WalksOn2Wheels

I say "young" because I'm 28. I was going to say 35 and under, but then realized that 35 is kind of old by young person standards, not to mention 28.

But honestly, I'm always interested in what draws the next generation to invest a large interest in bikes most people "our age" would consider old, heavy, etc. When I got into bikes only 6 years ago, steel had more or less been lone gone from the list of options from major manufacturers. But, I happened to buy a used steel bike because it was all I could afford.

That said, I still love modern stuff (and have a fancy carbon bike), but find myself leaning more towards steel as I look at possible other bikes.

So what makes you go against the grain of your cycling generation?

DRietz

I'm a sophomore in high school.

When I got into the sport of cycling, it was made clear to me that it was never about the bike but about the rider. So, I've never really judged what type of frame material is best, and I've grown to like C&V because you guys are the most entertaining, generous, and kind people on this forum.

-holiday76

I'm 34 and I'm not old. I like steel because I like how it rides, and I generally like older stuff. I like wrenching on things but I've also been a rider for 14 years or so I guess. It was only a matter of time before i started working on bikes.

I also find is very satifying rebuilding a bike, building one from scratch, bringing one back from the dead, and so on. Those types of projects tend to be older bikes.

Before I had a wife and kids I wrenched on bigger things like trucks and cars and motorcycles, not now it's bikes. I can rebuild a bike in an afternoon. A Motorcycle, not so much. Time is a premium when you have said kids, wife, house, job.

jan nikolajsen 

wow! thanks!

dashuaigeh

25 here. Much of it was the classic character and look of the older bikes. The lower prices of old steel didn't hurt either , and I enjoy steel and the construction of older bikes. They're comfortable, flexible (literally. I can cold set steel. I like that), durable, and more easily maintainable/repairable (i.e. dt shifters and barcons vs brifters). For day-to-day riding, these work much better than $2000+ carbon frames.

In reality, I think I got into it because my first bike was a Waterford Paramount that I bought from a friend. The more I read about it, the more I fell in love with the history behind it, and the history of older bicycles.

KonAaron Snake 

I'm 36...and apparently I'm old now. Thanks. What was the old saying, don't trust anyone over 30?

I like steel for a few reasons...

1. Aesthetics...it looks better.
2. Nostalgia...I grew up riding steel.
3. Durability...chain slap will never destroy a steel chain stay...I've seen it happen to carbon.
4. economics...steel holds its value, Carbon doesn't. It's cheaper than titanium.
5. Ride feel...aluminum's characteristics require tubing thicknesses that result in ride quality I don't like
6. Adaptability...I can respace steel chain stays and weld on braze ons.
7. Environment - it's essentially recycling rather than buying a Taiwanese future landfill denizen.

Please note - I LOVE titanium as well.

dashuaigeh

+1. Another plus I discovered after getting into C&V.

-holiday76

I did long distance tours on a Titanium Litespeed for years before I found steel and also recumbents for that type of thing. The Litespeed was 6cm too small for me too. It's amazing what you can get away with on a discomfort level when you're younger and dumber.

ColonelJLloyd 

I turned 30 a few weeks back.

I like older steel bikes for most of the reasons those who've posted before me have expressed.

My LBS owner says, "I like bikes. They make me feel smart. I can figure a bike out." I can sympathize with that.

KonAaron Snake 

Hey now...I'm still dumber!

sickmtbnutcase

31 here - I guess that's young enough...was in my 20's when I got into this stuff.

As for why?
- Old stuff is great and works perfectly still.
- Older bikes give me reasons to wrench, clean, rebuild, and restore.
- Bikes are just damn cool (new and old).

4Rings6Stars

I'm 21 and in college.

I got into road bikes a few years ago when my commuter hybrid was stolen from outside my dorm. First bike was a junker 10 speed free spirit. I started flipping steel road bikes for grocery and beer money and then it sort of got out of control.

I love lugged steel for similar reasons KonAaron Snake mentioned above. Recently, I've decided to start building lugged steel bikes and am selling off most of my lugged bikes that somebody else built to fund this hobby.

Edit. Oh yeah forgot to mention that THIS FORUM is responsbile for pretty much all of it (I'm sure I would have been happy with 1 or 2 bikes before I started coming here..Enablers!)

