Is my bicycle “Vintage”?
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 131
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 33 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
4 Posts
Is my bicycle “Vintage”?
t has been almost twenty years since Deb and I bought our bikes, and as I look around me it seems they have become things of the past; anachronisms.
In 1994 we needed to sell our bicycles. Gios Torino for me, Tommasini for her and a Salsa tandem Ross Shafer built just for us (a twenty-something pound starship c’83). Ten years later the world had turned a corner and I had almost lost sight of it. There was one point in the lost decade I had the opportunity to ride a Trek Madrone, the one in Postal colors, but buying a bike in 2004 pretty much left me adrift. Everything I knew, or thought I did was obsolete, bicycles had changed that much. The day of the ’73 Bianchi Specialissima was gone, never to return.
2004 turned out to be the right time for us to dump our current rides, a lower-end Trek and a Gipiemmi equipped Faggin and enter the new millennium. We wondered into the right shop at the right time and walked out with a pair of (what I just learned) were called “Spine Bikes”. These were bicycles with a metal “spine”, i.e. head tube, down tube, BB, and chain stays mated to carbon top and seat tubes and seat stays. To my eye they looked funny with their fat sloping top tube but oh my goodness, the ride! They had the light responsiveness of the Madrone with added road feel that (in my opinion at the time) could only be achieved via metal. I have read that these bikes were produced for only a few years and by only two makers; Specialized mated carbon with aluminum and Lemond with Titanium. Also in 2004 Shimano introduced their 7800 Dure-Ace, a highly reviewed Gruppo noted for its performance and beauty.
So, twenty years down the road are they vintage? I dunno. I will say this; they still amaze me and neither one of us would trade our Lemonds for anything on the current market.
In 1994 we needed to sell our bicycles. Gios Torino for me, Tommasini for her and a Salsa tandem Ross Shafer built just for us (a twenty-something pound starship c’83). Ten years later the world had turned a corner and I had almost lost sight of it. There was one point in the lost decade I had the opportunity to ride a Trek Madrone, the one in Postal colors, but buying a bike in 2004 pretty much left me adrift. Everything I knew, or thought I did was obsolete, bicycles had changed that much. The day of the ’73 Bianchi Specialissima was gone, never to return.
2004 turned out to be the right time for us to dump our current rides, a lower-end Trek and a Gipiemmi equipped Faggin and enter the new millennium. We wondered into the right shop at the right time and walked out with a pair of (what I just learned) were called “Spine Bikes”. These were bicycles with a metal “spine”, i.e. head tube, down tube, BB, and chain stays mated to carbon top and seat tubes and seat stays. To my eye they looked funny with their fat sloping top tube but oh my goodness, the ride! They had the light responsiveness of the Madrone with added road feel that (in my opinion at the time) could only be achieved via metal. I have read that these bikes were produced for only a few years and by only two makers; Specialized mated carbon with aluminum and Lemond with Titanium. Also in 2004 Shimano introduced their 7800 Dure-Ace, a highly reviewed Gruppo noted for its performance and beauty.
So, twenty years down the road are they vintage? I dunno. I will say this; they still amaze me and neither one of us would trade our Lemonds for anything on the current market.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 8,467
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4423 Post(s)
Liked 4,876 Times
in
3,019 Posts
Why don't you ask the C&V crowd? What difference would the answer make anyway?
#4
climber has-been
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Posts: 7,111
Bikes: Scott Addict R1, Felt Z1
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3432 Post(s)
Liked 3,567 Times
in
1,793 Posts
I suppose there are people out there who collect bonded frames for their novelty.
#5
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,488 Times
in
1,286 Posts
How old does a bicycle have to be to be considered vintage ?
#7
Friendship is Magic
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,985
Bikes: old ones
Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26427 Post(s)
Liked 10,385 Times
in
7,212 Posts
.
...there's already a long and boring opinion thread on this: What constitutes a Classic or Vintage bicycle?
...there's already a long and boring opinion thread on this: What constitutes a Classic or Vintage bicycle?
__________________
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bastrop Texas
Posts: 4,490
Bikes: Univega, Peu P6, Peu PR-10, Ted Williams, Peu UO-8, Peu UO-18 Mixte, Peu Dolomites
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 970 Post(s)
Liked 1,634 Times
in
1,048 Posts
I guess its kinda like a new car at the dealers lot. Once you drive it off the lot it is suddenly old.
In many ways I now see the vintage classification on bicycles meaning, "can no longer easily find parts for it"
In many ways I now see the vintage classification on bicycles meaning, "can no longer easily find parts for it"
__________________
No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
Likes For zandoval:
#9
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,338
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3901 Post(s)
Liked 4,847 Times
in
2,235 Posts
1987 is often used to connote the break between 'an older bike' and 'a vintage bike'. But there is no real definition of vintage. No definition for Classics, either.
