Re: [CR]To be a classic or not

(Example: Production Builders:Frejus)

From: "Dennis Ryan" <angroch@insightbb.com>
To: "Tom Sanders" <tsan7759142@attbi.com>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <005201c24af7$e1f36f00$ead2f50c@C1921978A>
Subject: Re: [CR]To be a classic or not
Date: Fri, 23 Aug 2002 19:52:18 -0400


Gentlemen, please! This is like the blind men describing an elephant. From Dictionary.com: clas·sic Pronunciation Key (klsk) adj. Belonging to the highest rank or class. Serving as the established model or standard: a classic example of colonial architecture. Having lasting significance or worth; enduring.

Adhering or conforming to established standards and principles: a classic piece of research. Of a well-known type; typical: a classic mistake. Of or characteristic of the literature, art, and culture of ancient Greece and Rome; classical.

Formal, refined, and restrained in style. Simple and harmonious; elegant: the classic cut of a suit; the classic lines of a clipper ship. Having historical or literary associations: classic battlefields of the Civil War.

n. An artist, author, or work generally considered to be of the highest rank or excellence, especially one of enduring significance. A work recognized as definitive in its field.

A literary work of ancient Greece or Rome. classics The languages and literature of ancient Greece and Rome. Used with the. One that is of the highest rank or class: The car was a classic of automotive design. A typical or traditional example. Informal. A superior or unusual example of its kind: The reason he gave for being late was a classic. A traditional event, especially a major sporting event that is held annually: a golf classic. (http://www.dictionary.com/search?q=classic)

That covers a lot of ground, so the limitations, lightweight road bicycles made before 1983, or later if it's along the lines of the usual subject matter, make a lot of sense. Clearly, artisans like Curt, the Joes, e-RICHIE, Brian et al are "classics" -- take a bow, lads -- and I certainly think my Rivendell is classic, and not just because of the preponderance of +20-year-old parts (or newer versions, like Brooks and Nitto). But Steve and the Monkeyman are serving the cause to keep the topics sharply focused. We've all seen the list traffic grow considerably in recent years, which is immensely gratifying: there are more of us out there than we suspect. But, of course, it does make it harder to keep up, so on-topicality is certainly desirable.

Ex: On-topic: My 2001 Rivendell has a TA "Cyclotouriste" triple, Simplex front derailleur, Campy high-flange hubs, raised-letter Campy downtube shifters, Campy NR brakeset, & Bluemel's Club Specials, all pre-1983 NOS. It's beautiful, but I want more-more-MORE. I have six on-topic bikes (or would-be bikes) and I want, no -- NEED more. Nicer. Better. Rarer.

Ex: Off-topic: I had a slow leak on the rear tire (Pasela 28) of the aforementioned Rivendell during my 10-mi commute this morning. I've decided it's time to start carrying a _real_ pump again. An unconnected observation: The cell phone is the best new piece of cycling gear of the past decade. (didn't need it today, but had it.)

I'll shut up now so we can all get back to the cool stuff. :-)

Dennis Ryan
Louisville, KY


----- Original Message -----
From: Tom Sanders
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Sent: Friday, August 23, 2002 6:53 PM
Subject: [CR]To be a classic or not


I sure seem to have stirred up a hornets nest with my comment to the effect that the Rivendell is a classic if there ever was one. I received some E-mails (some from folks whose opinion I deeply revere who disagreed with me. The upside of this is I got some links to some classic bikes in an order to show me what a classic truly is. They are right. Every one is a classic and I was really thrilled to see one about Peugeot PX 10s. A friend is restoring the only Lemon Ice one that I had ever seen. I sold him this treasure about 20 years ago. Let me say this...If we are to discuss only antique bikes, so be it. We may be so hide bound that there is little room for dissent, but I don't think so. I love the idea of a Chrome donut, and I love John Price's stunningly beautiful Rivendell With its' classic attention to detail and wonderful paint and gorgeous lug work. To me it will always be a classic and if you haven't actually looked at the pictures, you should. I'll even enclose the link to them at the end of this missal. My deepest apologies to those who find my viewpoint offensive, but I still believe it to be a valid one.

http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/shadowfaxrider1/lst?.dir=/My+Rivendell&.src=ph&.v
iew=t
Tom Sanders
Lansing, Michigan