I don’t miss these things because I’m still riding one. I’ll never give up my exposed cables, rim brakes, and threaded bottom bracket! Great video.👍🏽
@humility-righteous-giving
2 жыл бұрын
have you ridden a modern bike?
@jeffhildreth9244
2 жыл бұрын
@@humility-righteous-giving I have and no thanks. Souless. Grossly overpriced and if damaged good luck. I have been riding for over 65 years and the joy is still in it with a proper steel, lugged bike such as my 1982 SOMEC, 1961 Miyata AERO PRO, Rivendell Hunqapillar, Rivendell Cheviot as well as a 1992 Specialized 940 Mountian Bike. I have a few others. I applaud those who wish to ride on plastic, and wear synthetic fabric pseudo racer clothes, that's style; I prefer class. Ditto on the excellent video.
@allenschmitz9644
2 жыл бұрын
@@jeffhildreth9244 Us e-bikers pity you.
@tomsmith5216
2 жыл бұрын
@@humility-righteous-giving I have. didn't care for it.
@toby9999
2 жыл бұрын
@@humility-righteous-giving I've ridden old and new. I didn't notice any significant difference.
@martynm.449
11 ай бұрын
I love the simplicity and ease of servicing rim brakes.
@DR_1_1
8 ай бұрын
I'm considering a new cyclotourism bike, but they only come with cable + hydro brakes. Which rim brakes would you recommend? It would be equipped with Shimano 105...
@Silidons91
6 ай бұрын
@@DR_1_1 Look at brands like Soma, Crust, Rivendell...they make rim-brake versions of bikes that can accept larger tires.
@DR_1_1
6 ай бұрын
@@Silidons91 Thanks but too late, I just got a CX, and as you can guess, it's mounted with... disk brakes! I'm a bit worried about servicing this stuff, but considering that I'm only replacing the rim pads on my older bike every few years, I suppose I've some time left to learn about that!
@Silidons91
6 ай бұрын
@@DR_1_1 well if it makes you feel any better, cyclingabout has basically toured the world on hydro disc brakes and has never had an issue. It’s not very hard to change the fluid. It’s just annoying when the pads rub, and it will happen.
@DR_1_1
6 ай бұрын
@@Silidons91 I like some tinker, but I find these little cups to replace the oil so ridiculous... not that I'll need them anytime soon, I have yet to finish running-in my brakes! I just hope these disks won't ask for more maintenance than rim brakes (less than 10.- online for the 4 of them, fitted and aligned in a few minutes only)...
@jasonyoung1898
2 жыл бұрын
You hit every nail directly on the head. Too many casuals trying to emulate the pros and the big companies benefiting from their indulgences. Enjoy your ride and understand that you don't need to go 75km/hr to do so. Ride on your budget. I still have mechanical, cable actuated components and i love them
@einundsiebenziger5488
Жыл бұрын
It's actually to the disadvantage of consumers that the pros are not allowed to ride prototypes but must use what's commercially available. So almost everything is designed with the pro rider in mind such as all the silly aero gadgets. Now everything on your new road bike is totally integrated so the extent of being unserviceable with regular tools. That integration, if it does fulfil all its aero promises, might save you a few minutes on your weekend ride with your friends. But what the hell do you do with these minutes if they don't win you any price money? They're too few to have a second post-ride beer which you could not afford anymore anyway since all your money went into your new fancy aero equipment.
@annyer262
9 ай бұрын
@@einundsiebenziger5488 take your bike to the bike store to have it worked on?
@michaelclements4664
2 жыл бұрын
One thing I miss about old bikes is cone & ball bearings. Serviceable, adjustable, and when properly maintained they are ultra smooth and last a lifetime.
@joebolan4082
10 ай бұрын
True, but tearing apart the drivetrain was a pain in the derriere. The sealed units seem to last close to forever if you purchase units of reasonable quality. I will admit that a perfectly-adjusted cup and cone bearing is impossible to beat.
@dasreicht
10 ай бұрын
What do they use now? I'm ignorant re bearings unfortunately!
Shimano, Campag and higher end Fulcrum wheels still use cup and cone bearings and are great.
@ThisTimeTheWorld
9 ай бұрын
I just hate those skinny locknuts.
@CommunRyder
2 жыл бұрын
Miss the shiny parts of old bikes! Now they are almost all black wheels, stems, cranks, etc... look at that chromed fork on the Colnago in this video 🤩
@CreosoteChris
2 жыл бұрын
I've acquired four bikes over the last 10 years or so, all very different - and having learne to live with them, I find that my favourite is the the one I bought as a cheap commute ride (because it had full muguards and a pannier rack) - a '79 Claude Butler tourer. Now fitted with (1) vintage-look pedals, useable with flat or MTB cleated shoes, and (2) vintage-look polished alloy wheels to replace the rusty old ones. It's gorgeous, comfortable, practical, and of little interest to thieves. It gets more use than the others combined.
@joebolan4082
10 ай бұрын
My favorite is my old Guerciotti--my first racing bike that was properly fitted. It now sports mudguards and a "triple", set up for randonees. Not "fast" any more (nor is its owner), but rock-solid stable with good vibration damping. Cannot beat Columbus SL tubing!
@i4npanman
2 жыл бұрын
I'm a youngster, but I love vintage bikes and tech. The beauty of these bikes is their simplicity.
@Memento86Mori
2 жыл бұрын
Same boat as you mate... I love my fixed gear is fun
@mitzij
2 жыл бұрын
Like Walter used to say 😁
@AmiJurgl
2 жыл бұрын
You hit the nail on the head bro.
@theprojectproject01
2 жыл бұрын
They are the epitome of elegant engineering. Done properly, there is nothing on them that doesn't serve a purpose, and those parts have been made as light as possible for the strength required.
@daszieher
2 жыл бұрын
It confirmed that it is not a generation thing. Simpler bikes are more entertaining.
@spooky8662
2 жыл бұрын
I'd add to the list "Old Brakes" they really seem to have jumped up in quality since the 90s. When I pick up a vintage bike, usually the first things to get replaced are the brakes.
@sportbikejesus
2 жыл бұрын
1990 RX100 brakes were perfect. Ultegra and Dura Ace were as good but lighter. By the time I tried Campy (1997) Record brakes were amazing too. Disk brakes work better than rim but rim brakes have not improved at all. (I’m on 2020 Dura Ace). In fact, 2016 SRAM Force rim brakes are the worst I’ve ever seen and much worse than my “bottom of the line” from 1990. I’m wondering if you rode single pivot rim brakes after dual pivot brakes were released. It’s true those were awful but dual pivots were out by 1990.
@PRH123
2 жыл бұрын
The Avid Shorty cantilevers on my Kona are just as powerful as discs in the dry. I haven’t had to adjust them literally for 4 years. Whereas the hydraulic disks on one of my commuter bikes constantly require attention, and after about the same four years due to corrosion of the pistons, perform very poorly, and sound like a city bus coming to a stop. Like anything the applicability of the tool depends on what you’re doing with it, but if you’re talking about riding a road bike in the country in dry conditions, you don’t need discs.
@spooky8662
2 жыл бұрын
I've ridden single and dual pivots. While not every new brake is good, and not every old brake is bad, I'd say on average, rim brakes have gotten better since the 90s and onward, wither or not it's simply a case of better rubber compounds for pads, or better dual pivot designs. I'd assume it's a bit of both. I'm also not saying rim brakes are old. I'm saying old rim brakes are old. But more modern rim brakes are modern.
@davidburgess741
2 жыл бұрын
The Campy side pulls from '78 really are weak compared to more modern offerings. They sure are durable though.
