RE: [CR] Is anyone racing older bikes?

(Example: History:Ted Ernst)

From: "David Bilenkey" <dbilenkey@sympatico.ca>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: RE: [CR] Is anyone racing older bikes?
Date: Wed, 12 May 2004 21:40:19 -0400
In-Reply-To: <88E9C5BE-A466-11D8-ACC4-0050E4FA0552@cox.net>


I raced our local 'Paris-Roubaix' on my '76 Marinoni back in April. While technically not a race, it's a cyclo-sportif, but draws racers from far and wide and it's a bleeding hard ride. 75km (46.6 miles) of the worst gravel, dirt and pavement we can find east of Ottawa, encompassing a bit of single-track as well. I did alright (37th out of 88 riders starting) considering my competition. I wasn't at all hampered by the bike, I was hampered by my legs!

I must admit though I've changed most of the componentry out to early 90's Campag ErgoPower, it still uses 1978 Record brakes with Matthasuer pads (the only ones I have that'll reach!

I've stayed out of the old racing bikes thread, but I have to say, as a racer (39 yr old Vet A) I would not race any mass start event now without integrated shifters (especially a criterium), and I think modern low spoke aero section wheels are actually a significant improvement (go to http://www.analyticcycling.com and punch in some numbers). Otherwise I'd agree that most of the parts don't make a huge difference.

I do get a kick out of turning out at our Sunday Ottawa Bicycle Club rides on one of the 20+ year old bikes. I usually get some neat comments (especially from the under 20yr olds!) I generally run with the 'extra-sportif' speed group (~35kph+) and there's usually no real difference other than convenience for those rides. But those are ~4 hr/~120km fast tours, nothing like serious racing (well maybe a bit in the last 20km!)

David Bilenkey Ottawa, Ontario, Canada


> -----Original Message-----
> From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org
> [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org]On Behalf Of Shannon
> Menkveld
> Sent: May 12, 2004 6:49 PM
> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Subject: [CR] Is anyone racing older bikes?
>
>
> Leaving the pros and elite amateurs out of the equation is probably
> useful, so I offer this question:
>
> Has anyone rolled up to the start line of a cat 3 or lower race on an
> on-topic bike? How did you do? Did you feel handicapped by your bike?
> And most importantly, what did the other racers say?
>
> Shannon Menkveld
> San Diego, CA