Am I a retrogrouch?
09-02-23, 08:21 AM
#126
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Like you, I appreciate the simpler setups when it comes time for maintenance and problems that arise while on a ride.
I do appreciate the utility gains that have been made, with various parts and accessories. So long as it remains durable, straightforward to operate, simple to repair, etc. (Raised in an age when a $250 bike was an expensive one, compared to today's $5-10K+ alternatives.)
Actually had a single-speed step-thru bike a dozen years ago, with a coaster brake and fenders. Made for a perfect, no-nonsense cheapie commuter for the days when I didn't want to worry about theft. Easy to use, simple to maintain, nothing much to go wrong or needing adjustment.
I do appreciate the utility gains that have been made, with various parts and accessories. So long as it remains durable, straightforward to operate, simple to repair, etc. (Raised in an age when a $250 bike was an expensive one, compared to today's $5-10K+ alternatives.)
Actually had a single-speed step-thru bike a dozen years ago, with a coaster brake and fenders. Made for a perfect, no-nonsense cheapie commuter for the days when I didn't want to worry about theft. Easy to use, simple to maintain, nothing much to go wrong or needing adjustment.
09-02-23, 08:29 AM
#127
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09-02-23, 08:43 AM
#128
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Great question. At present my wife’s and my gravel bike, my adventure bike and my road bike are all cross compatible so to bring a outlier in the mix would be the challenge. Something to ponder on today’s ride!
09-02-23, 12:45 PM
#129
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09-02-23, 01:13 PM
#130
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Do you ever cross them? I currently have one road bike on 11-speed Shimano and another on 12-speed SRAM. It doesn't matter to me that they are not cross compatible.
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09-02-23, 01:20 PM
#131
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Same here. One 12-speed bike exists happily with four 11-speed bikes despite the fact that they are not 100% cross-compatible.
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09-02-23, 07:51 PM
#133
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It's really just the smaller diameter tubing than you would typically find on a modern carbon bike, especially an aero frame. I think there is some info on their website about the inspiration for its overall "look". It's similar to what Specialized were aiming at with their Aethos, but OPEN have used smaller diameter tube profiles. Both are really a counter point to modern aero-frames. Just a vague nostalgic nod to the days of small diameter round tubes and full length seat stays, non-integrated bars etc.
09-03-23, 05:59 AM
#134
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“Gerard Vroomen took his design influences for the MIN.D. not from a wind-tunnel but from the welding torch of Dario Pegoretti”
https://www.cyclefit.co.uk/journal/open-min-d-review
09-03-23, 08:56 AM
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I love riding a good 12 speed!
09-04-23, 03:39 PM
#136
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I suppose it depends on your reference. But this article linked below explains how the design came about. I’m surprised you cannot see any hint of “classic” influence in the lines of the frame.
“Gerard Vroomen took his design influences for the MIN.D. not from a wind-tunnel but from the welding torch of Dario Pegoretti”
https://www.cyclefit.co.uk/journal/open-min-d-review
“Gerard Vroomen took his design influences for the MIN.D. not from a wind-tunnel but from the welding torch of Dario Pegoretti”
https://www.cyclefit.co.uk/journal/open-min-d-review
But a sloping top tube carbon frame and tapered carbon fork with 1x drivetrain, a seatmast, and hydraulic brakes just doesn't remind me of anything classic.
About the only thing 'classic' on that frame is the seststays that join next to the top tube.
Ice read that article you linked and chuckled when I read it again since the Peg bike they feature has seriously beefy stays, compared to the pencil seatstays of this Open.
Again, I really like the look of the Open and in that manner, it's similar to an Aethos in profile. But it doesn't at all remind me of a classic road bike in shape, design, or spec.
09-04-23, 07:01 PM
#137
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The frame looks nice...a lot nicer than many modern carbon frames.
But a sloping top tube carbon frame and tapered carbon fork with 1x drivetrain, a seatmast, and hydraulic brakes just doesn't remind me of anything classic.
About the only thing 'classic' on that frame is the seststays that join next to the top tube.
Ice read that article you linked and chuckled when I read it again since the Peg bike they feature has seriously beefy stays, compared to the pencil seatstays of this Open.
Again, I really like the look of the Open and in that manner, it's similar to an Aethos in profile. But it doesn't at all remind me of a classic road bike in shape, design, or spec.
But a sloping top tube carbon frame and tapered carbon fork with 1x drivetrain, a seatmast, and hydraulic brakes just doesn't remind me of anything classic.