@PRH123
2 жыл бұрын
@@davidburgess741 yes that’s true, had them on my 80’s Bianchi Veloce…. rode and raced for years and never had to replace the brake pads… they didn’t stop you very fast, but they were good enough for racing and fast group rides…. If I had ever taken the time to look at better pads maybe they would have worked better, but I just left it as is…
@mikefule330
2 жыл бұрын
I was riding casually in the late 1970s and riding regularly with a club in the 80s. I never got on with toe cages and never bothered with old-style cleats. For many years I preferred pinned flats, but was eventually converted to SPDs which I now love. I liked down tube friction levers for their simplicity. Indexed gears are great but a pain to set up and keep adjusted. I never struggled to find the down tube levers. I was perfectly happy with 5 or 6 sprockets at the back, but I always felt that the 1980s chainrings were too big for real world riding. One of my 3 current bikes has discs: far better than rim brakes in the mud, but otherwise, nothing but needless complexity. I very much prefer the look of a classic lugged steel frame - I had a Mercian which I bitterly regret getting rid of. The silly prices for top spec bikes these days are just pandering to the egos of affluent middle aged riders. £1,000 or so gets you a decent brand new bike. Most expensive bikes are far better than their riders can justify in terms of need and performance (unless of course you're competing). One thing I certainly don't miss is 1970s cottered cranks that always worked loose. Can't go wrong with square taper for most real world riding.
@davidburgess741
2 жыл бұрын
Nothing worse than cottered! Square tapered if you want no problems. Marginal gains be dammed!
@kurt1391
2 жыл бұрын
Indexed gears are really easy to set up and require very little maintenance, just a ten-second tweak a couple times a year. You just set the cable tension and limiting screws, which you do with non-indexed, and you're good as long as the indexing matches the cassette, which it should.
@mikefule330
2 жыл бұрын
@@kurt1391 I maintain the 4 bikes in my garage which have indexed gears. 3 are almost trouble free, but for some reason, 1 of them seems to require constant minor adjustment, which gives me a jaded view of the whole thing. On a friction shifter, you don't even need to readjust the cable (within common sense limits) because you can just move the lever a bit further. Maybe that's a nostalgic view.
@demonstructie
Жыл бұрын
Good point about regular SPDs for real world, non competitive cycling. My commute used to include a very tall and long bridge over a major river. My regular SPDs with recessed cleats allowed me to shoulder my bike and take the stairs halfway to the top of the bridge instead of looping all the way around and ride up the entire slope. I'd have struggled to walk up the concrete stairs in SPD SLs, and would probably have worn out a pair of cleats a month doing so. I'm sure that being able to take that shortcut was more than enough to offset any marginal speed increase from improved power transfer that SPD SLs may offer!
@PaulJakma
5 ай бұрын
Square taper is very good.
@MrRuvimovich
2 жыл бұрын
Very very proper evaluation of what non pro and not "racer"- road cyclist of certain age really need to care about in order to enjoy and appreciate never ending road, beautiful location, nice (or bad)) wether and pure peace of mind. Thanks for that.
@PureRainX
2 жыл бұрын
Absolutely right. Thank you for reminding us that bikes have been pretty perfect for decades. I totally love my 1980 Schwinn Paramount. I have other bikes, but this one gets all the compliments. The shift levers are indexed, and they never miss. As a bonus, i can just look down at their positions to see what gear I’m in. This is not as important if you have a 1x 11 or 12 setup on a modern bike, but just a glance down takes just a split second to check. Although i always keep a spare set of brake pads, I can’t remember when i had to change them. The frame is steel, (red!) and the bike weighs 19 lbs. Also, through-axels take the fun out of swapping and changing your wheels.
@sky173
2 жыл бұрын
Great video. After 30+ years I still have my Schwinn 10 speed and love it. Besides the basic maintenance, it's been absolutely flawless in my opinion. I've rode some big races in it over the years. I'm the second owner and paid $40 USD for it. It may be gaudy and heavy, but it can hold it's own against the new stuff without a problem.
@APlagueOfButterflies
10 ай бұрын
Chicago made Schwinns are fantastic. I'm still angry my Dad threw away mine thinking it was "yard sale junk".
@brianchisnell1548
7 ай бұрын
I agree. I have 2, 1971 Schwinns. Both Sierra brown. Super Sport and Sports Tourer. Round Badge. Pretty Killer rides and get a lot of attention with all the Bling!!
@permanenceinchange2326
2 жыл бұрын
With almost these same thoughts in mind I decided to build up my own retro bike last year :). I tried to get the best of both worlds: it's an old steel frame, aluminium rims and some nice looking details like an aluminium Stronglight crankset and a Rolls saddle. However, shifters are SRAM Rival and I've got SPD pedals. The toughest job was to buy all the new components in a matte or polished aluminium, since all you can buy these days is black, black and black. I got the parts from all over Europe - it costed me 3 months to find everything in the exact look I wanted it!
@dino308qv
2 жыл бұрын
I miss the standard tools. I used to have a small set of tools that worked on every bike. Now every bike has proprietary pullers, spanners, chain tools, etc.
@donhuber9131
2 жыл бұрын
In total agreement.
@dinodaniel2237
9 ай бұрын
100 per cent agree
@DR_1_1
6 ай бұрын
Don't forget the tubeless stuff, and an oven for waxing the chain...
@mitzij
2 жыл бұрын
You have said exactly what i tell everyone for the last years and everybody thinks i’m crazy. Just the simple feel of riding a bike like it used to be. I have a Koga Miyata Prologue and i wouldn’t trade it for the top of the market in today racing bikes.
@dalevalentine9008
2 жыл бұрын
No doubt. Love steel frames. The ride and beauty and the craftsmenship
@paulmcknight4137
2 жыл бұрын
Nice to read I'm not alone clinging to two steel bikes, a DeRosa Professional, the last bike Eddy rode in his racing career built by the guy who helped him with his own brand, fully Campy Super Record, bulletproof for about 75,000 and counting. So stricken with love, built up a custom steel "beater" for commuting. Every time a new tech came about, I worked through lust, then balked. Look pedals were too small for many racers. Keirin racers stuck to clips and straps for the longest time. Greg Lemond was known to use toe straps in addition to Look cleats, as they kept the shoes from stretching or unclipping on the upstrokes. I can ride on errands in street shoes in clips and straps, walk without ruining cleats, and the feet won't come off the pedals. I ride the same pedals on laced cycling shoes with slotted cleats that hold the feet on the pedals as well, if not better, than any clipless system. I can reach down and loosen or tighten the toe strap with a buckle designed for that purposes. The rat trap pedals are as light as clipless, but they have the largest surface to push down on, no "hot spots." Pulling out the feet backwards always works just fine. I've never fallen over after stopping. Steel tubing is still a preferred diameter for resilience, shock absorption, strength, and comfort: 1" top tube, 1 1/8" down tube. Modern carbon frames are trending skinnier to approximate this feel. Steel forks absorb shocks as efficiently as carbon, but don't give up the feel of the road. Steel holds up very well in a crash, and if the fork bends, a frame builder can straighten it without giving up "modulus of elasticity," the magic that seems to return energy on every pedal stroke. And forget about "lawyer lips," those stupid flanges that pervert the whole idea of quick release. I've known guys who've filed them off. Now with disc brakes on beefy forks, riders have to carry a wrench to undo the thru axle when repairing a front wheel flat or throwing the bike in the car. How cool is that? 42-21 [or 22] on a 6 speed freewheel is a bit stiff on the climbs, but back in the day, we all trained up and could handle them just fine. Third chainrings were "granny gears." 42-28 gearing was for touring and recreational wimps afraid of pain. The trick, so intuitive on a steel frame, even out the strain turning the crank around, spread out the energy around the stroke, thereby using the slow twitch aerobic muscle fibers. Just below anaerobic threshold, the intensity becomes tolerable, and the legs can recover from those inevitable excursions into anaerobic. Sure, lower gearing evens out the pain, but rider slows down, loses momentum, and has to work his ass off, while the other guys attacked in a higher gear and are already recovering at the top! Nothing quite like a 32 spoked aluminum rim laced onto a cup and cone bearing hub. Adjust the bearings to roll silky smooth, true the rim, tension the spokes evenly, and don't look back for miles and miles. 68mm threaded BBs are making a comeback because they don't creak. How about that? Yes, these old '80s bikes were simple, effective, reliable, easy to fix with a few tools and a bike stand. They lasted forever, didn't cost as much as a used car, affordable without sponsors, and survived the inevitable crashes. Wannabes like me could ape our heroes. You couldn't say that about motorsports back then and now can't say that about bicycles. That DeRosa , top end frame in '84, Campy components far above the competition, tubular tires to boot, cost me $1300 set up in the bike shop. I cringe to think what it would cost today. I also collected Campy parts from Nashbar sales, upgrading a mid-priced Puch, and then transferred the components to a nice custom steel commuter from a local builder. I put on rack and fenders, a 13-28 freewheel, 28 mm tires, and it is now my principle ride. The car stays undercover in the driveway on trickle charge. I try to drive it once a month. It's now a conceit, a status symbol. I can go anywhere within a 30 mile radius of DC Metro on bike paths free of auto traffic, on two exquisite examples of the craft. What other sport offers that pleasure?
