I must agree with Garth,
>I still find either complete ignorance that I
>am riding anything but just some "older cheaper bike", or only a rare
>nod to the classic steel under me.
Here in Australia few recognise the elegance of a time-honoured classic bike, even when you steam past them, uphill with front and rear black 'duck' cotton bags, white hair and varicose veins. I have been riding the same bike for over 30 years so it's probably a case of man and machine fusing into one effective unit.
My Harry Quinn still kicks arse, but I now keep it in reserve for the big social rides, where the odd 'old fart' recognises it's essential character.
Most of my riding is now on a modernish steel frame built about 10 years ago by a Australians Ken and Paul Evans. It's not any faster or slower, despite all the mod cons, it just looks more 'ordinary'. I do appreciate the convenience of STI levers even if they don't have the 'feel' of friction levers.
Over a half century of cycling I've found that weight and modern 'space age' materials may be a psychological boost to some, but it's really all in the mind.
Real performance is all about rolling resistance (or lack of it) and stamina.
My instinct tells me that if you have the best bearings available in your hubs and pedals, the rest is just window dressing.
Ride for your lives
Michael McGrath
Sydney Australia