How Well Does a 30 Year-old Bike Ride?

[Spudly]

Just bare in mind that lowering the rear mech puts it straight into the clatter zone - rocks, ruts and sticky-outy-bits

This is a 2019 Pace with a bent and broken mech/ bent drop out after going through a deep puddle

Hmm I wonder where I've seen that pic before lol.

I think it clattered something submerged, possibly a U-boat I think, and as I was in my biggest cog (nearest the spokes) the mech being pushed over, caused the cage to hook on a spoke and it got pulled completely around the cassette (sad face)

Cue one new expensive sram eagle rear mech, and a couple of new spoke and a wheel true, the bike was happily riding again!

Has made me very wary with trailside obstacles now though!

 

[mheywoo1]

Hmm, As I’ve raced Xterra MTB triathlon at world champs and am currently training for MTB marathon euro champs (Covid-19 notwithstanding) under a top cycling coach I don’t think there is too much question about my fitness. Face it, some bikes are faster than others and a 650b gravel bike is definitely faster on my local trails than a retro MTB (by over 2mins in my usual 10min interval loop)

I race on Rocket Ron’s on my Scott Spark 29er and they are awesome on that but I do agree that they don’t feel as nice on my Cotic Simple singlespeed. I use Geax Gato TNT in 1.9” or 2.1” or Barro Mtn 2.1” tubeless on my Yo Eddy and Dekerf and they ride great at low 20-psi.

No punctures either as well as lower rolling resistance, better comfort and grip.

As for 'faster', it could be argued that you simply dont pedal fast enough on your old bicycles. :mrgreen:

As they are 'human' powered transport i agree. Get fitter and it will go faster. Perhaps modern gives the perception of going faster? Modern brakes certainly stop better

 

[legrandefromage]

Hmm, As I’ve raced Xterra MTB triathlon at world champs and am currently training for MTB marathon euro champs (Covid-19 notwithstanding) under a top cycling coach I don’t think there is too much question about my fitness. Face it, some bikes are faster than others and a 650b gravel bike is definitely faster on my local trails than a retro MTB (by over 2mins in my usual 10min interval loop)

I race on Rocket Ron’s on my Scott Spark 29er and they are awesome on that but I do agree that they don’t feel as nice on my Cotic Simple singlespeed. I use Geax Gato TNT in 1.9” or 2.1” or Barro Mtn 2.1” tubeless on my Yo Eddy and Dekerf and they ride great at low 20-psi.

No punctures either as well as lower rolling resistance, better comfort and grip.

I ride bicycles and eat cake.

 

[M-Power]

Re: Re:

Extra long cage rear mechs were an issue even back in the late 80s, hence the trend for Shimano 600/Dura Ace rear mechs on ATBs. I still think that retros are more fun for normal countryside riding and they teach kids proper bike handling skills.

Vintage MTBs tend to steep head angles and that requires attention on the steep. Old bikes were not designed for big rubber. otoh they are bikes: fun and beautifull.

Basically just touring bike geometry. Some bike manufacturers understood the nuances of geometry better than others and the importance of plenty of tyre clearance in the rear, so you could run 2.5” tyres at lower pressure in those pre suspension days. We had to adapt our style and develop real ability to ride one bije to do it all, rather than the 5+ specialist bike types people can have today.

 

[legrandefromage]

'Vintage' bikes were slack! Slack I tells ya!

Well before around 1986, after that certain influences took hold and geometry went to we knew as 'XC' leaving the slack lot looking very out dated very quickly, slack no longer sold.

 

[mheywoo1]

Cool.

Glad to hear you ride bikes. I drink beer too.

Hmm, As I’ve raced Xterra MTB triathlon at world champs and am currently training for MTB marathon euro champs (Covid-19 notwithstanding) under a top cycling coach I don’t think there is too much question about my fitness. Face it, some bikes are faster than others and a 650b gravel bike is definitely faster on my local trails than a retro MTB (by over 2mins in my usual 10min interval loop)

I race on Rocket Ron’s on my Scott Spark 29er and they are awesome on that but I do agree that they don’t feel as nice on my Cotic Simple singlespeed. I use Geax Gato TNT in 1.9” or 2.1” or Barro Mtn 2.1” tubeless on my Yo Eddy and Dekerf and they ride great at low 20-psi.

No punctures either as well as lower rolling resistance, better comfort and grip.

I ride bicycles and eat cake.

 

[legrandefromage]

Cake makes the beer taste funny so I never mix.

I've yet to try beer cake.

Please dont let this turn into another modern bikes are better thing though. They are not, they are just different and bare no relation to bicycles of 30 years ago.

 

[mheywoo1]

Re:

I agree with your sentiment that modern and old bikes are different rather than better or worse than each other.

If you re-read my original post you will see that the point I was making in the third paragraph is that both gravel bikes and retro mountain bikes bring back a simple joy to riding that has been lost somewhat as mountain bikes have become so capable that if you live in a relatively benign part of the county like I do in Warwickshire there is little challenge in riding them unless you get in the car and drive somewhere else. If you live somewhere hilly it’s a different story of course.

Then move to my 4th paragraph and see that I wrote something along the lines of “anything that increases the use or joy of our retro bikes should be encouraged”.

So this has been quite a pointless exchange in my opinion but hopefully the people who want to enjoy their retro bikes more with a few modern tweaks will find my experiences helpful. That is the point of a forum after all, isn’t it.

 

[legrandefromage]

Sorry! A lot of these threads descended into 'my ford focus is better than your classic car ' type which serve no purpose. Theres no dig at you apart from the cake/ beer/ cake.

I miss pubs.

 

[hamster]

The thing I just don't get with 1x is that:
1 The gear range is still limited
2 The high load stuff is done at a horrible chain angle wearing more heavily
3 Why didn't he use a shorter BB and fit the ring on the outside, saving a little weight but most importantly reducing pedal spacing?

2x7 gives more robust chain, less tetchy shifting and both a smaller jump between gears AND a wider range!

My bikes are retromods, especially adding a disc brake to the front works wonders, and I like 9-speed SRAM X0 on my 1996 P7, but some of the current fashions are just daft!

I absolutely agree that most modern bikes are so hyper-competent that they are dull on ordinary rides, and I enjoy the high-speed hillwalking kind of riding. The idea of trail centres appals me!