Am I right in thinking that riding a vintage bike will mean you will feel more of the bumps in the road?
I’ve read contradictory statements. I’ve read that a steel bike will be more rigid on the roads and I’ve read that a steel bike will make you feel every bump in the road and be more uncomfortable compared to newer bikes.
There are lots of factors and it depends what you're comparing with what....
Frame tubes, geometry, tyre size. OK, sweeping generalisation alert!!
In general people will say that older 'quality steel' frames like say 531 are more flexy and tend to absorb bumps better than modern stiffer bikes. My 531 framed road bikes are more forgiving than my 853 Rourke - I am considering to fit a 531 fork to this frame to make it a bit smoother on our modern shitty roads
Quality steel tends to be more forgiving than aluminium which while light and stiff can be a bit vibey.
Carbon fibre can be made to have all kinds of properties....
But, within my stable I have a mid 80s 531 MTB tubing MTB bike which when on fat off-road tyres will still shake your fillings-out and a 90s Colombus Nivachrome steel Omega road-bike which was like riding a hammer drill....