Is my bike "vintage"?
Not sure if your bike is old enough for BERGKÖNIG? Well, cut-off date is 1st January 1994, so your bike needs to be older. We shall also accept newer bikes that fully respect the style and technology of our categories 1 to 5 (replicas).
Categories
Category 1: Pre 1932
No gearshift, no or antique braking systems |
Category 2: 1932-1949
Early gearshifts 3-4 speeds like Super Champion or Simplex |
Category 3: 1950-1966
Cable operated gearshifts 2x5, mostly steel cranksets |
Category 4: 1967-1983
Aluminum- and Jap- components, first experimental aluminum frames, tradtl. layout |
Category 5: 1984-1993
First hightech like clipless pedals, indexed shifting, wrapped brake cables |
Be careful!
Not everything called "vintage" is in fact truly "vintage"!
Many sellers will call their bikes "Vintage" but these might NOT be eligible for BERGKÖNIG anyway. Following some helpful hints how to find out if the bike you plan to buy will fit our event.
Many sellers will call their bikes "Vintage" but these might NOT be eligible for BERGKÖNIG anyway. Following some helpful hints how to find out if the bike you plan to buy will fit our event.
Frame geometry
Classic "diamant" frame, top tube is horizontal
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Classic ladies or mixed frame, here in sporty version
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No-go:
Modern sloping frame |
Material and Construction
Traditional lugged steel frame. About 98% of the participating bikes are made like this.
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Lugged aluminum- or carbon-frame. These exist since the mid 70ies but are a) rare and b) not very reliable.
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No-go:
Modern aluminum- or carbon-frames with varying tube diameters |
Wheels
Classic road bike wheel with tubular tires, minimum 28 spokes
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Classic wheel with clincher tires, minimum 28 spokes
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No-go:
Modern road bikewheel with less than 28 spokes and/or high profile rim (more than 20mm) |
Gearing
Shifters on frame or stem
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Classic 3-speed shifter on bar
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No-go:
Modern brifters of mtb-click shifters |
Number of gears (category 5, 1989):
Road bikes had a max of 7 speeds in the rear and 2 rings on cranks, so a total of 14 gears.
Triple cranks have been availlable from the 60ies but have usually only been used for randonneurs and later earlyMTB. So not nice ona racing stylebike ... but CAN be used at BERGKÖNIG.
Road bikes had a max of 7 speeds in the rear and 2 rings on cranks, so a total of 14 gears.
Triple cranks have been availlable from the 60ies but have usually only been used for randonneurs and later earlyMTB. So not nice ona racing stylebike ... but CAN be used at BERGKÖNIG.
Brakes
Classic rim brake
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Classic drum brake
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No-go: disc brake
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Seat
Classic saddle
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Racing seat from 70ies/80ies
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No-go:
Modern leight weight seat |
Pedals
Traditional pedals
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Rat trap pedals with cleats
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Look has launched the PP65 clipless pedal in 1984. Eligible with vintage or retro shoes only in Category 5. No-go for all other clipless pedals.
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No worries: we are not more catholic than the pope!
Many vintage bikes have received wrong components during decades of servicing since original parts have not been obtainable. We don'twanttospoil pleasure to nobody and will not search for errors. Important to us is a true "vintage appearance" of your bike and technology (see above) that corresponds to our rules.
Above all we would ask you to avoid modern "street style" bits and pieces such as colored tires, colored rims etc. We SHALL NOT consider this as eligible, even if the frame of the bike might originate from the correct period.
Above all we would ask you to avoid modern "street style" bits and pieces such as colored tires, colored rims etc. We SHALL NOT consider this as eligible, even if the frame of the bike might originate from the correct period.
Vintage
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No-go: Street-Style
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Questions left?
This list certainly is NOT comprehensive and there are always exceptions.
If you are unsure abour your bike even after having checked this list, why don't you ask one of our specialised partners in Switzerland. Or send us an email
If you are unsure abour your bike even after having checked this list, why don't you ask one of our specialised partners in Switzerland. Or send us an email
