Hi Nick,
> Seems to me that only wanting lugged, which is labour intensive,
> and European or American bikes, is a denial of progress. Kind of
> alterglobalization thing. Bit hippy in a way.
I don't care much if a cycle is lugged, old, new, collectible or valuable. I
like to ride so I have to own a bike. That's all. As there are so much
beautyfull machines out there and as they aren't expensive, I can own more
than one and so I do.
> Cut of point at 84 and calling something like a non-lugged but
> good aero-tech 1980 glued Vitus 979 "KOF" or "off-topic" could be
> called snobbery, but more likely "nostalgic" and anti-progress.
The 979 are nice cycles in it's way. Technically they are flexible or
comfortable depending on the viewers opinion. They are not rare so the
collectors aren't very interested- could get a dozen within one day if I
wanted to. They were often buyed to ripp of the components, I guess- I had
one that was desired by a friend as it had a complete very early Mavic
gruppo.
> Right, there is a load of hyped carbon junk around nowadays which
> is non labour intensive, dirt cheap to produce and made in China
> or some other place. But the real issue appears to be "better
> back in the old days".
In many cases collectors want to have the dreammachines of their childhood.
Others want to pose by a cycle others can't get, as they are rare and very
valuable- its a kind of status symbol.
> Old days meaning when we could produce stuff locally and the
> workforce was employed in manufacturing. So as a great fan of
> antiglobalization, I'm really proud to belong to this vintage
> bike community, and hope to see many list members on their bikes
> at forthcoming antiglobalization demonstrations.
Globalization is a kind of social evolution. Theres nothing wrong with it in
general. The cultural, economical or historical domination changes as it
did several in the past. It would be a good idea for the individual to lern
Chinese, I guess to be part of the social process instead of going under.
:)
>In a way, this
> makes Vintage bike collectors left wing, whether they admit to it
> or not. Maybe back in the old days we'd all have been branded
> "commies".
Commie? No, we are mossbacks. ;)
> OK, this isn't the only reason we collect, but it is a issue.
Don't know, as I'm no collector. I like interesting parts and cycles and it
is equal to me if it's old or not. I do also not care if it is mass
production or craftmanship.
> (owner of a pre-84 Vitus 979 glue-up)
Send pigs. :) Today I setuped a cycle for my housband- not sure if it's ontopic as the frame is probably from1984. Lugged steel (SLX), branded "Krapf", a bicycle dealer in Switzerland, had an team that was swiss master in 1982 as far I know. Bought the fram and added the neede parts from the junk box.
Nice lugs, interesting details (Chainstay...). Headset and BB Dura Ace,
Stem, Handlebar 3TTT, DP 18 on ultegra hubs, Crankset and pedals 600,
brifters STX or similar, front derailler 105 and rear RX 100. RX 100 brakes.
Works well. :) http://www.radbasteln.de/
best regards,
Richard