Karl T

Anyone doing the Wicklow 200 this year? I'm registered and planning to ride a vintage. Been looking at some of the bikes Dublin Bike Man has for sale. I've never owned an old racer, would they be up to the task of of making around the course? Or more importantly would I make it around on a vintage bike. Don't recognise the names of some of the bikes, Vincini, Menet, so any advice would be much appreciated.

chasm54

I'm not doing it, though I've ridden in the Wicklow mountains in the past.

A "vintage" racer in well-maintained condition will be just as up to the task as a modern bike. After all, today's "vintage" bike was perfectly adequate for the Tour de France thirty years ago, and the hills haven't got any steeper. Whether you would make it round, I can't say - but that's about you, not the bike.

paulkal

I did the Wicklow 200 10 years ago on a a vintage bike without any problem.
I did use a triple chainset as it is a bit hilly.
Dublin Bike Man's bikes do seem a bit expensive.

Karl T

Thanks for the reply. Yeah I was talking to a guy from a bike shop, he was saying that the older steel bikes become fatigued after 3 or more years of racing. Couldn't understand how steel would become fatigues after racing. But it made me feel a bit unsure bout buying one. Only joking bout me making it around, I reckon if I manage to get enough training in before I'll be OK, otherwise it's left at Laragh....

paulkal

It is nice ride, Wicklow is beautifull. I enjoyed it very much, even though it was quite hard climbing up for me.
That steel bikes become fatigued after 3 years is not true.