C&V under 40
#51
Catching Smallmouth
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: In a boat
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Bikes: 1990 Specialized Sirrus Triple, 1985 Trek 460, 2005 Lemond Tourmalet, 1984 Schwinn LeTour 'Luxe, 1988 Trek 400T, 1985 Trek 450, 1997 Lemond Zurich, 1993 Diamond Back Apex, 1988 Schwinn Circuit, 1988 Schwinn Prologue, 1978 Trek TX700, Sannino
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I am 43 and I don't think I've ever seen another rider on lugged steel with DT shifters at a charity ride, not even once.
A guy looked at my wife's 2004 Lemond and called it "old". I had to laugh.
A guy looked at my wife's 2004 Lemond and called it "old". I had to laugh.
#52
Newbie
I’m 24 and I’ve been fixing up bikes since I was 16, I just love the look of a shiny steel bike with chrome socks! Being in Minneapolis there a lot of young people on old bikes, but mostly because there cheap and plentiful. My daily rider, a 1976 Fuji Special Road Racer decked out with first gen. Shimano 600, is almost twice my age!!
#53
Occam's Rotor
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I was 24 when I got my vintage 1987 steel lugged Bianchi with down-tube friction shifters, etc. So, no, it is perfectly normal.
I think that was ... 1987.
I think that was ... 1987.
#54
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Philly
Posts: 17
Bikes: '81 Bianchi Special, '85 Merckx Corsa, '94 Master Olympic, '08 Raleigh Prestige w/ eTap
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30 here.
I got into bikes 4 years ago, started by rebuilding my dad's late 70s Raleigh Grand Prix and having a lot of fun wrenching on it and riding it.
Since then, I've added a "modern" carbon fiber road bike with a lot of the latest goodies (eTap is pretty awesome). But I always keep a few vintage steel bikes around to ride and fix. Currently have an early 80s Bianchi Special as a beater/gravel bike, a Miami Vice Ironman (too big for me but I love the colors), and I recently got a mid 80s Eddy Merckx Corsa. The Merckx is awesome and I'm understanding the appeal of the nicer Columbus tubed bikes.
I got into bikes 4 years ago, started by rebuilding my dad's late 70s Raleigh Grand Prix and having a lot of fun wrenching on it and riding it.
Since then, I've added a "modern" carbon fiber road bike with a lot of the latest goodies (eTap is pretty awesome). But I always keep a few vintage steel bikes around to ride and fix. Currently have an early 80s Bianchi Special as a beater/gravel bike, a Miami Vice Ironman (too big for me but I love the colors), and I recently got a mid 80s Eddy Merckx Corsa. The Merckx is awesome and I'm understanding the appeal of the nicer Columbus tubed bikes.
#55
Senior Member
I'm 43 now, but I started riding vintage bikes when I was 25. Initially it was because I couldn't afford a new bike, and there were dozens of Peugeots and Raleighs in the 2nd hand market for a steal. As time went by I began to appreciate the bikes for more than just the price point. Newer alu bikes looked ugly to me, and the more the tubes changed shape, the uglier they got imo.
So I do go on group rides from time to time, and I'm the only vintage rider in the group, and probably the youngest in the group too, except perhaps for one other rider.
My favourite part? Catching the carbon fibre guys half way up the hills So much fun
So I do go on group rides from time to time, and I'm the only vintage rider in the group, and probably the youngest in the group too, except perhaps for one other rider.
My favourite part? Catching the carbon fibre guys half way up the hills So much fun
#56
Junior Member
I'm 23 but I cannot imagine myself riding anything modern. My cheap vintage bikes and the process of building them gave me more joy than riding anything new and fancy. I especially love early 90's rigid MTBs.