@robertwyland7770
2 жыл бұрын
Agree with pretty much with most of your statements, except gears. I have always been a spinner, not a masher. Even my 39-28 was not low enough for me in my 20's. Yes, I trained and managed 3000 foot ascents up grades in excess of 10%. But why? I have never liked triples, Q factor is too large, and some how shifting seems to suffer...
@paulmcknight4137
2 жыл бұрын
@@robertwyland7770 Yep. Compact 46/34 and 12-28 freewheel makes perfect sense. With the slowest gear being 42-22, I have to ride hard all the time! That's pretty much what racing is all about, though. And heck, everyone is now obsessed with watts, directly related to speed, no? The game hasn't changed!
@dpwellman
2 жыл бұрын
I also recall I had a 12-21 six speed rear with 42/52 on the front and I wonder how the hell I ever managed on the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains... And then I remember:18-24 year old legs and knees. Now I have a 12-32 10sp with 50/34 in the front. Coming up on 50 and I barley feel it.
@vintagebikes4215
Жыл бұрын
True that! All of it.
@jbarner13
Жыл бұрын
@@dpwellman I recall installing a 13-26 six-speed on my bike back in the '70s, because I thought the 42 x 24 just wasn't quite low enough. The next time I showed up for a group ride, I was ridiculed to the point where I remember the sting to this day. Today I did a short, 30k ride that had a couple of good long climbs, though nothing over 12%, and my 42 x 27 was just the ticket.
@marcianosolinap3722
2 жыл бұрын
Good reminder to keep my steel bikes since 1982. I still enjoy riding them until up to now. Thanks I am so motivated to ride my Cinelli Supercorsa tomorrow!
@jakereich
9 ай бұрын
I love my non-indexed friction shifters. I never have to adjust cables, and it just works.
@kenhorii6166
2 жыл бұрын
I agree wholeheartedly with all your likes/dislikes except downtube shifters. Perhaps it’s because my 1970’s Campagnolo Record components on my Colnago Super would just not be proper without the downtube shifters. As you mentioned, I also like the tactile “trimming”of the front and rear with friction shifters as opposed to click detents. I should say, I also have a C64 Colnago with Campy Super Record 12- although here I maintain my cable controls and rim brakes. Nice video!
@joebolan4082
10 ай бұрын
Bar-ends are also lovely, and so much easier to replace cables than the all-in-one units.
@jeffburne6563
2 жыл бұрын
I enjoyed hearing your take on old steel road bikes. I am an original owner of a 1986 Nishiki Tri-A with Dura Ace components. Everything is original except tires and the pedals, which were upgraded many years ago to Look clips. The biggest complaint for me is the gearing which, as you pointed out, makes climbing difficult. Last year, I purchased an entry-level Trek Domane SL 5. It's pretty heavy for a carbon bike and only a couple pounds lighter than the Nishiki. The biggest difference between the two bikes for me is Domane's superior stability and maneuverability - probably due to the wider tires and frame geometry. I love riding the Domane, but have come to really appreciate how well built the Nishiki is.
@charliedillon1400
10 ай бұрын
I have a Japanese made 1983 Nishiki Prestige. Rides like a dream and fits 32c tires.
@stered1940
2 жыл бұрын
I have 8 steel bikes, all italian and a Colnago like yours. All of them have been upgraded to 7800 Dura Ace groups and C24 wheels. Restomod style. Best of both worlds
@kevinbrooker9508
2 жыл бұрын
Silk tubulars have an ethereal ride. I miss the readily available sew-up. Gluing them sucked but worth it for the ride and weight savings. Flat changes are faster too. Frame mounted pumps are also awesome. Good dog weapon too. Steel Campy pump heads were bulletproof and you can inflate an unlimited number of tires.
@christopheroliver148
Жыл бұрын
Good modern cotton sew-ups like Veloflex 23s (and I assume 25s) aren't at all shabby. I never got to ride Clement silks back in the day, so I can't comment here.
@stevengagnon4777
10 ай бұрын
I had one silk tire put it on the front . It was definitely a nice ride . But then I discovered the Clement Griffo 61s. Never road anything smaller than 26mm again. It was those and other paves. I can easily get a 30mm tire to fit with my 853 Lemond Zurich. Just love those paves . The irony the fat tires are more common. Now the original irony is I've been riding a recumbent since smashing my acetabulem through my pelvis. Gotta find a better saddle maybe I can ride the Zurich again.
@joebolan4082
10 ай бұрын
Still fit a Zefal HP to every bike I ride. It has saved many mates whose CO2 or mini-pumps have failed them (and I can still get 90-100 lbs in with it). Pumping up a tire with the Zefal is also my only upper-body workout (other than hefting my older, heavier vintage bikes). Remember when 22 lbs was a "lightweight" bike??
@gam1471
2 ай бұрын
@@joebolan4082 Yes, I remember when 22lbs was a good weight for a racing bike - back in the 1960s. A top class machine with Campagnolo components could be bought here in the UK for around £75 to £95 Sterling. Happy days!
@paulwheeless1080
2 жыл бұрын
I'm still loving my 1986 Tommasini Racing! It is a work of Italian Art and is fast as hell. As for the gearing...never could figure out how those expensive new bikes could never keep up when i decided to put the hammer down (even in my 50s)
@jeffhildreth9244
2 жыл бұрын
Same with my 1982 SOMEC... Yes I still ride in my 70s.. love to blow off the new age Spandex Mafia bikers in the hills and curves.
@davidrussell8689
2 жыл бұрын
Great cycles and logical arguments . It’s not just nostalgia; simplicity is beauty . I still miss my Dawes Echelon 😂
@peterkiss1204
2 жыл бұрын
The only thing I miss from rim brakes is the direct feedback of vibrations. You can feel the exact spot when the wheel is on the verge of blocking up. With disc brakes there is a slight flexing due to the spokes which covers up almost all the feedback, and causing some delay in action.
