View Full Version : I Went Out with a 23-Year Old Yesterday
Blackberry
06-07-06, 08:32 AM
And the wife didn't even mind.
Yep, I took my 23-year-old Trek 700 out for a spin. In its day it was considered a fairly sharp bike. It still has its original campy headset, Sun Tour Superbe brakes, shifters and front derailer. It was my main squeeze bike for more than two decades, but a couple of years ago, I got a modern road bike and kind of let the old-reliable gather some cobwebs.
I was amazed at the plush ride of that fine, old bike. I can't wait to take her out again soon. If anyone is interested, I'll see if I can post some pix.
yes indeed...i still ride my Trek 730 on the weekends, its my main errand bike, and I also ride my Gitanne Professional Tour de France roadie occassionally, my wife's #2 road bike is her old Peugeot Super Sport 10 speed
There's something about those vintage bikes...almost bought 2 1950's Schwinn cruisers a lawn sale last week...would have if I knew where to find those 26x1.5 tires they need
cyclintom
06-07-06, 11:17 AM
It really is amazing to ride one of those old Peugeots and feel how they ride much better than most modern bikes. The components suck but the ride, man, the RIDE.
If anyone is interested, I'll see if I can post some pix.
Yes, pictures.
There's something about those vintage bikes...almost bought 2 1950's Schwinn cruisers a lawn sale last week...would have if I knew where to find those 26x1.5 tires they need
FWIW, any LBS can order those tires--they're still pretty common--so don't pass a good deal because of that. As for riding an old Schwinn, I bought a Schwinn cruiser a few months ago from a thrift store. It needed tires so I didn't get a chance to ride it before I got it home. Got it home, installed tires, rode it down my driveway to the alley, and back up the drive--maybe 100 feet--and decided "nope" and put it up for sale. It may have been wonderful 40 years ago, but not now.
I personally prefer the older lightweight iron from the 60's and 70's. I think it was the pinnicle of building steel bicycles; almost a century of it by then. By the 80's, manufacturers were experimenting with other materials and geometries trying to hang on to what was left of the boom. Not necessarily making better bikes, just different. And I'd agree somewhat about the componentry although I'm not sure there's anything better today than Record or Superbe with maybe the exception of Wood hubs and bb's.
And Yes!! Photos!!
JiO
stapfam
06-07-06, 03:35 PM
FWIW, any LBS can order those tires--they're still pretty common--so don't pass a good deal because of that. As for riding an old Schwinn, I bought a Schwinn cruiser a few months ago from a thrift store. It needed tires so I didn't get a chance to ride it before I got it home. Got it home, installed tires, rode it down my driveway to the alley, and back up the drive--maybe 100 feet--and decided "nope" and put it up for sale. It may have been wonderful 40 years ago, but not now.
I personally prefer the older lightweight iron from the 60's and 70's. I think it was the pinnicle of building steel bicycles; almost a century of it by then. By the 80's, manufacturers were experimenting with other materials and geometries trying to hang on to what was left of the boom. Not necessarily making better bikes, just different. And I'd agree somewhat about the componentry although I'm not sure there's anything better today than Record or Superbe with maybe the exception of Wood hubs and bb's.
And Yes!! Photos!!
JiO
Just because it has 1.5 tyres on it now- it doesn't have to stay with them. If Slicks- then it is a common size for mountain bike slicks. I personally run 1.4's on the Tandem and these are just a cheap durable Road tyre with a bit of tread, and if you want a full treaded tyre- then Continental cross country in 1.5 are a good tyre for trails- good even for offroad mud and are a good road tyre aswell.
