I love making mechanical things. Particularly if they are aesthetically pleasing. Steel bicycles from the 70s and 80s – especially the delicate, graceful racing bikes of that time – are such wonderful things. Moreover, they are extremely functional, technically highly efficient and fully analog objects. Things that, with sensitive and careful use, are made to last forever. Things with a soul. That’s how I became a vintage road bike tinkerer.
And I like taking photos. Especially of those things that I find beautiful…
Here I share a few of them 🤸🏻
Self-made road/touring bicycle for a tall rider and longer distances
(GERMAAN frame, Columbus steel, 1978, Dutch)
Self-made road/racing bicycle, filigree and very fast
(GIPIEMME ORLANDO ‚Stuttgart‘ frame, Columbus Aelle steel, 1980, French)
Very rare and complete historic racing bicycle, superfast 🚀
(original BOSCHETTI, Campagnolo hardware, Columbus Aelle steel, 1989, Italian)
Details (and some marginal notes ;) 🚴🏻
Here are some links to interesting aspects of cycling:
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcRzp6xwuzE
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VHsqdu2Dyw
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERJ-cf_ecO4
• https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-gear/bikes-and-biking/rivendell-bikes-rear-derailleur
• https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/a70941247/bike-tire-pressure-explained
• https://www.pirelli.com/global/en-ww/road/bicycles/when-roads-become-monuments-136536/
Vielen Dank für deine schönen und kreativen Gedanken zu diesem Thema, Rob. Dass ich künftig mit gotischen Kirchenfenstern fahren werde, habe ich nun dir zu verdanken (welcher Antrieb könnte noch ästhetischer sein? ;)
Herzliche Grüße nach Wales!
Dass etwas so filigranes einen Menschen tragen kann und noch dazu bei hohen Geschwindigkeiten, ist schon ein Wunder der Ingenieurskunst. Und wer könnte schon Zahnkränzen widerstehen, die ausschauen wie gotische Kirchenfenster.
Tolle Bilder, Axel und ein wunderbares Hobby!