Retro versus new - the aesthetics....

[LikeClockwork]

Re:

Ha ha!! Never thought this would take off quite like this....

Glad it's not just me. I accept there are less 'mainstream' producers that do make some nice bikes, retro looking steel, etc, but generally speaking, what I see from the big players just makes me yawn. If it's not carbon, why does it have to be carbon coloured......? :?

Mind you, you are talking to the girl who builds up stuff like this....

 

[velofrog]

Re:

for me it's no problem either retro or modern for mountain bikes, i have both and like both equally.

the problem for me is r*ad bik*s (sorry.... )

somehow the modern bikes just don't work (for me), and i'm quite partial to a tasty carbon frame!

i find they have no soul, unlike this pink beauty currently in the for sale section (not mine btw!)

it just works..... thin tubes, thin tyres, it looks fast just sitting there..... what's not to like!

viewtopic.php?f=47&t=358518

 

[Splatter Paint]

Re:

With the exception of enduro bikes, whose capability outweighs the looks, most modern mtbs leave me cold. In my opinion you can't beat a lot of polished alloy, amberwall tyres and skinny tubes.

Peversely, the opposite is true with road, I can't get enthused about old road bikes and I love the modern

SP

 

[velofrog]

Re: Re:

With the exception of enduro bikes, whose capability outweighs the looks, most modern mtbs leave me cold. In my opinion you can't beat a lot of polished alloy, amberwall tyres and skinny tubes.

Peversely, the opposite is true with road, I can't get enthused about old road bikes and I love the modern

SP

and that's what's great about this site, there's something for everyone!

even if you are wrong!!

joking, joking!

 

[mattr]

Thing is. I never look at my modern bikes.

They get bought on geometry, feature, weight, equipment level, finishing kit, materials, upgradeability then they get ridden, cleaned, serviced and racked.

I sometimes get my old bike down and look at it. I even like examining the welds on one of the frames.
I do the same with old cars, motorbikes and buildings. Examine the craftsmanship and skill that went into actually making it.

These days the skill is 5 or 6 steps before you make it. And that's a bit soulless. I should know, I'm a mechanical/design engineer. I'd rather machine prototype 00001 from a few sketches and a block of aluminum.

Instead I can get to about version 30, and start ordering tools and forging blanks without even leaving my desk.

Ah well.

Progress.

The modern stuff works far far better though. Which is nice.

 

[Splatter Paint]

Re:

^^ This, what he said.

My modern road bike is outstanding in terms of performance but I never stand and look at it. My 1993 Explosif, I pull back the dust sheet and just gawp... even the '90 Fire Mountain makes me smile and that is made from old water pipe and and was welded whilst blindfolded

SP

 

[LikeClockwork]

Re:

I can empathise with the whole 'pulling back the dust sheet' thing.......it's what I get every time with the Zaskar, and have done in the past with other 'retro' rides....

Lovely, isn't it. Guess that's the appeal of retro over modern, and exactly what I am on about here.

 

[highlandsflyer]

There are plenty modern bikes that look as beautiful as they ride. You just need to look for them. Seems people are forgetting all the mass produced shite that was around back in the day as well. A little like when people talk about how the charts used to have such great music back then, but if you actually look at them there was lots of fluff as well.

Each to their own, but I prefer nicely put together bikes of any age to something just because it is old and has some perceived superiority often retrospectively attached, as many of the bikes sought after now were just 'meh' back when they were current.

 

[LikeClockwork]

Re:

^^^^

Good point....and I take it on board.

 

[Ductape]

I really like vintage black ano in good shape.