@davidrobinson9507
2 жыл бұрын
I adopted toe clips again after using clipless for about 30 years. I found a set of double strand, double strap I guess track toe clips. Using logic from the great 'power grips' straps which I also used, I threaded a single strap at a diagonal on my double clips, for angled entry, easy twist release, using uncleated cycling shoes that have sturdy traction and tread that naturally grips the pedal. So, now I'm walking in shoes that are not hazardous slippery tap dancing shoes and my pedals are secure and comfortable. I'm on a pair of campagnolo record steel and alloy quill pedals. All good. The diagonal strap eliminates the discomfort of the strap binding the wide part of your foot. And the double tongue clips don't bother the centre of your foot which is more sensitive at the top. I wish I had a diagram to illustrate it but words will have to do. Over the years, clipless pedals started getting painful, giving hotspots, numbness, no freedom to fine tune my foot position. Less is more. People have made such an obscene delicacy of the sport. Pretty much only used frames appeal to me nowadays. I own a Raleigh, a Peugeot, a deKerf, a Cannondale, a Kona, a Lovell, a Hase kettweissel, a Rans, a Miele, and a Ritchey. All at least ten years old, and the Peugeot is a 1971. Proprietary, absurdly over designed, flimsy minimal little castings and plastic moulded pieces that snap and break, batteries (!?) weird shaped things that don't fit any other parts... I've said this on many rants, but what has happened to cycling this century is very much like what has happened to democracy in United States. It's priced beyond prayers, doesn't hold up under pressure, thinks so highly of itself that any humility is out of the question, and in the final end, millions are duped and swindled .
@gam1471
2 ай бұрын
Toeclips and straps plus uncleated shoes have worked well for me for many years - with Campagnolo pedals. Agreed entirely!
@r.davies2702
2 жыл бұрын
Yep, totally agree. If anything on a bike should be in a museum or hung, to be gazed at nostalgically, on a living room wall, it's down tube shifters. The things we had to endure to get where we're at now. Btw, I ride a genesis with external cabling and cable brakes. If it works why change it.
@davidburgess741
2 жыл бұрын
Bar end shifters were a bit easier to deal with than the more fragile brifters that came later. Hydraulics are a bridge too far. If you're going to use electronic, why not just have the shifter blips and do away with brifters? KISS!
@malcolmmather4353
2 жыл бұрын
My sentiments too, I still have a number of classic steel road bikes which I love.
@charlcoetzee93
Жыл бұрын
Very good points about steel frames and the effect on tyre sizes
@benc8386
2 жыл бұрын
Excellent points and I agree with nearly all of them. I don't miss looking for 1/4" ball bearings under the fridge, but sealed square taper was better than the current external bearing systems. I also don't miss chowdering up the threads on the top of my steerer; threadless headset systems a bit uglier but a much more robust design. Lower gears ✔️ yes please but we don't really need more than 7 or 8 sprockets at the back with the compromises that having more entail.
@welshchris1951
9 ай бұрын
I ride my 1975 Mercian with a triple chainset, (28, 42, 50) and a six speed 28 to 14 freewheel. Gives me much the same ratios as my Cannondale with 32/50 chainset and 32 to 12 ten speed cassette. I've got the same 27 inch lowest gear on both machines, and I almost never use the smallest sprocket on the Mercian, never mind the even smaller sprocket on the Cannondale.
@perpetualgrin5804
9 ай бұрын
Sealed bottom bracket a God send😅.
@adriannelson3045
2 жыл бұрын
Totally agree. I bought a secondhand steel frame Genesis bike in 2020 because of reading and hearing so many positive comments about ride quality of steel, and has proved absolutely right. The ride is really fantastic and a total joy, so much so I ordered and have just had delivered a new Condor Classico Road steel frame bike - really stunning! Would definitely recommend steel.
@jonathanbliss1945
2 жыл бұрын
Funnily enough, I was riding my admittedly Titanium bike the other week and thought I could get away with a pair of narrow tyres which might make the ride more exciting. The frame is very compliant. The bike shop has a decent pair of 23mm Vittorias on sale in scruffy looking boxes for ages, so picked them up for a song. Glad I did, feels nice a lively and quick, I was previously using 26mm and prior to that 29mm and swapping from those to the 26mm made a big difference. Rim brakes have been brilliant for me, although I could see an advantage to discs in mountainous regions. #23mmfor23
@glenmorrison8080
8 ай бұрын
I have an old steel frame Trek from the mid eighties that is older than me, that I've been riding on a semi-regular basis for years. These old bikes are quite long lasting.
@anielyantra1
2 жыл бұрын
I think you got most of it correct. I still ride a steel MTB from the 80's with thumb shifters. I have upgraded the brakes to linear pull brakes and the BB to a hollow tech/ external bearings. and I do like a 1X with a wide range cassette. Those are all upgrades. I still think all things carbon are better left for racing pros and the same with disc brakes for specific types of riding. It is a point of sadness that I can't go down to my local bike shop and get parts or service. The mechanics are literally not trained in how to fix them nor do they even have the tools.
@simongee8928
2 жыл бұрын
The names of the traditional frame builders were a mark of quality in themselves. That's something you could rely on.
@marcushyacinthe9331
2 жыл бұрын
And you never had to ask that stupid but seemingly all-important question... Was the bike made in Italy or in Taiwan??? (if that really matters)
@einundsiebenziger5488
Жыл бұрын
Well, then the featured Colnago frame, or more precisely the straight fork, is a bad example. Colnago just skipped the process of bending the fork to save cost. The "added quality" of the straight fork only existed in their marketing gibberish to justify their enormous prices.
@kevinmothers904
10 ай бұрын
@@marcushyacinthe9331His list didn't include Falcon cycles, made in Lincolnshire!
@LSnium
Жыл бұрын
I have a 1970s Peugeot UO-8, as someone who owns high end modern carbon mountain bikes and modern roadbikes, the Peugeot is my main bike, it has a fast feeling and stiff planted bullet ride you cant find on any new bike today. I bought it all rusty and neglected and dirty for 100 bucks, I took it apart, washed all the parts cleaned everything, tuned everything, greased lubed, and boy its a performer and a looker, everyone looks at my bike when I ride it, unlike my new bikes, definitely worth buying a vintage road bike, not to forget, they have character and a story most of the time.
@daveladdie3614
2 жыл бұрын
Mercian were the bikes of my youth back in the 60's and they are still going strong today.
@paulatterby7507
2 жыл бұрын
Mercian bikes were very beautiful with fantastic paint jobs, I had a mercian made from reynolds 653, superb racing bike.
@christopheroliver148
Жыл бұрын
The barbershop pole seat tube decoration is drool-worthy. If I ever have one of my customs repainted, I just might have to ask for that touch.
@twatts4436
2 жыл бұрын
For winter riding i still think disc brakes are essential in the UK. They're more consistent in the wet. But for summer, rim brakes are enough. Have a 2001 bike which is a blend of old and new, it's a lively bike - but not as fast as my 2016 (aluminium) bike. The 2001 bike never fails to put a smile on my face- that and classic Campag is lovely to use.
@grahambowes756
2 жыл бұрын
Great look back. I've still got my late 80s Raleigh 531 which I cleaned up last year and found it still fun to ride. Like you say, 30 odd years I'd like more gears, and the downtube shifters are hard work, even though my bike had first gen SIS indexed shifting. My main upgrade back then was just to add Dura ace clipless pedals, which then used the Look system. I very different rise to my fancy carbon bike. And always gets comments, when I'm out on it.
@davidburgess741
2 жыл бұрын
The more sprockets you have, the more you need quick convenient shifting. In days of old gears were often widely spaced making the decision to shift more of a commitment.
@dwaynemcallister7231
20 күн бұрын
A few years ago a friend dropped off a 1989 Miata 718, it had been sitting in his yard for 25 years and so I disassembled it and replaced what needed it and shined it up, it was a odd frame, chrome moly and aluminum pressed and bonded. It cleaned up well, paint looked almost new after polish and wax. This bike was aimed at Tri-athlete's and weighed 21 lbs. at size 56 cm. I loved the way it felt to drive it, nimble and quick. Very high paint quality, and cool paint scheme. Indexed Shimano down tube shifters, really easy find the right gear. 3 by 6 gearing. Nothing wrong with that old bike tech!
