Vote Now! What's more important when building an old bike

[Raging_Bulls]

For me it depends on the bike.

If it's rare or of nearly all known examples of its type are severely modified, I'd either take it to the next level (with modern parts) or go for nearly full factory spec.
The only areas where I'm likely to stray are the brake pads and tyres. Modern ones simply perform better and are more reliable than old ones, no matter how good the latter are preserved. Safety is simply too important to me.

For regular builds I tend to keep the groupset in the same league the frame. I'd never put XTR on a rubbish frame, or 100GS on a high-end one.

Mixing stuff ... well, that depends. I have an Altus A20 rear mech on a bike that's completely Altus A10 otherwise, but I have a NOS A10 one ready for when I decide to rebuild the bike again.

As for boutique parts, that alone is enough to turn me off completely. The sight of a Paul's part or similar just makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
I'd rather ride a complete wreck than anything that has a boutique part on it.

 

[whitey]

There's some bikes that just evolve, I have a Marin bear valley SE that I reckon is a late marin steelie. It says on the frame its made in Taiwan its prob circa 1996.. For that reason I haven't bothered trying to keep it authentic. Recent Upgrades include lx v brakes and, recently manitou minute 85mm susp forks. This has transformed it from an occasional ride to my best ride... So much so that I will, be selling my 2012 on one inbred as the Marin BV suits both needs... (Will make room in my garage too.)

 

[sylus]

I think you missed an important choice...enjoyability

 

[dablk]

Gone for creativity,

But more from an angle that its just what you want to do at the time. The e3 I put together was aiming at full period xt spec. My KK is retro frame modern kit. The LD is currently Modern hack build, however I'm behind the scene getting all the bits so that will on day be back to near factory spec. The P7 I did was a costume paint with modern stickers ona an older frame. The c16r was aiming at factory xt build.

I took ages to find the period seat clamp for the e3. So can appreciate what the really perfectionist go tHru getting the nos kit for their builds. However I also love the members builds that I would never do in a million years but look ace, like Thomas's red with blue kula in the 98 section. Way to Blingy for me but I still think its going to look brilliant.

Then there's the real salvagers like Nevada formula. Epic.

.. Just waiting for rampage to get a Klein art sprayer to do his activator 2 for the final laugh on that build.

It's just about enjoying it... And also occasionally getting them dirty..even if its just a little bit

 

[yeti-man]

what happened to personal taste?

 

[Rio]

period sympathy

I like this expression

me too!!

and of those 3 creativity is for me the most important. That's why I always enjoy it if people explain their component choices.

 

[cce]

ridability.

 

[doctor-bond]

ridability.

That's pretty much what the years have taught me. These days, to warrant shed room a bike has to fit its purpose. The hard bit can often be to be sure of the purpose.


Of the three choices in the wayback poll, it has to be "chuck cash at it" - the other two are just different ways of doing that.

 

[cce]

ridability.

That's pretty much what the years have taught me. These days, to warrant shed room a bike has to fit its purpose. The hard bit can often be to be sure of the purpose.

I hit this realisation when i had 3 hardtail or rigid mountain bikes - 2 of which I had to make myself ride because the other was just a better bike. they left soon after that.

 

[dbmtb]

Didn't answer as there was no "it depends" box.