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Why do you ride that old steel road bike?

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Why do you ride that old steel road bike?

Old 01-29-13, 11:39 PM
  #101  
bici_mania
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I like all bikes but prefer steel because of the ride quality. I have found that high quality wheels will iimprove the ride of any bike.

Of course there is a bit of smug satisfaction when I drop the guy on the carbon frame that scoffed at my steel frame.
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Old 01-30-13, 12:05 PM
  #102  
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Last Oct we did a short 4 day bike tour. I could not put a rack & panniers on my carbon road bike, so out came my old steel Fuji that my husband picked up at a yard sale a few years ago when I first expressed an interest in road biking. I remember it being a very un-fun ride and was not looking forward to riding it, but I figured, eh, we weren't doing a lot of miles or difficult terrain on the tour, so I could deal. But, I did take it in for a tune-up before the tour and what a difference having good tires & a smooth shifting bike makes! When I first rode it those years ago, I was so put off by it not holding a gear & crappy turning, I never had a chance to notice how smoothly it rolled (even with loaded panniers) over the road.
It won't replace my carbon bike for fun rides, but I will use it for commuting in the spring.

.
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Old 01-31-13, 06:51 AM
  #103  
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I have three steel bikes, and rotate my riding between them. Invariably when I return home from a ride, and say to my wife "the tourer felt great today. what a comfortable bike", she'll reply with "you always say that." Or I'll say, "the road bike felt wonderful today - nimble, responsive, smooth - what a great day to ride", she'll say "I know...you said that last time, too".

They're adjusted to fit perfectly. They run well. They ride great. They're fun and remind me of very happy times during my [not] mis-spent youth. I like them.
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Old 01-31-13, 11:37 AM
  #104  
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Originally Posted by Phil_gretz
I have three steel bikes, and rotate my riding between them. Invariably when I return home from a ride, and say to my wife "the tourer felt great today. what a comfortable bike", she'll reply with "you always say that." Or I'll say, "the road bike felt wonderful today - nimble, responsive, smooth - what a great day to ride", she'll say "I know...you said that last time, too".

They're adjusted to fit perfectly. They run well. They ride great. They're fun and remind me of very happy times during my [not] mis-spent youth. I like them.
Maybe one of the best answers yet. Nostalga and like. Everything else can be said about any other materal and any other bike anyone else rides.
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Old 01-31-13, 03:20 PM
  #105  
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Half the fun of bicycles is the finding and building, for me. I love to ride, don't get me wrong, but there is something to be said for getting virtually free parts and frames (sometimes entire bikes) and being able to rebuild exactly what I want, regardless of it's age. Carbon degrades over time, which makes me worry. I don't race, I don't compete or time myself. I care about being able to haul a found bike, groceries or my 140lbs mastiff. Also, I don't like the look of modern bikes in general: there is no creativity or actual beauty. They are what we have been taught and trained to be attracted to.
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Old 01-31-13, 09:24 PM
  #106  
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Probably if there was a carbon fibre bike made that could take a front and rear rack, and carry substantial loads on them, then I would be tempted. But as someone who Carries a lot, and weighs more than two regular lighter riders, I feel a little safer on steel.
But I do like to wind the local bike shop guy up a bit when he tells me that my older steel bikes are crap(i ride mostly eightys to ninetys Japanese and French stuff). I do that by telling him that if I wanted a bike made of carbon and graphite then I would draw one on paper.

Just came back to edit, my crap bikes that the guy gives me static about are a Miyata 1000, a couple of treks(560 and 520), a Univega Gran turismo, Some nicer Peugeots and Motobecanes, a team fuji, ect. nothing great but not truly nasty.

Last edited by shipwreck; 01-31-13 at 09:32 PM.
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Old 01-31-13, 10:44 PM
  #107  
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Originally Posted by Phil_gretz
I have three steel bikes, and rotate my riding between them. Invariably when I return home from a ride, and say to my wife "the tourer felt great today. what a comfortable bike", she'll reply with "you always say that." Or I'll say, "the road bike felt wonderful today - nimble, responsive, smooth - what a great day to ride", she'll say "I know...you said that last time, too".