@bessokeks4006
2 жыл бұрын
could not agree more - perfect description of reality. Thank you!
@jseski9209
2 жыл бұрын
Spot on with all of this. I own two vintage bikes, one steel one titanium & while I have to concede that if I need/want pure flat-out speed-per-watt (race) I ride my 2yr old carbon aero road bike. However, if I am willing/able to sacrifice just a mile or two per hour on my average speed (for a ride) I MUCH prefer the ride of my old bikes. They are simply more comfortable & in so many ways better (not the least of which is style). I think you also understated two things: rim brakes ARE fine/great/p'bly-better for 99% of road-based cycling; and the life expectancy of these carbon frames is not good (& mostly misunderstood by most cyclists). I do appreciate (& use myself) new technology. I owned one of the first mass produced carbon bikes on the market back in the '80's. I have always had a "current tech" bike. But I agree w/everything stated in the video, that there are without a doubt, things of old bike tech that are now gone, which is too bad. A current "entry level" or especially intermediate bike, with heavy/poor-quality componentry now costs as much or more than what you used to be able to buy a high end production bike or even a custom frame. Great video.
@lesliereissner4711
2 жыл бұрын
While I have a nice selection of vintage steel bikes, my favourite is much more modern, sort of-- a custom Tommasini Tecno built for me in 2014. It has all the glorious aesthetics of a lugged steel frame, with beautiful paint and polished stainless lugs, engraved quill stem, and bombproof Mavic Open Pro wheels. I was fortunate to find a new set of alloy Campagnolo Athena 11-speed parts, including brakes far better than on my 1980s bikes, and it has Speedplay pedals and a handsome Selle San Marco Regal saddle with copper rivets. Modern steel is much lighter than it was in the old days and in a sea of endless black carbon frames you will really stand out with classic steel. There are lots of craft framebuilders who can build something beautiful for a lot less than high-end carbon and you can take the savings and go ride in Italy! Ordering a custom steel frame and meeting the people who will make it is one of the best experiences you can have in our world of mass production. By the way, Mercian can do some really gorgeous stuff in the UK.
@paulwheeless1080
2 жыл бұрын
wow! I have a 1986 Tommasini...I really want to travel to Grosseto to have a new one built for me!
@christopheroliver148
Жыл бұрын
I never had the honor of meeting my builder in the flesh, but I got to talk with him a lot on the phone over the course of four bikes. I think the relationship with your builder (and painter) is one of the great parts of going bespoke. Of course having a beautiful fitting, riding, and looking bike that is unique in the world is the main benefit. Sadly, my guy has hung up the torch, and the last I spoke with him, he said "if you're looking for a new bike, I'm not your guy." I was happy to be only looking for the right size for a Zefal HPX pump.
@realFranklinfurter
8 ай бұрын
Real steel! I got into cycling 10 years ago by building my own steel bike at the local coop. Still riding an 80s Trek.
@madfx8058
Жыл бұрын
This videos is awesome! Great points! When it comes to wheels a set of dual pivot brakes and machined sidewall aluminum wheels stop very well when set up properly. I'm also under the impression that a ton of mid to high quality bikes where pumped out in the 80s and 90s from Taiwan and Japan and make great resto-mod projects!
@DilbertMuc
10 ай бұрын
absolutely! I put a new set of Shimano R7000 dual pivot rim brakes on my old steel Allez bike and now I wonder why the industry went for heavy disc brakes (marketing scheme to buy new bikes!). Dual pivot rules!
@wallacegrommet9343
9 ай бұрын
I worked briefly in 1985 for a premier NJ bicycle shop that kept a few Colnago frames on hand for custom builds
@ralphc1405
8 ай бұрын
Question: When did the Master frames begin to be spec'ed with the straight Precisa forks? I still ride an 80s Master with a curved one btw. Thanks!
@bobbiemenendez3741
2 жыл бұрын
I like down-tube shifters as long as they are indexed. I have Dura-Ace 9 speed down tubers on a '93 lugged steel Allez. They work slick.
@Fred_the_1996
2 жыл бұрын
Non indexed is where it's at, my Vilar Maze Modelo De Luxo has them and they never need to be adjusted lol
@donttouchthisatall
2 жыл бұрын
@@Fred_the_1996 Absolutely agree - i recently mounted friction downtube shifters on my 80ties bike and they work flawlessly. And part compatibilty is a non-issue. Just slap on a random derailleur and you are good to go. No need to worry about proper cable pull. Set and forget 👍
@bluemarinoni
2 жыл бұрын
Agree. The 9 speed indexed downtube shifters are SO CRISP... I have a set that I'll never let go of; they've been on several bikes now. Big plus for downtubes is that should your brifters fail, or you're just playing with a new setup, you've still got a shifter without shelling out many hundreds of $.
@NewPolishScientist
2 жыл бұрын
Agree 100%. I love steel frames. Carbon frames are like McDonald's when good steel frame is like Michelin star restaurant
@roald577
2 жыл бұрын
Aint no way you say steel is better than carbon💀💀 its the other way around dude
@mcdonnell-douglasdc-1056
2 жыл бұрын
Performance wise, carbon is better. Durability wise, steel still is the better choice.
@roald577
2 жыл бұрын
@@mcdonnell-douglasdc-1056 Carbon fiber is five-times stronger than steel and twice as stiff. Though carbon fiber is stronger and stiffer than steel, it is lighter than steel. How the fuck are ya’ll saying carbon is like mcdonalds?💀
@roald577
2 жыл бұрын
I love the look and feel of vintage bike but don’t ever say that the steel frame is better than the carbon frame. Carbon is a lot superior.
@mcdonnell-douglasdc-1056
2 жыл бұрын
@@roald577 Carbon isn't as durable as steel if it suffered impact in a way that it wasn't designed to withstand. Carbon fiber is usually engineered to be compliant in the way it was designed, optimizing for power transfer. That is why you can push down and sprint as hard as you can, and the bike can take it while also yielding better results. That being said, if the carbon fiber takes impact in any other way than designed (e.g. crashing or collisions) the frame either develops micro cracks that accumulate over time, or just disintegrate catastrophically. This is why carbon fiber bikes are a rarity outside of the racing aspects of cycling; even Red Hook Crit fixies are built with aluminum, since the frame can take crashes. And repairing carbon fiber is expensive and unfeasible, when you can just buy another carbon fiber bike instead of repairing it. Steel can take punishment without failing catastrophically. Frame will usually bend before breaking. And unlike carbon fiber, steel frames can be repaired, bending the frame back in place or welding the frame. And this is why I said that steel is better durability wise. You are correct about the analogy being somewhat nonsensical, though.
@polychronisrempoulakis3588
8 ай бұрын
Still riding my Specialized off-road bike I bought back in 2007, after 17 years and three continents still going strong, the older the better!
@richcrompton6891
2 жыл бұрын
I loved downtube shifters, but only due to my lack of gears making it relatively easy to find one. It would be a nightmare with an 11 or 12 speed setup! So precise!
@sportbikejesus
2 жыл бұрын
I remember thinking I didn’t need STI levers bc my downtube shifters were fine. Then I got them and quickly found myself shifting much more often. Before I would suffer with a slightly wrong gear thinking it was close enough. With STI levers I would shift on short rolling hills. Before I would keep one gear and stand on the short uphill and sit for short downhill. The plus side of downtube shifters is that I’d work outside of my comfort zone.
