Retroism......why?
- Thread starter Tootyred
- Start date
I want to add to my earlier point.
I have nothing against folks that wishes to build period correct bikes, and I don't even mind if people keep their bikes as garage beauties. It's your life, and nobody should tell anyone how to enjoy a hobby. Ever. We all do this because it, hopefully, makes us feel happy.
That said I think it's fair to challenge the traditionalist views, because there is a lot of purism within our circles and sometimes it can actually be hard to treat your own bike, like your own bike, because there's a kind of quiet expectation in the back of yer head. At least if you're a part of a community that is retro oriented.
Personally I do retromods because I genuinely believe a lot of the retro frames were the bees knees. And I love the looks. But I also love modern components and ensuring that my bikes are actually usable, so for me I pretty get rid of most of the retro stuff. And I hate NORBA geometry. That said, I still appreciate the tech because without we'd not have what we have today, and I still like the older standards and hate the ultra proprietary route of modern bike tech.
You need a good balance.
I have nothing against folks that wishes to build period correct bikes, and I don't even mind if people keep their bikes as garage beauties. It's your life, and nobody should tell anyone how to enjoy a hobby. Ever. We all do this because it, hopefully, makes us feel happy.
That said I think it's fair to challenge the traditionalist views, because there is a lot of purism within our circles and sometimes it can actually be hard to treat your own bike, like your own bike, because there's a kind of quiet expectation in the back of yer head. At least if you're a part of a community that is retro oriented.
Personally I do retromods because I genuinely believe a lot of the retro frames were the bees knees. And I love the looks. But I also love modern components and ensuring that my bikes are actually usable, so for me I pretty get rid of most of the retro stuff. And I hate NORBA geometry. That said, I still appreciate the tech because without we'd not have what we have today, and I still like the older standards and hate the ultra proprietary route of modern bike tech.
You need a good balance.
I may have been one of those who've said not to worry about retro parts, period correct or catalog spec.
For mez retro bikes tend to be about what I wanted but couldn't afford back in the day. That tends to be frames rather than components, though there are of course parts too.
The frame is what a bike is all about, it's how it looks and feels. Components are bolted on and do what they are designed to do, some are better than others, some more reliable, some better looking etc.
Some things are not as functional as more modern bits. Harder to find replacements.
My formula for builds is to find a nice frame, refurb if necessary (I try to buy ones that don't need it, though I've done it a few times), then fit parts I know I like, work and can look after or get spares for.
As I'm a bike snob, this tends to be 9sp xtr (never got on with m900 despite it looking lovely), that tends to be m952, m970 or even m980, or xt equivalents. These tend to work well on most bikes and don't look out of place on an old frame.
V brakes over cantis all day long, even if the frame has a canti stop. I just prefer them, though they have to be something nice.
Forks are just better the newer they are, though retro forks can look amazing compared to newer forks. CNC and carbon character over more generic modern looks. If retro, I try and find a way to upgrade, if modern, something with Vs and as good as I can get (32mm Sid's or fox, pace rc39s).
Wheels, harder to find decent rim brakes these days but crossmax, spinergy or hope hubs and Mavic rims are just fine for me.
Bars, stems and seat posts can be anything, though I'm sad and like things to match. 31.8 bars, no problem, though happy with 25.4 too, whatever works for the build.
Consumables like chains, cassettes and cables, whatever works and looks good with the rest.
I then sit back and admire how good it all looks on the retro frame, as that's what I want to ride.
For mez retro bikes tend to be about what I wanted but couldn't afford back in the day. That tends to be frames rather than components, though there are of course parts too.
The frame is what a bike is all about, it's how it looks and feels. Components are bolted on and do what they are designed to do, some are better than others, some more reliable, some better looking etc.
Some things are not as functional as more modern bits. Harder to find replacements.
My formula for builds is to find a nice frame, refurb if necessary (I try to buy ones that don't need it, though I've done it a few times), then fit parts I know I like, work and can look after or get spares for.
As I'm a bike snob, this tends to be 9sp xtr (never got on with m900 despite it looking lovely), that tends to be m952, m970 or even m980, or xt equivalents. These tend to work well on most bikes and don't look out of place on an old frame.
V brakes over cantis all day long, even if the frame has a canti stop. I just prefer them, though they have to be something nice.
Forks are just better the newer they are, though retro forks can look amazing compared to newer forks. CNC and carbon character over more generic modern looks. If retro, I try and find a way to upgrade, if modern, something with Vs and as good as I can get (32mm Sid's or fox, pace rc39s).
Wheels, harder to find decent rim brakes these days but crossmax, spinergy or hope hubs and Mavic rims are just fine for me.
Bars, stems and seat posts can be anything, though I'm sad and like things to match. 31.8 bars, no problem, though happy with 25.4 too, whatever works for the build.
Consumables like chains, cassettes and cables, whatever works and looks good with the rest.
I then sit back and admire how good it all looks on the retro frame, as that's what I want to ride.
Yeah I agree. Frames are the most prominent thing of a build. It's the base. And for me, that's where it all starts. I know you seek our more retro componentry than myself, but I think our recipe is the same. For me it's all about finding the frame that hits the spot. I've known folks that build a bike around a component, I don't know if I could do that.
What does he ride? everything is relative, a lot of the reason I ride what I ride is because it lasts, and does not cost stupid money..
Chatted to a guy the other day had an Orange, full sus mega travel etc, £3200 as a n ex demo purchase! When I told him paid less for my Land Rover defender I was in at the time, he spat his tea out.. but that's not even an expensive bike anymore.. I said why you riding a thing like that down the road to work, why not a steel rigid with some decent size chainrings like I did in my yoof... ? "Because old bikes are shit," his brain must of missed a beat when I pointed out the Kona I bought to ride to work I still have, and it weighs about the same as his frame and forks I should imagine..
That's another thing with many retro bikers having more than one bike so you can afford to have a bike that's good at a certain thing, you can have a few for the cost of a major service on some modern bikes.. this is how I see my nostalgic take on bikes, I can have a few bikes with different roles, and look after all of them myself. What others think is less relevant to me also, and actually when i ride my restored kileaua about I get stopped and asked about it like I do old cars.. But I have all day comfy, I have short blast ride , I am building a bike pack bike, and now instead of an indulgence as they once where my fleet appears to be appreciating in value also something a lot of modern stuff does not last long enough to do..?
I have one of these on my orange clockwork but the frame purchase came first!
I struggle with seeing crap later brakes on retro frames, but the polished xt v brakes are in my opinion the nicest looking, but also best made and functioning canti fit brakes you can fit. I had xtr on one bike didnt think they were any better, and they are polished so sympathise aesthetically with older frames so two older Konas I have that get ridden lots and with people on more modern bikes, I use the xt and can hold my own. If you use the bike plenty and need better brakes do it, its only bolt on's afterall.. Once fitted and using them I doubt you will ever have any serious thoughts of returning to the original brakes...
MattiThundrrr
Kona Fan
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I think what surprises me about this lad, who's a really decent fella is that he seems to be almost totally blinkered into assuming that old bikes/tech is crap (which some is as we all know) without even riding it.
I guess its watching GCN & GBMN
I guess its watching GCN & GBMN
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