Originally Posted by
CheGiantForLife
Is a consumer better off riding a 1978 steel road bike that's maintainable with simple tools I bought 40 years ago? Is much of the recent "innovation" is a bad bargain for anyone not pushing a competitive racing edge. Eg, Is carbon anything as an anti-feature. ?
I haven’t read all the posts, but no, a 1978 bike equipped with original 1978 components is a bad bargain.
And your 40 year old simple tools are of no value if you have to modernize components since original components might only be found in whatever condition at some co-op, or by pulling out the wallet and buying off eBay. You couldn’t even install a hyperglide cassette with those old tools.
As some others have said, 20 year old bike is a different subject; 9 speed, 130mm rear dropout, STI, hyperglide cassette, dual pivot brakes, etc. is more of what a “consumer” not an C&V enthusiast, might consider.
John