I’m guessing you’ve never ridden a modern top shelf bike. A night and day difference compared to the old bikes. Less weight, easier to pedal, and gears make a significant difference especially over distance. Don’t get me wrong I ride vintage most of the time but something to be said for technology when you want to cover a lot of ground fast-or as fast as this 60 year old can! V/r Shawn
Couldn’t agree more.
Everything about higher end modern bikes is superior to vintage bikes.
Model T vs modern sports car, in every respect.
Having not ridden a 1970’s, and older, bike in decades, I was shocked how inefficient they were. 52/20 something gearing kind of sucks.
These bike designs were fun at the time.
As technology progresses you forget the advancements, S.I.S. and clipless pedals not withstanding!
Bikes have always been awesome right? No matter what age you, and the bike you rode in on, we’re, they were always great while you were “there”.
After buying my Krate I realized how archaic older bikes were. But, I also knew that they are fun to ride slow! Racing bikes are not fun to ride slow….
Yes, gearing on my single speeds are very high. Yes my Krate is stupid slow despite 5 speeds.
I accept that.
In my present circumstance vintage are the perfect bikes for what I am able to do.
I live in an area which is enough removed from bike trails that it is hard to access them.
I also am the caretaker for my mother which prohibits me from going on any long bike rides. I feel can safely leave her alone for a 1/2 hour at most.
So, getting out on my old bikes works well for me.
Bonus #1: They provide a real workout even on my short rides.
Bonus #2: The nostalgic experience is definitely part of the enjoyment. I never think, “can’t this thing go any faster?” because I know it does what it was designed for, in the time period it was produced.
Learning to ride without efficient cadence is accepted now. 20 RPM? Who cares!
Bonus #3: Bragging rights. Let’s face it, vintage bikes are cool. As cool as the latest and greatest, ( which won’t be next year anyway.)