show us your vintage road bikes

[mrBishboshed]

Nothing like a quick plug

EDIT: @mrBishboshed, what you need to think about is what kind of riding you want to do. For instance, at the moment I'm riding a Raleigh Randonneur to work, I love the look of colnago masters (classic red, not art deco) but it wouldn't fit the job. Pick what you want to do with the bike and I'm sure some of us vintage "nuts" will help you out with some ideas. You never know, the Dawes Medalion could be a perfect match.

The only reason the banana tickles my fancy was it was something I couldn't have way back when. I think an all rounder would suit me better, a bike that makes the winter pass a bit quicker. Something that can handle all conditions.

Panniers and mudguards would be very nice. I like the retro look but I'm also happy with modern reliability and performance. I would like to marry the two if possible.

I will want something to ride not show by the end. I would like to tour with it one day. (Wifes approval pending. ) It won't need to be original. It will need to be better value for money than its modern equivalent. All the vintage bikes seem ooze personality.

How much should I expect to budget for a project or is that a how long is a piece of string type question? Maybe I'd be better off buying a completed project from one of you nuts.

 

[Ludacris]

Some absolutely stunning bikes on this thread. I'm loving the colours, so much nicer than modern bikes.

 

[Tony Smith]

Some absolutely stunning bikes on this thread. I'm loving the colours, so much nicer than modern bikes.

Some ride a whole lot better than some modern bikes too. Care was usually taken in their manufacture and everyone wanted their 'frame to fame' back in the day. Small one (and two) man bands turned out top quality frames, some of which still survive, but lets not be too rose tinted, there was some crap about then.

 

[thegravestoneman]

Some ride a whole lot better than some modern bikes too. Care was usually taken in their manufacture and everyone wanted their 'frame to fame' back in the day. Small one (and two) man bands turned out top quality frames, some of which still survive, but lets not be too rose tinted, there was some crap about then.

There certainly was some cr*p about, we sold some of it and other places sold a whole lot worse. A whole lot more cr*p survives in comparison to the middling to quality stuff but people still seem to want it? I have seen some on these pages that make me cringe (obviously to any one who reads this I don't mean theirs) Remember entry level stuff probably sold to people who would ride it twice and put it in the loft out house or where ever and years later it is this stuff that is pulled out and sold as retro. be careful what you buy and do not judge all old bikes by what ever you see as a one off!

 

[Gravity Aided]

This is some fine wisdom, ^ and should be engraved at the gates of both Gumtree and Craigslist.

 

[LimeBurn]

A before and after of my Galaxy.

 

[uphillstruggler]

A before and after of my Galaxy.
View attachment 30883 View attachment 30884

Hello Limeburn

that's a good looking machine. it looks similar to the bike in my profile picture although I think mine may be an Echelon - mine was in a mess when I laid my hands on it so needed a fair amount of work.

if you don't mind me asking, what is your front mech. I currently have an old dura ace on but am looking for something a little less highly strung.

cheers

 

[LimeBurn]

Hello Limeburn

that's a good looking machine. it looks similar to the bike in my profile picture although I think mine may be an Echelon - mine was in a mess when I laid my hands on it so needed a fair amount of work.

if you don't mind me asking, what is your front mech. I currently have an old dura ace on but am looking for something a little less highly strung.

cheers

Its the standard Sunrace that came on the bike, probably a lot lower down the pecking order than your Dura-Ace I think.

 

[uphillstruggler]

Its the standard Sunrace that came on the bike, probably a lot lower down the pecking order than your Dura-Ace I think.

Cheers, it needs something a little looser, is there a model name or number?

 

[LimeBurn]

Cheers, it needs something a little looser, is there a model name or number?

I'll have a look in the morning for you, although I cant remember seeing any model mark on it, its a little wet and grim for me to venture out to have a look now.

 

[uphillstruggler]

I'll have a look in the morning for you, although I cant remember seeing any model mark on it, its a little wet and grim for me to venture out to have a look now.

Fair enough, cheers

 

[LimeBurn]

Fair enough, cheers

Just made it out between downpours. No mark other than the sunrace logo, which is in red, I'm afraid. Sorry.

 

[uphillstruggler]

Just made it out between downpours. No mark other than the sunrace logo, which is in red, I'm afraid. Sorry.

Thanks for checking

 

[stevevw]

Just an update on the two Raleigh's. two and a half years on and they are just as good as the day I built them. My son and his girlfriend use them nearly every day commuting in London, they must spend as much time cleaning them as they do riding. Glad they are being used and loved.

Great to see a Classic and Vintage section.

I have loads of projects on the go and will post on here when each is finished. here is a couple from a while back.

 

[Bobtoo]

.

There certainly was some cr*p about, we sold some of it and other places sold a whole lot worse. A whole lot more cr*p survives in comparison to the middling to quality stuff but people still seem to want it? I have seen some on these pages that make me cringe (obviously to any one who reads this I don't mean theirs) Remember entry level stuff probably sold to people who would ride it twice and put it in the loft out house or where ever and years later it is this stuff that is pulled out and sold as retro. be careful what you buy and do not judge all old bikes by what ever you see as a one off!

A large part of the retro bike scene is middle-aged people trying to capture something they had or coveted when they were a teenager. That means looking for the model you had, or possibly the one that the cool/spoilt kid down the road had- which is usually entry or near-entry level bikes. In most cases they will serve the purpose just fine- family outings or ambling around the countryside trying to pretend the last 30 years didn't happen (that's not just me, right?). Now, as then, the basic bikes are good enough, but if you find you want more from a bike you have to raise your sights a bit (I'm talking retro kit here, modern cheap bikes aren't remotely up to the job). If that happens you won't lose much on the bike you bought, unless you paid well over the odds for it. £100 will buy you the best 1980s schoolboy bike (as will £50 if you wait for the right opportunity), which is pretty cheap as midlife crisis purchases go.