@andrewturner943
2 жыл бұрын
I thought it would be a trimming nightmare as well but I was completely wrong! With 11 speed downtube friction shifting, there's very little room for the chain to go other than onto the next cog so it actually requires the least amount of trimming compared to my past experiences with 10, 9, and 8 speed friction setups. I can't endorse it enough, honestly. I have found though that Sram 11 speed cassettes are way less smooth than Shimano cassettes when it comes to friction shifting, so if you try it, stick to Shimano parts. Beyond 11 speeds with friction shifting, I'd imagine pull ratios will be the biggest limiting factor. You'd simply run out of room for the lever to move. For instance, I'm using bar end friction shifters on a 2x11 setup, but I'm using a 9 speed Deore rear mech because modern 11 speed rear mechs require more cable pull than what the bar end lever is capable of pulling.
@richcrompton6891
2 жыл бұрын
@@andrewturner943 that’s fabulous news! Thanks for the info 🏆😊
@matthewlewis2072
2 жыл бұрын
They are terrible.
@kurt1391
2 жыл бұрын
I miss downtube shifters like I miss having COVID. I have STI as well as Di2, and I prefer Di2, but not by much. It works perfectly, but I'm not sure it's worth the price difference.
@domingonavarro1288
2 жыл бұрын
32 year old, Specialized Allez Carbon. Rebuilt three times! It’s got the original brake pads! Aluminum lugs meet carbon tubing. It’s not heavy either. I got rid of the super low gears. It’s just a really nice bike.
@domingonavarro1288
10 ай бұрын
I own the exact bike, with exact amount of rebuilds! Touché! ’
@sportbikejesus
2 жыл бұрын
I miss the forks without safety lips. They’re unnecessary and it absolutely sucks to have to unscrew your qr levers to remove a wheel.
@thenazz724
2 жыл бұрын
Easy to file off.
@robertmyers5269
2 жыл бұрын
@@thenazz724 not always. Chrome plating, etc. Blame the Consumer Product Safety Commission (U.S.). In the '70s they decided bicycles were toys (which was their mandate to regulate), and since a kid could climb on any bike, that *all* bikes were toys and subject to their regulations.
@billkallas1762
2 жыл бұрын
@@robertmyers5269 I've never had a problem filing off the lawyer tabs.
@Fred_the_1996
2 жыл бұрын
I quite like them, I've had a qr lever come loose from vibration while going fast and they saved me
@sportbikejesus
2 жыл бұрын
@@ashleyblack327 the lips were added at some point between 94 and 97, before disc brakes. Also these days disc brake bikes come with thru axles. What happened was someone didn’t tighten his qr correctly and it came loose. Instead of that being a teachable moment for an irresponsible rider, now everyone has to deal with the inconvenience.
@stephensaines7100
2 жыл бұрын
You can get down-tube shifters indexed. And for toe traps and straps, use the woven straps, much stronger and compliant, and use delrin clips, half the weight, much more spring to them, and if they break, they're not razor sharp edges like the steel ones. If you set-up you straps and clips optimally, they're much faster to get into and out of than clipless. And in an accident, you're next to never stuck in them. I notice you had Shimano type pedals, looked like 600s. Along with the 105s and the Dura-Ace (which I have) they share the same clip geometry, which is a flat mount, not butt-mount to the pedal. This allows set-up to slide back and forth for reach, and also adding a touch of yaw if needed. Finding replacement clips is difficult, but check bike shops that rebuild bikes, often the first thing they toss are the pedals, and I've got a box-load of the clips. I've got a pair of PD-7400 that have been the only pedals I've used for well over 30 years, triple bearings, one bearing being needles. I've only used oil in them the last 25 years or so. I used to repack the grease every year the first decade, realized that judicious oiling every season seemed to work fine, but might repack them with grease this year and replace the balls. Dura-Ace requires a special wrench which I have, 600s and 105s just use standard wrenches. The back plates on the Dura-Ace, being very light alloy, do wear easily. You can mill them down flat a few times, but I eventually replaced them with 600 plates, which are steel. They weigh a lot more, but in the big scheme of things, are still negligible. They are much harder, and wearing well.
@stephensaines7100
10 ай бұрын
A year later...I *did* regrease my Durace 7400s. Bit of a trick to it, I use a freezer to thicken the grease so much that the balls stay in place during reassembly. On the 7400s, a special wrench is needed (which I have) to lock the rings against the cones. Something I didn't mention above is that the plastic clips are actually far better than the usually preferred steel ones. Half the weight, much more giving laterally, and when they snap, don't present a jagged sharp edge like the metal ones do.
@harvey66616
2 жыл бұрын
Spot on. I even empathize with the preference for rim brakes. That said, that's a very "sport"-centric viewpoint. Anyone using their bike for actual transportation, including those who prefer a road bike (indeed, probably _especially_ those), will appreciate the better stopping power and reliability of disc brakes in wet or snowy conditions. I commute in a region that is rainy 9-10 months out of the year and have had too many close calls waiting those couple of seconds for the rim brakes to clear the water from the rim and actually start braking. After switching to disc brakes, I am a lot safer riding in inclement weather. (There's also the fact that not all rim brake designs are actually that easy to get adjusted. I still have awful memories of wrestling with my old road bike's brakes, trying to get the caliper to operate evenly, stay centered so that they have a short pull with good stopping power but still neither pad is rubbing on the rim. Some newer designs, canteliever/center-pull/etc. are admittedly easier to maintain, but I don't miss the old days one bit in that respect.)
@wjcferguson
2 жыл бұрын
While rims, even with good Kool-Stops, can have an alarming rotation without much braking, I've been surprised that I've found disks far from immune. They're distinctly down on power in active rain for the first rotation. And then the squealing! Disks are definitely better, but compared to really *good* rim pads, nowhere near as much better as I was led to expect.
@johnkwasnieski7942
2 жыл бұрын
I agree with most of it, however not everyone can ride clipless pedals. I actually developed a neuroma in my ankle from them and went back to clips and straps. For me indexed downtube shifters are my favorite. The advantage of working both with one hand and they're clean looks combined with having brake cables buried beneath the handlebar tape have less clutter.
@ronhutcherson9845
10 ай бұрын
I never thought of using both with one hand. I’ll have to try that. I still have the Suntour shifters mounted on the downtube, set for friction shifting so they’re compatible with my 7 or 8-ring gear set (can’t remember how many).
@ds9quark
2 жыл бұрын
100% in agreement. My TI frame will last a lifetime though !
@alanprice7584
Жыл бұрын
I began cycling back in the 70s when toe clips and straps were the norm, later i flirted briefly with so called "clipless" pedals but now I've returned to strapless toe clips, shorter than the old ones but they hold the foot on the pedal with none of the release issues, just discovered the show and will be subscribing.
@charlesmansplaining
2 жыл бұрын
Very good video. To prove I agree with you, after owning several carbon bikes the one I have now and plan to keep riding is a custom made Ti frame from a builder here in the US. Let the young and dumb have their modern day koolade because you're just wasting your breath trying to convince them they are just throwing money away. I like how you mentioned "Polished components" because I really feel that look and quality needs to come back. I actually installed a 37 year old Campagnolo crankset from 1985 NOS on my bike and milled it to work with Di2. Looks beautiful and works pretty damn good. I can't believe how much of that vintage era stuff is still available even new but it can be had.
@tonyking1832
10 ай бұрын
Good skills with the milling the compagnelo to di2! It sounds great. Good engineering know how.
@yham47
2 жыл бұрын
I ride an 80s frame with Tiagra 4700 rim brake version on it and I agree with all your observations with regard to what you miss and don't miss. I think in my opinion the greatest innovation is the development of STI, thanks shimano. 😊
@guillaumehautier9418
9 ай бұрын
I agree with all ! Old vintages bikes are really the best.
@chrisw1090
2 жыл бұрын
I am surprised that no one has mentioned the beauty of the traditional (SR) handbar stem
@tymncycle
9 ай бұрын
If I rode competitively, I would agree on the down tube levers, but I don't, so I really appreciate the direct connection and simplicity of them. That being said, my first choice is bar end shifters, like the classic old SunTour Power Ratchets, or for indexed, Shimano 7 or 8 speed.
