DCycle

You'll find some vintage stuff in Charleston, Savannah, and New Orleans, but it's mostly newer cruisers (those cities are pancake flat).

I've been in Atlanta for a few years, and while the bike culture was almost nonexistent 10 years ago, and fairly small 5 years ago, now it's likely got the largest cyclist scene in the south - centered around the Beltline. Partly that's just due to it being the largest city, but the # of cyclists and cycling-related events has exploded. Still, not a lot of C&V, especially compared to what you'll find in the northeast - particularly Boston and Philly.

Drillium Dude 

That would be the Midget class. I sometimes rode with a single mom whose son raced fairly successfully in the class in the late 70s. Lucky SOB had a Tommasini with full Super Record!

DD

hokiefyd 

I follow the Washington, DC, market for bikes, and I observe what's being ridden when I do go into the city (rarely). I see a lot of commuters on older bikes, essentially using what they have or could buy for cheap. Lots of '80s and '90s road bikes and rigid frame hybrids. Rigid mountain bike conversions are also popular -- stuff from the late '80s through late '90s. I don't know for certain, but I imagine the threat of theft is a big reason why I don't see a lot of high-dollar bikes. There certainly are some, but I would say the predominant theme is "low cost".

I can contrast that with where I live, in the Shenandoah Valley west of the Blue Ridge. Out here, I feel like I'm the only one riding anything older than the mid-'90s. I live very near a large county park with miles of MUPs and dirt paths and "MTB trails" (they're weak, but I'm grateful to have them). Most of the Wheels around here are newer disc brake bikes, full sus mountain bikes, carbon road bikes, etc. Theft is pretty much a non-issue and these bikes are used for recreational purposes instead of for commuting.

I just like bikes, and I have a mix of stuff I ride regularly, both old and new. I would say that my '70 Peugeot UO-18 is probably the oldest bike of anything I've seen around here. More often than not, it's whatever the latest gotta-have-it bike is.

Narhay

Toronto has a lot of bikes because it is relatively flat. I have only seen a handful of nice C&V road bikes. Otherwise it is usually beaters, new fixed/single speeds or commuter bikes. Some modern road bikes as well.

Ged117 

The only time I have seen a Rivendell in person was in Toronto. It was an Atlantis. Normally I get excited about many different old bikes when I see them and not typically new ones, but it was still neat since the concept is close to what I like most about riding and bicycle design. I'm from Toronto, so I often travel to the city to visit. Like Ottawa, I can't help but eyeball the locked up bikes as I pass by along the sidewalk. Sometimes you can spot old Italian, French, British, or American steel hiding under road grime, or between the alloy Giant / Norco commuter hybrids. A few weeks ago I came across a Centurion Pro Tour which I'd never seen in person before. I see the odd British three speed now and again trundling along here in Ottawa. I visited City Hall last week, and a young woman was just getting on her classic Dutch Gazelle. They are out there, but I think that most folks - if they own a higher end classic - tend to keep it locked up at home unless they are on a day ride or have a secure lock up spot at work. I still get excited by bike boom machines like my A08 or a Gitane Gran Sport, lower or mid-range Raleigh road bikes, etc. It would be strange and wonderful if I were to see a Competition / Professional, a PX10, or a Tour de France. Montreal is the best place to spot a lot of interesting bicycles locked here and there.

sheddle

It's in Bainbridge, so a 30 minute boat ride away, but don't forget Classic Cycle! Best bike shop I've ever been in, if only to gawk at all the stuff they have.

rlorenz2

Denver/Boulder has a great C&V scene. With Creekside Bikes and Vecchio's Bcicletteria organizing nice C&V rides each year.

Wileyone 

You need to visit Little Italy.

JohnDThompson 

I can definitely say that Northeastern Wisconsin is not the C&V "center of the universe."

RiddleOfSteel

I've been there once, and have wanted to go back as the one visit was only five minutes. The store is fantastic and the guys that run it are good. Definitely have some nice used components for sale!

squirtdad

I have no idea about portland. San jose it seems the C&V is either old guys (80's as old is reference number) riding bikes the got new (but I see more of these guys on modern gear) or relatively young (in my heart not by birthdate) people like me who just like C*V.


But the point about e-bikes is of note. I am seeing more and more of them on the roads and mups and more be advertised by quality LBS and REI like stores (Sports Basement in the bay area)

sheddle

We've (Seattle) even got a decent number of e-bike specific stores these days.


(honestly I'm tempted to get one, because climbing Seattle street grades can be tough enough without the prospect of doing it while carrying a loaded cargo bike. they're *really* popular with food delivery people and other bike deliverymen)

shmuelyosef

My son lives in Portland (I'm in Cal SF Bay Area) and pretty much everything up there is C&V, the houses, clothing/beard styles, bicycles, culture, etc...he manages an old-style farmers markets with farmers trucks in a grocery store parking lot and bicycles are his primary transportation (it was his ONLY transportation until he became a father)

Andy_K 

Yes, the dream of the 90's is alive in Portland.

Andy_K 

I have to agree with @RiddleOfSteel on this one. Portland has a strong bike culture, and some really good shops, but our market for C&V parts isn't as good as Seattle. Besides Recycled Cycles and Bike Works, the Seattle Bike Swap is better than anything I've been to in Portland. If you're selling a lot of stuff here it's probably because our demand is so far beyond our local supply.

sdn40

You are most certainly not lying

SurferRosa

I guess that's what I'm seeing...