A Work in Progress

Welcome to The Retrogrouch Blog. I'm just now getting this set up and trying to figure out the system, so right now things look pretty generic. But here is where I'll be expressing my opinions on bicycles. I love bikes. I'm incredibly opinionated on the subject. I verbally beat my friends into submission on the topic. And for the most part, I don't like where the bicycle industry is taking bikes. Bikes should be simple, and reliable, and beautiful. Sometimes that beauty comes from simplicity and reliability. I believe people should be able to work on their own bikes, because repairing and maintaining your own bike is not just a right of passage, but it also makes one a better cyclist.
I believe the importance of weight in bicycles is overestimated. People obsess about grams. Manufacturers feed off that and shave grams at the expense of safety and durability. I believe that when it comes to bicycle weight, there is "light" and there is "stupid light." Too many bikes and components today are Stupid Light.
I like Steel.
I like Lugs.
I like new stuff, but only when it makes sense and really makes things better. New for the sake of new doesn't make sense. And New is not always Improved.
Check back from time to time. I'll be adding more.