Re: [CR] acceptable updates to classic bikes? was:shoes and cleats

(Example: Bike Shops)

Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 13:18:10 -0400
From: "David G. White" <whiteknight@burlingtontelecom.net>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <mailman.6521.1237202708.337.classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> <BAY114-W3993752513E8FCD2E37656CE9B0@phx.gbl> <8CB745F7F237450-D58-CB4@WEBMAIL-MC15.sysops.aol.com>
In-Reply-To: <8CB745F7F237450-D58-CB4@WEBMAIL-MC15.sysops.aol.com>
Subject: Re: [CR] acceptable updates to classic bikes? was:shoes and cleats


One of the wonderful aspects of the vintage cycling hobby is that there are so many ways to enjoy it. As far as I'm concerned, there is no one ":right" way. Avid cyclists have always tended to upgrade bikes. Many bikes are historically correct (as distinct from "factory original") when built in many different configurations.All of my bikes are riders. I admire museum pieces, but I'm not particularly interested in owning them. With that in mind, how I build any particular bike depends on many factors. How "original" is it when it comes to me? How rare is it? Etc. A truly rare and substantially original bikes, such as my Art Stump, I choose to rebuild to as original condition as I can, making only those minimal changes necessary to make it ridable (for example, new tires).On other less rare or less original bikes, I may choose to make adjustments to enhance my riding comfort. For example, since I live in Vermont and flat roads are unknown, I like having more gear choices, so I may build a bikes that originally had a 5 speed freewheel, with a 7 speed. For me that doesn't fundamentally change the historic character (although I know there are those who would disagree) while adding measurably to my comfort and thus the likeliness that I'll select that bike to ride. I also really like modern ergo bars with the flat areas in the drops, so sometimes I use those on vintage bikes -- once again adding materially to my comfort -- but I use ones that are aluminum with engraved logos that at least have the general visual character of vintage bars. Like others, I also often use modern pedals on vintage bikes, keeping the originals for display and shows.So in general -- the more rare and original it is the more likely I am to keep it that way; the less so, then I feel more free to change it. But I feel that by and large I do so with moderation. As far as I'm concerned this kind of flexibility is all part of the fun of our hobby. After all -- this is not quite the same as collecting stamps -- bikes are made to be ridden. So if modest "upgrades" make that more likely -- I'm all for it!Best,DavidDavid G. WhiteBurlington, VTUSAr7glm@aol.com wrote:> I probably should have included this in my original post, as to me\ufffd> \ufffdall of this comes down to is what each person is comfortable with, as the> re are certainly no fast rules as to what is "classic". Just as w> ith the classic car note, there are degrees of what is "classic" (I'll > bet there are a few '64 Alfa Romeo Spiders otherwise original but with > radial tires) . I would say a "true classic" is something that is all origin> al, no new paint, parts, or tires, and probably not ridable in many cases. T> hen there are "100 point restorations" such as what Richard Sachs did a few > years ago with his Masi - trying to bring the bike as close as possible to> original for a specific time period. And of course there is everything> in between: original frame but NOS or other parts; new paint but original p> arts, and on and on...everyone has a different take, especially if you actua> lly want to ride the bike, or it's display only. And how do> we bring in the bikes of the NAHBS (or some of those at the Cirque for> that matter), which certainly has a huge following here, if we a> re talking "classic"? Many old school takes but with a modern twist. B> ottom line is that we all appreciate the "classic" bike and riding them, and> that's what matters. There's room for all. >> Rex Gilmore> Vienna, VA>> -----Original Message-----> From: tobit linke <tobitlinke@hotmail.com>> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Sent: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 9:58 am > Subject: [CR] acceptable updates to classic > bikes? was:shoes and cleats>>>>> f you make an exception for clipless pedals on classic bikes,> hat else is acceptable?> there've been numerous other advances in bicycle technology.> Some of my favourites are:> linchers> lastic toeclips (Christophe road style) and bottle cages> P bottles> ed lights> ub generators> ngle-adjustable brake pads> a friend is a big fan of index shifting.> i'd still say that using any of them would reduce the level of classicness> f a bike.> hile this makes my bikes rate relatively low on the classicness scale,> still come here for the discussion of classic bikes and parts,> ot for tuning tips on how to get my old bike to perform like a contemporar> one.> if classic bikes meant doing whatever you want to an old frame,> e'd be discussing fixed gear conversions.> Tobit Linke, Dortmund, Germany>>> ________________________________________________________________> ore than messages\u2013check out the rest of the Windows Live\u2122.> ttp://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowslive/>> -- StripMime Report -- processed MIME parts ---> ultipart/alternative> text/plain (text body -- kept)> text/html> --> ______________________________________________> lassicrendezvous mailing list> lassicrendezvous@bikelist.org> ttp://www.bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/classicrendezvous