Chuck M 

I think I decided today that a properly maintained and cared for old bike is worth more than its weight in lugged steel. About three months ago, I bought an old Takara similar to my ride in high school. I loved that old bike then, and I love this bike now. Today I expected to have a chance to ride a rails to trails after an appointment I had in the morning. I didn't want to leave a bike on a rack while I was in taking care of what I had to do, so I took my Trek as I can stuff it in the trunk of my car after removing the thru axels and I can't with the Takara as it doesn't have a QR on the rear.

I did not realize how little I have rode the newer bike these past few months until I kept reaching for the turkey levers to brake and the stem to shift. While the brifters were quick to get used to on the newer bike I sometimes regretted not getting electronic shifting. Then it occurred to me today that in 40 years, I doubt those batteries and electronic derailleurs will work as flawlessly as my Suntour Seven does today. I also thought maybe I made a mistake getting aluminum instead of carbon fiber when I bought my bike a couple of years ago. But while I'm not sure I'll be riding in 40 years, I'd wager my steel frame will be holding up better than a carbon frame will.

Don't get me wrong, I think modern bike technology is great. But I plan on passing my 40 year old bike boom Japanese bike down to my grandson in about ten years. There may be difficulties by then finding 27 inch gum-walls, but I want him to know what they are as well as toe clips and straps.

What sparked your love for C&V bikes and keeps it burning?

By the way, I'm taking my old Takara back to that trail first chance I get.

mountaindave 

There’s nothing quite like vintage steel. What brought me here is the fact that I grew up on “old steel.” First in my dad’s Gitane TdF, then my own Specialized Sirrus (see signs below).

FWIW, there are a number of modern constructuers that build in steel and they make amazing bikes. I have a variety of vintage steel steeds that I love, but my modern steel all-road bike, a 2015 Elephant NFE, is also an absolute joy to ride, even with a full front load (i.e. it planes for me).

Obligatory bike porn:

(Note the retro build with Sachs’ version of Ergopower that plays nicely with early 90’s Deore DX - I can’t be all modern - and there’s no way I’m going hydraulic!)

tyrion

I've beaten many old bikes.

mountaindave 

Was social services called?

Wildwood 

The big lady jumped out from the choir and already sang that tune around here.

No argument with quality lugged steel frame & fork goodness.
But there was a lot of junk out there, too..

Some of us were riding friction shifters, and realize we don't need *much more* than that to satisfy our cycling needs.


edit: *much more* - I also ride carbon and Ti framed roadies, with Ergo10. Mountain bikes from rigid thru full suspension in the garage, if i want to 'have-at-it'. Carbon forks, disc brakes - it's all good. Just not an early adopter with e-shifting, e-motors, e-wheels, etc.

cudak888 

No, just Bill Murray.

-Kurt

thook

since when did elephant go with unicrown forks??!! i like it. it has a nicer rake on the fork, imo

mountaindave 

Apparently, since at least 2015...
I liked the biplane lugged fork better myself, but then I love my early 80’s stumpy, so no surprise.

thook

lol....that had not escaped me

i loved the pacenti crown gary uses/d, but i never liked that crudely bent look to the fork he gave it. this bend version is very elegant and flows

and, come to think of it, it's very reminiscent of the forks potts and cunningham made in the early days...sans the disc mount, of course

mountaindave 

How about a compromise: lugged unicrown!

majmt 

I remember trying to decide between the Vent Noir and the cheaper Alpina in the shop in 1982. The Vent Noir was beautiful but I couldn’t deny that the Alpina (more of a tourer)was just a better fit for me at the time. It is still probably my most comfortable bike. I was going to do a lot of upgrades but never really needed to - I never even pulled the plastic pie plate.

mountaindave 

Those are gorgeous, but before I die I need to own a bike with fancy Nervex lugs. I need to stop buying late 70’s French bikes and go earlier...

thook

look no further, amigo...
Mountainbike Sniper: Steve Potts Type I fork with stem

Wildwood 

I'm a Fan of the Brand, so to speak. With a lesser model, but still early 80's, Olympian in the fold.


i prefer narrow bars and tubular tires.

Wildwood 

go earlier? I did on last project frameset. Now just to find some good bits for a drivetrain.

merziac

Great minds and all that, these guys are, have been onto something for awhile, kool-aid, aesthetic, just plain cool factor, whatever it is, I'm all in.

This rides fantastic as well, decidedly modern but with as much oldschool as I could muster.

thook

omg!! that brake bridge!!!

merziac

Tx, all I had to do was choose them.

Front too?

And a brakeside rear.







Here's the build thread.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ou-decide.html

Kabuki12

Where did you get the stem riser that is on that Strawberry? That is something I could use on my Medici . The stem is just a little too low to keep me in the drops for very long.

Germany_chris

I'd take new steel with Disc's, all the gears, thru axles, fat head tubes, and wide bars over production boom bikes every day and twice on Sunday. There are just too many custom builders out there that can build anything from budget to high end to go out of my way for non-special old bikes.

mountaindave 

What you talkin’ about, Willis? All my old bikes are special. Heck, my wife says I’m “special” too!

merziac

No actual riser in play here, VO Grand Cru stem that has plenty of height, extended HT and tall steerer.

Designed on purpose, had to be this way so the frame didn't end up too big when I'm even more ancient so I'll be able to ride this to the end.

Then got lucky to find a spacer, tx to Gugie and Jamie Swan that brought it all together perfectly for me.

thook

thanks for all those close ups, merziac!! man....that thing is ....just....<<sigh>>

Kabuki12

Thanks for the details. It has my machinist mind turning gears!

merziac

Tx man.

Go here.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ou-decide.html