Going onto the 40 year old bikes- Steel was the only material to have. In fact in the 60's there was no choice- Then chromoly tubing started to come in and then Double butting of the tubes. Compared to a 60's steel plain gauge tubed bike- then give me a double butted chromoly bike of the 80's any day. Then in the late 80's came the new material- Aluminium. Fat tubes made some of the bikes look a bit wierd but the theory was that with a fat tube- you could go thinner on material and hence get a lighter bike. It got to the stage where all the manufacturers were making Fat Tubed alloy frames but in commercial practice they forgot about the Thin walls and most alloy frames were back to the weight of the 60's steel. Then came the new steel alloys and Titanium. None of which seemed to work better than the Chromoly tubing, were not any lighter and did not have the resilience of steel. In 92 I bought a GT Pantera in Fat tube aluminium- Boy was that bike heavy but the stiffeness of the frame made it a dream to ride offroad uphill. No frame flex so all the pedal power went into the wheel. It was about this time I started thinking about Suspension forks because with this material you needed them.
Look at the choice today and there are few steel bikes around but those that are- Providing it is made with the right material- are a good lightweight bike that gives a comfortable ride and will still last forever. Aluminium frames seem to have taken over, and they are light- the fat tube syndrome is almost in the past, and they still are stiff for hill climbing but you need a young supple body to ride them. Titanium frames have come down in price a lot, and are almost affordable but the ride quality of them is fantastic. Then Carbon fibre- Not a material I favour but For a strong lightweight frame, that is comfortable and handles- then it is still a material to look at.
The choice of materials today is immense but if you want reliability, light weight, handling and comfort- then there is still only one ,material to go for- so why are all 3 of my main bikes- Cannondale Tandem, Bianchi Mountain bike and the Giant Road bike all made of aluminium. I'll let you know if I can figure it out.
Velo Dog
06-07-06, 06:02 PM
I have a Trek about that age (bought it used, so I'm not sure), and it's a really sweet ride, but I moved up to an Atlantis and Rambouillet in a midlife crisis. Couple of years ago I turned the Trek into a singllespeed by removing all the obvious stuff and using the old middle chainring (34t) with a BMX freewheel and a $1 spacer to get the chainline right. It lost a surprising amount of weight in the process, feels light and lively and it's a hoot to ride. I use it all winter with fenders--maintenance just takes a garden hose and chain lube.
23 years old? Only my mountain bike is newer than that! :)
It really is amazing to ride one of those old Peugeots and feel how they ride much better than most modern bikes. The components suck but the ride, man, the RIDE.
The solution is simple: switch over to Japanese or Italian derailleurs.
thanks...looks like i'll miss the Schwinns as the owner's house sale closes on the 23'rd and i'll be out of town until then, however, i was thinking of flipping these bikes over in Toronto as they're in demand with the retrourbanites.
Both bikes were in perfect condition (look like they just came out of the lbs), he picked them up 2'nd hand in the 60's (owner is 77!) in Fort Wayne, Indiana... one is a ladies 3 speed with coaster brake, the men's is a 5 speed but needs a new tire.
He wants $30.00 cad for both...they sell for +$125.00 cad each, in the city
a few pics of some of the bikes we ride:
Edit...there's no way i can get the pics to load...will try later
Artkansas
06-08-06, 05:42 PM
yes indeed...i still ride my Trek 730 on the weekends, its my main errand bike, and I also ride my Gitanne Professional Tour de France roadie occassionally, my wife's #2 road bike is her old Peugeot Super Sport 10 speed
There's something about those vintage bikes...almost bought 2 1950's Schwinn cruisers a lawn sale last week...would have if I knew where to find those 26x1.5 tires they need
Doh! 26x1.5 tires are available everywhere! You can get them at WalMart even.
Doh! 26x1.5 tires are available everywhere! You can get them at WalMart even.
Uh....there are 26" and there are 26" and they're not the same. Actually, 26" mountain bike and 26" Schwinn specific tires are different and not interchangable (see http://www.sheldonbrown.com/26/index.html for more info).
I'm not sure if WalMart is carrying the Schwinn specifics, but they are available--many bike shops still stock them and if not, can get them.
JiO
roccobike
06-08-06, 09:49 PM
I just picked up a Trek 560 from the same year as Blackberry's bike. One of my neighbors was selling it for the grand sum of $3. I pumped up the tires, cleaned the chain, wiped off the dust and adjusted the bars. It has an impressive ride, but it also has 12 speed, friction shifting with 23 year old tires. Still for $3, I'm enjoying riding a nice 501 frame. I take it out about once or twice a week just for fun.