I rode a Lemond spine bike at an InterOp demo day event. I was impressed. Almost as good a ride as the Calfee that I had purchased just prior.
I rode a Lemond spine bike at an InterOp demo day event. I was impressed. Almost as good a ride as the Calfee that I had purchased just prior.
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Elevation 666m Edmonton Canada
Posts: 2,484
Bikes: 2013 Custom SA5w / Rohloff Tourster
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1237 Post(s)
Liked 324 Times
in
249 Posts
Before threadless, carbon, sloped frames, helmets, bungie forks and balloon tire MTBs.
>>> Oh I forgot the biggest one, before TRIPLE deFaileurs.
>>> Oh I forgot the biggest one, before TRIPLE deFaileurs.
Last edited by GamblerGORD53; 09-17-23 at 06:13 PM.
Likes For GamblerGORD53:
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,269
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18430 Post(s)
Liked 15,585 Times
in
7,339 Posts
Likes For indyfabz:
#12
Expired Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,567
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3683 Post(s)
Liked 5,448 Times
in
2,769 Posts
t has been almost twenty years since Deb and I bought our bikes, and as I look around me it seems they have become things of the past; anachronisms.
In 1994 we needed to sell our bicycles. Gios Torino for me, Tommasini for her and a Salsa tandem Ross Shafer built just for us (a twenty-something pound starship c’83). Ten years later the world had turned a corner and I had almost lost sight of it. There was one point in the lost decade I had the opportunity to ride a Trek Madrone, the one in Postal colors, but buying a bike in 2004 pretty much left me adrift. Everything I knew, or thought I did was obsolete, bicycles had changed that much. The day of the ’73 Bianchi Specialissima was gone, never to return.
2004 turned out to be the right time for us to dump our current rides, a lower-end Trek and a Gipiemmi equipped Faggin and enter the new millennium. We wondered into the right shop at the right time and walked out with a pair of (what I just learned) were called “Spine Bikes”. These were bicycles with a metal “spine”, i.e. head tube, down tube, BB, and chain stays mated to carbon top and seat tubes and seat stays. To my eye they looked funny with their fat sloping top tube but oh my goodness, the ride! They had the light responsiveness of the Madrone with added road feel that (in my opinion at the time) could only be achieved via metal. I have read that these bikes were produced for only a few years and by only two makers; Specialized mated carbon with aluminum and Lemond with Titanium. Also in 2004 Shimano introduced their 7800 Dure-Ace, a highly reviewed Gruppo noted for its performance and beauty.
So, twenty years down the road are they vintage? I dunno. I will say this; they still amaze me and neither one of us would trade our Lemonds for anything on the current market.
In 1994 we needed to sell our bicycles. Gios Torino for me, Tommasini for her and a Salsa tandem Ross Shafer built just for us (a twenty-something pound starship c’83). Ten years later the world had turned a corner and I had almost lost sight of it. There was one point in the lost decade I had the opportunity to ride a Trek Madrone, the one in Postal colors, but buying a bike in 2004 pretty much left me adrift. Everything I knew, or thought I did was obsolete, bicycles had changed that much. The day of the ’73 Bianchi Specialissima was gone, never to return.
2004 turned out to be the right time for us to dump our current rides, a lower-end Trek and a Gipiemmi equipped Faggin and enter the new millennium. We wondered into the right shop at the right time and walked out with a pair of (what I just learned) were called “Spine Bikes”. These were bicycles with a metal “spine”, i.e. head tube, down tube, BB, and chain stays mated to carbon top and seat tubes and seat stays. To my eye they looked funny with their fat sloping top tube but oh my goodness, the ride! They had the light responsiveness of the Madrone with added road feel that (in my opinion at the time) could only be achieved via metal. I have read that these bikes were produced for only a few years and by only two makers; Specialized mated carbon with aluminum and Lemond with Titanium. Also in 2004 Shimano introduced their 7800 Dure-Ace, a highly reviewed Gruppo noted for its performance and beauty.
So, twenty years down the road are they vintage? I dunno. I will say this; they still amaze me and neither one of us would trade our Lemonds for anything on the current market.
Likes For shelbyfv:
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 5,384
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2490 Post(s)
Liked 2,961 Times
in
1,682 Posts
The present turned out to be that all-early-brifter-bikes forum. In the 2 years since, that forum has accumulated 87 threads.
