They psychology of change

[CassidyAce]

If you get to the stage where you can't ride at all, you'll kick yourself for not making the changes that would enable you to enjoy riding the bikes while you still could. If it ever gets to that stage, you can put the bikes back to how they were and look at them nostalgically. In the meantime, appreciate having the ability and freedom to enjoy riding and make the most of it. It's not going to last forever for any of us.

 

[Tootyred]

That's a very good point......^

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

It sounds like you know what you need to do, sadly I can't tell you what you want to hear. Do what needs to be done and ride your bicycle. We're not getting any younger.

 

[brocklanders023]

I went through similar although it was due to preferring how modern bikes ride rather than injury. I accept these days that to make an 80/90's bike ride vaguely how I'd want it to it would look awful so I stopped worrying about it, slimmed the collection down and now have a couple of keepers that look just right but I'm unlikely to ride. I still pick up some retro content to fix up and build as I enjoy it but nothing high value or that I'm particularly attached to.

As for bikes that fit your requirements, have a look at the 2014ish Orange kit. I had a 5 29 (Alpine 5) from that era and it had a huge head tube but short reach compared to modern stuff.

 

[27motorhead]

Here's some perspective:

I was up in Coed y Brenin in October on my Peugeot/Roberts which is still setup how is was back when the FAST Tim rode it.

I had a lot of stares and comments from people because I guess I must looked like Marty Mcfly who had just been dropped forwarded in time as I was in period lycra with a fully rigid bike, skinny tyres, rim brakes, triple chainset, teeny cassette and toeclips.

I let what looked like x2 very fast late teen/early 20s freeride guys ride it and they were completely freaked out by the whole experience and said "How the f**k can you ride that thing it's insane!"

I smiled back with a big grin, thinking that's quite a fitting expression.

 

[bikeworkshop]

Here's some perspective:

I was up in Coed y Brenin in October on my Peugeot/Roberts which is still setup how is was back when the FAST Tim rode it.

I had a lot of stares and comments from people because I guess I must looked like Marty Mcfly who had just been dropped forwarded in time as I was in period lycra with a fully rigid bike, skinny tyres, rim brakes, triple chainset, teeny cassette and toeclips.

I let what looked like x2 very fast late teen/early 20s freeride guys ride it and they were completely freaked out by the whole experience and said "How the f**k can you ride that thing it's insane!"

I smiled back with a big grin, thinking that's quite a fitting expression.

Mid- late 90s mtbs are still brilliant for road, bridleway, forest road riding - not so good on modern trails at bikeparks.
Late 80s stuff was experi-mental back then and just mental now in that environment.

 

[Totoro]

Just fit the bloomin motor

 

[JCS]

Perhaps you need to shift what you think is "the bike I want".
Ask yourself two questions.
A. Is the look you have in your head the most important thing?
Is a comfortable fit for a bike you will use the most important thing?
Answering yes to either of these is correct. If yes to A, hang it up and be done. If yes to B, don't worry what it looks like, it is of secondary importance.

Very wise advice.

Sounds like you need to make some trade-offs. What is more important, looks/comfort/retro aesthetic, etc?

My advice is to have/build a bike that you actually want to ride and will be comfortable for the terrain you ride on.

If that means embracing a more upright riding position/larger wheels, etc., then give it a go. Better to have a bike you want to ride than a bike that might look better but which you hesitate to use.

Could also be a chance to try something more modern?
Large frame, long steerer tube, steel, cantilevers, 80’s MTB aesthetic… modern… Rivendell as an example.

 

[minor_LEGEND]

I have read through, I may be missing a point, but I am of similar thinking, my bikes were borne out of a time when we had our stems low & saddles high, it is difficult to transition away from our 'norm' when our bodies won't play ball with bike position any longer.
I have a couple MTB's I've built on larger frames now, no longer that 18" but now a 20". Perhaps with a shorter stem & the saddle a bit further forward on the rails.
I could happily stick a 90's throwback 18" on the wall for nostalgic purposes & ride the larger frames going forward. Maybe actually coming to terms with the situation is the battle here. If you believe you are better off on a larger frame, you won't have such a challenge to convince anyone that asks.

A 22" 92 Eldridge still has more class than any modern 29er!

 

[Tootyred]

Sounds great, but im already on the biggest frames about since i was 15....as im 6'4"!

That yellow bike looks pretty cool! I am looking for a new bike option, but the issue is my couple of much loved and long owned bikes more than anything else.

@CassidyAce ...your right, and i hadn't really thought of the future..more the issue now.

As several have said, i can alway put ut back later, and have my old compadre as a wall hanger in my nursing home! .