How far do you go for retro?

[troje]

Period correct to me means

- Shimano production codes should be matching. Cannot equip '92 frame with '91 production codes.
- Date stamp in saddle must be in line with production year of the frame. Period.
- No plastic ferrules for shifter and brake cables. Need the metal original ones.
- Tires must be original. Use of re issues versions is completely unacceptable.
- Air in the tires should be period correct. Use air from NOS Co2 capsules only.

Needless to say I'm exaggerating a bit. I admire how far some members here are willing to go in 'period correct', but I think sometimes this goes way out of hand. When this starts to dominate the BoTM vote for instance. Or when people don't vote for a bike because the tire logos are not exactly in line with the air valves..

 

[benseddon]

It doesn't matter to me if a bike has period correct parts or more modern equivalents. I can appreciate the effort that goes into restoring a bike to look like it did the day it rolled off the production line but it's not the be all and end all as far as I'm concerned.

At the end of the day what matters is the grin factor you get when riding the bike.

 

[chrisv40]

Re:

Back in the day I couldn't wait to upgrade the stock Shimano stuff with better parts, now I'll go as far as downgrading to try and get the bike something close to catalogue spec or at lease year correct.

I draw the line at tyres though, all my bikes are riders and I do prefer the confidence inspiring modern rubber over the retro ditchfinders.

I hated Shimano chains bitd and now I only fit Sram PC8/950 or KMC chains.

 

[firedfromthecircus]

When this starts to dominate the BoTM vote for instance. Or when people don't vote for a bike because the tire logos are not exactly in line with the air valves..

This is OT really, but since you raise it.........

Anyone can line up logos with valves. It's not hard. It just shows a bit of attention to detail. It doesn't require a big wallet either so it's very inclusive. Same with setting saddle angles correctly, or fitting pedals, or taking care over the photos.
Often the standard of BoTM bikes is so high that you have to find a reason to pick one over another when voting. If there is nothing else in it then tyre logos is as good as any other reason.

 

[My_Teenage_Self]

Period correct to me means

- No plastic ferrules for shifter and brake cables. Need the metal original ones.

Suntour and other were using plastic ferrules way back in the very early 90s.

 

[brocklanders023]

Re:

These days I'll tend to use period parts for most of a build but don't worry about blocks, bb, cables and the like. I also am only really interested in original paint and decals. As much as we used to upgrade at the time if a bike came with X as stock I'll try to stay faithful to the original build. Saying that, most of my builds are Orange 1989/93 and at the time you could spec 'em as you wanted from the shop.

 

[ishaw]

Not particularly far tbh. I've had stabs at getting it near enough but at the end of the day and back in the day I upgrade where I want and fit what I want. To me the frame is the soul of the bike, after that anything is fair game for me. As long as it looks good and rides/functions well, I'm happy.

 

[Cheshire1980]

Re:

I think its ok to build around that particular period, cables and smaller parts perhaps less important. But essentially its nice to have a catalogue build if possible. As these machines are not going to be race worthy anyways. Such as, I have a Steel Colnago Master Olympic road race bike, but I would not race it, I would race a carbon fibre bike just down to performance. So its nice if you can keep to a fairly period specific build in my opinion.

 

[superstu]

To me the frame is the soul of the bike, after that anything is fair game for me. As long as it looks good and rides/functions well, I'm happy.

This^^^^

 

[Cheshire1980]

Re:

I respect your opinion . However, I think its nice if your have a retro build to have the a similar age group set and component. As its not down to performance specifics. I would of thought the whole point of a retro build was to have it back to that nostalgic time. I owned a Orange Clockwork 93, and upgraded it with a lot more modern stuff, but some how it lost its soul/purpose. I think modern components/groupset for modern bikes. Retro stick to something similar time period specific, as that a what personally want to see with bike of the month! But I see your point also!