old vs new

[stuflyer]

Having thought about the statement that New is Better than old, I was thinking like this:
According to MBUK New = Better: more srted, tuned etc.
I can get that. No problem.
Thing is this: how would you decide where the performance differental stops between old and new?
In other words, at which pricepoint are you better going for a new bike than a retro machine? (ignoring factors like nostalgia etc? )
One of the reasons I went for a retro machine is that I got a lovely light rigid machine for less than a ton - and if I could have streched to it I could have got a similar machine to my old Marin Rift Zone for about 200 quid.
So what might perform as well as that old Marin RZ, and for how much? (for example)


Any opinons?

 

[d8mok]

Some of the retro bikes i actually feel ride better than the new stuff. MY spooky rides better than any other jump bike ive ever ridden, but for xc ive got a brand new stumpy expert which i think is by far superior to any retro bike (sorry).

Saying that though im still on the look out for a zaskar in a 14inch or 16 inch so i can build a singletrack /small jump/ xc bike for a bit of everything.

 

[psyclone1976]

I prefer different bikes for different days out. My Hardtail's and commuter's are all retro or retro fitted in terms of components and the full sus has to be new stock as the technology and reliability of the new suspension components for rear suspension are generally better than the old stuff.

 

[kaiser]

I'll take a guess at around £500 and up.



For the ton no contest, but you can get a good hardtail, maybe like the focus ones with good sus and discs for £500 which on paper should outperform a £500 retro. Doesn't mean you'll enjoy it as much mind, but reckon a-b could be quicker. I'm taking the a-b journey to encompass all terrain and obstacles you would expect to meet on todays trails.

Totally subjective though and just my bored at work half baked theory.

 

[Konaglider]

Older, retro, stuff seems more function+form inspired, whilst newer gear more driven by marketing trends.

 

[crud]

i wouldnt know where to start on new stuff, all i know is old bikes, new stuff seems to much bother and choice to get into (excuse my 07 dawes thats currently undgoing a retro transformation).

 

[Andy B]

Older, retro, stuff seems more function+form inspired, whilst newer gear more driven by marketing trends.

Not always, some modern bikes follow function over form, Orange 5 is quite a good example (IMO)

I will admit that there is a load of marketing BS, there always has been though, it's just more obvious nowadays.

Back to the OP, I think that £300 - £400 might be the dividing line, you can get a £300 modern bike with sorted handling, forks with rebound, disc brakes & 24spd gears.

Mongoose, GT, Carrera all do a decent £300 - £400 bikes that are pretty damn good in the bang for your buck dept.

 

[hairstream]

One side of the argument which has not been addressed...

...my late-model every-day bike seems to not stay as clean and shiny as my retro bikes. :?

 

[Boothy]

Bejesus that's a nice Yeti.... I didn't even look at the other new thing.

 

[legrandefromage]

random 3am thoughts:

I have built hundreds of bikes and have found that old Deore mechs from 1988 work just as well with 9 spd but old STI is shite compared to later stuff.

Newer frames look the biz but seem to be way more fragile than even a manitou fs...

I had a £500 Claud Butler in 1992 with 531 tubes and a 500LX groupset - it rode like a tank. I rode a 2008 Kona Stuff which was about £500 -ish with disks and 27 spd - it rode like a tank and was actually a bit heavier.

my first generation 1998 Marin Mt. Vision was amazing to ride - my 2002 Marin Cape Wrath rode like a tank despite being better equipped.

My 1993 GT Zaskar has done some silly 50,000+miles in its lifetime - my 2000 £2400 Cannondale F3000 disk rode like a (you guessed it...) a lightweight tank (Coda disk brakes didnt work) and was sold almost straight away.

My 2004 Foes was fantastic but then as the frame was £1800 on its own, I would bloody hope so.

My 2002 On-One Inbred was a huge disapointment and was sold within weeks. My 1992 Stumpjumper built up for about £15 has been the best steel ride I ever experienced.

My 2006-ish Airborne Black Widow has not been a disappointment in anyway shape or form.

I dunno...