Originally Posted by
Fredo76
I am beginning to think that all of us geezers who rode bicycles in the '70s may actually deserve the term 'heroic'!
No, just a lot lighter and stronger 50 years ago. I think that's understandable. A 2x7 friction drivetrain with a bottom gear of 42/24 doesn't get me where I want to go anymore. And clipless pedals, regardless of the style or brand, are more convenient and comfortable than toeclips and black Italian shoes with perforated uppers and slotted cleats nailed into the soles, that only started to fit after you rode them wet for 500 miles. And modern hardshell helmets are more protective than a cotton cycling cap.
Yeah, put a 25 year-old cat 3 on a 50 year-old bike and he'll ride a pack of 50+ year-old geezers off his wheel. If that's who you are and what you want to do, have fun. But you're not going to make the break or be of much use to the team in a peloton of equals.