So whats the definition of retro?

[FSR-Si]

Retro is an ongoing thing for me, As each year passes more stuff becomes retro

 

[Anthony]

Retro basically means backwards, as in words like retroactive, retrograde etc, but on its own the term retro has come to mean a style that harks back to a previous era.

So dressing up an old frame with all modern kit so that in style it resembles a modern bike is not retro - it's a forwards action, not a backwards action. And you could argue that my 94 Kilauea is not retro, because size 19 is slightly too big for me so it now has on it a 70mm Roox stem - and a 23.5" top tube plus a <3" stem is the basic geometry of a 2008 Cotic Soul. But my 97 Lava Dome in size 16 with a 120mm stem is retro, as this is the style that was typical of those times.

[The size 16 Lava Dome with a 120 stem is also bigger than the size 19 Kilauea with a 70 stem, but that's another issue.]

 

[utahdog2003]

So dressing up an old frame with all modern kit so that in style it resembles a modern bike is not retro - it's a forwards action, not a backwards action.

Too literal, Anthony. In my opinion the act of starting a build by using an older frame is retro, regardless of what you put on it. Starting with an older frame and using only older parts is 'resto'

Conversely, starting with a modern frame and hanging a bunch of 6 spd Uniglide stuff on it is just plain weird.

 

[Sithlord]

Retro is 'Quality'

 

[jango]

What's the definition of Retro?

That's a tough question to answer.....but for me, and I've only just worked this out, it's memories........

....case in point, I recently did a deal and got my old S-works Specialized back. I originally bought it ex-demo, so not at all Retro then and I hammered it around here there and everywhere until I foolishly decided I 'needed' the next best thing, some full bounce POS that MBR had bigged up no doubt, and I sold it! I've now traded it back for an Amp B4 that I recently bought of this site, nice bike, perfect infact and definately Retro....but it just doesnt float my boat, no memories attached......,.so the S-works is back and I'm happy.

A couple of other examples that spring to mind...

Slimjoe got a Smoke finish Diamondback Ascent of ebay for a steal, not the blingest frame in the world but I believe a replica of his first bike...... happy memories for him.

Heathy got a lovely Saracen of ebay, while every one else stood aside, as it was his first bike.......again happy memories for him.

Other people prefer to build up top-end bikes with all the bling bits they lusted after, but couldn't afford, BITD and that's fine too, that is their memories of what Retro is.....

so NZRetro'er....what are your memories?