#57
Senior Member
#59
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Greenville SC
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Bikes: 1975 Motobecane Grand Jubile, 2020 Holdsworth Competition, 2022 Giant Trance 29 3
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31 here - I'm the only one in the local club rides who seems to ride vintage stuff by choice. There are one or two other riders that join occasionally with old gear - much better riders than myself, I might add! - but it appears that they're not really interested in gear, just going for a ride once in a while.
I think this was discussed in another thread a while back, but my reason for choosing vintage is because it's easier and less costly to get really nice, if a little old, gear for fractions of the cost of new gear. And I'm not a podium chaser, so I'm fine with riding whatever looks good and works well as I'm mashing as hard as I can to keep up with the rest. As a commuter, I like simple equipment that needs the least amount of maintenance and can take a beating. If it's been around for 30 years, it's gotta be a little tough.
I think this was discussed in another thread a while back, but my reason for choosing vintage is because it's easier and less costly to get really nice, if a little old, gear for fractions of the cost of new gear. And I'm not a podium chaser, so I'm fine with riding whatever looks good and works well as I'm mashing as hard as I can to keep up with the rest. As a commuter, I like simple equipment that needs the least amount of maintenance and can take a beating. If it's been around for 30 years, it's gotta be a little tough.
Same story with the all-chrome finish on my 1977 SLT.
28 here.
I do like modern mountain bikes though. Long travel air suspension forks, hydraulic disc brakes, and 1x10 speed drivetrain just work so well! Although I guess that my mountain bike frame is 8 years old, which almost puts it into C&V territory given how fast MTB standards change. I do have a 100x15 thru-axle on the front, but I'm still running 135mm QR on the rear end.
#60
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27 here. I got into C&V recently because I happened into a gorgeous Puegot that was about 10 years my senior. Working on it was so much fun I've bought 5 vintage bikes since then. The hunting for a rare gem at a good price is half the fun!
#61
Cyclist
21 here. If anybody remembers a C&V ride in portland a few years ago, I was 16 for that! Definitely got into old bikes because they're cheaper. I've let a new mountain bike and cross bike into my collection because I needed the performance, but vintage stuff is still my main focus
#62
Shifting is fun!
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Last edited by non-fixie; 11-19-18 at 12:21 PM.
#63
Senior Member
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I'm 43 now, but I started riding vintage bikes when I was 25. Initially it was because I couldn't afford a new bike, and there were dozens of Peugeots and Raleighs in the 2nd hand market for a steal. As time went by I began to appreciate the bikes for more than just the price point. Newer alu bikes looked ugly to me, and the more the tubes changed shape, the uglier they got imo.
So I do go on group rides from time to time, and I'm the only vintage rider in the group, and probably the youngest in the group too, except perhaps for one other rider.
My favourite part? Catching the carbon fibre guys half way up the hills So much fun
So I do go on group rides from time to time, and I'm the only vintage rider in the group, and probably the youngest in the group too, except perhaps for one other rider.
My favourite part? Catching the carbon fibre guys half way up the hills So much fun
#65
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Bikes: 1951 Sun Wasp, 1953 Armstrong Consort, 1975 Raleigh Competition, 1980 Apollo Gran Sport, 1988 Schwinn Voyageur, Mystery MTB
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I'm 28 and I've had a thing for the "oldies" ever since my first Peugeot U08 back in undergrad. The design and craftsmanship of this era of bikes (not to mention the paint colours!) are such a big part of my enjoyment of this hobby. The bikes have their own stories, too. My Voyageur was ridden by my uncle across the country, and now I've brought it out of storage after 20 years and returned it to top condition, ready for touring in this region and perhaps one day internationally as well.
With a cheap to run commuter bike like my Norco, some of the enjoyment that I get from riding and maintaining the Schwinn is not there, but since I commute through winter I'd rather the Norco take the brunt. As soon as the snow melts, the Voyageur takes the top job and the fun starts again. For my third bike I think I'd like to find a classic English three speed. Something about tearing down one of those hubs and making it run as new appeals to me...
