Hello....

Sorry if this has been asked a million times.... I'm new to this forum ... New to bike riding too.... haven't ridden in over 15 years! I'm looking for a used bike. Or a classic bike, or MAYBE even a vintage bike... Basically, I'm looking for a CHEAP bike until I get my cycling legs back, then I may be willing to plop down more $$ for a new bike.... unless I fall in love with a vintage bike....

Spent the last couple days browsing through Ebay and Craig's List.... Wow.... if it's a "vintage" bike, it costs much more $$ than a plain old used bike.... so how does a new girl to the bike game know the difference between used, classic and vintage?

Cheers,

--- A

I'll take the easy one... Used is any bike that someone has owned before.

Classic & Vintage get a little harder to define.

To me, Classic is a style issue, and denotes a timelessness. A classic doesn't have to be old. For example, a new Waterford frame is a Classic, because of the style it presents, and carries forward.

Vintage implies age... and is applied to a bike that is over a certain age. To some people a bike must be of a certain quality to be considered vintage, but I disagree. By my limited understanding. in the wine world, a vintage strictly refers to the year a wine was made, and there can be a good vintage, and a bad vintage... so to me, it is simply age... For me a vintage bike is any bike old enough to be obsolete in most people's eyes... probably 10 or 15 years old or more. A bike old enough that if it is valued, it is valued for the extent to which it is classic.

But you will find the opinions here vary.

Well, the easy way is to buy a bike, post it on road forums or single speed forums, and if/when they run down your bike, you probably can come here and join the party....

Used is not new. I bought a 2003 bike ridden six miles and wrecked, with no damage to the bike but a lot to the rider. I consider it used. I'm sure the seller considered it new, eh?

Classic denotes style, type, exactly as Little Darwin states. I have a Ti frame that is certainly not vintage, it was not used, but its lines and accoutrements are classic. Classic styles can be enduring if they continue to meet evolving needs and standards, but they can also be classic and non-enduring, such as the fins on cars of the late 50's and early 60's.

Vintage is age, categorical, and certainly would not be current, regardless of classic styling. It represents a time period past, not a style. A 1964 Schwinn Heavy Duti is vintage and classic. The 1964 West Point banana bike is vintage, but certainly not classic. And you can still buy a classic Cinelli lugged steel frame, but it's not vintage. (When you get the bill, however, the sticker shock is classic.)

Thank you Darwin.... um, sorry if I was unclear, but I DO know the difference between new and USED... Just didn't know the difference between used, classic and vintage, and just plain old junk.... I'm sure ALL classic and vintage are probably used, but not ALL used bikes are either classic or vintage...

I suppose the bike I rode over 15 years ago MAY be a vintage... or not.... Maybe if I still had it today, it would fall into either the old, the used, the "gently owned", the classic or the vintage.... It was a Schwinn something or other that's all I remember.

I can see this subject is more complex than I realized; that the value of a bike and designation of its classic/vintage/used status is determined by the market. Beginning to think maybe I should buy new after all, but reviewing photos of older Peugot and Bianchi bicycles somehow resonate with me. I'll place less focus on a seller's "vintage" and "classic" and look instead to FUNCTIONAL, free of rust while I shop.

Are vintage bikes somehow looked down upon because they lack the carbon and titanium frames?

Well... I'm hoping my used/or classic/or vintage/ or whatever will have more than one speed.....
OK, I think I'm understanding a little better how the term CLASSIC is used when it comes to bicycles.... similar to apparel.... Timeless.... basic cuts may get a modern look, but the trench coat and little black dress will always be a staple.

I can see I have a lot to learn about what constitutes Classic in the world of bicycles.... and that may be more critical than worrying about what constitutes vintage.... I'll be wary of the ebay and Craig's list ads that use the terms Vintage and Classic as a marketing tactic to camouflage the likelyhood that the bike they're listing has been sitting out in the rain for the last 20 years and barely works...

RE: you're last sentence.... CLASSIC!

Then again, if a hipster rides up on his butchered Willier track frame, looks at your bike and says "classic," you may want to go home and shoot it.

Let's assume that Used means Pre-Owned. I have acquired pre-owned bicycles that were, quite literally, unused. Let's assume that used refers to how much use the bicycle has actually seen over the years.

Vintage is the bicycle's age and a general rule of thumb is the older a bicycle is the more vintage points it gets with vintage road bicycle enthusiasts. Who define classic...

Classic is a perception issue. The Volkswagon "Beetle" was not considered a classic in its day but it certainly is today. In fact, the "Beetle" or "Bug" all but created a class of car all by itself - the sub-compact.

