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What makes a bike a vintage or classic?

2380 Views 29 Replies 13 Participants Last post by jasonwa2, Dec 16, 2005

kujhawk

Discussion Starter · Dec 12, 2005

Is it the year alone...and which years would that be?

Or does having utterly craptastic components on an old bike give a special retro image?

1 - 20 of 30 Posts

laffeaux

· #2 · Dec 12, 2005

kujhawk said:
Is it the year alone...and which years would that be?

Or does having utterly craptastic components on an old bike give a special retro image?

It's more than just age. Compare it to architecture... Some old buildings are architecturally interesting, or historically interesting - when people look at them they see value. Other old building are just old, not really worth preserving, and of no real interest to anyone (except maybe the people that live inside). Bikes are the same.

A lot of people will agree that certain bikes are definitely "classic" based on design or impact on the industry. Other bikes will probably have a mixed interest - some will think that they have value, and others will not. And a large number of bikes will likely have sentimental value because they were someone's first bike, but most people would not really consider them "classic."

So depening on the bike, you might get a lot of people to say it's classic, or you might get relatively few. There is no universal definition that can be applied. However, in the end all that matters is that you like the bike that you're riding.

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mwr

· #3 · Dec 12, 2005

vintage = (sufficiently) old

classic = historically significant

retro = in an old style

green ano = gay

bushpig

· #4 · Dec 12, 2005

I think that in the universe of vintage bikes there are fairly clear levels of desirability based on factors like uniqueness, condition and rarity. At one end, for example, would be Cunninghams, Mantis, some Fats, Ritcheys, Goats, Yetis, etc and on the other end would be consumer level bikes that have some unique appeal like early Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo's, Murray Baha's, etc.

For me, the bikes relate to happy memories and the excitement and creativity of the early days of the sport.

laffeaux

· #5 · Dec 12, 2005

mwr said:
vintage = (sufficiently) old

classic = historically significant

retro = in an old style

green ano = gay

As always, you're 75% correct.

bushpig

· #6 · Dec 12, 2005

mwr said:
vintage = (sufficiently) old

An Ebay search for "Vintage" mountain bikes illustrates that "sufficiently old" means at least last years stock.

benja55

· #7 · Dec 12, 2005

What about a 1987 Fisher Competition...?

I like your perspective on things.

I'm actually gearing up to sell my old Fisher Competition frameset... Almost the same as Joe Murray's race rig!

I really have no clue what to ask for it, but I'll get it figured out in the next few weeks...

bushpig said:
I think that in the universe of vintage bikes there are fairly clear levels of desirability based on factors like uniqueness, condition and rarity. At one end, for example, would be Cunninghams, Mantis, some Fats, Ritcheys, Goats, Yetis, etc and on the other end would be consumer level bikes that have some unique appeal like early Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo's, Murray Baha's, etc.

For me, the bikes relate to happy memories and the excitement and creativity of the early days of the sport.

grawbass

· #8 · Dec 12, 2005

mwr said:
green ano = gay

Thems fightin' words.

Steve_N

· #9 · Dec 13, 2005

benja55 said:
I like your perspective on things.

I'm actually gearing up to sell my old Fisher Competition frameset... Almost the same as Joe Murray's race rig!

I really have no clue what to ask for it, but I'll get it figured out in the next few weeks...

I've got the same dilemma with my DB Axis Pro. It has a smattering of newer parts (05 LX front derailleur and crankset for one) as well as original parts still going strong, so am not sure what to ask for it...

The other dilemma is actually selling because it has a certain amount of sentimental value, similar to what laffeaux alluded to in their post.

bushpig

· #10 · Dec 13, 2005

From my experiences, if you don't have to sell a bike, don't. See the thread about regrets and selling. I miss all the bikes that I have sold, especially those that got into the hands of mistreaters.

benja55

· #11 · Dec 13, 2005

True indeed... But...

bushpig said:
From my experiences, if you don't have to sell a bike, don't. See the thread about regrets and selling. I miss all the bikes that I have sold, especially those that got into the hands of mistreaters.

I agree, but there are times when you know a frame or a bike will have a better home with someone else. I can only ride so many bikes and I don't want to hold onto ones that would be enjoyed more by others.

bushpig

· #12 · Dec 13, 2005

Very noble. Seems like the right thing to do. I struggle with my urge to hoard.

Steve_N

· #13 · Dec 13, 2005

bushpig said:
Very noble. Seems like the right thing to do. I struggle with my urge to hoard.

Although I have a sentimental attachment to my DB I have other reasons including financial and resisting hoarding. I need the money and don't have enough room for a third bike.

Mind you if a new owner had half the great adventures I had on the same bike it would make me just as happy...

Rumpfy

· #14 · Dec 13, 2005

This was the funniest line I've read all month...

Laffeaux: "Other old building are just old, not really worth preserving, and of no real interest to anyone (except maybe the people that live inside)."

Until I read this...

MWR: "vintage = (sufficiently) old

classic = historically significant

retro = in an old style

green ano = gay"

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hiawatharider

· #15 · Dec 13, 2005

Hey, I like green ano -

maybe: old=vintage?

Vintage for me has never meant that it was good unless two things happened:

aquired taste or learned taste

taste=ride

I agree with the hoarding idea, have had 4 serious riding bikes since I started long ago and now one of 'em would be a good history piece but of a bad vintage. Maybe, come to think of it, it was good that I sold it. Sadly, it was destroyed by a viscous rider related to a mad dog.

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lucifer

· #16 · Dec 14, 2005

Mountain bikes truly peaked around 1995. Really nothing about the mountain bikes has improved since then except suspension. For the most part they have just gotten cheaper.
I can go into your average lbs and not have any desire to own any of the mountain bikes on the floor... unless it's absolute bikes in salida...

bushpig

· #17 · Dec 14, 2005

Depending what you mean by "peaked" I would put the date earlier. The bikes have a lot going for them now, but there is much less heart - at least in the eyes of this old codger. I think that with the coming of the 90s came the end.

lucifer

· #18 · Dec 14, 2005

bushpig said:
Depending what you mean by "peaked" I would put the date earlier. The bikes have a lot going for them now, but there is much less heart - at least in the eyes of this old codger. I think that with the coming of the 90s came the end.

The only reason I say 95 is because that was when you finally had nice reliable shifting systems with grip shift and 950 xtr. Also it seemed to be a time of maximum experimentation and investment in new ideas.

cegrover

· #19 · Dec 14, 2005

kujhawk said:
Is it the year alone...and which years would that be?

Or does having utterly craptastic components on an old bike give a special retro image?

Actually, one of our esteemed moderators personally screens all posts to this forum containing references to, or photos of, frames and/or components and determines whether the bike is fit to be posted. This is called the "Rumpfy Test" and it is not subject to debate. I have heard, however, that bribes are accepted.

jasonwa2

· #20 · Dec 15, 2005

I need some green rims and some green hubs.
If anybody has any, please IM me.
i will pay well.

give em up, so you wont be gay anymore.

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