I vowed never to participate in another CR List "Boxers vs. Briefs" discussion and this one is a classic.
So against my better judgement...
1) I never have this quandry with my machines. They are restored "per sp ec" (or very close enough) as the Good Lord (or Raleigh or Peugeot) Intended.
You get the ride, the look, the whole package, good, bad or indifferent. If you collect framesets, you can have some leeway but still keep to the period. It's too easy. Want a modern bike, buy one. Want a classic, restore one.
2) To me, the wheelset of a racing bike is its single most important component other than the frame. The look, handling, ride etc. are so determined by the choice of rim, spokes, hubs and yes tyres. Racing bike s have tubulars. Just do. Classic wheelsets are gorgeous and why anyone would prefer the ride of a clincher over a tubular, even a cheap one, is beyond me. Even those naff AVA rims of yours mated to a pair of Veloflex Criteriums would give you a lovely ride. Like buddah.
3) spend $89 on eBay and get yourself a pair of Tufo S-22s, rim mounting tape and sealant. Easier to mount than clinchers and tubes, reliable as heck, decent ride (still way better than clinchers), classic beige/black colour. Cheap. Easy.
4) "everyone else does..."... surely the best argument in a co nformist society to do the opposite! Otherwise, you be riding carbon fibre on creaking carbon rims and wearing a Cirque du Soleil bodysuit.
Peter Kohler Washington DC USA
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