What state is retro biking in at the moment?

[The History Man]

"F*#k me! This is like a clown running across a minefield!"






Thanks Malcolm.

 

[Neil]

FIIIIIIIIGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!

Put me down for 10 on the big guy, I'm good for it.

 

[highlandsflyer]

Most riders don't even need suspension. It's only really a requirement for down-hilling at high speed.

Sometimes you can pick one line out and save yourself a lot of reading. XC is the true heart of mountain biking, arguably.

Hands up anyone who thinks XC is an inappropriate application for suspension?

 

[cce]

Most riders don't even need suspension. It's only really a requirement for down-hilling at high speed.

Sometimes you can pick one line out and save yourself a lot of reading. XC is the true heart of mountain biking, arguably.

Hands up anyone who thinks XC is an inappropriate application for suspension?

I think it's clear that rjsdavis is a true believer. It'd take the ghost of JMC telling him to have him believe new stuff is better.

 

[PurpleFrog]

Most riders don't even need suspension. It's only really a requirement for down-hilling at high speed.

Sometimes you can pick one line out and save yourself a lot of reading. XC is the true heart of mountain biking, arguably.

Hands up anyone who thinks XC is an inappropriate application for suspension?

Good point.

...There's a big gap between "not absolutely required" and "bloody useful!"

 

[BerthaPog]

Most riders don't even need suspension. It's only really a requirement for down-hilling at high speed.

Sometimes you can pick one line out and save yourself a lot of reading. XC is the true heart of mountain biking, arguably.

Hands up anyone who thinks XC is an inappropriate application for suspension?

I think the key word is "need". A retrobike ride comfortably demonstrates that it (suspension) is not needed, but that doesn't mean it's not advantageous, more comfortable, desirable etc.

Does an XC race bike need the same suspension as a downhill race bike, of course not, in the same way that an F1 car doesn't need the same suspension as a rally car. And just like cars, bikes have evolved and developed from a common start point, but in doing so become more focused on specific attributes, often at the price of others.

 

[FluffyChicken]

Re:

Come on, the biggest comfort difference and handling on all my bikes comes from fitting 2.25" Nobby Nics over any of my old tyres.

Even 2.1 splashback are a different level of comfort once setup. But again its down to setup. And that is the suspension effect of a nice big balloon of air over a more rigid design of retro tyre.

Even new Smoke and Darts use the new carcass and rubber compounds (despite what someone said back there).

But none of the affects the state of retrobiking.

It may have effected some retrobikers to move to modern bikes when they see what a tyre can do. But others come in to take their place.

 

[PurpleFrog]

Re: Re:

Come on, the biggest comfort difference and handling on all my bikes comes from fitting 2.25" Nobby Nics over any of my old tyres.

And comparing the new Almotions to the slicks when I did messenger work bitd.... I can't even guess what the change in rolling resistance is - it's barely there on the road. And at the same time they grip like glue and they're great on gravel.

I'm really looking forwards to seeing what the new Schwalbe dual chamber tyre system can do - that could be as a big change as front suspension.

 

[bm0p700f]

I have to say while I love riding my retro's but now I have the new 29er (fully rigid) it is a much better bike and actually more fun as it makes me more capable. Not sure what I will do with the three 90's MTB's now I don't see them getting much use if any except two of them have a place as mud bikes for really muddy rides. The other one I will probably hang on the wall.

Schwable dual chamber system will stop me using tubular tyres, can't wait for these and them mate to some velocity blunt 35mm wide rims. That what the state of retrobiking is in at the moment. MTB design has advanced far more than road bike design, in the last 20 years (although road bikes have finally caught up with disc brake a tubeless tyres). Retro MTB's are fun but I prefer ring my 29er.

 

[fattiman]

Re:

The same as it always has been really. A hardcore group of fans will always keep the scene alive. It's very much like classic/retro cars, people have them for many reasons, including owning something one couldn't afford back when it was current. Same with the cars, you wouldn't use a classic e type jag as a daily driver so what's the point in comparing it to the new f type saying it has worse brakes etc, of course it does, it's not 60 years old!!
The day I have a retro bike as a daily rider will never come, yes they get ridden but infrequently, the same way classic cars get driven!