[CR]snobbery

(Example: Framebuilders:Rene Herse)

Date: Wed, 15 Jun 2005 10:34:53 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Tom Dalton" <tom_s_dalton@yahoo.com>
To: kohl57@starpower.net
cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]snobbery

What is it about riding vintage bikes that makes people put their head up their butt? Did I miss something in the CR rules that strongly encourages the on-road use of vintage bikes and discourages preservation? Clearly there are some extreme positions on this issue, and most of us fall somewhere in well within these extremes. I know this because the "to-ride-or-not-to-ride" issue has been revisited time and again on CR and a range of OPINIONS, some thoughtful, others not, have been voiced. Me, I lean in the direction of preservation, and while I'm no Litespeed owner, I know that certain modern equipment provides me with a more enjoyable riding experience.

What I find interesting is that I never see sanctimonious posts from listmembers about one preserved bike being worth twenty that are "lost" to use.

As to who actually rides and who doesn't, that is a seperate issue from who choses to ride their vintage bikes, though like the former issue it is one on which CR members undoubtedly exhibit a range of attitudes. Neither using nor preserving and neither riding nor loafing disqualifies one from CR membership.

Tom Dalton Bethlehem, PA who should really ride more, but who has no plans to use up $150/pc NOS silks, $80/pr Bindas, nor $100/pr globe hoods.

"One Super Sport on the road is worth 20 Masis hanging on some wall. Anyone who reduces a classic lightweight to an "investment" to be dipped in aspic and shoved in a safety deposit box should be forced to cycle behind 48 roller bladers for 5 hours. Assuming they even ride a bike, that is!"

Tom Dalton Bethlehem, PA

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