Check out the new ride

[alf]

Late 80s Davidson with Shimano DuraAce Groupo, frame hand built in Seattle. Goes great with the Roach, both kinda old school.

[Scooter]

Nice! I bet she rides smoooooooth.

[dd74]

Cool! What frame tubing is used on that bad boy? Are you riding hills with that tiny cluster in the rear?

[alf]

Steel tubes. Not climbing hills yet, I just got back on a bike for a couple of weeks after a loooong absence. Just commuting 20 miles a day for now on relative flat terrain.

I really dig the character of older hand made bikes and they're a bargain compared to new bikes.

[HardDrive]

Awesome bike!

My father and I both have more modern rides, but we also have a Motobecane Jubilee that we have traded back and forth over the years. Nice smooth ride, and great worn in Brooks leather seat.

This is not our bike, but very similar:

[alf]

Nice Motobecane. Brooks saddle. Got one coming in the mail

I am surprised there aren't more vintage bike affecianados.

[dd74]

Originally posted by alf

I am surprised there aren't more vintage bike affecianados.

There are. Or should be. The problem is real Italian-made steel frames are a fortune if they're top-name manufacturers. Colnago, for instance, is a fortune. And American manufacturers - who make outstanding bicycles - aren't much cheaper.

Torelli makes a nice Italian frame for about $1,000, which isn't bad. Same with Gios. But they aren't exactly names belted about the group rides.

[Steve W]

Nice bike you have there Alf! Dura Ace was always a fine gruppo.

Here's mine - goes all the way back to the early 80's. 17 lbs. and all steel. I've always been partial to Italian. I still ride it from time to time, toe clips and all with my solid wood sole Deugi shoes.

[HardDrive]

You guys are going to think I am nuts, but I actually like the old drivetrains more that the modern ones.

A modern shift systems is great.......IF you can get the *%@$!@# thing indexed properly. It can be bloody difficult to get the 94 variables all correct to give you smooth shifts AND access to the entire gear set. Perhaps I am an idiot (gotta check with the wife on that one). I really enjoyed the simplicity and durabilty of the old systems.

[Scooter]

I would love to have an old classic, but I haven't found one that fits my 5'0" body.

I switched from Shimano to Campy last year and have been very happy.

[dd74]

Originally posted by HardDrive
You guys are going to think I am nuts, but I actually like the old drivetrains more that the modern ones.

I agree...to an extent. The advantage of the STS systems (or modern), at least for me, is shifting while climbing or sprinting. And that is a rather important advantage, as there's no reaching down to grab a gear.

But as far as durability goes, yes, it feels the old drivetrains are much stronger. After two bike rebuilds, my Shimano clatters like an old man's body. My Campy SR on my '80s bikes make little to no noise. Or if they do make noise it's the right kind of noise.

[sashipco]

that cool man

[Jeff]

Great looking bikes guys! I really like the old school look and attention to detail. I love the gussets in the Davidson bike, Thanks for sharing.

Here are a few photos of mine. The color is actually very close to Gaurds Red even though the photos look a bit orange.

[alf]

Steve, Jeff,
Nice bikes. I could see this vintage bike thing becoming an obsession.

Rode her into the office this morning, 10 miles, rides great despite the 8lb back pack I had on me.

I am so tempted to find some old school toe clip pedals...