You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Keep watching the snipets of video from the Malvern Show, all the old retro bikes, but it makes me feel a bit sad.
Many of these haven't been ridden at all, or much.
One in particular is the exact same bike as I got in early 90's, looked mint. I still ride mine ! It's on it's third paint scheme now, but I've kept as much as I can as close to period - all the Deore LX is now slightly newer XT, even built new wheels this year for it, based on the same age hubs. I use it as my daily commuter.
I've got two old road bikes, both used. One's had a refurb, from same era, and as far as possible, most is as it was. My best bike is 1990, used, raced, has some scratches, but is original. It looks fairly mint, but some of these make me sad how un-used they are.
Meh, they're just things (and they probably have been ridden lots and then restored) and probably owned by someone who's got a much better modern bike for actual riding.
Here’s a muddy one for you. A lot of them had been completely repainted etc having been used and abused before the restoration.
Speaking to one of the exhibitors last week I asked if he ever ride the bikes. He said no as they were to precious/fragile to use. An example he gave was one that was know to be prone to headtube flaring. But they had their use bitd
The one I saw/had/have was a marble greyDiamond Back Ascent EX, not something that could be re-painted. Mine is gunmetal grey now !
I saw a few shots of some immaculate retro bikes and thought "Why?"
I rebuilt my 1993 Zaskar, with all parts I've personally owned from new. It's battered, scratched, bent, worn. The parts all tell a story - Middleburn cranks with massive chainring. Purple spider, obvs. Rock Shox Mag forks, Pace Sub 130 handlebars, Onza pedals, thumb shifters, and the piece de resistance - white Smoke and Dart tyres on hand built wheels with a snowflake front and hubs hand painted with Mint Sauce inspired flowers.
The bike is full of memories for me and I'll never get rid of it but the only thing that would make me sad would be having to ride it again! The bike is not even remotely close to the amazing machines we now have. Parts failed, wheels folded, tyres ripped, cranks wobbled, forks twanged as we hung off the back trying not to go over the bars.
I don't see the point in a full resto. Show me the battle scars and give me a modern bike to ride!
Bicycles get depressed when they're not used. Anyone abandoning an old bike to a wall or relegating it to the loft is a monster.
#wontsomebodythinkofthebikes
Here’s a muddy one for you. A lot of them had been completely repainted etc having been used and abused before the restoration.
And after. And left at home for the fest - not many retro credentials! Same frame though!
They are still great bikes for pootling around. I use my bontrager loads for family rides and xc routes over my local moors.
And I love the fact I'm riding something I lusted after as a kid.
Someone did the entire Welsh XC series this year on retro bikes, different one each round. I was watching the FOD round and they came flying through on an old Orange, really stood out amongst the big wheels. He wasn’t hanging around either
and thought “Why?”
Everyone needs a hobby in the dark winter months? You should see the Xmas Airfix thread...
I knew a chap who restored - to concourse, Triumph Spitfires; they were things of beauty (as much as '70's BL cars can be) but his daily drive (another spitty, natch) was a tatty auld thing that was shocking to behold that never got washed and that he resented working on...So, y'know don't assume that these represent the sum total of bikes that folks own and enjoy.
You don't always know the history.. they get used , then parked somewhere as the owners using something else instead. Most times if I look locally I can find a piece of second hand exotica that would look pretty new with some tidying up.
I stopped riding my Bontrager the moment I got my first 29. I still have a frame in my shed, which hasn't done much the last 5 years I guess.
Nostalgia is a hell of a drug. They're nice to look at because they bring back memories. I fully remember how awful, sketchy and fragile they are to ride so I'm happy for them to be on display. My new bikes are better in every single imaginable way.
The trials bikes on the other hand. I'd love one of those old Cannondale or Pashley's to play around on.
Wait until you find out about Classic cars/motorbikes.
I picked this up last year. 1991 Eldridge that had apparently been ridden twice! The black coating on the rims brake surface was still there so it genuinely hadn’t been used.
It’s a lovely bike, I guess a lot of people would put it away and not ride it but for me it’s there to be ridden so it’s been used a lot this summer.
each to their own I suppose
[url= https://i.ibb.co/nCW4mNg/IMG-1269.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.ibb.co/nCW4mNg/IMG-1269.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://i.ibb.co/nwqkrMK/IMG-1273.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.ibb.co/nwqkrMK/IMG-1273.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
My Spesh M4 Stumpjumper HT has been relegated to child seat duties. Not as retro as those, but considering the hammering its had, probably for the best!
Bicycles get depressed when they’re not used. Anyone abandoning an old bike to a wall or relegating it to the loft is a monster.