Retro Bikes of Quality

[Elev12k]

To clear up some of the questions, or maybe to confus further, quality means, in respect to manufactured items (IMHO)

character with respect to fineness, or grade of excellence

Therefore a badly manufactured frame, however innovative, cannot be of high quality.

For example, Breezer no.1 could be very well made, or quite roughly made (I don't know either way for certain, in common with most people in theis thread), neither would change it's place as an innovative bike, but it could not be quality if poorly made.

On the other hand, a run on the mill, derivative, mid-high end bike could still be a quality bike, but would add very little to our hobby in terms of new ideas.

IMO the thread title is a misnomer. Bikes of distinction fits what I believe the thread is about.

Total agreement here, but for example the Manitou FS, a bike I heavily critized in a previous post, was good enough for Jurgen Beneke to win the DH World Cup with, so who am I to deny it at least possesses some level of sincere quality?

 

[utahdog2003]

America’s mojo is consumption. The whole US economy is based around that. Consumption roughly counts for 60% of the GDP. Trow away, buy new, trow away, buy new …is the cyclus that keeps everything going.

Pretty broad generalization, don't ya think? Actually, personal consumption represents 70% of the US GDP. But conumption of goods (you know the stuff we "trow away") only represents roughly 23% of the GDP, whereas consumption of services represents 47%. Comparitively, personal consumption represents 65% of the UK GDP. Before you generalize, please check your facts.

Good call. I was about to pop out with a similar comment.

Also, that maligned Manitou frame was never manufactured to be a 15 years in the stable, ride it hard put it away wet kind of bike. It was designed to be one companies take on the pinnacle of racing technology, and for the competitive cyclist would have been one of a few in the stable of a sponsored season. As long as the head tube didn't explode on TV and the rider was on the podium at the end of the day, then the frame did its job.

People who bought bikes like that were living the competitive dream by association, but I don't think they were swindled into buying something that was designed to be throw-away. Now that said...stroll into a Wal-Mart and plunk down 60 bucks on a Roadmaster mtb...THAT's throw away. Apples and Oranges.

 

[mfh126]

America’s mojo is consumption. The whole US economy is based around that. Consumption roughly counts for 60% of the GDP. Trow away, buy new, trow away, buy new …is the cyclus that keeps everything going.

Pretty broad generalization, don't ya think? Actually, personal consumption represents 70% of the US GDP. But conumption of goods (you know the stuff we "trow away") only represents roughly 23% of the GDP, whereas consumption of services represents 47%. Comparitively, personal consumption represents 65% of the UK GDP. Before you generalize, please check your facts.

It was a very lousy attempt by me doing some amateur-philisophizing about questions that were brought up earlier, but such highly questionable and absurd assumptions do not belong on a quality bicycle forums populated by nice, kind people. You are right. First of all, what applies to the masses does not automaticly apply to each individual person. Secondly, I should also have checked the figures better. I am sorry.

You're all warned. Next fool talking the spoken equivilent of diarrhea like I did in my previous post risks I'll have to lock the thread.

I appreciate you admitting any wrongdoing. Can we all just get back to posting pictures of innovative bikes now?

 

[Tad]

I think the clothing pretty much sums up what would have happened if the UK MTBs had become main stream before the US.

Look at the Rough Stuff or Clellands, they were built as a form of getting from a to b off road, they had luggage racks fitted. The riders wore tweed and probably smoked pipes or woodbines.

Look at the Repack pics, they built their bikes for fun and to race, they wore jeans and probably smoked Marlboro.

The early Europeans and Brits had a more utilitarian approach to their bikes, they were more a form of transport. The American's used their bikes more as a form of recreation.

I have had similar discussions numerous times with members of my bike clubs and one conclusion we came to is that the US returned to prosperity very quickly after the WW2 and people bopught cars, bicycles were used as a form of leisure. Europe (and the UK) took longer to recover, the bicycle was used as a form of mass transport for a lot longer before it was seen as an object of leisure.

 

[TheGreenRabbit]

Look at the Repack pics, they built their bikes for fun and to race, they wore jeans and probably smoked Marlboro.

It was somthing a little stronger than that they were smoking

 

[Tad]

May I please submit the below for consideration for Retrobike of distinction status.

A rather smashing Highpath lovingly restored by our very own Somerled with details in this thread here:

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... sc&start=0

To me this typifies the British approach to MTBs, more utilitarian than purely recreational like the US Repack riders. Front and rear racks, mudguards and of course non clogging drum brakes. The the thread above will give more details on the bike than I can post here.

 

[Neil]

May I please submit the below for consideration for Retrobike of distinction status.

A rather smashing Highpath lovingly restored by our very own Somerled with details in this thread here:

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... sc&start=0

To me this typifies the British approach to MTBs, more utilitarian than purely recreational like the US Repack riders. Front and rear racks, mudguards and of course non clogging drum brakes. The the thread above will give more details on the bike than I can post here.

Truly wonderful!

 

[BoyBurning]

Think this is one of the better threads to have run on RB for a while.

I agree with several nominations, disagree with others.

In the interest of keeping things 'stable' I shall withhold comments and simply do as the OP requested:

One bike. Reasons.

This is by no means even a good picture (no idea where I found it, and apologies if it's yours) - there are better out there, but not all have such an appropriate and restrained build - or are later than I was hoping for date-wise.

'92 Bontrager RaceLite.

I really enjoy the thought that went into this frame, and the understanding of how it was to be used / maintained.

Simple touches like plain paint & large replaceable decal patches. The machining to the front face only of headtube to maintain greater surface area at rear for welding. Wishbone stays of different diameter top and bottom for strength / ride quality. Riveted guides to prevent heat damage to tubes. The forks themselves (in all their incarnations) could have their own thread - and deserve one really.

There are so many 'right' things about this frame that epitomise a quality RB for me. And true to his nature, KB quickly moved on to new technologies / techniques and somewhat shuns his earlier work as a progression process - now dated and irrelevant.

There are many who consider him a sell-out, but for me a die-hard engineer like him could only ever move one way - embracing new technology and aiding his advancement in any way he can. If that means bigger firm / bigger budget / better facilities, then so be it.

Considering some of the frame builders out there who are utterly revered for what seems only at times to be sheep-following reasons, I think Keith Bontrager is hugely under appreciated.

There are more people wanting a Kona Hot than a Racelite which just seems ludicous really. Why - because it was made at Teesdale's? Along with the thousands of other frames? So bloody what!

Apologies, I was not supposed to say that was I...

BB

 

[BoyBurning]

Just as a side note - I am aware the above is not a '92 frame.

Please ignore the photo title - it is as downloaded and I forgot to edit it...

BB

 

[Rod_Saetan]

One of the best examples Ive seen: