Do 26" wheels make it retro?

[Imlach]

The cutoffs are arbitrary, there's no reason why a 2004 model isn't as legimately retro as a 97 one. But having to constantly update with a new cutoff would be a waste of time. Luckily it is all just a bit of fun. Not to be taken seriously.

I actually do happen to think that 26er wheels is a pretty good indicator of something retro. Even if it's modern. It's a wheelsize that defined what we call retro mtbs better than any component ever did.

Retro is the days before suspension became more important than the bike itself

 

[grantoury]

I think 26" is pretty much obsolete for mtb ing. Probably that makes it retro; a thing that is unusual today. I think there is a reason for that, like there is a reason road bikes will have 28"wheels with tyres no wider than 25mm.

Only in touring has 26" still got value.

 

[FluffyChicken]

I think arbitrary boundaries should be abandoned if there is no real reason for them. View attachment 662726

View attachment 662727
By the forum definition, one is not a retro bike. I recognize the difficulty of having to completely rebuild the whole place, it isn't happening anytime soon, but I'd say that our definition is flawed.

Neither are retro retro, they both modern retro 98+

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Only in touring has 26" still got value.

The reason for that is that 26 is still available around the world, still the standard. If you are biking in Mongolia, would you want to source a replacement for the 29" rim you just tacoed? It is only in our little niche that 29 outsells 26

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Neither are retro retro, they both modern retro 98+

And yet both are obviously not modern, but in fact quite retro.

 

[grantoury]

The reason for that is that 26 is still available around the world, still the standard. If you are biking in Mongolia, would you want to source a replacement for the 29" rim you just tacoed? It is only in our little niche that 29 outsells 26

That is indeed the point, but it also makes for a stronger wheel

 

[FluffyChicken]

I think so too, years are "easy", but it also makes a lot wrong. Maybe we should divide the genre to "real vintage", "transitional" and "modern" to separate with better means. Just did a quick table of propable properties in each category. Feel free to diasagree

	Vintage	Transitional	Modern
Frame	steel	alu	carbon mono
		titanium	hydroformed alu
		carbon tube
		Thermoplastic
gears	up to 3*7	3*8-9	2*/1*
Brakes	Roll cam	V	Disc
	U
	Canti
	Drum
Headset	Threaded headset	Threadless	Integrated
F.susp.	Rigid	up to 3"	more than 3"
Rear susp.	None	URT	Floating pivot
		McPherson
		Single pivot
Wheels	24/26, 26	26​	27,5 / 29
Bars	Bullmoose	Narrow straight	Wide
	Straight	Narrow riser
Grips	BMX-type	plain	Lock grips
Wheelset	Bolt axle	QR 100/130/135	Through axle
Geometry	Clunker	71/73	Slack

But most that modern stuff was out in the late 80s.
Wide bars, stupid wheelsizes, carbon and disc, super long travel suspension and integrated headsets...

 

[FluffyChicken]

View attachment 662759
And yet both are obviously not modern, but in fact quite retro.

Modern as hell.
You new boys coming along and questioning our retro ways.

We never used to have this "is it retro" problem...
;-)

 

[Imlach]

Let's go down the rabbit hole lads

Does the cut-off date for this forum get updated each year?

Just wondered if next year this will be MTBs--> 1998. And so on and so on. Only I've got a 2000 Orange P7 in the shed too and want to know how long before I can show that on here.

www.retrobike.co.uk

retro cut off point

Thinking of 2013 would a 1997 Marin bobcat trail with v brakes be classed as retro, it does have some 1999, shimano 9 speed parts as well, I know 97 is generally the cut of point, would this change over the years ? I want to attend every national ride in 2013 and don't want to loose points...

www.retrobike.co.uk

Would site owners ever consider reform the categories?

One way out of this taxonomic mess is for OP's to use hashtags for each thread. Dunno if such functionality exists, but this would allow #neoretro #disc-v #restomod etc without upsetting the grey beards (too much). Personally, I think this is the best way to stay true to our retrogrouch...

www.retrobike.co.uk

Time to move the Retro bar up a bit ... maybe to 2000+?

I agree that the picture hosting gubbins is a chore but that's probably because I'm useless at that but it could be made easier by some boffins I'm sure. I know I for one would post more on here if it were easier. I'm from a bmx background and turned to mtb because I'm old and mtb is less...

www.retrobike.co.uk

 

[MattiThundrrr]

^I started one of those once...