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By Cheryl Faith Wee
Forget modern bicycles that are lightweight and zippy. Some riders are in a spin over a different transport of delight entirely - clunky, out-of-production bikes from yesteryear.
Vintage bicycles - dating roughly from the 1980s and before - are becoming trendy with some riders here.
At least two cycling groups dedicated to them have sprung up in the last three years or so: Old Steelers and Eroica Singapore, made of about 20 regular cyclists each.
They hit the road every Sunday on now-obsolete models of European bicycle brands such as De Rosa from Italy and Raleigh from Britain.
Unlike modern bicycles with high-tech ergonomics and made of light material such as carbon, retro rides usually sport handcrafted frames of heavy steel, intricate engravings and elaborate paintwork.
One enthusiast who hopped onto his first vintage set of wheels about six months ago is engineer Eddie Tan, 42, part of the Old Steelers group.
He says: "I own a modern carbon bicycle but I read online about vintage bikes, made of steel. They are said to give a smoother ride and I wanted to try it out. Now I am hooked."
He owns four vintage bicycles including those from brands such as De Rosa.
They cost about $7,000 in total.
Some cyclists feel that steel is sturdier than light, modern material such as aluminium, especially on bumpy roads.
Another avid vintage fan is civil servant Peter Chay, who declined to reveal his age.
About six to seven years ago, he started collecting bicycles from the 1980s such as those made by Italian brand Cinelli.
Now he owns about 10.
Italian bicycle frames from the 1980s can be bought from online auction and shopping website eBay for between US$3,000 (S$3,700) and US$3,500.
Others are attracted by the bikes' history.
 
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