Retro bikes versus New bikes. (Have bikes really improved?)

[ShiftySteve]

I just find it fascinating that we still use the basic design of the Victorians. Which means that they hit the nail on the head first time round.
We can tweak the materials, geometry and components all we like but the diamond frame and derailleur gears were thought up by some bods in top hats over a century ago without the assistance of computers or focus groups.
I think that is cool.

 

[Neil G]

Agree with Ed's comments on moden bikes not being easy on the eye

 

[GrahamJohnWallace]

I just find it fascinating that we still use the basic design of the Victorians. Which means that they hit the nail on the head first time round.
We can tweak the materials, geometry and components all we like but the diamond frame and derailleur gears were thought up by some bods in top hats over a century ago without the assistance of computers or focus groups.
I think that is cool.

Most new inventions evolve quickly as a 'blue sky' anything is possible approach, is adopted by innovators. This often results in the creation of diverse, wonderful sometimes wacky solutions to the original problem. e.g. the Victorians and their bicycle ideas.

Today the bicycle is a highly developed product and innovators have to contend with all the baggage of their own preconceptions of what a bicycle should be, do or how it should function. It is extremely difficult for modern bicycle designers to see the problem anew, and so modern bicycles evolves slowly. Mostly as a result of new materials or manufacturing processes.

New and radical ides do exist, and I know of several, but the industry is more interested in style than investing in the research and development of radical, 'outside the box' ideas.

Alex Moulton, Gary Fisher, Geoff Apps, Dave Smart, Mike Burrows, Graeme Obree etc. are all rare exceptions to this norm.

 

[CarrotCake]

Old bikes - new bikes - skinny tyres - wide perished 2.1 Smokes - narrow duel compound, CAD designed bluetac rubber..

Grab one out of the shed and enjoy it's refinements, quirks, speed, 'bad day design', revolutionary designs..

Comparing new and old is futile. I appreciate all my bikes for what they are and enjoy riding for a host of different reasons. They are a bit like friends; each one has its own character. Some of the retro ones have grown old gracefully. Although the years have wisdom have stood them in good stead to weather the test of time, they tend to be a bit old and forgetful, occasionally forgetting what they supposed to do and unsteady on their feet - spitting you into a bush.

Other retro ones have had a hard life on the piss, a bit of middle aged spread, look a bit weathered and have worn out creaking joint - but a bit like a blacksmith from Bolton, are hard as nails as will continue to work and be subject to abuse for years to come.

Modern ones can be the youngsters that are all talk and image, but no sustenance. Other modern ones in the fleet are young prodigies of the retro steeds good blood line and will go on to be refined professionals…. or burly piss heads or that will do a good job for years to come.
Ride them - enjoy them, regardless of age.

 

[GrahamJohnWallace]

I have now had nearly two months to develop a clearer picture how my 1983 Cleland Aventura compares with modern bikes. I have ridden alongside some modern machines and timed how the Cleland and newer bikes compare for when ridden on particular routes. Some of the results are as predicted. For instance the heavier Cleland is a little slower at climbing hills than my 2005 Giant NRS Carbon and the Cleland is much slower on tarmac. However the Cleland's sub 15lbs per square inch tyres out grip modern ones and allow it to climb steeper slopes and its ride quality on cobbles is very smooth.

The geometry of the NRS and the Cleland is virtually identical right down to the offset rear triangle and un-dished wheel However the Clelands high handlebars give much more control on technical terrain. I have now Replaced the NRS' Hayes Nine hydraulic disk brakes with Shimano cable ones, and its braking is now 1000% more progressive.

 

[marin man]

Here here

 

[REKIBorter]

Some old bikes were dogs and others were brilliant. Similarly, some modern bikes are better than others. Dismissive comments like 'All modern bikes are crap' have no weight at all.

Plus ça change ...

 

[legrandefromage]

oh god oh god make it stop

 

[marin man]

Yes stop it now it is hurting my ears :cry:

 

[Neil]

Yes stop it now it is hurting my ears :cry:

Um, not that I'm in any way interested in the perpetuation of a polarising topic of discussion, or this one in particular, you understand, but all the same... is somebody making you read this thread?

I just don't get - nor ever have for that matter - the people who pointlessly say this sort of thing about discussions and how they should stop. I mean, FFS, if you don't wanna read it, if you don't like the discussion, then FFS, for all that is holy and good, for the saving of the light, don't destroy my plantation... and stop reading the damn discussion if it causes you so much angst.

Or on the other hand, you could do what you have here, stamp your feet, pout, and tell others to stop discussing it.