@fergusfitzgerald977
2 жыл бұрын
Totally agree with everything you have said ! Thats rare but true here in this instance ! Thank goodness there are a good few of us about still !
@jthepickle7
5 ай бұрын
I've got a Serotta frame with a Mavic crankset, Campagnolo front derailer, Dura Ace rear derailer and a mish-mash of other worthy components. I've been riding since 1974 and have weathered all the sales campaigns! My steel bike weighs about one full water bottle heavier than a carbon model - so THERE! Currant keyring is an old Campagnolo friction shifter lever.
@donaldoconnor7689
2 жыл бұрын
Trek 470 rider here. Granted I don’t have a lugged frame but it is the last of treks steel road bike excursions and it is glorious.
@billmacrae1924
2 жыл бұрын
I like simplicity, especially when there are no shifters at all. I ride single speed, up hill and down hill.
@ragwort3369
2 жыл бұрын
Same here. I'm on a fixed wheel for my hilly 16 mile commute at the moment and I love it!
@grahamariss2111
2 жыл бұрын
I am watching this with my four Bob Jacksons on the cycle tree in my lounge. I totally agree with you, went to carbon and then went to 631 steel because I wanted a bike to ride on so I kept I ultra expensive carbon for special days. Then I realised my 631 frame was a nicer ride. Agree clipp less pedals and STI levers are the area we have had progress.
@jeremywinkfield8523
2 жыл бұрын
My sort of lounge!
@ivandean1
8 ай бұрын
I have my Pinarello Asolo with Campanoglo groupset since 1992. And riding it ever since. One of the great nice details is the Pinarello insignia or name on every groupset part. It is a beautiful bike, still very fun to ride (used to have 19mm tires, now 25mm). I prefer my titanium frame bike today, but love to come back to the old timer regularly.
@davidnicholson6680
2 жыл бұрын
Longevity, simplicity, price and standards are all relevant points. However carbon allows modern bikes to ride better as stiffness doesn't mean lack of comfort any more. My modern carbon bike blows my old steel racing bike out of the water in this regard. Also, modern shifting is much better, carbon wheels are much stronger and basically never go out of true, disc brakes mat not be completely necessary but they do work better in all conditions. Lastly, fat, low pressure tubeless tires are far less likely to pinch flat, far more comfortable and offer more grip than old skinnies at high pressures.
@kurt1391
2 жыл бұрын
That is absolutely true. His comments on super stiff frames requiring larger tyres is dead wrong. I ride steel and carbon both, and I love both, but I am not taking my steel frame bike on a 70-mile ride like I used to. The carbon bike is vastly more comfortable. Anyone who disagrees has a bad or very old carbon frame. I'm not crazy about disc brakes. I love them when they work, but about every few weeks, I am fiddling with them. Just think of oil and you've fouled a pad, which requires polishing with a Dremel or a metal sanding pad.
@Blake4216
2 жыл бұрын
I’ve only been getting into bikes in the last 18months, but boy do I find the old bikes appealing! Lugged tubing, shiny components and being able to do a lot of the work at home with minimal tools, I’ve even built a wheel! My last build was a 1985 repco Monaco, sandblasted, repainted and fitted out as a simple single speed. It’s a tank, but lawdy does she ooze character, and I dare say more fun to ride than my considerably more expensive and modern gravel bike. My indoor trainer is also an old steel frame, with polished components and even down tube friction shifters but working on a more modern 10 speed cassette. Friction shifters and just so fancy, and I feel more attuned to it more so than just clicking it over.
@fiinpowell
2 жыл бұрын
I miss friction front shifting. The speed and ease of setting that up is unmatched by any other functional component. With that said I love modern 1x systems and have resto-mod'd several old steel bikes to 1x... unapologetically.
@performingartist
2 жыл бұрын
Rode my 97 Bianchi today. I've not bought a bike since. I've had my Shimano SPD shoes since 94. Still on the original laces! And I ride all the time.
@jasoncrawford1489
2 жыл бұрын
I actually like the old toe clips and straps. No changes of shoes. No clomping around with cleats. No extra shoes in my closet. Just step in and go regardless of what one is wearing. Otherwise, I pretty much agree with everything said.
@0equals1
2 жыл бұрын
Same here. Although I admit envying the efficiency of clipless riders, the clomping around is maximally uncool - as are the ugly shoe styles.
@howardkurtus7069
Жыл бұрын
i just use mountain bike waffle pedals, if your leave a few studs in the center it is enough to keep you from slipping and reduced damage to your shoes as well.
@samfeldman1508
Жыл бұрын
I use clip and straps with cleats. Buttery soft Detto shoes and cleats. It’s old school but it works.
@jimrustle270
2 жыл бұрын
I'm in my 30s so don't have any nostalgia for classic bikes - but my favourite bike that I wouldn't replace is a mid-80s NZ built Raleigh Arena. My only real complaints in comparison to modern bikes are the dreadful brakes (even compared to modern rim brakes), needing to carry a handful of spanners for longer rides, and the rack mounts being joined to the saddle bolt. The gear levers are up on the handlebars so I don't have to dice with my front wheel for every gear change. The ride quality is absolutely sublime (especially with my love 27x1 3/4s), and it's an absolute pleasure to look at when I'm not on it. Having wider tyres means it can do everything - can tour, do gravel, ride road. It's the gravel bike of its day (minus good brakes). It's also built like a tank, completely bomb proof.
@YungStinkyWinky
2 жыл бұрын
The best thing about riding fixed gears is that so many of the bikes are older framesets, and even with the new ones the parts are all super simple and legacy fit. They're a dream to work on, so much simpler than the $10k bikes I see crunching along the roads here. Most of the things listed in this video are still commonplace on fixed gears!
@arne_mh
2 жыл бұрын
And they will stay commonplace! Because frankly, that's what the fixed gear market wants
@davidpreneta3805
2 жыл бұрын
That is one beautiful bike! I currently have a carbon 2013 Trek Madone with Shimano Ultegra and an aluminum 2000 Cannondale Saeco with Campagnolo Centaur. I love switching between the two and really feel happy when riding the Cannondale. Yes the carbon bike is a bit over three pounds lighter but I'm not a professional cyclist. I love the classic Centaur silver groupset compared to the black Shimano components. I don't need the latest and greatest I just need a bike I'm comfortable riding. Besides most bikes today are all starting to look alike (in my opinion). I don't ever see a Cannondale Saeco on the road when I'm out...I'm sure everyone upgraded to carbon from aluminum but for those who recognize it they are really impressed in it's looks and the fact I still ride it.
@GrantSR
10 ай бұрын
I had an old school, double-triangle, hard-tail Trek, with half-step-plus-granny gearing that I custom designed to fit my 150-210 cadence riding style, Bar-Con bar-end friction shifters, and Shimano quick release pedals. It was stolen decades ago. I think that is the only one of my material possessions that i have ever truly mourned the loss of. I still miss it to this day. Due to the complications of life, I haven't really been on a bike much since then. Now that I am in a situation where I can have a bike again, I've been debating what I want to get. This video has convinced me to simply rebuild that old Trek from scratch.
@HWRedman1959
2 жыл бұрын
Still riding a Holdsworth Pro frame, Nuevo Record derailleurs, headset and bottom bracket, Cinelli seat, seatpost, stem, bars and Suntour Superbe brakes. My wheels are built with Phil Wood hubs and I now have clinchers vs the sew ups that I used to ride. My Campagnolo pedals and Alfredo Binda straps have been replaced by Speedplay pedals. The original gray paint and decals were repainted red to match a car that I once owned. The frame, wheels and brakes were acquired in 1980, everything else is older except the headset and big chainring that I wore out. Classic bicycle.
