Retro Bikes of Quality

[doctor-bond]

I think some of you are tying yourselves in knots trying to tie down something that doesn’t need to be.

It’s not a competition about which bike is best, just a thread to show off great bikes. If you have to ask yourself is it quality?, chances are it’s not (like that green homemade thing).

Rather than spamming on about definitions, let’s hear and see more about quality brazed steel. Like Elev, I’ve got a real respect for Japanese lugged machines, and the Panasonics stand out.

Elev – what’s the significance of silver brazing? Am I right in thinking that using it keeps the heat down which is good for heat treated tubing like Prestige and 753?

Also, in the late 80’s, early 90’s many good frames were brazed in Japan for the likes of Bridgestone, Specialized, & GT: it would be great to know who the best builders were. I’ve heard Toyo quoted a lot, but there must be a broader range?

Any way here’s a sweet 87 MC from this forum:

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... =panasonic


And some pics of a ‘92

http://picasaweb.google.com/scarsgo/1992PanasonicMCTeam?feat=flashslideshow#5221037973532054162


And indulgently, the best bit of my ’88 Team Stumpjumper:

 

[pete_mcc]

And indulgently, the best bit of my ’88 Team Stumpjumper:

I smell U-Brake! Fffffffiiiiiiiggggghhhht!

 

[legrandefromage]

If you have to ask yourself is it quality?, chances are it’s not (like that green homemade thing).

After weighing it up and reviewing the posts on its own thread, I decided yes, it is of sufficient 'quality' going by the previous posts and the other homemade bicycles featured in the 'quality' bike thread.

rare, elegant, hard to build, well executed - and it is unlikely to crack through normal use

my favourite part:

 

[legrandefromage]

I'm sorry but I personally dont see the 'quality' here:

Lugged frame - ok

but, understay u-brake?

And those stems are very heavy

Theres nothing that would make it it stand out from the black 'thing' posted earlier.

 

[kaiser]

Bushpig can we see more pics of the Ritchey? Loving this thread BTW, its maybe just me but its a fair old trollfest

 

[bushpig]

If you want to run a WTB rollercam in muddy conditions all you need to do is have a mudguard.

And believe it or not, we do in fact have mud in North America.

Here is another pic of the little Ritchey.

 

[bushpig]

The debate about how difficult it is to identify "bikes of quality" cracks me up. It is like identifying hot chicks - sure we all have differing tastes, but we can all still tell, generally.

 

[legrandefromage]

The debate about how difficult it is to identify "bikes of quality" cracks me up. It is like identifying hot chicks - sure we all have differing tastes, but we can all still tell, generally.

Yes, there are some you want to ride and some you want to look at.

 

[mikee]

Those WTB cantilevers are no good

yes but i have 2 already so want another pair to make a set

they're alright in a bikes of quality way

 

[CTK]

Quality shouldn't equal neatness that 'quality' will lead us to boring over engineered overchecked bikes without a spark. I want to think of quality as meaning a 'special quality' a je ne sais quoi.