It would be an interesting thread to see how many of us have the same story line, just with different place names and details: Loved to play in Dad'shop taking things apart, got engineering degrees, worked interesting things for years but evolved into jobs that were all about moving paper, Always retreated to our own shops to be around our tools and projects. Fits me.

Next time I'm planning to be in NOVA I should contact you. Go kick lies and tell tires. Maybe drag one of the classics behind the car and go ride somewhere.

Cool thread.
Being now 57 years old, growing-up in the bike business, my bike interest is somewhat stuck in the 1970s when that was a huge part of my life. And I really like the artistic side of classic steel road bikes and the related components. And honestly, at the level that I ride, I think I'm not giving anything up to keep riding my vintage bikes.
I'm very active in a club and as time goes by, they have mentioned me and my bikes in the newsletter and many of the club members are aware that I ride valuable and collectable "art" pieces. For sure, I am the only one riding vintage iron but there are a couple of members with Rivendell type exotic steel bikes that are of course retro-styled. And of course, most road bike enthusiasts know what a Schwinn Paramount is. Most of my riding friends are near my age, so many have ridden these types of bikes when they were new years ago. My bike of choice is often a subject of casual conversation on our group rides and people often ride next to me and admire my bike and talk about it. Some members look forward to seeing which one I will break out of the stable on any given day. They understand that some are too nice to subject to rain conditions and that some are more "beaters" and others are taken out only on special days.
Even though I am the only vintage collector person in the club, with the exception of 'brifters' and those extra cogs on the rear being much nicer for downshifting while climbing, I don't feel that my old bikes are a disadvantage in a club ride. And I enjoy riding them, my Kool Orange 1972 P15 Paramount is my most colorful and 'artsy' bike, but my Mercian Vincitore and Bob Jackson just ooze exotic coolness.... that is all....

Every now and then I see C&V bikes on the trails.
If I can, I comment to say nice "fill in the blank"'

I met a former Schwinn Shop owner or worker, in his 60's, who went on to own a Trek store or two.
He had a lower model '80's Trek with the same patina'd brown paint is was born with, with beautiful a beautiful Campi triple, guessing 9 speed group.
The bike had brifters, fenders, a beautiful wheel set and was set up perfectly for centuries.

He put into words what I have always sensed about C&V.
Why did he go to the trouble of putting an unheard of amount of money into a lower level steel frame?
One answer, is I am sure because he could.
But the answer given was that modern carbon bikes do 95% of everything very well.
But they lack that "it" factor. That perfect blend of frame and components to where you are riding on a sunny day, feeling great, and the bike is perfect.
He said he would trade carbon for that one perfect blend of steel frame and component set that can occasionally hit 100%.
He also said when he got back from his first ride after assembling this bike, he had to clean the bugs out of his teeth from the S.E.G. that he couldn't wipe off his face.
Should have taken pictures, because when funds and wife allows, I am going to shamelessly copy his bike.
I want to clean bugs out of my teeth after the first ride too!

I'm so lonely with my C & V hobby that I've checked the ongoing responses on this thread multiple times. It grows each time. ;)

Vixen,

Ahh, but that's the allure of C & V... doing it the 'old fashioned' way. No white lab coats, NASCAR style tool chests, rubber gloves or torque wrenches here. Everything came by repetition, sound and feel.

Yes, I know it's archaic by today's standards, and it's probably going to earn me some disrespect from the Membership, but that's how I was taught back in the early 80's.

@oldskoolwrench - good to know. I didn't know that's how they did it in the day - just thought it was this particular guy. Now my next question is: Where can I get one of those brushes!? lol

Vixen,

Here you go...

NAPA AUTO PARTS

(I was going to post the image, but it's copyrighted.)

Thankfully my wife enjoys riding her beautiful custom '97 Erickson with me as often as possible, typically 3-4 times per week. I'm almost as strong as her so far this year as we work to get ourselves back into "century shape" this summer. She appreciates that I take care of our bikes, and she's been gracious about me having more than I can ride at once. She even participates in the conversation when I get into bike techie-ness. But she does complain when bike parts show up in too many places around the house, so she does have limits.

I really enjoyed last month's Seattle area C&V ride, and I need to make more of an effort to stay in touch with everyone I met on that ride. Let's swap phone numbers, etherhuffer and the rest of you, so we can meet more often! And let's do more PNW C&V group rides for those that are willing to ride with like-minded folks.

