Here we go again!

[Mike5537]

After a 5 year break I'm going to get back in the saddle, I've got myself a free bike, its a bit old (see pic below) but it should be sufficient for me to try and catch the bug again! Just given it a clean and have tightened the spokes. But nervous about the gears tho. I haven't ridden a road bike with gears on the frame for nearly 20 years! Going to remove the mud guards and other bits to save weight, plus I hate the look if mud guards. Fingers crossed for nice weather tomorrow!

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[smokeysmoo]

Nice bike, and especially for £0

I'd take it easy while you 'learn' the quirks of a bike of this vintage. You may find you need to do some tinkering with the brake blocks/cables, bottom bracket, headset bearings etc, but overall it looks an honest clean bike in your pic, (but chain needs a good mickle). I'd probably do some very low speed emergency stops before you go too far, just to make sure the cables are OK.

If you decide to upgrade you shouldn't have any problem selling this on, there's a big market for lugged steel frames

 

[Peteaud]

you will be fine, its like riding a bike, ..... oh wait......

I agree, hate mudguards.

 

[smokeysmoo]

I've just re-fitted the mudguards to my commuter in the hope it will stop raining. Well it hasn't freakin' stopped since I removed them so it can't do any harm!

 

[RoadBikeRecommendation]

Good for you. It's been so long (31 years to be precise) since I used on frame gears on my old Raleigh. . . .the name escapes me.

 

[Pauluk]

I like my mudguards, but admit don't like yours much

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

Nice bike

 

[petenats]

Lovely bike!

If it has been sitting around for a few years then be a bit careful of the rubber bits! Lots,of time sitting around unused does no good to tyres and brake blocks etc. They go very hard and perform particularly badly.

Have fun with it!

Pete

 

[Nigel-YZ1]

I've never ridden a modern road bike, so frame gears is all I know. The fun is in not whacking your arm with your knee when changing, and not putting your fingers on the wheel if you reach down to change while on the drops.
My 1980's Carlton was a freebie too, from an old family friend who knew the cancer was going to finish him.

I second the need to replace rubbery bits. I put a pair of Gatorskins on, and checked the blocks.
I put a Selle Italia SL saddle on too, bits of me are too squishy these days for the old hard leather saddles!

Enjoy

 

[Mike5537]

Well the weather seems ok so far today so I may get to get her out for a spin. If it rains again ill strip it down and put out together again. I find if I do that I know the bike better, does anyone else do that our is it just me?

I'm worried about the brakes now that a few people have mentioned them, rather than spend any money is there anything I can do to refurb them myself?

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[Peteaud]

Apart from replacing the blocks and a strip and lubricate not a lot.

I would go for a ride and see ho they perform.

Friend of mine had 26 year old brakes and the original blocks and they worked fine.

Just dont go mad on it.

 

[Nebulous]

Looking good.

I've got the story of my old bike here.
I'm riding it with 30 year old tyres and brake blocks with few problems.
The biggest issue I would say if those are chromed wheels will be riding it in the wet. My one is downright dangerous in wet weather, because it just doesn't brake.

 

[Mike5537]

This is it in mid fettle, just removing the crap and cleaning the bits I couldn't get too before. What advise do people have for cleaning the chain and derailors? I'm just using cold soapy water for all the other bits, weil that be ok for the chain?

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[Mike5537]

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[tyred]

Lovely bike, but definitely strip, clean and relube the hubs, headset and bottom bracket and work some oil into the cables. It will make such a difference to the ride and will prevent un-necessary wear and tear.

Sheldon Brown's website should contain all the info you need.