The vintage racing bicycle, or touring bicycle or Ten Speed is classic in the sense that they are all pretty much the same in general design and appearance. Their style and appearance created a class of bicycles. Those that are the most classic are the ones that did their jobs the best, be those jobs be to win races, cover long distances or whatever. A bicycle that frequently wins big name races becomes a classic in the eyes of the collector because it was successful at its intended purpose. A bicycle that lends itself well to commuting becomes a classic because it does its job well. Hence the fame of the lowly Peugeot UO8, a really great bike to ride anywhere around town or out on the open road.

As a collector of high end or special issue Canadian vintage road bicycles, I see many of my mounts that are both classic and vintage in nature. Any person who is focused on the Italian racing bicycles might not see my bikes in the same light. Perception if the key to figuring out what is classic.

So if it is a pre-owned bicycle in like new condition and the older its vintage, the more enthusiasts will want it, then it is a example of a classic vintage bicycle. And it will cost lots of money to purchase one these days. Unless you...

Mention to every person you encounter, in the next couple of weeks, that you are looking for "an old Ten Speed bicycle, the kind with skinny tires and curved down handlebars"(important description). Betcha get one and for a paltry sum. If so, let us know how you did.

By the way, this is all just my opinion.

Probably, but only by the un-educated or extreme carbon and titanium fanatics.
Bikes are like cars. Some are enviable right off of the showroom floor. Others are good for anchoring a ship. Most are in between. You get the picture?

My criteria:
"Used" is a bike that has been ridden for some time. Technically, that could mean one trip around the block. Practically, that's ridiculous. To me, "used" means it has been used, and shows that use with nicks, scracthes, and needing some maintenance. Not abused, just used. A college kid who "uses" a bike for a year, and decides they'd rather drive the remainder of their education.

"Classic" is a state of mind. Everyone's mind is a little different, so the term "classic" is a bit flexible. To me, a "classic" is a bike that has something that makes it stand out. Could be a technical innovation, styling, brand recognition, or a qaulity that connects with the rider. No two riders are exactly the same, hence, I might consider a bike classic and everybody else thinks it's a piece of junk. To me, Lamberts of England and electrowelded Schwinns are "classic".

"Vintage" has to do with age. The age could be as short as the manufacturer deciding to no longer make it, or as long as it takes to become rare enough to be valuable. Typically, I'd say 20 years. That's about how long it takes Top 40 music to start being played on the "old" stations and being used in commercials. I knew I was getting up there when "Fly like an Eagle" was used by FedEx!

Depending on where you live, your town may have a bike auction or community bike salvage program. Decent bikes can be had for very reasonable cost at those types of places. Plus, if you need parts, repairs, or advice, you'll have a contact point to return to.

Welcome to the forum!

Vintage are bikes I can afford and Classics are the bikes that I can't.(unless I get lucky and find one cheap)

I'll add another caregory. "Cool old bike" My Schwinn Mirada is a "Cool old bike" (COB). With it's steel 650B rims, made in Taiwan stickers and ocean liner weight & handling, it's not a classic or even a very good bike. Not worth much. It does have a certain something that makes it a joy to ride. My "Free to good home" Viscount is another COB. Varsitys are COBs. Stingrays are classics mostlybecause of the look of the thing. New Stingrays are never going to be classics because they are plain awful.

My Univega Super Strada is a classic. Great piece of early Japanese high-end hardware. The Viva Sport I stupidly sold was a classic. Not a valuable classic, prolly would be worth about $200.00 if it was in the shape that it was when I sold it. Dad paid $250.00 back in 1979 for my high school graduation present.

A few steel mid-range MTBs have worked their way through my garage recently for resale. Strictly utilitarian machines.

Much like pornography, it's in the eyes of the beholder.

These bikes are classics:

https://www.classicrendezvous.com/Austria/Capo.htm

Artemis, I think classic or vintage is in the eye of the beholder. I picked up a Univega mountain bike at a garage sale and started riding with my son. I had been off of a bike for at least 25 years, save for a couple of years when I occasionally rode a low end $15 Gitane. I liked riding so much that I bought a new Trek hybrid. That lasted until a neighbor gave me an 80's vintage Giant road bike. After a couple of rides on the Giant, the Trek got parked and eventually sold. One thing led to another and I now have a garage full of vintage rides which I enjoy immensely!

The most important thing at this point is that you RIDE. Once you start riding you will figure out your preferences pretty quickly.

Oh, and make some space in your house or garage. You start this old bike thing and you are going to need it......

Old Junk = Old Junk, its not classic or vintage. Vintage denotes a bike of a certain age (say 25 years old or so) with good components and good frame.

