old vs new

[tonyf39]

the Raleigh is 62cm and the frame approx 1600g, which considering it's a std horizontal top tubed diamond frame & the lightest XCR steel is roughly 100g lighter like for like size wise I'd say my 17yr old is still doing ok (She builds to 7.5kg with a triple chainset easily enough)
It's a long distance ride rather than an out and out racing bike for sure but still better than most older good steel frames in every way.
It was originally used by a CAT1 rider as a training bike in the late 90s, I bought it on ebay for an absolute song complete with full DA about 8 years ago...get in!!

 

[328isport]

Some great comments guys and tonyf39, you probably hit the nail on the head regarding the wheels. I found the difference was huge.

328isport, I like your thinking. I like the old style frame as the newer ones look odd when I am on them as I am 6'5" with a 37" inside leg. You can imagine how the sloping top tube makes the bike look tiny with me on it and then the seat post sticking up for what seems forever LOL, Looks odd.

Yep know exactly what you mean! I'm 6'3, my main bike is a 2003 Fuji Roubaix 61cm with horizontal top tube, the only sloping down tube bike I have is a LeMond Versailles but this just about works as the angle of the top tube is quite shallow. Unfortunately at our heights its hard to find a new bike that doesn't look ugly! yet 58-61cm bikes with horizontal top tubes still look awesome!

 

[tonyf39]

58-61cm bikes with horizontal top tubes still look awesome!

Don't they just, everything seems in the right proportion to 700C wheels..

 

[andymuza]

yet 58-61cm bikes with horizontal top tubes still look awesome!

Maybe it's time I went on the hunt for one


Following a lot of the comments and the fact that my son has little interest at the moment I think I will switch some of the components from the Cannondale to my Raleigh as a short term fix till I sort something more permanent.

 

[curyam]

I went through a similar experience with my 70's era bike. I installed index shifting, new brake levers, derailleurs and modern Mavic Wheels. The improvement in ride was appreciated but I ended up putting on old components back on the bike. I added a modern road bike and now appreciate both for what they are.

 

[Southwestslacker1]

Old+new

I've got a 90s Peugeot with a Columbus Thron frame, recently put a full ex display Tiagra 4700 group and some Ultegra wheels on it (all eBay bargains) and it flies now! It was good before (rode the Liege on it twice no problems) but the lighter wheels and the stiffer drivetrain make a huge difference. I don't race so I'm not hugely worried about marginal gains but it's a real beauty now.

 

[Mike Muz]

Re:

Old thread revived!

Comparable wheel weight, along with stiffness at the bb are the biggest differences, IMO.
Most noticeable when out of the saddle.
Rarely ride my modern 2006 bike though, tbh. Love riding my old ones more.

Mike

 

[Southwestslacker1]

Re:

My newest ally/carbon bike has found a home as a winter bike (won't rust), my peugeot and my steel fixed gear are the ones for Sunday best, so much more style!

 

[Deleted member 24574]

I've gone even newer than when I last posted on this topic.

Can't compare new v old really. Completely different rides.

Most of my riding is on a modern bike with Di2, discs and tubeless 28mm tyres. A great ride, but it's completely different to the Montello, which gives a classic ride.

Any bikes a good bike, take your pick.

 

[Jonny69]

I've gone even newer than when I last posted on this topic.

Same here. I had a 2014 Dolan Precursa alongside my old Russian track bike shortly after I last posted. Both identical size, both identical gearing. I had to put a lot more effort into the alloy Dolan to maintain the same speed as my springy old XB3. It was a smoother ride, but much less engaging and harder work. I sold it on.