Racing a retro
- Thread starter Danone
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It's much more satisfying passing other riders on modern full sussers when you're riding a 20 year old fully rigid bike with canti brakes.
This feeling doubles when you pass them on downhill sections.
This feeling doubles when you pass them on downhill sections.
XC you'll be fine, discs will have an advantage in the wet but it's only a few years since pros were still using rim brakes. Some new courses will be set up with 100mm travel and/or full suspension in mind but I doubt that's as true at a local level.
If we're talking DH then don't even bother!
If we're talking DH then don't even bother!
What Drystonepaul said 
last year I picked up my Proflex for £200, that evening I changed the flats for SPD's and fitted new tyres, next day I did a 3hour xc race and was passing folk on £2k+ modern bikes. ok so I didn't finish in a particularly high position but the look of "WTF??! what is that thing?" as I passed people was priceless.
No doubt you'll get some folk pointing and laughing at your "ancient" v-brakes, so just make sure the last laugh is on them
last year I picked up my Proflex for £200, that evening I changed the flats for SPD's and fitted new tyres, next day I did a 3hour xc race and was passing folk on £2k+ modern bikes. ok so I didn't finish in a particularly high position but the look of "WTF??! what is that thing?" as I passed people was priceless.
No doubt you'll get some folk pointing and laughing at your "ancient" v-brakes, so just make sure the last laugh is on them
Splatter Paint
Retrobike Rider
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The RetroBIKE Southeast team came 22nd out of 162 four man teams at Mountain Mayem 2012..... old bikes are still can rock the race circuit!
SP
SP
highlandsflyer
Retro Wizard
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I am planning doing the Strathpuffer Lite next year, I am yet to decide what I am riding, but I would guess it will be as light as possible, probably not very retro.
I do have a Santa Cruz Superlite (currently being ridden around in the US by my nephew, that I was planning to reclaim when I am over at Christmas), but I don't know if I want to put it through 12 hours plus of my abuse, even new it was not a bike suited to heavy use.
I reckon a high end mid nineties bike is mostly a match for the recent models, but when it comes to downhill proper good luck stretching that envelope!
I do have a Santa Cruz Superlite (currently being ridden around in the US by my nephew, that I was planning to reclaim when I am over at Christmas), but I don't know if I want to put it through 12 hours plus of my abuse, even new it was not a bike suited to heavy use.
I reckon a high end mid nineties bike is mostly a match for the recent models, but when it comes to downhill proper good luck stretching that envelope!
Coach Jeff
Dirt Disciple
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....it's the engine not the chassis (except DH)
....just yesterday I got passed twice in the same race by different mid 90's bikes with 80mm of travel up front and cantis on one and V brakes on the other. Both these guys had ordinary bikes but great engines (legs / lungs) and great enthusiasm. A good engine and good enthusiastic passion will most times beat an expensive bike being ridden by someone with no real passion for it.
.......Just some thoughts from the monkey brain of the Coach
....just yesterday I got passed twice in the same race by different mid 90's bikes with 80mm of travel up front and cantis on one and V brakes on the other. Both these guys had ordinary bikes but great engines (legs / lungs) and great enthusiasm. A good engine and good enthusiastic passion will most times beat an expensive bike being ridden by someone with no real passion for it.
.......Just some thoughts from the monkey brain of the Coach
