Bikes then and now game
12-13-11, 05:24 PM
#52
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Raleigh has probably done more to recycle the names of models and have a long history to draw from... am actually fairly pleased with their new offerings (Grand Prix and International) as they retain classic geometries and are very much what the original bicycles would look like after someone did a modernization.
In my mind the Raleigh Lenton is the classic club bicycle of the 40's and 50's but one of the earliest examples of them recycling this name was when they put it on what is a dressed up 5 speed Raleigh Sports.
There is nothing wrong with the mid 70's Lenton as it is a very attractive bicycle but... it isn't a Lenton.
In my mind the Raleigh Lenton is the classic club bicycle of the 40's and 50's but one of the earliest examples of them recycling this name was when they put it on what is a dressed up 5 speed Raleigh Sports.
There is nothing wrong with the mid 70's Lenton as it is a very attractive bicycle but... it isn't a Lenton.
12-13-11, 05:45 PM
#54
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12-13-11, 06:55 PM
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12-13-11, 07:08 PM
#58
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12-13-11, 07:24 PM
#59
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My first car, 1965 Impala. Second car, 1968 Impala. Next car, 1970 Impala.............currently in a 2010. I always wanted the '66 SS, but settled for a '96 SS instead. I suppose I've had about a dozen or so. Still, a basic 4-door family sedan, decent ride for the money, despite the detour to a monster car in the 90's. IMO, the '68 was the best. A little less mpg than I'm getting now, but with a 26-gallong tank.
12-13-11, 07:28 PM
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1940s Bianchi
2012 Bianchi
2012 Bianchi
12-13-11, 07:36 PM
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Wilier Triestina
12-13-11, 07:39 PM
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I think some of the companies are still making really nice looking bikes, just way different. I like the Bianchi and Wilier posted above, and even the Pinnarello back a bit. If you're going to go carbon/aluminum, at least give them some sexy curves.
12-13-11, 09:07 PM
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12-13-11, 10:10 PM
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I'm in no way a modern bike basher and will usually be found on one. But in this case the old wins on every level, and loses no points on function for the intended purpose. I was just looking at a similar year Sequoia that came into the LBS. The work on the frame was really impressive. They were built at Miyata, and Specialized must have laid down the law on QC at the time because this example was really superbe.
12-13-11, 10:28 PM
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Lots of history goes unnoticed. Spalding never actually made bikes, despite the fact that many bikes are branded Spalding. They were made in Chicopee Falls, MA, by the Overman Wheel company (I.E. Victor). AG Spalding didn't make a single bike, though he was the largest customer for Victor. It's generally agreed that Victor went under after AG Spalding refused to pay for an order he placed, where they then became back-stocked on bikes, etc. They (over at Spalding) also re-branded Christy saddles, world renowned for their anatomic design, made elsewhere, but marketed best by Spalding. Such a saddle was a whopping $21 back around the turn of the century, when a bicycle was between $30 and $100, depending on the era.
12-13-11, 10:46 PM
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[QUOTE=BigPolishJimmy;13597430]Schwinn Varsity
QUOTE]
I have that exact bike in my dining room now but with a rear rack. EDIT:And the original green and white "S" saddle.
QUOTE]
I have that exact bike in my dining room now but with a rear rack. EDIT:And the original green and white "S" saddle.
Last edited by Casey Jones; 12-13-11 at 10:47 PM. Reason: edited
12-14-11, 12:50 AM
#68
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I'm in no way a modern bike basher and will usually be found on one. But in this case the old wins on every level, and loses no points on function for the intended purpose. I was just looking at a similar year Sequoia that came into the LBS. The work on the frame was really impressive. They were built at Miyata, and Specialized must have laid down the law on QC at the time because this example was really superbe.
12-14-11, 06:06 AM
#69
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It matters not what bike it is under it but a saddle in that position destroys the view. There's probably a "My hands hurt" thread in the 41 right now.
12-14-11, 07:37 AM
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Miyata were arguably the best of the Japanese mass volume manufacturers during the 1980s. They were obsessed with Quality Control to the point where they had their own tubing mill, so they could control the quality of the tubes. That's why people like Lawee and Sinyard selected them to manufacture their bicycles, because they were the best. If anything, Miyata taught Specialized about Quality Control.
12-14-11, 09:47 AM
#72
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PP, Entertaining thread. 
I don't have anything against modern bikes and it seems Raleigh has best kept the spirt intact as far as past and present models with the same name. I don't know why, but I expected it from Raleigh.
The auto anology mentioned earlier really strikes a chord with me. My household has had just about every generation of Ford Mustang and each has had a very different group of fans when displayed at car shows. The car that fractured it's fan base the most was the maroon '65 coupe that looked OEM, but had a 351 Windsor and Tremec 5 speed (not an easy task) which now resides in Finland. Much the same as when someone on this forum presents a frankenbike.
Brad
I don't have anything against modern bikes and it seems Raleigh has best kept the spirt intact as far as past and present models with the same name. I don't know why, but I expected it from Raleigh.The auto anology mentioned earlier really strikes a chord with me. My household has had just about every generation of Ford Mustang and each has had a very different group of fans when displayed at car shows. The car that fractured it's fan base the most was the maroon '65 coupe that looked OEM, but had a 351 Windsor and Tremec 5 speed (not an easy task) which now resides in Finland. Much the same as when someone on this forum presents a frankenbike.
Brad
Last edited by bradtx; 12-14-11 at 09:48 AM. Reason: sp
12-14-11, 12:22 PM
#73
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I'm in no way a modern bike basher and will usually be found on one. But in this case the old wins on every level, and loses no points on function for the intended purpose. I was just looking at a similar year Sequoia that came into the LBS. The work on the frame was really impressive. They were built at Miyata, and Specialized must have laid down the law on QC at the time because this example was really superbe.
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Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride - JFK
Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride - JFK
12-16-11, 01:21 PM
#74
Wookie Jesus inspires me.
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I just picked up a 2008 Volpe for my girlfriend. And so far, it is a blast to ride.
Then (courtesy of Old Ten Speeds):
Now (not the exact one I picked up, but the exact model, size, and componentry):
Then (courtesy of Old Ten Speeds):
Now (not the exact one I picked up, but the exact model, size, and componentry):
: