What constitutes a Classic or Vintage bicycle?
#77
Senior Member
I see see that the moderators have created a separate forum for Early Brifter Bicycles -7, 8 & 9 speeds. So, they no longer qualify as C&V?
#78
Full Member
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Posts: 293
Bikes: A Blue One and 2 Green One's, then there's the Yellow one. And oh, yeah, a Black One. Did I mention the Red One?
Liked 213 Times
in
93 Posts
Classic;
Judged over a period of time to be of the highest quality and outstanding of its kind.
Vintage;
Of old, recognized, and enduring interest, importance, or quality - Older than 20 years
Antique;
100 Years or older
Judged over a period of time to be of the highest quality and outstanding of its kind.
Vintage;
Of old, recognized, and enduring interest, importance, or quality - Older than 20 years
Antique;
100 Years or older
#79
2k miles from the midwest
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Washington
Posts: 1,964
Bikes: ~'75 Colin Laing, '80s Schwinn SuperSport 650b, ex-Backroads ti project...
Liked 934 Times
in
447 Posts
So.... C&V or Early Brifter? '
97 Lemond Buenos Aires. stock with STI, now with downtube. PO installed long cage mtb derailleur and 11-32 cassette. Willow 46/30 installed on stock cranks with a 116 generic bottom bracket.
97 Lemond Buenos Aires. stock with STI, now with downtube. PO installed long cage mtb derailleur and 11-32 cassette. Willow 46/30 installed on stock cranks with a 116 generic bottom bracket.
Likes For Dylansbob:
#80
Senior Member
#81
Senior Member
Did you miss the backlash on that one? https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...esent-you.html
Likes For T-Mar:
#82
There was a supreme court justice who once said "I know it when I see it." I can't remember when he was referring to at the time but I think it works here. C&V is a style more then anything.
Likes For degan:
#83
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,517
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Liked 6,828 Times
in
3,899 Posts
We all have our favorites, quirks, obsessions, weaknesses and plenty else.
#84
Junior Member
#86
Junior Member
I consider my Jacques Anquetil - Cycles France ( pretty sure is was built by Gitane ) that I bought new in 1971 when I was 14 is a classic and vintage which also makes me a classic and vintage.
Just completed a restoration this summer after it had sat in the fruit cellar since 1993. Will post some pictures once I hit 10 posts.
Just completed a restoration this summer after it had sat in the fruit cellar since 1993. Will post some pictures once I hit 10 posts.
#87
Banned.
Trek's first mountain bikes came out in the early 80s. A quick peek at Google images suggests your bike hails from the 2000s and won't be considered vintage for another 20 to 30 years.
DD
#88
Newbie
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#89
Junior Member
The way I look at bikes is from 1970 on (I know you can go back way further, but let's not talk about that).
1. Steel Frames / Campy Components (All Vintage)
2, Friction shifting (All Vintage)
3. Carbon, Aluminum, Ti Frames, Shimano, SRAM comes into the scene (There are Al, C & Ti Frames that are vintage, the Litespeed C1R for example, not to mention the C/Al Frames)
4. Index Shifting (about 1985 or so)
5. Brifters (I hate that term, I think it should be Shifting Brakes or Shakes)
6. Aero Frames (about 1985), they are already designing frames that get "lift" like a wing or sail... these will be vintage.
7. Disc Brakes, the first hydraulic systems are vintage (1971 Stingray)
8. Electronic Shifting (1990)
So where does Classic & Vintage Start, where you want... The year really doesn't matter, it's the technology and the demand that makes it vintage & classic (and even more so, it's personal perspective...) In my opinion, when a new technoligy hits the market (weather it succeeds or not), it becomes vintage /classic, the Chevy Corvair is vintage & classic no matter what Ralph Nader said...
My 1974 Mirella record group bike is vintage & classic, but so is my 1999 Waterford 2200. And if I get a 2016 Litespeed C1R (with any luck this summer) it will be vintage and classic as well)...