Likes For Trakhak:
#15
Forum Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalamazoo MI
Posts: 20,652
Bikes: Fuji SL2.1 Carbon Di2 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 4 Trek Checkpoint ALR-5 Viscount Aerospace Pro Colnago Classic Rabobank Schwinn Waterford PMount Raleigh C50 Cromoly Hybrid Legnano Tipo Roma Pista
Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3093 Post(s)
Liked 6,609 Times
in
3,788 Posts
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: western Massachusetts (greater Springfield area)
Posts: 699
Bikes: Velosolex St. Tropez, LeMond Zurich (spine bike), Rotator swb recumbent
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 67 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 67 Times
in
32 Posts
Actually, Lemond (which was owned by Trek at the time) made spine bikes with aluminum Chambery and Alp D'Huez), steel (Buenos Aires, Versaille, Zurich and Croix de Fer) and titanium (.Tete de Course)
Likes For MikeWMass:
#17
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 131
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 33 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
4 Posts
My post was meant to be nothing more than a chatty way of bragging about my bicycles, my longevity (I was born the same year Tullio’s parallelogram derailleur was introduced to the marketplace) and as a comment on the rapidity of cycling’s “advancements”.
Having said that I must now add that of all the responses this post has received “terrymorse” and he alone has had the insight and experience to pull the covers off of the mountainous volume of my B.S. I am (of course) going to “like” his post, but that hardly goes far enough in extolling the virtues of this remarkable young man. How this individual has accomplished the vast time devoted to riding his bicycle while sharing almost 6,000 gems of wisdom on this forum, to say nothing of a PhD in materials science is nothing short of miraculous.
The only criticism I might offer would be to advise him that his talents are being horribly wasted spending his time here. It is quite obvious that he is desperately needed in the aerospace industry and should apply post hast to the Skunk Works.
I confess, with all humility, that it is only with the combined effects or duct tape and superglue that I have managed to keep the pathic thing I have laughingly called a bicycle together. I hereby offer my sincere apologies to all present. Not only do I swear to never darken your door again, but I will also end the abomination of my existence by riding my bicycle in traffic without a helmet.
Having said that I must now add that of all the responses this post has received “terrymorse” and he alone has had the insight and experience to pull the covers off of the mountainous volume of my B.S. I am (of course) going to “like” his post, but that hardly goes far enough in extolling the virtues of this remarkable young man. How this individual has accomplished the vast time devoted to riding his bicycle while sharing almost 6,000 gems of wisdom on this forum, to say nothing of a PhD in materials science is nothing short of miraculous.
The only criticism I might offer would be to advise him that his talents are being horribly wasted spending his time here. It is quite obvious that he is desperately needed in the aerospace industry and should apply post hast to the Skunk Works.
I confess, with all humility, that it is only with the combined effects or duct tape and superglue that I have managed to keep the pathic thing I have laughingly called a bicycle together. I hereby offer my sincere apologies to all present. Not only do I swear to never darken your door again, but I will also end the abomination of my existence by riding my bicycle in traffic without a helmet.
#18
Super-duper Genius
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Muskrat Springs, Utah
Posts: 1,713
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 768 Post(s)
Liked 984 Times
in
508 Posts
"Vintage" is a term for bicycles (or cars, clothing, or whatever) that are old but interesting, collectible, and potentially valuable... as opposed to just being old and junky.
Stuff that's just old often has corrosion (oxydation) that we call rust. On vintage stuff, we call that same corrosion "patina."
Stuff that's just old often has corrosion (oxydation) that we call rust. On vintage stuff, we call that same corrosion "patina."
#19
Expired Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,567
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3683 Post(s)
Liked 5,448 Times
in
2,769 Posts
My post was meant to be nothing more than a chatty way of bragging about my bicycles, my longevity (I was born the same year Tullio’s parallelogram derailleur was introduced to the marketplace) and as a comment on the rapidity of cycling’s “advancements”.
Having said that I must now add that of all the responses this post has received “terrymorse” and he alone has had the insight and experience to pull the covers off of the mountainous volume of my B.S. I am (of course) going to “like” his post, but that hardly goes far enough in extolling the virtues of this remarkable young man. How this individual has accomplished the vast time devoted to riding his bicycle while sharing almost 6,000 gems of wisdom on this forum, to say nothing of a PhD in materials science is nothing short of miraculous.
The only criticism I might offer would be to advise him that his talents are being horribly wasted spending his time here. It is quite obvious that he is desperately needed in the aerospace industry and should apply post hast to the Skunk Works.
I confess, with all humility, that it is only with the combined effects or duct tape and superglue that I have managed to keep the pathic thing I have laughingly called a bicycle together. I hereby offer my sincere apologies to all present. Not only do I swear to never darken your door again, but I will also end the abomination of my existence by riding my bicycle in traffic without a helmet.
Having said that I must now add that of all the responses this post has received “terrymorse” and he alone has had the insight and experience to pull the covers off of the mountainous volume of my B.S. I am (of course) going to “like” his post, but that hardly goes far enough in extolling the virtues of this remarkable young man. How this individual has accomplished the vast time devoted to riding his bicycle while sharing almost 6,000 gems of wisdom on this forum, to say nothing of a PhD in materials science is nothing short of miraculous.