ArthurIhde

I'm 25, I love the stuff

KonAaron Snake 

Seriously. These damned buggers helped me get my Sachs, Marnati, my Raleigh Intl., my Miyata, the Koga and my Lemond. Just one more hit!

-holiday76

I once toured fully loaded on that bike with 23cm tires that were slicks. I was also about 50 pounds heavier then than I am now. I had constant flats, including literally 10 in one day.

yeah, live and learn.

brockd15 

I'm 29 and three quarters.

I like all bike materials that I've ridden and own (steel, carbon, titanium, & aluminum), I like new bikes, I like old bikes. Truth be told, I prefer modern components. For me the primary draw to C&V is affordability and value; you can just get so much more for the money. You can get a heck of a nice vintage bike for the price of a new entry-level road bike. For that matter, you can get a heck of a nice vintage bike for the price of a new entry or mid-level component group!

kuso

turned 30 yesterday. But only recently got into C&V within the past couple years, so i'm young to the C&V scene.

beech333

Wow, I always assumed I was pretty young on the forums.

31

1. I had a steel bike when I was a kid and it is what I find most comfortable. I don't like change.
2. friction shifting has less maintenance. Indexing has been a PITA, in my experience.
3. IMO, thinner tubes look more attractive than aluminum or CF.
4. I like the classic paint schemes from before the late 80's.
5. I am able to afford several nice, steel bikes for the price that it would cost for one nice, new bike.

ScottRyder 

jeeeesh, kids these days ...

Scott

habes78023 

I agree with DRietz, nicest and most knowledgeable people are here.

I can't really afford all the new stuff out there and the C&V bikes are just cool. I like to learn all of the little tricks and differences in bikes, as well as see all of the pictures of the bikes you guys have (probably my favorite part, keep dreaming for me). Plus this site is such a good resource, if I have any questions I just search here, better than going through all the google search clutter.

I am really new to the scene, I bought a on old schwinn this summer and now I am hooked.

Oh yeah, I just turned 20.

bumpalong

That's a great statement DRietz. +1. But I'm suspect because I'm 45 ...

OzarkKing

I'm 32 and once I entered the real world, my budget for cycling was minimal. Historically I've ridden mountain bikes but then a friend of mine got a Cannondale road bike from a pawn shop for $30. My first time out on it I attacked the biggest hill in town and actually said out loud (despite nobody being around), "this thing is a dart". I then rode that same Cannondale on a 116 mile ride with two guys who sported the newest hottest lightest gear and that day I realized it wasn't about the bike. Learning people undervalue older road bikes, and appreciating a good deal I began looking (last January). Since that time I've welcomed two Fujis and a Panasonic into my home (have a bike rack in my bedroom). I previously thought the roads around my house (windy shoulderless Lake roads) were bad for cycling because there were no sidewalks...now riding those roads on classic steeds is my therapy.
Ancillary reasons include:
-the way I feel when I park a bike I paid $100 for next to many 10x that price and passersbys overlook those and are drawn to mine
-the way I feel when I ride a bike I paid $100 for with friends who's water bottle cages cost as much and outperform them
-the way I feel when I call on a blurry craigslist photo and they open the garage to reveal something better than expected (aka the thrill of the hunt)
-the hypocritical yet enjoyable feeling of spending hours working on my old boat and bikes, cleaning them meticulously before realizing I never once have waxed the new car I purchased
-this forum

southpawboston

no kidding! i think i'm on the older end of this thread's "age" bell curve (but not the oldest ). then again, scott, i think i've been the certifiable "young'n" by a good margin in the last few group rides i've done .

jimmuller 

Hmph. I turned 62 this month and I still don't know when I'll grow up. I don't trust anyone over 110. Of course, I've never actually been told anything by someone older than 110 so there is nothing to trust yet, which is why I can't trust it. Started riding derailleur bikes in '72. Have ridden on and off ever since. One day I'll try a CF frame... naw, not likely. But I did upgrade to a 6-speed freewheel this month!

sauze

I'm under 25 and when I decided to attempt to get into "cycling" this last year I considered going the modern route but after looking around a little went the vintage route because of price/worry about theft, looks, and I just love the ride that my steel bikes have. This form has been extremely essential I went from knowing NOTHING (literally) about bikes to knowing a little bit. I'm always grateful for all the people that have put up with my ignorance here.