From the Cluttered Bench: Why Does Cycling Keep It Retro While Other Sports Move On?
Have you ever noticed that cycling seems to have a special place for retro aesthetics? We started thinking about it the other day, and it led us to question: is cycling the only outdoor sport that still makes room for vintage gear and style? When we mentally surveyed other sports, few seemed to embrace older technology.
Take tennis, for example—does anyone still use a wooden racket? Or golf—who’s still swinging a wooden-shafted club? The closest comparisons we found were in the surf world with longboards—those traditional, 8-foot-plus boards that contrast with modern shortboards designed for sharp, radical turns—and the skateboarding scene, where retro 80s-style decks are making a comeback, at least according to our resident expert.
So why cycling and board sports? My best guess is that these "soul sports"—surfing, skateboarding, and non-competitive cycling—allow people to do their own thing. There are no strict rules, no judges, and no specific uniforms to adhere to. You can ride a bike with silver fenders and a rack, surf a classic longboard, or skate a retro deck, all while staying true to your personal style.
Once competition enters the mix, though, it’s a different story. The need to win drives technological advancements, which explains why racing-focused cycling is so tech-heavy—what I like to call the "1%." It’s the same reason no one gets extra points for playing tennis with a wooden racket. But in the non-competitive cycling world, riding a steel frame decked out with classic parts is almost like a statement. You see someone cruising with vintage flair, and it just makes you smile.
This vintage appeal seems to pop up in all sorts of ways today, even beyond cycling. Fashion and style are always cycling back—though I'm still waiting for the Roaring 20s to make a return! Right now, the 80s and 90s are making waves in clothing, décor, and even bike culture, as people look for ways to stand out from the sleek, performance-driven products that dominate the big brands.
Functionality is another reason retro gear holds appeal in cycling. Modern tech has made huge leaps—electronic shifting and hydraulic braking are prime examples—but they can feel over-engineered. Mechanical disc brakes give me reliable stopping power without the hassle of bleeding lines, and traditional cable shifting lasts forever with minimal upkeep. Plus, I never have to worry about charging my derailleur!
While big companies focus on racing performance at any cost—like a $4,300 wireless Campagnolo 13-speed drivetrain—I think the non-racing side of cycling will keep chugging along at a more relaxed pace, free from the need to adopt every new high-cost innovation.
So why do you think retro aesthetics thrive in cycling but not in other sports? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so drop a comment below!
The Cluttered Bench is a series of opinion pieces from VO staffers and guests on various topics that may be tangentially cycling related.
My oldest bicycle is 31 years old and my youngest bicycle looks like it was made in the 1960s. I like technology just fine but there’s a place for appropriate technology for non-competitive uses, like manual-shift bicycles, automatic (mechanical) wristwatches, and even wooden tennis rackets. Many string musicians such as violinists, guitarists, and mandolin players seek out vintage and similar newer instruments and amplifiers instead of the latest thing. Sure, you can buy carbon fiber, guitars, and violins and amplifiers with more computer power than the original moon lander had, but it doesn’t necessarily make you a better player.
Another reason is an environmentalist and anti capitalist stance. Considering the literal mountains of used bikes out there, we don’t actually need to produce most new stuff. At all. Or, at least not nearly as much. Mass production of plastic and electronic parts and frames have hidden consequences in the form of pollution and inflation. Both are bad. Just because a bunch of hairs have been split over “racing” bikes doesn’t actually make them better. A bike that’s built up with 99% used parts will most likely last longer than the top of the line racing machine. And, the rider will have more fun and go more places with that used bike. They’ll also not need to spend as much money to keep it going. It just makes sense.
Because bicycling has another component that sports don’t have. Utility. It’ll always keep things somewhat grounded.
An African villager riding their Buffalo bike is blissfully unaware that he wasting performance by not having a carbon gravel bike. Commuters want to get to work without having to strip off lycra and having clomp through the office in clipless shoes. Somehow, everyone in Amsterdam is able to travel by bikes that weigh 50 pounds and use coaster brakes (at least, that’s what mine was like).
For the most part, bike components were perfected in the 80s/90s. And even though it makes me feel old, those bikes themselves are now “retro”. I’ve returned to friction shifting because it’s easier than indexing (and Dia Compe makes some awesome Buy-It-For-Life shifters). I still like rim brakes best but I know I’ve lost that battle. Still, hydraulic brakes are just ridiculous. I do the brakes on both of my cars, the last thing I need is bikes that now also need their lines bled. Bike maintenance is supposed to be relaxing break from auto/house maintenance. I’ve digressed, but this topic is evergreen and has many branch.
For me, regarding bicycles, I have discovered the pure joy and contentment I get from riding them, is much less dependent on speed, mileage, and having the “latest and/or greatest” equipment I can afford. And , I will add being concerned over what others think, to that list of items. That one remains a work in progress.
My main concerns now are safety, comfort and contentment, and ease of maintenance. I have really embraced bar end shifters in friction mode, with alt handlebars, i.e., Velo-orange Porter and Left Bank bars.
It’s not so much that I care about the retro look, it’s more a matter of those things working well for me.
And- plus many modern boats evoke the style, simplicity, and aesthetic of the classics.
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