Well, in one case I can tell you this is the truth. A friend of mind has a 1970s model that one day when we were riding decided to break. It failed between the bottom of the down tube and the BB shell. I am not trying to make the statement that all old bikes fail but this one certainly did. I VOW NOW NEVER BUY ANOTHER OLD BIKE only aluminum titanium and carbon fiber for me. I should go with the carbon fiber by doctor recommended fiber years ago and I did not listen. Sam DiBartolomeo in Southern CA