1. Steel Frames / Campy Components (All Vintage)
2, Friction shifting (All Vintage)
3. Carbon, Aluminum, Ti Frames, Shimano, SRAM comes into the scene (There are Al, C & Ti Frames that are vintage, the Litespeed C1R for example, not to mention the C/Al Frames)
4. Index Shifting (about 1985 or so)
5. Brifters (I hate that term, I think it should be Shifting Brakes or Shakes)
6. Aero Frames (about 1985), they are already designing frames that get "lift" like a wing or sail... these will be vintage.
7. Disc Brakes, the first hydraulic systems are vintage (1971 Stingray)
8. Electronic Shifting (1990)
So where does Classic & Vintage Start, where you want... The year really doesn't matter, it's the technology and the demand that makes it vintage & classic (and even more so, it's personal perspective...) In my opinion, when a new technoligy hits the market (weather it succeeds or not), it becomes vintage /classic, the Chevy Corvair is vintage & classic no matter what Ralph Nader said...
My 1974 Mirella record group bike is vintage & classic, but so is my 1999 Waterford 2200. And if I get a 2016 Litespeed C1R (with any luck this summer) it will be vintage and classic as well)...
#91
Banned.
No rules, except for the people who appoint themselves the rulers.
My guide: whatever
Rules I don't follow:
1. stainless spokes. or old red Bontrager spokes. or old white Bontrager spokes. or old Rolf black spokes. You get it.
2. Lugs. Even alloy lugs on carbon. Even carbon lugs on carbon (Colnago C40). Or lugless, like TIG, aluminum, Kestrel, Aegis, Look, etc. You get it.
3. Steel helps. Except modern steel.
4. Aluminum (50/50). Alan? Centurion Facet? Primus Mootry
5. Titanium. Is the Titan not C&V?
Rules I do follow, sometimes.
1. If 99.9% of your riding partners say "nice old bike," and really have no idea what it is.
2. If a hipster looks at it, grins at you, or looks over at another hipster and they both grin.
3. If it's an old steel bike and the owner has named it. I don't get it but I sure don't argue.
4. If a pretty girl says "pretty bike."
5. The ability to rust.
My guide: whatever
Rules I don't follow:
1. stainless spokes. or old red Bontrager spokes. or old white Bontrager spokes. or old Rolf black spokes. You get it.
2. Lugs. Even alloy lugs on carbon. Even carbon lugs on carbon (Colnago C40). Or lugless, like TIG, aluminum, Kestrel, Aegis, Look, etc. You get it.
3. Steel helps. Except modern steel.
4. Aluminum (50/50). Alan? Centurion Facet? Primus Mootry
5. Titanium. Is the Titan not C&V?
Rules I do follow, sometimes.
1. If 99.9% of your riding partners say "nice old bike," and really have no idea what it is.
2. If a hipster looks at it, grins at you, or looks over at another hipster and they both grin.
3. If it's an old steel bike and the owner has named it. I don't get it but I sure don't argue.
4. If a pretty girl says "pretty bike."
5. The ability to rust.
#92
Senior Member
#94
Banned.
#96
Newbie
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: Chicago area
Posts: 23
Bikes: 1970s Italian and English
Likes: 0
Liked 18 Times
in
10 Posts
My 1973 Atala was cutting edge when I bought it new, but my grown sons still think it’s cool! They do chuckle when they see me ride it, but I think they are impressed that the Old Man can still do it.
Likes For Sturuss:
#97
Senior Member
I think that was Potter Stuart, and that he was talking about pornography.
__________________
www.redclovercomponents.com
"Progress might have been all right once, but it has gone on too long."
--Ogden Nash
www.redclovercomponents.com
"Progress might have been all right once, but it has gone on too long."
--Ogden Nash
#98
Senior Member
If it's a bike I own, it's classic, vintage, or both. If it's a bike you own, it's just some old piece of crap.
__________________
www.redclovercomponents.com
"Progress might have been all right once, but it has gone on too long."
--Ogden Nash
www.redclovercomponents.com
"Progress might have been all right once, but it has gone on too long."
--Ogden Nash
Likes For jonwvara:
#99
Senior Member
To me:
Vintage is old
Classic is something old that I might ride.
Vintage is old
Classic is something old that I might ride.
#100
señor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 6,637
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Liked 6,999 Times
in
3,448 Posts
Can't believe this is a sticky. smh.
Likes For SurferRosa: