That is a good theory, but as a shop owner and mechanic I have to say that modern bikes are just more prone to creaking. The most common causes seem to be cartridge bottom brackets, high dish wheels, titanium stems and seat posts. Sometimes it is hard to get paid for the time it takes to track down these annoying little squeaks. Add that to the list of gripes of the LBS...
Jamie Swan - Northport, N.Y.
BobHoveyGa@aol.com wrote:
> In a message dated 3/14/04 10:08:26 PM,
> classicrendezvous-request@bikelist.org writes:
>
> >Hi all,
> >
> > Is it just me, or are lugged steel bikes quieter than the carbon,aluminum,
> > & titanium varieties?
> >
> > In an attempt to be more sociable (I usually ride solo), I've been riding
> >with a "group" the past few months on Saturdays. I'm the only vintage
> >lugged steel rider among an assortment of new, mostly Treks, Cannondales,&
> >Litespeeds.
> >
> > During these otherwise pleasant rides, I've been surprised at the amount
> >of squeaks,ticks,whirrs,creaks,& humming noises coming from the other bikes.
> > My old Masi & Paramount are virtually silent in comparison.
> >
> > If nothing else I've added one more reason to stick with riding heavy
> >metal.
> >
> > Any insights on this phenomena would be appreciated.
> >
> >Greg Misanthrope Brooks,Ridgetop<TN
>
> Is it possible you just take better care of your bike? I can think of two
> factors that might come into play here... one is that the owners of vintage
> machines tend to take very good care of them (after all, they are getting harder
> and harder to find). Second, I think the new bikes with "sealed everything"
> has bred a generation or riders that are not as wrench-savvy as cyclists once
> were. Hanging around the bike shop I am amazed at the number of younger riders
> who come in to have a cable tightened or a wheel trued or even handlebar tape
> replaced for cryin' out loud.
>
> So maybe those new bikes you were riding next to were not actually noisier,
> perhaps they were just not as well-loved.
>
> Bob Hovey
> Columbus, GA