Aesthetics aside, and alluminum bikes are not in my frame of reference, but the new thin walled and super hard steel frames, comparing the ones that I have ridden to the older on topic steel frames, the new ones just don't feel as comfortable. It is a bit like comparing a dinner that you can get at the 7-11, compared to a home cooked one. (Japanese 7-11s sell complete meals of many varieties). The convenience food with the unfamiliar taste is good once in a while, but on a daily basis I prefer the homemade type. If one is riding a lot, I think the older frames made from the obsolete material provide more endearing service. My lugged Columbus Nemo frame hardly gets ridden compared to the older DeRosa. I didn't plan it this way. In this regard, I would contend that modern technology is not better in every way. Weight distribution on a bike is something that I never hear talked about when discussing the comfort factor. On my track bike I find that switching from an alloy handlebar to a steel one created a more stable ride. Of course all this is negated as applied to racing where the big concern is finishing the fastest.
Dennis Young Hotaka, Japan
>> If you get down to it, a lot retro dudes are in it for the
>> aesthetic reasons, not the technology.(thus all the photos being
>> taken at the Cirque) If people on this list didn't care about
>> how stuff looked, what collector would go to a "show" and LOOK
>> at all the stuff on display? The only reason to own somthing
>> would be to ride it, and we all know how much the fancy bikes
>> really get ridden ;-)
>>
>> I still think that lots of 50's to 70's stuff is
>> just a lot better looking than 99% of modern stuff. There's
>> no better looking bikes than those 70's Gios, Pinarello, Bianchi,
>> Masi, De Rosa and all those other pro racing bikes of that era.
>> (and I am "in the prime of life") BUT, I think modern technology
>> is better in every way, so I'm no retro-grouch. I'm not talking
>> about quality, or craftsmanship, I'm talking technology.
>>
>> There's some nice black carbon fiber stuff out there, but it's
>> the exception, IMHO, not the rule. I find most modern graphics
>> waaaay over the top, cluttered and unbalanced looking.
>> So Chuck, you're a graphics guy, go set the guys at TREK straight!!
>>
>> I like your term "obsolete"! I also enjoy riding stuff that is
>> technologically inferior today, it's no big deal. Bikes are great
>> to ride, and a great riding bike will always be a great riding
>> bike.
>>
>> Grant McLean
>> toronto, canada