I used to work at a large bike store that sold the products of an, ah, empire of multiple bike brands. Under different names the companies sold us steel, aluminum, and carbon fiber bikes. The defects in the carbon and aluminum frames outnumbered the problems in steel bikes by at least ten to one. There is a lot of merchandise on the market that is lighter and more fashionable but just doesn't get down and do the job as well as some older items. There are reasons that men and women working in bike stores ride older equipment, or the older forms of newer stuff--familiarity in some cases sure doesn't breed greater endearment. I'll go out on a potentially offensive limb here and say that the folks who really, truly know the most about bikes are often the biggest skeptics about new modes of equipment. I'll bet one gent on this list who has a magnificent collection of old and new rigs rides the old stuff often because it can need working on less often!
David Feldman
Intrigued by this submission, I thought I would offer my response: Clipless pedals are a definite plus, but they were available in the mid 80's. Aluminum frames were available at that time too, but they are substantially cheaper now - However, in general, I do not find them to be better, just different. (Lighter with a discomfort price). Seatposts have not improved at all. Hubs have not improved, and I absolutely fail to see how threadless headsets or integral whatever are better. Stems allow you to swap handlebars easily, but are so ugly that they are like a visit from Frankenstein. Tires may or may not be an improvement; My memory should not be trusted on this one. I swear that shifting seems about the same. Braking is the same. Shifting from the drops: Are we fooling ourselves on this one? I have no trouble shifting in a race situation with downtube shifters. My rhythm is not thrown off, except if I need to shift in a turn. This is the one point that might have to be considered some kind of an improvement. However, my track training teaches me that one is often better off staying in one gear anyway, and certainly in a training situation, single gear training without freewheeling is hard to beat. So many road riders, in my area, are such poor riders with such high tech equipment, that I dare say that I do not feel intimidated with my downtube shifters and elegant lugged steel frame. Overall for function: Modern aluminum Sti bike scores an 8, 80's premium tubing, downtube- shifted bike scores an 8. For beauty: Modern bike scores a 4, 80's premium tubing lugged classic scores a 9. Sorry, I give it to the Classic, the Aluminum bike is the "weakest link".