Louis wrote:
A modern lugged steel frame will weigh little more than half of the weight of a frame from the 50's. No classic bike from the 50's is going to come close to a Pegoretti Luigino or similar bike in ride. The closest you will get in a pre '84 bike is a frame made from Reynolds 753, and these aren't from the 50's. If you haven't ridden one of these new bikes, you don't know what you are missing.
*****
No, I haven't ridden a Pegoretti luigino. I did ride a very nice modern Waterford lugged steel bike with all Ergo stuff a couple of years ago..it was impressive. Does that count? But it was not as rewarding in general as my 1960s Pogliaghi road bike with the low bb shell, long wheelbase, and relaxed angles. It goes plenty fast, and it's just on rails even on the nastiest downhill. I have yet to ride a bike of it is as sheerly enjoyable to use. Old Masis come close.
Much of this ride-quality thing is a matter of taste...and the quick, upright frames of today certainly have a lively feel, but for all-around riding, I prefer the older geometries, when done by a master. Yeah, some can be a little too plushy for my taste..but the older, more moderate geometries when used by a Masi or a Pogliaghi or Cinelli seem like some kind of ideal.
After riding many different kinds of vintage road frames it seems to me that geometry plays a far more influencial role in the "ride" of the bike, than do relatively modest differences in materials.
Charles Andrews
SoCal