Nice vintages

Last summer I went on my first group (cycling) ride in Ottawa. I was amazed at all the carbon fiber bikes everyone had. Keep in mind, I hadn't been on a group ride in over three years, so I was a bit out of the loop, since all of my riding partners ride steel bikes, like me.

I was on the bike pictured in front, a custom built Pinarello which was all top-of-the-line back in 1993 when it was made. Not one, but two guys rode up to say hi to me and complimented me on my 'vintage' bike. They said it's nice to see those old war-horses come out from time to time and asked me what I usually ride.

I told the guys this is what I normally ride and my 'vintage' bike (in the backgroud) is a cira 1983 Pinarello. I guess perspective is everything.

[Launch Mini]

You should hear what I go through when I ride my 1993 Full Suspension Rocky Mountain.
It was state of the art back then.

Originally Posted by Launch Mini

You should hear what I go through when I ride my 1993 Full Suspension Rocky Mountain.
It was state of the art back then.

Oh I've heard the comments cuz my mountain bike is a rigid 1992 Breezer Storm.

But we'll see if these mega-buck carbon fiber bikes will stand the test of time. Methinks they won't be ridable (or even glued together) in 10 years time. Unlike my 23 and 13 year old mounts.

[mailman]

I am of the mindset that function takes place over fashion. So if your bikes work, who cares if they're not carbon fiber?

Originally Posted by mailman

I am of the mindset that function takes place over fashion. So if your bikes work, who cares if they're not carbon fiber?

Paul, I agree. My guess is none of the CF bikes currently on the road will be in service in 10 years, let alone 20 years.

The older bike prolly has over 150,000km on it, and the newer one about the same or more. I'd like to see a CF bike after that many clicks.

Originally Posted by Atomic

The older bike prolly has over 150,000km on it, and the newer one about the same or more. I'd like to see a CF bike after that many clicks.

Damn - I've let cars go with fewer km's on them than that! That's a lot of riding (to make a huge understatement).

Originally Posted by Avalon

Damn - I've let cars go with fewer km's on them than that! That's a lot of riding (to make a huge understatement).

Al, given the way you throw yourself into things (archery, watchmaking) I'm surprised you're surprised. That's the kind of time/milage commitment needed to compete at, or close to the top.

I remember at one point when I was 27 and unemployed for the summer, I was averaging 1,000km a week.

Ahhhh... good times! (and no life).

Originally Posted by Atomic

Al, given the way you throw yourself into things (archery, watchmaking) I'm surprised you're surprised. That's the kind of time/milage commitment needed to compete at, or close to the top.

I remember at one point when I was 27 and unemployed for the summer, I was averaging 1,000km a week.

Ahhhh... good times! (and no life).

Yes, you are quite right.

Watchmaking is "just" a hobby, but archery was my life for many years. Went to bed thinking about shooting, woke up thinking about shoting, went to work thinking about shooting, worked all day thinking about shooting, went home and shot all night, then repeated the whole process over again......those were the good old days.......

Originally Posted by Avalon

Yes, you are quite right.

Watchmaking is "just" a hobby, but archery was my life for many years. Went to bed thinking about shooting, woke up thinking about shoting, went to work thinking about shooting, worked all day thinking about shooting, went home and shot all night, then repeated the whole process over again......those were the good old days.......

That was my life too:


Went to bed thinking about cycling, woke up thinking about cycling, went to work thinking about cycling, worked all day thinking about cycling, went home and rode for until it got dark, then repeated the whole process over again......

Hell, I even worked for the cycling association at one point.

[Launch Mini]

Out on the west coast, it was Mountain Biking. Km's upon Km's of cross country trails right in our backyard.
Was as addicted to cycling as I am to watches.
Then ended up with an eye injury, lost depth perception, so have to slow down considerably. I tried one of my favorite single track rides with an eye patch on. I'm sure I hit EVERY tree & rut along the way.
I wasn't PRO, but did race competitively. I then realized how hard it is for pro athletes to retire. Especially when it is not your choice to retire.
Ah the memories though.
http://www.bcmbg.com/
this link has some pretty good pictures of what it's like out here.

[mailman]

Originally Posted by Atomic

Paul, I agree. My guess is none of the CF bikes currently on the road will be in service in 10 years, let alone 20 years.

The older bike prolly has over 150,000km on it, and the newer one about the same or more. I'd like to see a CF bike after that many clicks.

I've heard all the yada yada yada that CF is just as strong if not stronger and lighter than steel and aluminum. But you're right. Only time will tell.

BTW, the hood on the prototype Dodge Challenger is CF. Those aren't painted black stripes on the hood. They're unpainted CF.

http://autoshow.msn.com/as/article.a...w=autoshow2006