Oh, I agree completely with that sentiment. And more so. Although I would love to pick up one of those classic steel 21-lb $500 bikes you describe, I guess I'm just too cheap right now. I pretend that I'm riding one, when actually I'm riding my late-70's Motobecane Nomade and early-'80s Fuji Absolute. Each was $100 on Craigslist, the Fuji was never even ridden before I bought it. They are both steel, lugged and brazed, a collection of SR/Suntour/Sugino/Nitto/Maillard/Avocet/etc. Although you guys make 100+ mile rides sound very tempting and exciting, basically I'm a bicycle commuter, about 80 miles per week, pretty much year-round. I might try riding long distance 'for fun' one of these days, but frankly, when the weekend rolls around, I feel somewhat justified puttering around the house and garden, playing my guitar, etc., given that I get my exercise on the way to work.
Actually, I think what I'm after is a 'poor man's Rene Herse' for commuting. Last weekend I picked up an old steel 3-speed Sears Free Spirit at a garage sale, and I grafted the steel rack and fenders onto my Motobecane. I'm looking to pick up some period lighting, bell, etc. I know this is probably all laughable to the uber-classic crowd, but I prefer it to buying a new bike. I don't like new things much. I still use film cameras, reel-to-reel tape and a rotary phone (all metal, from the '20s!).
Mike Skolones St Louis, MO USA
On 8/2/07, Donald Gillies <gillies@cs.ubc.ca> wrote:
>
> > But there should be very little difference in friction between an old
> > bike of high quality, well maintained hubs, pedal bearings, crank
> > bearings, chain, etc., and the friction load of an new CF bike.
>
> Too the contrary, modern bikes add too much friction to my pocketbook!!
>
> With some careful shopping, you can get a nice 21 lbs on-topic friction
> bike in the $500 range of prices, with a sweet ride, maybe like-new.
>
> With some careful shopping, you can get NOTHING carbon a carbon frame or
> in the 21 lbs range for $500 (except perhaps an OT 80's ALAN carbon
> bike!!)
>
> - Don Gillies
> San Diego, CA, USA