It seems like yesturday when I rode it off the showroom floor at "Franks Bike Lane". It was the first "real" bike I ever bought as an adult. It still looks good but , well she needs some work. New componets. That's for sure. The original grip shifters have been long gone. Replaced the handlebars like the 1st year I bought her. But I kept the old ones just in case.... Naturally the original tires turned to dust a few years ago.
She one of those Specialized Crossroads hybrid bikes. Ive taken her over trails that only a MTN should travel and god only knows how much time I spent on the city streets with her. Despit the fish hook wear on the chain rings a newly bought chain still grips the teeth well.
When I bought her brand new Clinton was in office. The WTC was still standing. Homes were still affordable and I was in my 30's. I swore never to get padded riding shorts and those brightly coloured shirts. ......Now I own 4 pair of shorts and a few of those shirts also. (Ther're cooler!) And Frank's has been closed for years now. As far as I'm concerned I have a "Classic" but how old does a bike have to be, to be "vintage"?
(锕侊箒)~~~~---------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally Posted by Dang
but how old does a bike have to be, to be "vintage"?
No newer than mine.
I swear, I can still remember the *smell* of the new bikes from when my father was buying bikes for the family-- in 1970! And I still remember the shop, and the test ride, and the fitting when I bought my first new bike as an adult in 1977.
Isn't it great, falling in love with a bike? (锕侊箒)~~~~----------------------------------------------------------------------
I think you could call any bike "vintage" when it gets to the point that the LBS looks at you with a blank stare when you try to get a part or ask to get something repaired. Or they tell you your bike is obsolete and/or unsafe to ride and then show you the new bikes. I don't like the idea of a certain year cutoff, but instead, if the bike has components that are of a standard no longer common on new bikes (friction shifting, 27" wheels, lugged steel frames, etc.). They all still work fine, but the industry has moved on to something newer.
Rule of Thumb: If the bike is older than the average age of the bike shop staff.
(锕侊箒)~~~~----------------------------------------------------------------------
When you have to explain to the 18 Y.O. in your LBS that you said "Mafac" not "Mavic"?
(锕侊箒)~~~~----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ten years old? That's a NEW bike, in my book.
My newest bike, the Schwinn KOM-10, is finally old enough to vote this year.
(锕侊箒)~~~~---------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally Posted by ollo_ollo
When you have to explain to the 18 Y.O. in your LBS that you said "Mafac" not "Mavic"?
How about "What's different about French threads?".
(锕侊箒)~~~~----------------------------------------------------------------------
"How about "What's different about French threads?""
Usually, they'll just stick an English headset on french forks--- you can kinda thread it down (try it sometime, just a bit loose, like enough to tear off). I have seen local "reputable" shops try to effect just this repair. So they may not even get to this question prior to disaster striking, alas.
I go with 25 years as a standard for vintage, sorta like old cars.
If the local mech looks like a three stooges video when he/she works on your bike, it may be "vintage".
"Or they tell you your bike is obsolete and/or unsafe to ride and then show you the new bikes"
Ah, my fave LBS scam. Yes, a good measuring stick, though I've watched them do it to folks with bikes less than ten years old...
(锕侊箒)~~~~----------------------------------------------------------------------
You know your vintage when, the college fresman behind the LBS counter suggests that you should buy a copy of the Quality Bike Parts catalouge, so you could "mark the pages of the stuff you want" and bring it with you to the shop to show him where it is and what it is, when you are ordering. (True Story!!)
but how old does a bike have to be, to be "vintage"?
Originally Posted by Dang
but how old does a bike have to be, to be "vintage"?
No newer than mine. 