About the only thing 'classic' on that frame is the seststays that join next to the top tube.
Ice read that article you linked and chuckled when I read it again since the Peg bike they feature has seriously beefy stays, compared to the pencil seatstays of this Open.
Again, I really like the look of the Open and in that manner, it's similar to an Aethos in profile. But it doesn't at all remind me of a classic road bike in shape, design, or spec.
You obviously don’t see the “classic” retro look that they were going for here, but to me it’s pretty obvious. It is a bit like how say a modern Porsche 911 vaguely resembles a classic 911 even though it is a completely different design.
09-12-23, 07:58 PM
#138
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I love a bike that I can keep in good working order and repair easily on the road or at home. Clinchers with tubes, rim brakes, cable actuated derailleurs. Simple tools that fit nicely in my seat mounted leather toolkit bag (on my Raleigh Sports) or my rear rack bag. My three bikes (the Raleigh (1971) my Specialized Sequoia (2008) , and Trek Verve 2 (2016)) all are in this category.
No bleeding hydraulic brake lines or running out of battery charge on a Di2 wireless electronic shifting derailleur for me.
BUT --- I'm not a gear snob ... I never critic another rider's choice or selection of riding gear. To each, his or her own!
No bleeding hydraulic brake lines or running out of battery charge on a Di2 wireless electronic shifting derailleur for me.
BUT --- I'm not a gear snob ... I never critic another rider's choice or selection of riding gear. To each, his or her own!
09-13-23, 02:37 AM
#139
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I love a bike that I can keep in good working order and repair easily on the road or at home. Clinchers with tubes, rim brakes, cable actuated derailleurs. Simple tools that fit nicely in my seat mounted leather toolkit bag (on my Raleigh Sports) or my rear rack bag. My three bikes (the Raleigh (1971) my Specialized Sequoia (2008) , and Trek Verve 2 (2016)) all are in this category.
No bleeding hydraulic brake lines or running out of battery charge on a Di2 wireless electronic shifting derailleur for me.
BUT --- I'm not a gear snob ... I never critic another rider's choice or selection of riding gear. To each, his or her own!
No bleeding hydraulic brake lines or running out of battery charge on a Di2 wireless electronic shifting derailleur for me.
BUT --- I'm not a gear snob ... I never critic another rider's choice or selection of riding gear. To each, his or her own!
09-13-23, 10:25 AM
#140
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09-13-23, 10:33 AM
#141
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It would largely depend on what factors one uses to determine value, and those factors may vary from person to person.
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09-13-23, 12:52 PM
#142
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But by this measure, I'n not seeing any recent tech that alleviates a pain point.
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09-13-23, 01:34 PM
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Recent tech alleviates the pain of having too much money in one's bank account. Duh.
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09-13-23, 01:58 PM
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01-24-24, 10:54 AM
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This is a great forum. I started the Retro Grouch Moto Club via a number of articles I wrote for the "Dirt Rag" back when the magazine was non glossy. I wrote satirical articles regarding the advancements in cycling technology for entertainment. As the magazine matured and drew big name advertisers my articles were no longer published, sorta because my articles were not kind to new technology. So I ventured off and started the rgmc.org web site that ran for a number of years. My interest in cycling never faded but the interest in maintaining the site did. I had several other interests that occupied my time. Last week I found a CD that contained the html files for an 1997 version of the site. It was and still is old and clunky compared to modern websites, but I uploaded it in a directory off of my photography website. I added a few of my articles from the Dirt Rag into the site as well. If you have continued to read this far into my note then you may want to visit the resurrected site.... BUT the forum won't allow me to post the url until I have 10 posts.... try going to lenbruffett.com/RG (you will have to input the standard internet prefix )
Last edited by LenB; 01-24-24 at 11:03 AM.
01-24-24, 11:36 AM
#146
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No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
01-24-24, 01:06 PM
#147
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That is a rather cute pair of aliens. Little button heads, thick necks, sloped shoulders, no arms and quite bowlegged. Look like rather practical folk. No clue how they get around without arms but I am sure they have tech I am not savvy to. But I don't think the term "beautiful" would ever cross my mind meeting them in real life.
01-24-24, 02:59 PM
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I think it’s a bit of a myth that modern bikes are harder to maintain. In some ways I find they are actually easier. There are a few swings and roundabouts. Just my personal experience of owning and maintaining bikes of all eras since the early 80s. I don’t even need a saddlebag to carry my road tools.
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