stuff that you retrogrouched and now regret?

[vqdriver]

the progress train comes along more and more often now. we either hop on, begrudgingly go for a ride, or just stay behind on the platform. i've been known to stay behind a few times myself, but for some reason, paceliners seem to really like their old tech more than average.
every time shimano/campy releases a new hood shape, or electronic, or discs, or more cogs, or a new crank (ok, i'm with you this one), there's always a handful that take pride in 'stocking up' on the old version because 'there's nothing wrong with it' or they won't take on any anticipated tradeoffs. only to find that they're still sitting on 2 complete 7700 groups a decade later after having built up 2 frames with di2.

i didn't really get it, but then i look at the mint condition hardtail 26er i built up in the dying throes of that wheel size. i have a fs 29er that rides faster, more efficiently, and is loads funner and i can't believe i didn't at least try 29 before buying that 26 frame. that poor thing will be a neighborhood cruiser for its foreseeable lifetime as it has nearly no market appeal.

another for me that i got over pretty quickly is lugged steel frames. i know people still fawn over these, but i'm selfish and want to build them up with modern contact points. improvising lame solutions to get around 1" threaded steerers got real old real fast.

anything in your parts bin you don't know why you have anymore??

[quickfeet]

I bought an old road frame from 2012 that at the time would’ve been the top tier bike in their line. I had listed for on for years and found one nos and had to bite.

Unfortunately I haven’t ridden andhing narrower than 28mm tires since probably 2013 and didn’t even contemplate that they wouldn’t fit. First ride with a small dirt section and I tore all the paint off from the fork and the rear brake bridge. Bike got pulled apart and has been hanging on a hook since. 3 rides total. Sad.

[sparky33]

I have some Mastik tubular glue still. Smells crazy as ever.
Effetto Mariposa tape works more than fine these days.

I also have a dozen+ sets of Compass/RH/GB tires... probably a grand worth (edit 24 tires x 80 is approaching $2,000. ). I am using maybe 4 sets, and the rest I just fondle on occasion...while trying to justify keeping them for maybe someday usage. This isn't retrogrouch really, it's straight up hoarding.

[azrider]

Sram 10 speed bits.........

[joosttx]

Aero wheels. 29er wheels.

[bigbill]

I think the newest road bike I have is the Helix I got from JeffN. Not sure of the year but probably late this decade. None of my road bikes will handle much more than a fat 25 on a wide rim or a 28 on a narrow. I've hung on to two bikes the longest, a Merckx MX Leader I got new in 99, and a Pegoretti BLE I got gently used in 2006. Both are great bikes, the BLE sees more action. I don't have any electronic but I've got newer Chorus/Record and an 8000 group on the Helix.

Probably the most up to date bike is the Coconino Dirt Road Racer with 8000 and 685 levers to 785 calipers. The stuff works great. My Coconino MTB is Boost with 1X11 XT and Hope/WTB handbuilts.

[sonicCows]

Originally Posted by azrider

Sram 10 speed bits.........

I must say, if you can deal with the bad front shifting and loss of 1 cog, SRAM 10 still has a great cost/weight ratio. Force 10 is a pound lighter than R7000 and half a pound less than R8000.

[82Picchio]

Snip:

Originally Posted by vqdriver

another for me that i got over pretty quickly is lugged steel frames. i know people still fawn over these, but i'm selfish and want to build them up with modern contact points. improvising lame solutions to get around 1" threaded steerers got real old real fast.

Well shame on you. Nothing rides better than a lugged steel frame with modern parts. As for contact points, nothing prevents you from using whatever newfangled saddle and pedals you run. Soma Highway 1 is a great 26.0 modern shaped bar. If you want a 31.8, Nitto makes a great quill stem in 31.8 diameter (UI-12).

[colker]

I love my 26in rigid and hardtails. They bring me lots of fun and are nice to look at.

[HTupolev]

Originally Posted by vqdriver

improvising lame solutions to get around 1" threaded steerers got real old real fast.

I'm confused, what's the issue you run into? Road bike geometry hasn't changed much in quite a few decades, I've been able to achieve functionally similar fit on my ancient steel road bikes as on new ones.

[unterhausen]

if your fit allows you to slam a quill adapter, it looks fine. If you need a lot of vertical under your stem, a quill adapter looks horrible. OTOH, there are nice quill stems and handlebars that fit them.

I have been fully assimilated into using modern parts on my steel frames for the most part. As far as regret goes, I would say I only regret holding off from using discs.

[kiwisimon]

still have a NOS 1993 Mantis Profloater and nearly new Rockshox Judy XC with 1" steerer uncut that I think I will build up and ride one day.
Still use Time TVT pedals on my 2nd bike which means I have a second pair of shoes with the cleats to ride them. My Gravel bike has some of these on it. Plenty of other examples but my main ride is Etap 11S Carbon goodness. I swing both ways.

[Matthew]

Still loving my 26er Rigormootis. But then I've never swung a leg over a 29er either. And if I wanted to sell it I'd have to give it away.

[Jaybee]

After a limited poor experience with full suspension in the early 2000s, I didnt ride another FS until 2017. I was a full on rigid SS evangelist until a move to a place with real trails and my cranky knees forced a change.

Modern mtbs are effing amazing.

[bikinchris]

eTap.