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Having a retro bike?
Last Post 03/24/2015 03:02 AM by Frederick Jones. 14 Replies.
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Nick A
Posts:625
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| 03/17/2015 09:31 AM |
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My first real bike was a Pinarello, 1983. A friend has a great deal on a very similar bike. It's likely a year or two later, as it has a semi-sloping crown fork, pump peg braze on... Mine even only had one set of water bottle bosses. Anyway, it's a 52cm and I ride a 54cm. I don't have much space for stuff, but it's tempting. I've never been very nostalgic, but somehow, approaching 50, it's happening to me now too. (Ironically, I bought the Pinarello when I was 16, and it was a 52, but I had that later growth spurt and outgrew it.) |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2881
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| 03/17/2015 01:40 PM |
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| Fun decision to face. Tough call. The bars tend to get higher as we get older, not lower. How about the shorter top tube on the 52? It's cheaper than a convertible or getting into motorcycles (my age 50 indulgence). |
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Nick A
Posts:625
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| 03/17/2015 04:11 PM |
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Yeah, the top tube is shorter too. I already use an 11 cm stem with my 54 cm top tube, and this has a 52 cm top tube. And my bars are embarrassingly high (age). Quill stems don't like that! No convertible, no motorcycle but a '76 Alfa Romeo Alfetta GT in the garage. :-)
Actually, that's why there's not a lot of room in my one car garage! My road bike is in there, and will stay in there, but I've been thinking of making a second shed for the less expensive bikes (my commuter, kid's internal hub 8speed cruiser, wife's beater [ha, ha, not "wife beater"]).
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KootnaMoots
Posts:47
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| 03/18/2015 10:23 AM |
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I still ride a 1984 Pinarallo when riding in non hilly areas. I still appreciate the ride. Not as comfortable on the sharp bumps as my Moots YBB but is like the downtube shifters and there is something about riding steel. I also find that the stems are being mounted angled up as I age.
Jer |
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Nick A
Posts:625
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| 03/18/2015 01:50 PM |
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| It's probably better to pass on this one, as it's too small... |
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Keith Richards
Posts:781
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| 03/18/2015 04:02 PM |
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I put together a retro bike a few years ago. 7sp, 36 hole rims, etc.
Honestly, I LOVE riding it. It is the cycling equivalent of well, driving a 70's Alfa. You have only the basics, everything you need, nothing you don't. |
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It is his word versus ours. We like our word. We like where we stand and we like our credibility."--Lance Armstrong. |
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Red Tornado
Posts:159
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| 03/19/2015 04:12 PM |
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| Retro bikes just have that coolness factor. If nothing else, they make you appreciate the more modern conveniences/advances we have on our new steeds. Plus, it's hard to beat the ride of a quality steel frame. |
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Ride On
Posts:537
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| 03/20/2015 04:31 AM |
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| For a few years I've been wanting an old steel bike. Just as you say , just cause. |
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zootracer
Posts:833
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| 03/20/2015 10:59 AM |
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| Not exactly "retro". I have started riding my Colnago Master X-Light again. It's 13 years old and I seldom ride it since I bought a carbon bike in '07. The frame has 37,000+ miles on it, but I only rode it for 5 years, so time wise it's only 5 years old. It has first generation Campy carbon gruppo, aluminum 53-39 Chorus crank. It's like gong back in time when I ride it. I now switch back and forth between my two bikes. The main diff (besides the ride) is my carbon bike has a compact crank, so getting up the steep hills is a little harder work. In reality it would cost more money to replace my Master X-Light than my Trek 5.9SL. If I had to give up one bike, I would have to think long and hard. Love the ride of steel. It makes you feel like you are really riding a bike, if that makes any sense. |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 03/20/2015 07:24 PM |
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| All I have is a retro engine. |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2881
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| 03/20/2015 07:31 PM |
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| I wish I still had my retro engine when it wasn't retro. And joints. |
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Nick A
Posts:625
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| 03/22/2015 12:07 AM |
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| Yeah, my engine could use a ring job. LOL. Rather than a vintage bike, I have thought of putting together an around town old tech bike. Steel frame, down tube (or bar end shifters), preferably friction. Side pull brakes, lace my own wheels, etc. |
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Gonzo Cyclist
Posts:568
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| 03/23/2015 11:10 AM |
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good call, it's to small, but keep your eyes on the lookout, the last shop I worked at, Mellow Velo had some great vintage bikes, stuff you just did not see everywhere, and a bike shop in Albq. Two Wheel Drive, had some great stuff in their back room, most notably, an early 80's Ritchey, all original, super clean, and everything worked, plus it was like 700.00?
Had a 74' Bianchi for a bit it was just a hair too small, but what an amazing ride that bike had
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longslowdistance
Posts:2881
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| 03/24/2015 03:02 AM |
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| The is / was a little shop in Helotes, TX outside of San Antonio filled with classics. I don't know if Hank the proprietor ever planned to sell them. Interesting place, with stray cats and next door to a cool music and barbecue venue. I saw Willie there, and Gary Nunn. |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2881
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| 03/24/2015 03:02 AM |
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| The is / was a little shop in Helotes, TX outside of San Antonio filled with classics. I don't know if Hank the proprietor ever planned to sell them. Interesting place, with stray cats and next door to a cool music and barbecue venue. I saw Willie there, and Gary Nunn. |
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