Retro road - what am I missing?

[Wold Ranger]

Re:

Probably far more facets to it than Retro Mtb, old bikes can be both fast and light too, not just comfy to ride.
There is also far more history available to emulate than with Mtb and far more classy frames to choose from.
I find it interesting how Carbon frames makers are now all going "Aero" as the very fat and stiff Carbon tubes present a fair amount of resistance to the air, compared to a skinny steel framed racer.
On the Touring/Audax front, there are just so many routes to go down (excuse the pun :facepalm: ) Thorn/Dawes Galaxy/ Dave Yates/Orbit Loads of British makers. You don't have to just go with Campag on the parts either, loads of different options. IMHO there is a bit of obsession with all things Italian, whereas there are just as many great British and French Marques that dominated GC at World Tour levels. Clements/Falcon/Raleigh Ti/Sun Solo/Carlton/etc and Vitus/Peugeot/Motobecane.

 

[dyna-ti]

I find it interesting how Carbon frames makers are now all going "Aero" as the very fat and stiff Carbon tubes present a fair amount of resistance to the air, compared to a skinny steel framed racer.

I would find that article interesting in that frames today, especially the high end road variety, would have been tested for aerodynamics, whereas the skinny steel probably never has ?.

 

[legrandefromage]

I find it interesting how Carbon frames makers are now all going "Aero" as the very fat and stiff Carbon tubes present a fair amount of resistance to the air, compared to a skinny steel framed racer.

I would find that article interesting in that frames today, especially the high end road variety, would have been tested for aerodynamics, whereas the skinny steel probably never has ?.

Aero has been around many many moons young man

1981 steel 'aero'

 

[nnc283]

I find it interesting how Carbon frames makers are now all going "Aero" as the very fat and stiff Carbon tubes present a fair amount of resistance to the air, compared to a skinny steel framed racer.

I would find that article interesting in that frames today, especially the high end road variety, would have been tested for aerodynamics, whereas the skinny steel probably never has ?.

Aero has been around many many moons young man

1981 steel 'aero'

Beautiful - love the blue benotto tape.

I was posting on another forum recently about the time I met Robert Millar and he said once he gave up racing his dream bike was going to be a classic steel de Rosa with down tube levers. Someone said Bradley Wiggins had been quoted expressing a similar sentiment. I think there was a "Golden Age" when technology had given us just enough without making the bike ugly and over complicated. I'm not even convinced about the merits of indexed gears.

Some have suggested the retro thing is just old blokes trying to recapture their youth but I suggest the success of eg Brooks saddles and the resurgence of the fixed wheel is just people realising newer is not always better.

 

[The History Man]

I like the mix of the best of both. Brifters make for a more relaxed ride. As do spds.

 

[Pionir]

Re:

I think even in London the number of people on "normal" bikes far outweighs those on fixies (certainly by my unscientific watching of other people bikes at any rate), especially if you don't count hipsters.

I can't see why you wouldn't want to use indexed gears though unless you enjoy the sound of a rattling chain or the feeling of fishing for gears as you filter in traffic

Seriously though, I do get the appeal of the downtube lever - it is a more engaging way to cycle as you have to plan you gears before a climb. Plus brake levers without STI are just more elegant. I wouldn't say they're "better" though.

 

[ultrazenith]

This thread has some interesting reading. Now that my job situation has stabilised, I can think about dipping into retro road. Modern bikes leave me feeling cold, but I also fear retro road is usually a bit over priced compared to the goodies one can get in the retro MTB scene. So I'd love to get some advice about where to start. At 6 foot 4 I guess I'l be needing a 30 inch frame, though.

 

[Pionir]

6'4" I think you're looking at a 25" frame

 

[Mike Muz]

I also fear retro road is usually a bit over priced compared to the goodies one can get in the retro MTB scene. So I'd love to get some advice about where to start.

Far from it IMO, and not as susceptible to the abuse of off road riding, will last longer too.
Of course, certain brands command higher prices, as they do in the mtb world

At 6 foot 4 I guess I'l be needing a 30 inch frame, though.

I'm 6'3, and ride bikes anywhere between 56cm and 60cm. A lot of adjustment possibilities with stem length/angle etc

Mike

 

[The History Man]

I also fear retro road is usually a bit over priced compared to the goodies one can get in the retro MTB scene. So I'd love to get some advice about where to start.

Far from it IMO, and not as susceptible to the abuse of off road riding, will last longer too.
Of course, certain brands command higher prices, as they do in the mtb world

At 6 foot 4 I guess I'l be needing a 30 inch frame, though.

I'm 6'3, and ride bikes anywhere between 56cm and 60cm. A lot of adjustment possibilities with stem length/angle etc

Mike

yes but that's not normal. I ride 25" as above