The only criticism I might offer would be to advise him that his talents are being horribly wasted spending his time here. It is quite obvious that he is desperately needed in the aerospace industry and should apply post hast to the Skunk Works.
I confess, with all humility, that it is only with the combined effects or duct tape and superglue that I have managed to keep the pathic thing I have laughingly called a bicycle together. I hereby offer my sincere apologies to all present. Not only do I swear to never darken your door again, but I will also end the abomination of my existence by riding my bicycle in traffic without a helmet.
#20
Newbie
I purchased my first non-Big-Box-Store bike last week at 41 years old. The Bianchi Grizzly is one year younger than me. That was a somewhat odd expirience, LoL.
But I'm excited to be here!!
But I'm excited to be here!!
#21
Method to My Madness
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Orange County, California
Posts: 3,674
Bikes: Trek FX 2, Cannondale Synapse, Cannondale CAAD4, Santa Cruz Stigmata GRX
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1952 Post(s)
Liked 1,475 Times
in
1,022 Posts
Just like wine (CrimsonEclipse ), if your bike is older than all of your kids, it is vintage.
Likes For SoSmellyAir:
#22
climber has-been
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Posts: 7,111
Bikes: Scott Addict R1, Felt Z1
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3432 Post(s)
Liked 3,567 Times
in
1,793 Posts
Just in case anyone takes what is written in this place seriously, I:
- am not young
- don’t have a degree in material science (did take some undergrad courses in it—body centered cubic babeee!)
- never worked at the Skunk Works (did work in a different division of the same company--not telling which)
- enjoy wasting my time on BF
Last edited by terrymorse; 09-21-23 at 05:38 PM.
Likes For terrymorse:
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,849
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
Mentioned: 106 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2339 Post(s)
Liked 2,832 Times
in
1,545 Posts
used to say older than me, now I say younger than me.
Vintage is a mindset. and in my case it is an argument with my brains saying I am not vintage and my knees saying yes you are
Vintage is a mindset. and in my case it is an argument with my brains saying I am not vintage and my knees saying yes you are
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,849
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
Mentioned: 106 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2339 Post(s)
Liked 2,832 Times
in
1,545 Posts
My post was meant to be nothing more than a chatty way of bragging about my bicycles, my longevity (I was born the same year Tullio’s parallelogram derailleur was introduced to the marketplace) and as a comment on the rapidity of cycling’s “advancements”.
Having said that I must now add that of all the responses this post has received “terrymorse” and he alone has had the insight and experience to pull the covers off of the mountainous volume of my B.S. I am (of course) going to “like” his post, but that hardly goes far enough in extolling the virtues of this remarkable young man. How this individual has accomplished the vast time devoted to riding his bicycle while sharing almost 6,000 gems of wisdom on this forum, to say nothing of a PhD in materials science is nothing short of miraculous.
The only criticism I might offer would be to advise him that his talents are being horribly wasted spending his time here. It is quite obvious that he is desperately needed in the aerospace industry and should apply post hast to the Skunk Works.
I confess, with all humility, that it is only with the combined effects or duct tape and superglue that I have managed to keep the pathic thing I have laughingly called a bicycle together. I hereby offer my sincere apologies to all present. Not only do I swear to never darken your door again, but I will also end the abomination of my existence by riding my bicycle in traffic without a helmet.
Having said that I must now add that of all the responses this post has received “terrymorse” and he alone has had the insight and experience to pull the covers off of the mountainous volume of my B.S. I am (of course) going to “like” his post, but that hardly goes far enough in extolling the virtues of this remarkable young man. How this individual has accomplished the vast time devoted to riding his bicycle while sharing almost 6,000 gems of wisdom on this forum, to say nothing of a PhD in materials science is nothing short of miraculous.
The only criticism I might offer would be to advise him that his talents are being horribly wasted spending his time here. It is quite obvious that he is desperately needed in the aerospace industry and should apply post hast to the Skunk Works.
I confess, with all humility, that it is only with the combined effects or duct tape and superglue that I have managed to keep the pathic thing I have laughingly called a bicycle together. I hereby offer my sincere apologies to all present. Not only do I swear to never darken your door again, but I will also end the abomination of my existence by riding my bicycle in traffic without a helmet.
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 8,467
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4423 Post(s)
Liked 4,876 Times
in
3,019 Posts
When it comes to cars I consider Vintage to be primitive pre WW2 junk. So for bicycles I would be thinking of a similar era. I certainly wouldn’t call anything that was made only 20 years ago “Vintage”. I wouldn’t even call it “Classic”, which in my mind is pre 1990, although I might soon revise that to pre 2000 as the years tick by 😂