With a cheap to run commuter bike like my Norco, some of the enjoyment that I get from riding and maintaining the Schwinn is not there, but since I commute through winter I'd rather the Norco take the brunt. As soon as the snow melts, the Voyageur takes the top job and the fun starts again. For my third bike I think I'd like to find a classic English three speed. Something about tearing down one of those hubs and making it run as new appeals to me...
#66
What??? Only 2 wheels?
Join Date: Apr 2010
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Bikes: 72 Peugeot UO-8, 82 Peugeot TH8, 87 Bianchi Brava, 76? Masi Grand Criterium, 74 Motobecane Champion Team, 86 & 77 Gazelle champion mondial, 81? Grandis, 82? Tommasini, 83 Peugeot PF10
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It's an opportunity for us oldies to chide you youngsters for being born too late.
And it's fun besides...
But lest it go unsaid, we do appreciate you being here.
And it's fun besides...
But lest it go unsaid, we do appreciate you being here.
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
#67
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Trussville, AL
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Bikes: 2018 Trek Domane SL5
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I am 39 today the 19th I have a 1991 Trek 1200 road bike. It is pretty much all original. I really enjoy riding it, got into riding back in March of this year. Rode my first metric on it, saw maybe 3 other vintage bicycles in it. I was stopped at a rest stop and one of the volunteers said he had the same bike at one time that I was riding. Told me how much he loved it and a story about how DT shifters with indexing at one point was banned in professional rides because of the clicking was considered a advantage.
I got my Trek mostly because cost and because it is a 1991 the same year as a 850 I was given last year. I prefer the 1200, but the 850 is fun on MUPs and a few dirt roads around here.
Just thought that it was cool to have to have two bikes of the same year.
I got my Trek mostly because cost and because it is a 1991 the same year as a 850 I was given last year. I prefer the 1200, but the 850 is fun on MUPs and a few dirt roads around here.
Just thought that it was cool to have to have two bikes of the same year.
Last edited by voyager1; 11-19-18 at 08:10 PM.
#68
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Columbia, MO
Posts: 80
Bikes: 1966 Schwinn Super Sport, 1978 Motobecane Grand Jubile, 1991/92 Fuji Sundance, 1985 Razesa Ritter SL, 1984 Raleigh Grand Mesa, 2019 Surly Pack Rat, 2021 All City Super Professional
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I'm 37. I've been a commuter off and on for sixteen years. Been into C&V for six years. Three of my four bikes are vintage, fourth is a Madsen cargo bike. All of them except the Madsen and my 1992 Fuji Sundance are built from stuff I had laying around or had been hanging onto for some reason or another. When I lived in PDX I dabbled in buying cheap quality vintage frames, refurbing them and selling. I sold maybe six or seven this way and each buyer was in their twenties, presumably college students. Riders under 40 are certainly out there, but those that appreciate C&V seem to be very rare. The only folks my age that are into C&V that I know are bike shop employees.
I first got into it because they were inexpensive and I wanted to figure out how they were put together. Then I got hooked on frame materials and geometries (which I'm still not sure I fully comprehend). Now I love the history of them (like my 1966 Schwinn Super Sport) and that if you know what you're looking at, can get a frame that when new was very expensive and well made. What was once a hobby is now my lifestyle. I commute almost daily on either my Super Sport or my Fuji, sometimes opting for the Grand Jubile but I usually reserve that for more spirited rides where I carry less stuff.
Glad to know there's other under 40 C&V riders out there. Cheers!
I first got into it because they were inexpensive and I wanted to figure out how they were put together. Then I got hooked on frame materials and geometries (which I'm still not sure I fully comprehend). Now I love the history of them (like my 1966 Schwinn Super Sport) and that if you know what you're looking at, can get a frame that when new was very expensive and well made. What was once a hobby is now my lifestyle. I commute almost daily on either my Super Sport or my Fuji, sometimes opting for the Grand Jubile but I usually reserve that for more spirited rides where I carry less stuff.