The Portland C&V ride should be fun next week. Sorry I will miss it, but my son wasn't willing to reschedule his wedding for that reason. His fiancé is enjoying the lovely Centurion LeMans RS that we picked out together. She even prefers her DT levers in friction mode! My adult daughter is equally infatuated with the Miyata 310 and the old Team Pro on it, both older than she is. Apparently I have something of a C&V family, or else I'm just a bad influence on them.

We're fortunate up here to have a few shops that acknowledge C&V people and their bikes. I got some good questions about my Gilles Berthoud saddle from a several sales women at Free Range a few weeks ago when I was in there to pick up a Grand Bois tire. But the loss of Il Vecchio and George Gibbs hurts in that regard. That was a great place to stop and drool around the collection of very cool old bikes on the shore of Lake Washington every time we went that way.

I think that only matters if you're trying to claim the image is yours.

GB,

I wasn't sure, but based on other Forums I participate in, I didn't want to run afoul of the powers that be. :p

Besides, it's just a photo of a straight, round bristle brush that any O' Reilly's, Auto Zone or other Auto Parts store will have.

@Velocivixen, it has grown more than I had expected it to. The responses have been really interesting.

^ I agree, this is an interesting thread to read.

It can at times be a little frustrating that so few people have "seen the light" that we have seen. Seeing a fellow traveler (even for just an instant, in passing) is rare enough to be cause for excitement. Which is part of the reason I am so grateful for this place.

As far as riding, I also enjoy quiet, solitary rides. Haven't done it much, but riding with family or friends can be great. I am not attracted to riding in a group with acquaintances/randoms -- I can grasp some of the appeal, but it's not for me.

I think this thread shows this site as a community link for a lot of people who, do not know anyone in their area, similar to you and I and a lot of others on here.

I was surprised when I started my thread ("Are you a group cyclist or a solo cyclist") after reading yours, to see just how many of us are Solo cyclists!? A very refreshing subject was bought up by you in starting this thread.
I think it demonstrates just how many of us have been in your position from time to time.

I started that thread for you @BFisher, to show you what I figured out a while ago, that is, that be it solo or in a group it is a very enjoyable past time. It did surprise me to see that is a solo activity for so many.
Seems like there is a C&V supporter on a bike in that photo on a very nice looking Kuwahara, , although she is probably a Dad supporter first.

I am into bikes pre "95 and most bikes within that era, mainly the MTB's of which I have a few, go anywhere on those, English/Australasian/ Japanese Steel 10-12 speeds Low to mid range(especially after getting robbed), early 3-5 speeds etc.
I do not know any one into what I am into as a total package, over the last couple of years made a few friends who are interested in parts of what I am into.
If I lived near you I would ride with you, it may take me a while to get to your house though!?:roflmao2:

@Bicycle Addict, Thank You! I agree 100% that this C&V madness is a VERY enjoyable pursuit. That little Kuwahara is charming; my daughter is just learning the basics of shifting and she loves the bike so far. I'd say that my biggest interest in this hobby is taking something that has been neglected, abused, etc., and making it useful and enjoyable again. Of course, there is always the never-ending quest for the ultimate score! It is too bad that many of us come from places so far from one another. There really seems to be some great company here. But, the forum is here, and for that I am glad.

@BFisher - I know what you mean regarding taking something that, on the surface, may seem like junk and making it usable again - even the ones that will have "patina". But then taking a closer look, beyond the "wrinkles of time" and grime to see that, perhaps it has "good bones", maybe a little life left given just a bit of attention. Call it what you will, a diamond in the rough. I know some here have found great "diamonds" in old, used bikes. I suspect many, like myself get average, maybe just "vintage" but not "classic" and still get joy out of making something useful, perhaps giving joy to a new rider. For me, that's the thrill...taking the old, neglected and giving it a second life.

@Velocivixen, well put. :)

@BFisher I like that post, I enjoy the same process on a bike, sometimes I only start out with a frame, I kinda see them as blank canvas's, you decide what go's on.

I set up a small frame similar for my mates daughter a few years ago, 1 x 6 Suntour gearing with powershift stem shifter (later changed to a thumbie), SR cranks/Stem she was at the time tall for her age, so I was able to use a nice set of 27" Araya rims, Suze high flange hubs 3 crossed. Looked really nice, rode even better.
She did not want drops, so I took them off, it was set up with a chrome riser bar, Weinmann brake levers.
I put a purple seat, grips, pedals on it for her, bought as a set, looked really good against the white Nishiki frame.

