Re: [CR] Time(line)ly Considerations

(Example: Framebuilding:Brazing Technique)

From: <gpvb1@comcast.net>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR] Time(line)ly Considerations
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 18:18:46 +0000


Hi Ted: Not sure exactly what you're looking to do, but CR isn't a Democracy, or even a Constitutional Republic or a Right-Wing Theocracy. we don't have sub-committees or blue-ribbon panels that make recommendations to any august body of decision-makers. ;-) Dale has spoken on this subject repeatedly - it is his decision, and his decision alone. Here's what I lifted directly from the "about Classicrendezvous" portion of the "join Classicrendezvous" page: "In this Classic Rendezvous mailing list, a discerning few bicycle enthusiasts celebrate the hand made craft objects that are vintage lightweight bicycles.

We see the demise of the hand crafted bicycle as a sad turn of events.. Indeed our society is rapidly discovering fast and robotic means of manufacturing everything we use in our lives. The bicycle, since it's invention, has represented a sublime blending of function and art.

The Classic Rendezvous list focuses on bicycles made from the beginning of the Twentieth Century, up to 1983. We also consider "on topic" makers of very fine bicycles that can be seen as "Carrying the torch" for classic style cycling....New age welded, injection molded, or glued modern wonders belong in some other mail list, not this one! Ditto for mountain bikes & balloon tired bikes. Those items have merit, but they just do not belong here."

If you're just talking about getting more people involved in pre-1984 on-topic lightweight bikes that meet the stated criteria, then yes, that's great, go for it..... Greg "retrogrouch" Parker Dexter, Michigan

Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 21:02:12 -0800 From: "ternst" <ternst1@cox.net> To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Subject: [CR]Time(line)ly Considerations

Hello all: And a happy wish for you all to any and every persuasion that gives you solace, pleasure, and the strength to keep looking for those neato bicycle parts.

A thought to ponder: Much has been debated and discussed re: The timeline. Remember the old capatalistic adage, "Grow Or Die"?

I would like your thoughts and comments about having a sliding scale of age vs. style or construction of bicycles. Maybe an age of 25 or 30 years may be in order. If the age is not able to keep in a reasonable time frame the old stuff will be ancient and it'll be in accumulation / collection depots and no one will be able to afford it, and then we limit the members to such an exclusivity and elitist group that it implodes.

IMHO the flame must be carried from generation to generation, and the mechanism should be put into place. Today's younger people, collector's of tomorrow, don't know a world without computers, dvd's, jammed freeways, etc. How will they know the real old bikes, nail on cleats, leather chamois shorts, 5-sp clusters, toe clips and straps, one inch pitch, etc., except in some digital repro = foto? Let's bring a younger group and newer tech construction into the fold, they'll collect their generational stuff and then branch into older and build bridges connecting the vintages.

All bikes are collectible to someone or other. We can include and grow or exclude and wither.

Comments? Is there a Board of Regents that would take this for a tour around the block after the august members of the CR hopefully enter into some timely and lively consideration and discussion?

Ted Ernst
Palos Verdes Estates
CA 90274