They're adjusted to fit perfectly. They run well. They ride great. They're fun and remind me of very happy times during my [not] mis-spent youth. I like them.
you always say that...
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Old 02-01-13, 11:18 AM
  #108  
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This is a short, well written article that spot on for this thread. It is the along the lines of what I have meant to say but in a much more articulate way.

https://rouleurmagazine.wordpress.com...grand-day-out/
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Old 02-01-13, 01:06 PM
  #109  
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I'm heavy and the roads suck. Oh yeah, got a mortgage to service too.
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Old 02-01-13, 03:00 PM
  #110  
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Originally Posted by bici_mania
This is a short, well written article that spot on for this thread. It is the along the lines of what I have meant to say but in a much more articulate way.

https://rouleurmagazine.wordpress.com...grand-day-out/
Good read. Reminds me of what happens a lot when I ride my steel bikes. This one in particular gets lots of attention, particularly from ladies, which does not suck.


Usualy I don't tell them that everything but the brake pads, tires, cables and bar wrap came out of the recycle bins. I guess that I bought the paint as well, rattle can but it looks nice. The chips just make it look old and loved.

I have a lot of pretty bikes that I spent some cash on, but this one actualy gets the comments, from riders but mostly from passers by.
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Old 02-01-13, 05:04 PM
  #111  
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Originally Posted by bici_mania
This is a short, well written article that spot on for this thread. It is the along the lines of what I have meant to say but in a much more articulate way.

https://rouleurmagazine.wordpress.com...grand-day-out/
It is a good read. Using this little quote however, " are racing for a living, using the best tools for the job." My dad was an automechanic and while I am not guess what tools I tend to use? I have bought Horbor Freight tools for things I only plan on doing once or twice a year, but I was taught early in life to buy the "best" tool you can afford for the job you plan on doing. I have held onto that belief for the rest of my life. Same with tennis racquets, Golf clubs, Baseball gloves and bats. I don't use old wooden A tool is a tool I believe and some tools have simply answered a question the consumer has asked. I don't believe Bicycling Magazine and the dealers have driven the market I believe customers have and that is a simple choice.
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Old 02-02-13, 07:34 AM
  #112  
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Originally Posted by shipwreck
Good read. Reminds me of what happens a lot when I ride my steel bikes. This one in particular gets lots of attention, particularly from ladies, which does not suck.


Usualy I don't tell them that everything but the brake pads, tires, cables and bar wrap came out of the recycle bins. I guess that I bought the paint as well, rattle can but it looks nice. The chips just make it look old and loved.

I have a lot of pretty bikes that I spent some cash on, but this one actualy gets the comments, from riders but mostly from passers by.
That is a gorgeous bike! Any idea what make or model it is?
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Old 02-02-13, 09:41 AM
  #113  
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Originally Posted by loneviking61
That is a gorgeous bike! Any idea what make or model it is?

It is a Sentinal. From what I can tell they were assembled in California in the eightys as part of the bike boom. No idea what tubing it has, though the lugs are nicer than most gaspipe bikes. It is one of those bikes that when you ride it, feels like a Cadillac floating through space. I have better bikes but this one gets some good miles in.
I should really take a picture of it with the nervar crank it has when I am not riding long distances, that really makes it look good. Also I usualy run the bar a bit lower, but this was actualy taken on a short tour of the Ozarks.
This bike is a point of pride in that other than consumables like tires, brake pads and cables NOTHING is ever purchased for it. Everything came from bikes that I found at the recycler over a few years. the frame was found in a pile of huffys, the fenders came off a wrecked puch three speed, I even built the wheels out of rims from one bike and hubs and spokes from another.
Truly a frankenbike.
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Old 02-02-13, 01:25 PM
  #114  
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Carbon bikes are "fast"?

No bike is fast. Riders are fast...or slow.

I currently ride aluminum....but had no problem with steel bikes when I was a kid...and will likely be getting a steel bike or two in the near future, now that I have taken up cycling as an old fa...err...adult.

I won't have carbon.

