What Retrobike "feature" do you avoid when looking for bikes?

[Tsundere]

As the title says. It might be totally subjective, or pure taste, not trying to make a list of bad Vs good as many might be looking for exactly what I would avoid.

I start:
-U brakes. I loved GTs and their colours but didn't get one at the time because of that
-early aluminium
-suspension forks, regardless of vintage
-I prefer single colour frames, but won't completely avoid a multi coloured one if specially nice

I don't avoid early aluminium, I do have a preference for steel, and would love a Ti frame, but ally is fine if in good shape, and I love u-brakes.

As others have said, rust, dents or other obvious structural damage, cheap tubing, low end parts although some frames come with lower end stuff and carry upgrades well.

Stuck seat posts.

 

[bikeworkshop]

I'm thinking of an
anti-bike of the month.
Oversize alloy frame, bright yellow.
U brakes, e-stays, front sus, elastomer, with an inch of fore and aft play.
Seized post, with bent saddle rails, saddle nose up, ripped nose and edges.
Narroe Hi Riser bar in a different yellow with brace.
Long hirise stem
gripshift
Vbrake levers operating canti/u
Sram esp rear mech
Too long bb axle
Topswing front mech
Screw on 8 speed freewheel
Single wall rims
Steel nipples
Farmer john tyres.

See them on ebay all the time

 

[Ren Rawbor]

Screw on 8spd PLUS QR for added fragility....

Maybe make it a full sus based on an elastomer LTS5000 (although you'd lose the ally frame you'd gain a UV exposed yellow elastomer) and perhaps throw in a DIY bodged main pivot bush with electrical tape/cardboard etc?

Yellow & blue Hammerite paint job (brushed, hammered finish obvs.)

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Grip shit
Yellow or white
Dents

 

[novocaine]

Whatever Imlach, Bob, Betsy, Benji and the squizzer tell me to like. I am to a follower of the fashion gods.

 

[DesertRyder]

I see I'm not the only one who dislikes Gripshift...........

 

[KermitGKona88]

Any frame or forks with moving parts, f&*king SNOWFLAKE wheels and plastic wheels and frames.

 

[Imlach]

It is a hard feat to conquer, bending your wrist. Had I not gotten my chronic masturbation issues under control I doubt I'd ever have revved my way through an 8 speed cassette again.

 

[Imlach]

Any frame or forks with moving parts, f&*king SNOWFLAKE wheels and plastic wheels and frames.

I too hate frames with moving parts. I want to go straight.

 

[benjabbi]

Oh yes, snowflake wheels, the most pointless thing ever and it looks shit.