Re: [CR] Rants & NYC

(Example: Framebuilders:Richard Moon)

From: "Bob Hillery" <rhillery@hawksi.org>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Sensitivity: Normal
Date: Mon, 10 Aug 2009 19:57:17 +0000
Subject: Re: [CR] Rants & NYC


Well. Um. "Ranting" and "NYC" are darn near synonyms, methinks. Too much loud noise, not enough O2, and they have the Mets to deal with.

While there are certainly safety issues with any aging technology, and a need for proper standard or corrective maintainance, the same can be said for new stuff subject to UV & acid rain, delaminations of lay-up, and exfoliation or through-and-through deterioration of aluminum. Old aluminum does not fail well. Carbon stressed at 90 degrees to its intended loading is exciting to watch - from a distance. The likely engineering term would be 'catastrophic' and that word would probably be in the obit, too.

Besides, how many of us are really riding classics because of price?

I ride my on-topic bikes because they have character. Cranking them up hill build my legs, if not my character (some would say I have enough of that already). I'm a FROG (fat retired old guy) who smiles, bugs in teeth, as I roll past newbies huffing over carbon handle bars. I'll get a lighter bike when the delta in weight between bikes is more than what I know I should loose from my own spare tire. Meanwhile, knowing how to work on them gives me some pride in self reliance and doing so is good therapy.

This thread's original rant reminded me of the old saw about accountants who know the cost of everything and the value of nothing.

Bob (not really meaning to pick on accountants; better they do their biz than me!) Hillery Stratham, New Hampshire, US