Help choosing what bike to buy

[shadaboot27]

So as some of you have probably noticed. I have a passion for pre 60's "Club" Racing bikes. I have began collecting them which I am really enjoying. The problem is that I never ride any of them. This is due to two reasons. The first is because I'm 6 ft 2 and all these bikes are simply too small The largest size you can get most of these Club bikes in is 23'' and most of them have 26'' wheels which just isn't big enough for me. And the second problem is that even if they were big enough for me, most of the bikes in my collection are in such good condition and also have very rare and hard to find parts, so I would be scared to use them regularly in case I damage them. Now I want to have a bike that is big enough for me, and that I can use and abuse, that is easy to find replacement parts and at the same time still at least looks similar to my club bikes. I know some you you might say "just put a longer stem and larger wheels onto one of your club bikes" But I'm a total purist and doing this is like murder to me! I can't bare to see an "incorrect part" on one of my old bikes. So I was wondering if anyone could recommend any vintage bikes for me that would suit my needs? Or should I break my purist OCD just for one bike? Then update it a bit to suit me?

 

[midlife]

Six foot two....... Carlton Longfellow

Shaun

 

[raleighnut]

Something like this

Or any 25" Raleigh 531 frame (this one is an 85 Clubman)
The larger 531 frames are not as popular amongst the 'hipster' fixie brigade as they tend to be little squirts so the bigger ones fetch much less plus with an 80s frame they'll accept most modern kit and wheels.

 

[biggs682]

Another vote for either a 70's or 80's machine and let your hair down and don't worry about it having all correct period parts.

 

[shadaboot27]

Thanks for the relies. I think 70's or 80's frame with whatever parts I feel like, old and modern. I think I'm going to have to let my purist ocd go for just one bike. Then at-least I can use it!

 

[shadaboot27]

I did also have another idea. What if I get a 23'' frame, then put 27'' or 700c wheels on it, and a nice long stem, do you think that would work? That way I could still have a 50's or older frame, then just modernize the parts a little to make it practical.

 

[biggs682]

I did also have another idea. What if I get a 23'' frame, then put 27'' or 700c wheels on it, and a nice long stem, do you think that would work? That way I could still have a 50's or older frame, then just modernize the parts a little to make it practical.

sounds like a plan that should work

 

[raleighnut]

I did also have another idea. What if I get a 23'' frame, then put 27'' or 700c wheels on it, and a nice long stem, do you think that would work? That way I could still have a 50's or older frame, then just modernize the parts a little to make it practical.

700c wheels are only a little bit bigger than 26x1 3/8 so that should be easy, I've not long converted a Raleigh 3speed between the 2 sizes.

 

[shadaboot27]

I used to ride this old Trek which I custom built, This was pretty big, possibly even a bit too big, even for me but it was a great bike to ride.

 

[Daddybus]

Havent you got a 23" lenton frame for sale at the mo, why not use that?
All the bits you put on could be taken off again to return it back to what it is now, just think of it as borrowing the bike for a bit

 

[midlife]

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=345342&sid=956375c112583517f2479a84e5f6b972

Shaun

 

[biggs682]

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=345342&sid=956375c112583517f2479a84e5f6b972

Shaun

thats nice

 

[mikeymustard]

I'd go plus one for a 70s/80s racer, you can modernise it (or DEmodernise it in your case!) to your heart's content.

Havent you got a 23" lenton frame for sale at the mo, why not use that?
All the bits you put on could be taken off again to return it back to what it is now, just think of it as borrowing the bike for a bit

This is also true.
It's a real shame you don't ride your bikes (though I understand the reasons)

 

[shadaboot27]

I'd go plus one for a 70s/80s racer, you can modernise it (or DEmodernise it in your case!) to your heart's content.
This is also true.
It's a real shame you don't ride your bikes (though I understand the reasons)

Yes it is a shame this is one of the main (out of many) reasons I hate being so bloody tall!

 

[midlife]

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=345531

Unusual and a bit later than my bikes but looks neat

Shaun