Steel is durable. You won't be seeing any 40 year-old carbon bikes still being ridden. Seems like we don't see many 10 year-old carbon bikes still being ridden.

Steel is comfortable and rides nice. So what if a steel bike weighs 22 lbs.? I know that, as a recreational rider, that extra 4 pounds or so isn't going to make a dime's worth of difference to my riding and enjoyment. The only modern improvement I really care for, are STI brifters.

Now that everyone and their grandmothers are riding blingy, look-a-like gaudy carbon bikes....I especially like the retro charm, character and "uniqueness" of an old steel bike. I'd say that there are lots of others who feel the same, as the prices of even the crappiest old steel bikes seem to be rising...and the real good ones are really bringing good money. Virtually all old steel bikes today are bringing more than what they sold for when they were new. And 20 years from now, those same steel bikes will be virtually the only bikes for sale on the used market- that, and nearly new carbon bikes...as all of today's carbon bikes will have long gone to the dumpster- and even if not, who would take a chance and pay good money for a 20 year-old carbon bike which could fail at any moment with no warning?
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Old 02-02-13, 01:42 PM
  #115  
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Originally Posted by shipwreck
Good read. Reminds me of what happens a lot when I ride my steel bikes. This one in particular gets lots of attention, particularly from ladies, which does not suck.


Usualy I don't tell them that everything but the brake pads, tires, cables and bar wrap came out of the recycle bins. I guess that I bought the paint as well, rattle can but it looks nice. The chips just make it look old and loved.

I have a lot of pretty bikes that I spent some cash on, but this one actualy gets the comments, from riders but mostly from passers by.
Now THAT is a bike! Exactly the type of thing I envision myself building.

Originally Posted by PJCB
or my 140lbs mastiff. .
Now THAT is a dog! (How do you carry such a dog on a bike? I couldn't imagine carrying my 75 lb. dog on a bike!)

Originally Posted by shipwreck
Probably if there was a carbon fibre bike made that could take a front and rear rack, and carry substantial loads on them, then I would be tempted. But as someone who Carries a lot, and weighs more than two regular lighter riders, I feel a little safer on steel.
But I do like to wind the local bike shop guy up a bit when he tells me that my older steel bikes are crap(i ride mostly eightys to ninetys Japanese and French stuff). I do that by telling him that if I wanted a bike made of carbon and graphite then I would draw one on paper.

Just came back to edit, my crap bikes that the guy gives me static about are a Miyata 1000, a couple of treks(560 and 520), a Univega Gran turismo, Some nicer Peugeots and Motobecanes, a team fuji, ect. nothing great but not truly nasty.
Meanwhile, the maroons at that shop were probably selling those very bikes a couple of decades ago..... "Buddy, I'll tell ya, ya can't go wrong with this bike...best one ever made....you'll still be riding it 25 years from now..."
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Old 02-03-13, 03:37 PM
  #116  
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Originally Posted by shipwreck
Good read. Reminds me of what happens a lot when I ride my steel bikes. This one in particular gets lots of attention, particularly from ladies, which does not suck.


Usualy I don't tell them that everything but the brake pads, tires, cables and bar wrap came out of the recycle bins. I guess that I bought the paint as well, rattle can but it looks nice. The chips just make it look old and loved.

I have a lot of pretty bikes that I spent some cash on, but this one actualy gets the comments, from riders but mostly from passers by.

That is a very nice looking bike. I love the striping around the lugs. It doesn't look like a rattle can paint job at all. The corks in the handle bars are a very nice touch. I am curious what size wheels and tires you are using. My current project is building a race oriented road bike but after that I look to build something like what you have here.
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Old 02-03-13, 03:38 PM
  #117  
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Cuz it is totally cool!
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Old 02-03-13, 03:39 PM
  #118  
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Originally Posted by DayGloDago
Carbon bikes are "fast"?