Some old heavy bikes are not junk, they just are not competitive with modern day bikes. My 1984 Lotus (steel, Champion Tange 1 frame) weighs within a half pound of my modern, 2005 Trek with aluminum frame. So some of the old stuff was pretty good.

I think the overall definitions and senses of the terms you've gotten are pretty good. What's hard on CL is separating the old broken crap (an undefined term, sorry) from vintage or classic. Most here would say a Peugeot PX-10 of any year is a classic and vintage bike. But some sellers don't know when they have in their hands a UO-8 or lower. Still classic in the minds of some, but unadulterated OBC in the minds of others, especially when not in good or complete condition. So some just plain subject matter knowledge is very helpful. And we here can help you with some of that. It's why we always ask for pictures.

Plus there's the practicality of a particular buy, for you. If you are looking for a good bike at a good price, but one you can feel proud about or appreciate for its quality, that's one thing. If you are looking for excellent day to day reliability and nearly guaranteed non-obsolescence, that might or might not be a different bike. Part of this is, what can you or will you maintain?

It does seem rather subjective, doesn't it?

I'm so glad I found this forum --- hopefully I'll be less inclined to fall for the marketing words and focus on functionality/reality with that subjective yet necessary APPEAL Endless thanks to a guy who listed a Peugeot on Craig's List (it had already been sold) but we wound up talking on the phone for about 30 minutes.... He encouraged me to keep looking, go to a bike shop and get measured so I know what size frame I need and told me about these bike forums.

Gawd............. I HOPE this doesn't get me started on a new addiction....

I agree, RF.... overall, definitions within this thread have been very helpful... My own lack of knowledge will prevent me from making an educated decision about whether a used bike is either a classic or old or whatever, so I'll just have to stick to rust free, functional and something I'll be inclined to ride.

I'm kinda looking for it all ... a good bike at a good price that I'll feel proud to ride around and won't break so often and so badly that it can't be fixed.... I don't know that much about bikes, but I know what I DON'T want. I don't want to spend a couple hundred dollars on some piece of made in China crap at my nearest Walmart or Kmart....

The same $$ would better be spent on a better bike that's already been used...

Good point about maintenance.....I hadn't considered that.....I assume this won't be as much of a problem in Southern California as it may be in other parts of the world, but I better check around my local bike shops to get an idea of what they can fix, the availability of parts and whathaveyou before I make any kind of decision.

BTW, is it OK to post links to some of the listings I'm finding here, or is that not good etiquette here on the Bike forums?

Old Junk=old bike being bought
Classic, Vintage=old bike being sold
In other words, the terms get plastered on everything, whether appropriate or not.
Generally, high-quality derailleur-geared bikes older than 1985 or so = "vintage", pre WWII balloon tire bikes = "antique". But really, look for a bike you like, and don't worry about what category it fits in. I think there is an unfortunate tendency to try to limit C&V to one specific type of bike produced in one 20-year span, when the term should be used more freely.

Proverbs 20:14- "It is naught, it is naught", saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

That's what so great about this forum....as we share experiences, maybe a "vintage" rider like me can become a "classic"!

If you're looking for a vintage ladies crusier, I have a 60's Western Flyer that I just finished fixing up and would love to find an appreciative home for it.

bikemeister, sorry for the delayed response..... just found the control panel today that enables me to locate threads I've started.....threads move quickly in this forum! I hope you find a good home for your cruiser... For my current riding and skill level, I need a lot of gears..... something built for comfort.... so I can run errands around the city and ride for the sheer sake of riding...

In the end, I wound up buying something that's neither vintage, old, OR classic.... Instead, I found a USED bike that has classic lines similar to what I was hoping for with all the modern conveniences; comfy seat, shock absorption and an upright riding position. Do you all think that at some point in time, Electra Townie 24 WILL become a CLASSIC just because they led the charge into flat-foot technology and very pretty styling?

Whups, is it against Classic and Vintage guidelines to talk about flat foot technology, comfort bikes and front suspension?

Yours, mine, somebody else's...

Who the heck knows? Seriously, it's hard to pick out what will become classic amoungst what is ridden now, esp. the more mass produced stuff. My best guesses are:
Surly Karate Monkey and Pugsley
Bianchi Pista (todays UO8, and that's not a slam)
Past that, I dunno, and those are purely guesses.

Yah, I know stuff like Waterfords, and all that. Very nice, there's just not many of them, and in most cases, they're taking classic styling clues. My ride partners Waterford isn't that different looking from my 71 Paramount, it's just pinker. A lot pinker.

The spelling.....