Reid Fisher wrote:
A lot of it is esthetics. We have to admit that the new technology probably wins races, but the old stuff sure is fun. Shifting an index shifter cleanly is an absolute pleasure, and it's one of those skills you never get tired of improving.
Reid, did you mean to say: Shifting a friction shifter cleanly...?
This thread is hitting close to home with me. I began my CR list membership explaining how I could not justify buying a new bike, and so set about rejuvenating the Old War Horse, my 1977 Peugeot PX10LE. I have always felt you had to be rich to afford antiques. In the last few weeks I have been considering how to spend what little bike money I can rake together. Do I want something old, used, scratched and dented, or do I succumb to the temptation of the new, hi-tech, off-topic stuff? It is a question each must answer for himself, but it would be good to have some perspective from those who have experienced both worlds.
As I was looking at the new stuff last evening at a local bike shop, the thought forced its way through all the glitz and glitter that this stuff just looks flimsy and, well, fake. It is probably an unfair statement, borne of my perceptions rather than objective analysis. I am used to the unmistakable look of polished aluminum. What is that black stuff? It could be aluminum, steel, plastic, resin, or carbon judging by looks alone. The bike feels too light; surely it cannot be very durable. Again pure subjective nonsense, but there it is. The new bikes I like and can afford are the ones that pay some homage to tradition, but herein lies the rub: the name may be Raleigh, Schwinn, Motobecane, Windsor or Masi, but you know full well the name is just an empty word. Well, that puts it harshly. Let's just say the name doesn't mean the same things it originally did. This is particularly hard to swallow with Masi. I personally do not venerate Masi, it being out of my league, but when I look at the headbadge and it says "Milano" it just seems too pretentious.
I can see a distinct possibility of severe buyer's remorse, of realizing too late that old steel gives deeper satisfaction, used, scratched and dented though it may be.
John Hurley
Austin, Texas, USA