After building 2 Ironman bikes, right at 20 lbs, I would say it can be done. One was about $500, the other about $400.

One is Tange 1 w/modern 105 stuff but Sora brifters, the weight savings was on the wheelset w/tires, Cinelli stem and bar, saddle, and Ti cassette. The other is Tange 1 w/a mix of Suntour GPX and DA components, again the Cinelli and light saddle, and a Ti cassette. Both are 9-speed.

My Ironman carbon is 21 lbs, mainly due to heavier Campy wheels and cassette. About $450.

Just finished a 1987 Cilo, Columbus SLX with 6-speed DA components front to rear, Cinelli steering.
21 lbs, with a semi-aero Matrix wheelset and magnesium SPD's. Lighter wheels and it could crack 20.
$500.

My Ti build will be 18-19, currently at 15.8 lbs, lacking a chain, wrap, and cables. I doubt if it will be a decent century bike. By far the heaviest components are the old-school Look Carbon pedals. The most weight savings are with the wheel set and external bearing bb. $630 plus tires so far.

I think light and competitive C&V bikes can easily and efficiently be done, but only with patience and luck. My experience in going after light components all at once, for a decent price, is fairly unsuccessful. However, by chance, luck, and the generosity of others, once in a while a ligher component or wheel set becomes available. Before you know it, you have some items that can make a difference. Just paying attention to what's out there, on eBay, here, Roadbike Reviews, and in LBS, can make a pretty bid difference.

If money was not a hindrance, I'd take a '89 Pinarello Montello frame, add a light wheelset, either the lightest Campy or DA group, a Ti cassette, some very light SPD's, and I think sub 18 would be right there, in a steel vintage bike. I think big Miguel certainly liked his.

I raced team time trial on a full aero Gitane time trial bike. Thing looked like it was run over by a steamroller. I mean, everything was flattened. Double disk wheels too; at about 10 pounds apiece. This was in '86 or '87, IIRC. Granted, we didn't have aero bars, we all used our standard road positions, and the bikes handled like complete crap, but I still don't buy that a modern tri frame is significantly faster.