A while ago I went to help them move to the other end of the Island and she was very sternly telling the moving guys that they needed to be very careful with her freshly polished(yes polished by her!?) bike or she would complain to the company . . . 12 yrs old at the time!!
She was not angry or anything, just assertive, it was funny in a way, where we tried not to laugh, let her have her moment, she turned and went inside and the driver says to his worker with a grin "You heard the lady pack it carefully" loud enough for her to hear, we heard a giggle in response. Classic.

In talking about not many people near you . . .that can be an OK thing when it comes to buying C&V bikes in your area!?

Your online community here is worldwide. Accessing from your own home means its quite local too??:thumb:

And last but not least
+1 on what Velocivixen said. The bikes I save should BE dead but if I can get the seat post, stem and BB out I will try to do something with the frame, even handing it on to someone else.
for an example there is a pretty dead looking frame of mine on page 133 of the "Vintage mountain bike drop bar conversion thread". Lots of fun.

Velocivixen... very good post! The bike I just rode to a friend's house and back is exactly what you described. I originally purchased it thinking it was something else entirely. It's become the bike I ride the most, and in its 'genre', it isn't classic, but it is vintage by its age (1980). It's definitely a diamond in the rough; I've ridden it in two Tours de Fat, and a few of the weekly Denver Cruisers rides on Wednesday nights. It never fails to draw comments on its coolness!

Lonely?

If you are, it is by choice.

There are several vintage-themed events across the country. imo, they are sparsely attended. I have been to a few and the people are generally all the same, idiots who like old bikes. So feel free to go to any of the events, there is plenty of room, and you won't be "lonely". Simple as that.

Also, imo, the us versus them, vintage versus modern, is asinine.

@iab, awe, have you been scorned by a C&V enthusiast in the past? Buck up camper! If the replies to this thread are any indication, we are all a rather friendly bunch of "idiots." Was there an "us vs them" sentiment in the prior comments? Anyone? You "modern" riders are a swell bunch too!:p

Is English a second language for you?

And the guy w/ the most elderly, esoteric & perhaps downright odd C&V machines is?

Hint: pick a CHI dude w/ a very recent post.

-Bandera

iab,

I'm sorry that you think of us as 'idiots who like old bikes'.

WOAH-WOAH-WOAH!!!

Before this gets further out of hand...at the risk of speaking for iab, he was being quite ironic in his use of the phrase 'idiots who like old bikes.' That's just his style and if you've read his posts here it will not be surprising. If you haven't read his posts here or have no idea who he is, then you are either new here or have not been paying attention.

It's ironic because iab is the guy who spent MONTHS organizing a wonderful C&V weekend that has just concluded, staged from his family's farm in SW Wisconsin. Enthusiasts drove in from many states for this event--RobbieTunes called it the best bike event he's ever been to. Just read the thread: http://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...19-2014-a.html

So 'idiots who like old bikes' is very much iab, his friends (including me), and everyone here. It's just a joke 'between us' and it must be one of those 'only on the internet' problems that meant it was taken literally.

And like bandera says, iab personally has some of the coolest and most vintage bikes of anyone on the forum.

Also iab organizes the Chicagoland Spring Classic every year. To the extent that we have a 'community' of C&V enthusiasts online and off, iab is one of the people who nurtures it and keeps it going.

BTW he's right, there are lots of opportunities to join in on C&V type activities: group rides in several areas, co-ops, swap meets (usually winter) and so on. If there's nothing at all local, maybe there's a drive involved, but lots of us will do that in pursuit of a bike we want.

I am pretty much a solitary rider and fixer-upper but have really enjoyed getting to know the Chicago crew of enthusiasts through iab's rides and those organized by bibliobob. And as it's a pretty small world, you tend to run into the same people and get to know them: a guy I bought a derailleur from via CL turned out to be a friend of Bob's, Bob introduced me to a great freelance mechanic, a retired ironworker who is a fascinating guy, and I sometimes bring a small project to him just for the chance to hang out and learn from him. And so on.

I think @iab is referring to an attitude that can come from some road racers that can not see a point in riding "has beens".