James,
You seem to be approaching vintage lightweights from a bike racing perspective. This isn't a bike racing list. It isn't a list about innovation, either, although that obviously has to play a part given the nature of developments between 1900 and 1983. Neither is it a list about pro bike riding.
May I respectfully suggest that you've completely missed the point of the CR list. You mention "emotional ties" but it seems to me that you are emotionally detached from the list's time frame (with the exception of 1982). Perhaps you could go and think about it for a few years until you're older-at least 'till you've started to shave ;-)
In the meantime, I'm sure there are plenty of lists out there for people who place the outright performance of a bike first.
Cheers,
Bruce
Dundee
Scotland
> From: "James \"Giacomo\" Bellora" <bellovelo@yahoo.com>
> Personally all this classic discussion is quite humorous to me. Sorry maybe
it's an age thingie. I certainly am in love with my 1982 Ciocc but I am
equally in love with my 1999 DeRosa Planet (7003 Alu). I guess I can somewhat
understand this romantic notion of what is classic based on some (rather)
arbritary definitions. But personally as a bike racer I am wow'd my not only
by the looks (who isn't?) but performance above all. What I think is awesome
has been the innovation over the years. Racers demand innovation and and
edge. Don't be silly, bike builders were not simply creating an artisitic
esthetic, they were in a business to put pasta on the table for mamma and i
figlie. Innovations are trickle down....pros demand new stuff and then
builders pass it down so us bike lusters can have it (and the builders can pay
for the R & D).
>
> I have great love and memories for my "beer can" cannondales (the bike you
guys love to trash). Actually I have had 3 of 'em (TT bike, Track, Road) and
for racing their stiffness, responsiveness, and lightweight were/are
fantastic. Their acceleration is unbelievable. So my love is not so much how
it was made but the end result...how it raced. When I ride my '82 Ciocc time
machine I love it but I can't imagine racing it after experiencing clipless
pedals, STI shifting, hi-zoot wheels, and super light frames (not to mention
hitech fabrics for jerseys, chamois, and super shoes of today).
>
> Each era will be remembered for the innovations of the age fondly by those
who are emotionally tied to that time frame. All eras will be classic
eventually.
>
> Giacomo Bellora
> Falls Church, VA