@vicc7409
2 жыл бұрын
Spot on. My only real gripe about steel frames is that they rust. It’s an issue when you live on the coast.
@mcspikesky
2 жыл бұрын
Everything corrodes
@vicc7409
2 жыл бұрын
@@mcspikesky Ti doesn't significantly corrode. Al does, but nearly to the extent that steel does.
@markhwebster
10 ай бұрын
I still ride my steel frame 10 speed Sekai that I bought new in 1972. In deference to my age, I've recently swapped in a 3 gear front derailleur with matching crank and sprockets off an old mountain bike. And I have 7 gears in the back. I've upgraded the brakes, but they are still rim mounted as shown here. And I love my handle bar end shifters. No buttons for me! I may have to repaint it as there is some rust. The bike shown here is lovely.
@georgejohnson1498
Жыл бұрын
I have a 1984 Carlton, as its proud second owner. It has all the features you mention, though I have much improved it with better components than it originally had. It still rides well, and I do enjoy down-tube levers and friction [non-indexed] shifting of gears. A similar sense of satisfaction comes from driving a non-synchro or crash gearbox on and old car and doing so completely smoothly. These days I have 25 by 700c Michelin Power tyres, which strike me as safer and more comfortable than the 19 by 700c Contis that it had when I was given the bike almost fifteen years ago. Its worst feature is the gearing [53 and 42 at the front] with a five speed freewheel between 13 and 24. Bottom is therefore 42 over 24, and in hilly Herefordshire that can be a real bear! But love it. Never ridden a bike that I would swap it for! Best wishes from George [now approaching 62, and so the Carlton is far too good for me!].
@jmcgregor316
10 ай бұрын
My 73 vintage Masi is similar to this Colnago. The steel frame sings! A great video. Thank you.
@SecwetGwiwer
2 жыл бұрын
I support innovation but it seems that like me, lots of people are slowly coming around to the realisation that the whole experience of buying/owning and riding a road bike is getting worse.
@davidburgess741
2 жыл бұрын
I like a bike to last a while and standards to be more stable than late.
@kurt1391
2 жыл бұрын
I have both vintage and modern bikes, and if it's ride quality, the modern bike wins hands down. However, bottom brackets, seat posts, integrated handlebars, and disc brakes are a wretched mess.
@SecwetGwiwer
2 жыл бұрын
@@kurt1391I think a lot depends on the manufacturer, I own a classic Colnago which has the best ride quality of any bike I’ve ever ridden, including lots of modern bikes. I’ve also ridden a Holdsworth of the same era and it felt completely ‘dead’ in comparison, the ride qualities are worlds apart
@nemonemo9407
2 жыл бұрын
@@kurt1391 Love this comment Kurt K: so many of these "upgrades" have turned out to be "a wretched mess" that makes the whole experience worse, not better.
@derekjolly3680
10 ай бұрын
I like the fact that in the riding shots you guys go old school with the caps. Way to go on that! I'm big on the caps for all my riding.
@jefffixesit60
9 ай бұрын
I love this video! Don't know how I missed it up to now. I'm 68, and bought a pair of '98 Basso 'Gap' 56cm sprint frames in January '99, $425USD each. Gave the red/silver one as a birthday present, built the TdF yellow one as my '20 year bike'. It's still my favorite road bike, still rocking Shimano D-Ace 7700 grupo and Mavic Cosmic Elite aeros. Since moving to the mountains of West Texas, I solved the 'big gears' problem by swapping to XTR derailleur and 11-34t cassette. Sadly, road and mountain shifters from Shimano are no longer cross compatible with the derailleurs, but back then...😊😊
@peterwilson8039
2 жыл бұрын
Back in the '80's I had a Raleigh Super Grand Prix with Shimano ratchets on the down tube and I loved them. The down tube is just the right place for a shifter, right where you hand falls when you take it off the bar. Being ratchets, unlike the older friction shifters, they stayed in place. I regret that I no longer own that bike.
@markymarknj
3 ай бұрын
Sir, I still have my Marukin M-420 road bike that I purchased brand new 38 years ago. I LOVE the Ishiwata ChroMo frame! I've had it overhauled twice, and I've made a few changes to it, but it's still basically the same bike. I had the crappy chrome wheels swapped out for brushed Al rims, but they're still 27". The six speed cog was swapped out for a seven speed unit; it has the same, overall gear ratios, but only with one more step. Oh, I LOVE the downtube shifters! There's nothing simpler. And, I still uses toe clips and straps; I like being able to ride my bike with whatever shoes I'm wearing.
@australiantruckspotting8883
2 жыл бұрын
I have two chrome moly framed bikes and a low carbon steel frame bike. Love ‘em.
@ericrobert5296
8 ай бұрын
100% correct. 100%. I love my Serotta titanium with Dura Ace 9000. However, I recently renovated a 1959 Ideor Asso, with early Columbus tubing and Campagnolo Gran Sport and Fiamne Red Label tubulars. It rides so beautifully. Nice to have a foot in both worlds.
@rkbllc
2 жыл бұрын
Still riding my 1983 Bianchi Limited - love it.
@meadows408
2 жыл бұрын
Indexed down tube levers not so bad. Really slick and easy to adjust.
@stephensaines7100
10 ай бұрын
In exactly the right spot for many.
@jonathanhorne6503
9 ай бұрын
I had a Mondia Special, all Campi. It was a marvelous bike I bought while in high school in 1969. My girlfriend and later my wife of 40 years has a Cinelli. A gorgeous 19” bike, so small the front lugs touch. She ordered it from Spence Wolfe around 1972.
@jasoncrouzat7509
2 жыл бұрын
I'm still riding one of these today and I will never stop writing one of these These Old steel bikes are some of the best out there and for those people who still have them hold on to them
@MrBroeva
2 жыл бұрын
Nice video! I find the Carbon Fork on my 1990 Koga Miyata steelframe a big improvement though. The Original Steel fork tired my Arms and whole Upper Body. Also These Tiny old brake levers were Not so ergo as the new ones. And I do love my downtube shifters. So simple and beautiful. Thanks for the video.
@davidbalentine2110
2 жыл бұрын
My bikes are steel. I have an updated 1976 Masi Gran Crit. Beautiful bike it is. Touring is done on a 1998 Fuji. I like the touring bike’s 38mm tires on custom aluminum wheels (36 spoke). The larger tires seem safer and more stable on irregular surfaces. I can pay more attention to traffic rather than monitor road surface. Otherwise, I agree with your observations and traditions.
@andrewlabat9963
2 жыл бұрын
I think all your points were spot on.. I'm currently looking at purchasing at older steel frames, gonna put together a nice ride, and I just took delivery of a new Giant TCR.. LOL.. 🤷🏻♂️
@l1ncs
2 жыл бұрын
100% agree .. I ride an eighties 531Reynolds frame from a west-mids local brand called Poyner of Wolverhampton .. just had the frame stripped, checked, few minor repairs done at a B'ham cooperative and repainted. I have a road and touring crank-set and drive-train. The only things I get done are welding, paint work, wheel truing and crown race installation. The more you ride the more the bike setup can be refined and personalised to requirements. I got the frame 4 years ago. Rides really nice. So many great steel frames still out there. 👍
@jameswoods4656
2 жыл бұрын
I bought a Falcon with 531c tubing but put a modern Shimano 105 silver tone group set on it. I maintained the classic look with a Brooks saddle and handlebar tape. I get lots of compliments.
@Hoogaandewind
5 ай бұрын
Like you I am a nostalgic old fool. I love the steel frames (with high end steel tubing) for the comfort and not to forget: the looks as geometry and the colorful paint. Only difference is that I like down-tube shifters. I am able to always find the right position.
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