Tom Dalton wrote:
I do tire of the "just ride it, it's just a bike" attitude that certain list members throw out as a response to all questions beyond the scope of their knowledge. "If I don't know it, it ain't worth knowing." There is nothing that makes someone's choice to ride these bikes superior to some else's choice, to collect, restore, display and study them. I don't buy that "meant to be ridden" crap for a second. I'll leave my rare, unreliable, overpriced, and obsolete SR pedals on the shelf, thank you. When I ride, I'll stick with my second generation Time Equipe Mags, until I need new pedals. Modern pedals are so vastly superior in terms of ergonomics and comfort that it boggles my mind that anyone would still routinely use clips and straps unless 1) he likes to recreate history with every ride 2) he is nostalgic to the point of masochism, 3) he only rides in sneakers 4) he is an Olympic match sprinter.
Tom Dalton
Bethlehem, PA
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Actually, Tom, you missed the main reason some of us prefer vintage pedals, clips 'n' straps on our vintage lightweights: clipless pedals ruin the aesthetics of the thing. Putting clipless pedals on a 1962 Masi Special is like unto putting a thong on Botticelli's Venus: it might be more efficient, but the result is vulgar and tasteless..and virtually paralyzing in its Medusa-like ugliness...
Put them clipless things on modern KOF frames.
Charles "luddite" Andrews SoCal
PS: I put SL pedals on my modern Ergo/Chorus-equipped 1995 Baylis. And in contrast to the visual effect of clipless pedals on a 60s Masi, the SLs look right at home...and I prefer the old pedals because I like my Sidi touring shoes. The set-up is more practical for me. And might be for many. At least you don't look like a duck or sound like a bad tap-dancer when you walk to get some food at the mid-ride coffee-shop.
Btw, I'm not slamming modern clipless pedals, I think they're an engineering marvel and everything Tom said they are, I just think they look like s&^% on vintage lightweights.