How retro do you have to be?

[oldgit]

So I've got this rather tatty 1999 Trek 8000SL frame that I want to build up. However I'm thinking semi-retro, is there such a thing?
Looking at what I would need to make it original, I could be at it all year and could spend a fortune.
Is it done to make the bike intrinsically retro i.e correct travel forks and V brakes?
This thing will have Mars Elites, LX equipment including STIs, those odd Shimano wheels with hardly any spokes, but the contact points will all be modern.
Or do I simply not give a hoot

 

[marin man]

My mount vision is "semi retro" with a few new bits...do what ever you think right

 

[IDB1]

do what ever you think right

+1

Period correct
Catalogue correct
Neo-retro... blah . . . .

Your build, your choice

 

[lewis1641]

do what ever you think right

+1

Period correct
Catalogue correct
Neo-retro... blah . . . .

Your build, your choice

what he said. do it for yourself, not everyone else

 

[silverclaws]

One who would look at a nicely turned out retrobike might like to see it is in use, kept in good order and has evolved over the years hopefully along with the rider. Other than that it's an old scabby college bike or a museum piece, you have to decide what kind of person you are, an owner, a rider, a rider/owner and that should indicate to you what direction you should go.

My '93 Saracen is a mix of ages for practicality, but it is always kept in good order and cleaned regularly.

But on the subject of old scabby college bikes, I took a look around the college cycle park the other day and found old scabby retro bikes that no one would give a second glance to they were that unkempt, rust and salt air corrosion everywhere including the always suspicious matt black rattle can spray jobs.

 

[elPedro666]

My most treasured bike is a '97 Ibis Alibi with plenty of modern bits on it where they make a difference - known as the semi-weenie hot-rod (although only to me) as it's a totally usable weight weenie with the best of both worlds

Of course many on here may consider it a abomination!

 

[oldave]

do what ever you think right

+1

Period correct
Catalogue correct
Neo-retro... blah . . . .

Your build, your choice

what he said. do it for yourself, not everyone else

Another +1. I have not the time, the money nor the inclination for originality. E.g. all my geared bikes run 9 speed, simply for wheel etc interchangeabilty.

 

[The_Grouch]

I don't care about about something being 'retro'. In fact if a company ever starts making good cheap rigid steel bikes again I'd love to buy a brand new bike rather than being forced to buy someones previously abused steed.

 

[marin man]

You have a small point there.......

 

[john]

As others have said do as you will. It's your bike at the end of the day.

I don't care about about something being 'retro'. In fact if a company ever starts making good cheap rigid steel bikes again I'd love to buy a brand new bike rather than being forced to buy someones previously abused steed.

True to your username. Plenty of reasonably priced modern steel bikes about.