No bike is fast. Riders are fast...or slow.
+1
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Old 02-03-13, 08:31 PM
  #119  
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Originally Posted by bici_mania
That is a very nice looking bike. I love the striping around the lugs. It doesn't look like a rattle can paint job at all. The corks in the handle bars are a very nice touch. I am curious what size wheels and tires you are using. My current project is building a race oriented road bike but after that I look to build something like what you have here.
Silver testors model paint for the lugs, and while the paint has no runs, it does chip. Every once in a while I wet dry them down, do some quick masking with newspaper and cardboard, and touch it up with matching spraypaint. I would hope that with three fine art degrees I could make spraypaint look decent at least!
27 in wheels with bontrager hardcase. I really like these tires, they ride well.
Interestingly I built this before I discovered things like Velo Orange. I just liked the style, then found out it was retro cool.
The next step is wrapped leather on the bars, with something to go around the Mafac levers as well.
Like I said, people like this rig. I wonder if rivendells and Velo Orange bikes get the same when they are all tweed out. Little kids love the color.
Really supprised that it has gotten attention here, there are some peoples bikes that are posted that make me really drool(sixtyfivers)
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Old 02-07-13, 07:09 PM
  #120  
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Why do I ride old steel? Let's see... I bought it new 38 years ago, and it has never failed me in 45,000+ miles! Good enough?

At a modest 25.5 pounds (with the rear rack) it is not a modern lightweight, but it isn't the 40-pound water-pipe bike of the era either. Yeah, I could probably shave another pound or two out of it with some more modern components, but as the rider, I have a larger percentage of 'excess weight' to be carried than the bike!

Shipwreck,
The rake in that front fork must make for a nice stable ride! It looks to be the same fork as my old Fuji...
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Old 02-09-13, 11:47 AM
  #121  
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A few reasons to ride an old beater....
1) Nobody will go out of their way to steal it and is really only a target of opportunistic thieves.
2) With the condition of the streets in large cities, I would be really worried about damaging a bike a paid 2G for
3) Overkill. 24 speeds, some with electric shifting? NUTS. Think of the cognitive dissidence of being too lazy to shift the gears manually while riding a human powered vehicle. Think Rube-Goldberg.
4) If you are on a low budge, it's much better to ride an old bike that was high end at the time, than a $99 k-mart junk bike.
5) Men like "projects" and rebuilding an old bike is definitely a project.

Chris
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Old 02-09-13, 11:59 AM
  #122  
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Originally Posted by christo930
3) Overkill. 24 speeds, some with electric shifting? NUTS. Think of the cognitive dissidence of being too lazy to shift the gears manually while riding a human powered vehicle. Think Rube-Goldberg.
HAHAhaha! Well-said! That seems to perfectly define the current cycling culture. Actually, it seems to define culture, period, today- i.e. people driving 4 cylinder gas-saver cars that only get 20 MPG because they're so laden-down with unnecessary clap-trap; typing on tiny keypads to communicate with somebody, while they're holding a PHONE in their hand, and could more easily just be talking directly to the person; people who spend $30K for a new car to save $20 a month in gas.

From now, on, I'm calling every Di2 bike a Rube Goldberg Special!
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Old 02-09-13, 09:30 PM
  #123  
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it makes me feel pretty.
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Old 03-28-13, 08:08 PM
  #124  
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It started when I found my Peugeot UO-9 for $25 when I was about 15, and happened to have 25$ on me. After many miles together, a few broken parts on touring rides and cobbled together fixes (duct-taped on front derailleur worked for a whole 120 miles!), much time and love put into the old gal, 8 years later She's still my favorite. Both because of comfort, and because of sentiment. I tried aluminum for a while, it was fast but it just didn't feel quite right to me. I also felt bad leaving my poor Peugeot at home!

It's also a great conversation starter, "What kind of bike is that?" "I remember having one of those!" or my favorite one "Why do you ride that old thing??"

I also take some perverse pleasure keeping up/passing the other cycling team kids from my college on brand-new bikes with the old girl. The look on their face when the see steel wheels and all is priceless sometimes.
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Old 03-28-13, 08:48 PM
  #125  
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The ride of steel is great. And I am not allowed to buy a carbon bike - the Wife's decree. I stumbled into www.bustedcarbon.com, showed her some pictures and she said "Aww hell no homie".
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