There are some good comments above but I tend to agree with this:

I’ve always thought we mis-used the term ‘retro’ a bit, we normally use it to describe ‘old’ or ‘old-skool’ (for the kids ) but it’s actual meaning is something that imitates a design/concept from the past, or relating to the past, not necessarily being from the past, if that makes sense?

…but I digress, to answer your original query, there is a bit of a grey area amongst the retrobikers, some say pre-90’s, some say pre-2000, but there seems to be an uncomfortable middle ground of about ’97 that gets agreed upon depending who you ask.

For a lot of people its more about a shift in focus of the designs rather than a specific year cut off.

introduction of V’s (and lack of canti’s), steel being phased out, longer suspension capable frames, 9sp components taking on ‘futuristic’ appearances and losing charm of previous shimano etc groupo’s, and generally better handling bikes are all calling cards of the end of the ‘retro’ days.

you cannot ignite neat petrol or deisel, only the fumes.
therefore, if you work in a vacuum you are totally safe.

Dirty Dans are £20 each at On One, like a much lighter Mud X

cant see them online, you got a link?

I’ll be there on 29th, Ive been around Swinley probably a dozen times or so, but only know half the tracks very well.
Still – im sure I could point out at least some good bits.

I think we should be looking a lot closer to home

sorry, whats the date of the ride?
im going to struggle to get that far south for 9am but will give it a shot if I can make the date

Im reading this covert at work, but cant find the details – would you please let me know the fine details: date/time/distance/exact location, then I can confirm.

Is this really s/s friendly too?

Cheers!

great, I was hoping a Swinley ride would emerge around these dates. I’ll be there.

that explains it. thanks!

I presumed that all ‘notubes’ rim would as a matter of course be fully sealed/UST

Warranty frame replacement?

doubtfull, most of the components are about 8 years older than the frame.

I think you would struggle to pull in over £200 for the full bike, possibly a bit more if you parted it out.

I get aurally raped every week

carefull Derek, the language brigade are out in full force tonight. Must be the full moon.

FFS,
Not a fan of Keith Lemon then?

Nope Dr NIN did the orig , JC covered it 3 or 4 years later IIRC

wrong again..
try 15 years later.

Its a song about Heroin addiction. I love the fact Leona is so open.

But even NIN acknowledge the JC version is a better adaptation of their song

NIN is Trent Reznor.

he bounced!

OIC.
Yeah, I guess the weight drop is a nice factor. The biggest reason for me is the simplicity, barely use more than 3 gears when I head out! (unless hitting big climbs).

fat arse + charge spoon = comfy

Joystick @ 700lumen + piggyback = win!

oh, and im a fairly hefty and (hugely :-)) powerfull rider, in the past ive had steel frames flexing at the chainstay under power. Hence my concern at the chainring being within 5mm of chain stay.
Maybe my Soul if stiffer than those older frames..

Nikk – good advice, thanks. Im running a Soul with 73mm b/b shell so along with GXP b/b I dont actually have any spacers to play with, annoyingly. My only option appears to be thinner chainring, or switching to outer spacing.
Question, which rear cog should I be aiming to line up with? Im guessing something central?

RocketdogUk – ive spotted your n-stop before and may try one myself, possibly with a BBG too. I take it this set up is working well for you?
Where do you source those parts in the UK ? (are you in UK?)

more of an issue would be the weight of the ring – are you piling on the grams just for the look/name of the ring?

why would the weight of the ring be an issue?
from what I read, the machining on the renthal brings the weight right down. but yes, final decision was based on me thinking it looks rather nice.

Set on the middle ring, the teeth on the Renthal 32t ring seem a bit close to the chain stay for comfort. Approx 5 or 6mm clearance.

its quite a chunky thick ring, would I perhaps be best served going with something that looks slightly thinner, say the on-one s/s ring and saving another 1 or 2mm?
Or should I suck it and see?…hmm

sweet, cheers guys. Glad I plumped for a 32t Renthal now, will give it a good run and decide come spring if I need to switch up to a 34t/36t.

Hoping the superstar chain device does its job now.

I know, it is intelligent. Thank you.

:roll:

I see your tasteless, and raise you a sense of humour

especially if it pisses off the dullards.

So thats what you call people with taste [/quote]

people with taste / sheep, it’s all the same thing

can I have a fools guide to simple carbs please

@Stuey01
Thats kind of along the lines of what I was thinking.
Its almost as if Atkins isnt actually a diet, is what I guess I was getting at. Its just healthier lower carb eating.

But im a cyclist so I get to eat cake.

cycling on low carbs is a very good point. I will be cycling, he wont.

Ive already lost 5 & 1/2 stone in last 15 months, but have platued for last 4 or 5 so was thinking of Atkins (under colleagues relentless pressure) as a way to shift final 2 or 3 stone for my wedding next July.
I want to look amazing in that dress.

TBH, im ,more inclined to stick with whats worked for me (healthier diet & loads of CV work), and just re-double my efforts.

But then the lure of 20 rashers of bacon a day is a tug..

If done properly, is it not simply a low(er) carb diet?
ie, ignoring the media hype (20 sausages and a kilo of cheese per day), it sounds to me just like a healthy diet.
Which should mean its sustainable for life, right?

He’s read your responses and is shaking his head as I type this.
Apart from Finbar – he likes you.

oh, and:

It works, but then pretty much any diet works if you stick to it.

is agreed, but Atkins works faster than the others. Right?

it’s triggered a migraine, and i’ve been sick, but i think i like it.

how cool is that? its like picking a scab..

If I buy one and take it for a spin throuh the woods i’m going to feel like Gandalf charging through Helms Deep – shining a piercing bright beacon. Or something.

Heh heh. Gotta hand it to on-one, that’s beautiful and appalling in equal measure.

+100%

especially if it pisses off the dullards.

+100% x100

stop teasing!.. we need pics.
i must say, id love to give it a go. does it make you feel invincible on the downs?

Great thread.

I’d love to enter one myself next year.
Can I ask what may seem a daft question, how on earth do you guys all keep track of what events are going on and where? and when/how to sign up?
Without the benefit of spending half my wages on ‘magazines’ (read: advertisements) every month, is there a ‘one site fits all’ website that can keep me up to date?
I rely on word of mouth mainly through here..but im forever missing events as I just didnt realise they were on.

There is true potential there for people to make a truely horrible looking bike which clashing colour coded parts though

Bingo!

I’ve already specced out my pink parts list for a fruit salad lookylikey!

I want it to offend as many naysayers as possible, I want them to vomit from 200yds…

Trouble is, every other colour scheme ive looked at since just seems dull as dishwater. A bit like derekrides.

im keen to know too.

ive gone for a 32t s/s ring up front, keen to know if I can run a dura ace short cage r.mech on a standard size cassette (too lazy to work it out)

I reckon you mustve taken that pic abotu 30 secs after I drove past you. I spotted the Paddy a mile off..keen eye for classy bikes :-)

djaustin, did I see you riding that PaddyWagon near Heathrow the other day? (might have been this morning, ive a terrible memory)

pic looks like bridge out of Colnbrook..

If you take on a job and are promised a pension (or xxxxx) you can’t just say “sorry we spent your money on xxxxx so you can’t have it now”

I hope by ‘we’, you are referring to the labour party?

When I was younger many people who entered the public sector did so knowing the wages were generally worse than the private but you got a half decent pension.

Yet now the opposite appears to be the case?

Something has to give.