Digital Gee
06-08-06, 10:04 PM
Damn! I want a $3 bike! :)
Blackberry
06-09-06, 07:58 AM
A few pix of the Trek 700:
bcoppola
06-09-06, 08:23 AM
I am still kicking myself over putting my mid-70s Raleigh Competition Reynolds 531 out on the curb a few years back.
pastorbobnlnh
06-09-06, 09:55 AM
Damn! I want a $3 bike! :)
How about $0.00, for an all original, 1966 vintage Collegiate (that didn't sell at the Church Yard Sale and was destined for the Town Dump)? It still needs a significant amount of elbow grease to clean it up, but it holds lots of promise. It matches the year and color of the Schwinn Paramount I've been working on all winter. Does it bring back any memories?
Blackberry
06-09-06, 11:44 AM
How about $0.00, for an all original, 1966 vintage Collegiate (that didn't sell at the Church Yard Sale and was destined for the Town Dump)? It still needs a significant amount of elbow greese to clean it up, but it holds lots of promise. It matches the year and color of the Schwinn Paramount I've been working on all winter. Does it bring back any memories?
Sweet. Love the color!
Monoborracho
06-11-06, 08:32 AM
How about $0.00, for an all original, 1966 vintage Collegiate (that didn't sell at the Church Yard Sale and was destined for the Town Dump)? It still needs a significant amount of elbow grease to clean it up, but it holds lots of promise. It matches the year and color of the Schwinn Paramount I've been working on all winter. Does it bring back any memories?
A couple of weeks ago the Dallas Craigslist had two beautiful his & her Collegiates for sale. The ad said they had hardly been ridden, spent their lives inside, and the pics seemed to verify same. They were a beautiful copper color.
plodderslusk
06-11-06, 01:39 PM
A few pix of the Trek 700:
I find the understated elegance of the high end steel Treks of the seventies and eighties irresistible. Nice frame, good eclectic part mix, just beautiful !
How about $0.00, for an all original, 1966 vintage Collegiate (that didn't sell at the Church Yard Sale and was destined for the Town Dump)? It still needs a significant amount of elbow grease to clean it up, but it holds lots of promise. It matches the year and color of the Schwinn Paramount I've been working on all winter. Does it bring back any memories?
very sweet bike pastor... worthy of redemption (wink)!
and yea it does bring back memories.
al
A few pix of the Trek 700:
SUPER SWEET MACHINE !!!
They don't do this any more.
http://www.foodieforums.com/otherimages/garlattihead.jpg
Doh! 26x1.5 tires are available everywhere! You can get them at WalMart even.
Thanks..went to my local W-M, found they had 8 tires...6 26x1.95 MTB tires ($7.00 Kendas), 1 hybrid, 1 24"...don't really have much up here in Canada
They don't do this any more.
http://www.foodieforums.com/otherimages/garlattihead.jpg
Wow! Art, plain and simple. If that were mine, I'd put it in plain view so I could just look at it often.
Dogbait
06-14-06, 12:10 PM
They don't do this any more.
You can say that again, nice lugs!
My newest bike is a recent vintage Kogswell frame. The other five are:
1. A mid to late '70s Fuji Super Road Racer frame destined to be a fixed gear bike.
2. A 1980 Schwinn World Sport (http://www.pbase.com/billd9/image/59094962).
3. A 1982 Schwinn Super Le Tour. I bought it in 1982 and finished a major rebuild/upgrade this morning.
4. An early '80s Univega Maximo Sport (http://www.pbase.com/billd9/image/54897663)fixed gear conversion.
5. A NOS 1987 Schwinn Super Sport frame awaiting wheel building and component mounting.
Whenever I go to a LBS, I always look at the new bikes but don't get excited about them.
Q: "Can I help you sir?"
A: "No thanks, just looking".
Dogbait
oilfreeandhappy
06-14-06, 01:41 PM
They don't do this any more.
http://www.foodieforums.com/otherimages/garlattihead.jpg
Yeah, but I don't miss those kind of shifters, where you had to tweak it in.
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