If you like lugged steel bikes with traditional geometries, you just can't find a new bike in the <$500 price range that compares to the golden age 70's and 80's (and early 90's bridgestone) bikes out there. There were some seriously high quality steel frames made back then. I have a few vintage bikes in my stable, and it sometimes amazes me that they were at one time, in my lifetime, standard fare at the bike shop.
I agree that you don't want to spend a lot on a rig in need of major TLC, but there are tons of 20+ year old bikes that have pretty much never been ridden. One of my best bikes is one that was made in 1983 that I picked up several years ago, and which has served me well for those years and tens of thousands of miles of transport. Now, it only fits 28's with fenders- but has similar geometry to a Rivendell, rack and fender mounts, high quality steel, unbelievably nice shaped and filed lugs, and terrific ride characteristics and comfort. I love riding that bike, and in about a half hour will begin putting another 30 miles on it. BUT I also wholeheartedly agree with EricP. If you want a 700c bike with better tire/fender clearances (larger than 28s)- and this is a fundamentally important feature to those who are accustomed to larger tires- vintage is definitely not where to look (unless it's an early Rivendell Allrounder or something unusual). Matt -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en-US. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