Glad to know there's other under 40 C&V riders out there. Cheers!
#69
Full Member
Thread Starter
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Bikes: '74 Raleigh Professional, '73 Raleigh Grand Prix, '84 Nishiki Medalist, '85 Gazelle Champion Mondial AB, '81 Peugeot Course, '79 Univega Gran Rally, '85 Torpado Super Strada
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Sigh, we were indeed born too late. But, at least we get to try out different frames and upgrade components without totally breaking the bank. If it weren’t for rust, I couldn’t care less that we missed the heyday by a few decades
#70
Rustbelt Rider
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Location: Canton, OH
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Bikes: 1990 Trek 1420 - 1978 Raleigh Professional - 1973 Schwinn Collegiate - 1974 Schwinn Suburban
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I’m 35, I bought my vintage first bike about 10-11 years ago to ride to work since I lived close.
#71
Master Parts Rearranger
Join Date: Mar 2015
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Bikes: 1982 Trek 720 - 1985 Trek 620 - 1984 Trek 620 - 1980 Trek 510 - Other luminaries past and present
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And we appreciate you elder statesmen for your knowledge, patience, and enthusiasm for these. It allows us to take that knowledge and enthusiasm well into the future for the next generation. That is, if the ebikes don't mow us all down. As I sit, to my left and leaning against each other, are a '15 Cannondale CAAD10 [hydraulic] Disc with 11-speed, internal routing, and an '81 Trek 710. One has Shimano 600, the other has its multi-generational successor Ultegra. My how things have progressed....
I am enjoying seeing the continuing unofficial roll call of the 40 and under riders.Keep it coming.
#72
C*pt*i* Obvious
Age is just a number.
Sometimes I feel old, sometimes I feel young.
Most days I grudgingly admit to being middle aged.
I have no special affinity for C&V or bleeding edge bicycles, whatever is the path of least resistance, usually that's somewhere in the middle of the road.
Sometimes I feel old, sometimes I feel young.
Most days I grudgingly admit to being middle aged.
I have no special affinity for C&V or bleeding edge bicycles, whatever is the path of least resistance, usually that's somewhere in the middle of the road.
#73
What??? Only 2 wheels?
Join Date: Apr 2010
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#74
Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Monett, MO
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Bikes: ** 1988 Specialized Allez ** 1988 Miyata 615 ** 1992 Schwinn Paramount Series 7 ** 1996 Specialized Rockhopper Drop Bar Conversion ** 2011 Trek 1.5 **
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I'm 44 and got into cycling about 5 yrs ago. First for exercise on a cheap mountain bike. Then I picked up an '88 Allez because it was cheap and what they rode in American Flyers (always loved that movie). Stripped that bike down to the frame and built it back. I enjoyed that process so much I have done it a couple more times with various bikes. The pride I have in an old bike I have taken apart and put back together piece by piece will never be matched by something I purchased new. I've never ridden a new carbon frame bike so I can't comment on the ride, but I can't imagine it being any more pleasing than my 1988 Miyata 615 that I picked this summer for $150. The Splined Triple Butted frame on that beauty is magic on two wheels. Like buttuh.
I've yet to meet a fan of C&V bikes in the wild of any age. Thankfully our classic and vintage genes don't bleed into the communications arena. This wouldn't be near as fun via snail mail.
I've yet to meet a fan of C&V bikes in the wild of any age. Thankfully our classic and vintage genes don't bleed into the communications arena. This wouldn't be near as fun via snail mail.
#75
Full Member
Thread Starter
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Bikes: '74 Raleigh Professional, '73 Raleigh Grand Prix, '84 Nishiki Medalist, '85 Gazelle Champion Mondial AB, '81 Peugeot Course, '79 Univega Gran Rally, '85 Torpado Super Strada
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Indeed, it would not. We’re lucky there is such a great community here supporting our collective interest.