Introductions - 2nd Generation rider

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cschmitz
08-04-07, 08:30 AM
Hi. My name is Chris. I live in St. Louis, MO and I'm just getting into more serious biking. I've always rode a bike on and off when I was younger but I just recently started seriously road biking. My dad use to be a big big bike enthusiast, but now he can no longer bike. My main bike has been one of his Univegas for years. Now I'm starting to pull some of his other bikes out of storage and fixing them up.

The one that I pulled out just recently that I'm really excited to get back up to road shape is a Italvega superlight. There's not too much fixing up that needs to be done, just updating the tires and wires. I've been reading up on how rare the bike is and I can't wait to get it completely fixed up and ride-able. Part of me doesn't even want to ride it and just fix it up to have a classic bike, but I feel like I would be doing the bike and my dad a disservice if I didn't ride it.

Anyway, I'm a road biker. I don't like mountain biking all that much (I guess I'd rather deal with cars than bears). I'm new new to serious biking so any information and/or suggestions are very welcome and appreciated. Thanks,

Chris

pleen
08-04-07, 09:55 AM
Hi there Chris,

Whether you ride 'em or not, please be sure to visit the Classic & Vintage (http://bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=181) forum with updates about your restorations. You will even find threads there where you can post pictures of the rides as they come along.

I hope you enjoy the wealth of information and camaraderie that is BikeForums.net.
East Hill
08-04-07, 10:55 AM
Hello Chris, pleen is absolutely right--we would love to see your father's bikes, and there is nothing more fun for a C & V person than to vicariously enjoy seeing someone enjoying a vintage bike :) . Those bikes are meant to be loved and cherished, and in this case, ridden.

Welcome to BF!

East Hill

cschmitz
08-04-07, 10:07 PM
Thanks for the welcome pleen and East Hill. I'm really excited to get this bike up and running. It's really hard not to just trow the old tires and wires on and go, but better to be safe than sorry. I wouldn't trust riding on tires that are 20 or so years old and original wires. I have other working bikes anyway.

I'll definitely be posting pictures soon so keep an eye out.

Chris
East Hill
08-05-07, 06:27 AM
Thanks for the welcome pleen and East Hill. I'm really excited to get this bike up and running. It's really hard not to just trow the old tires and wires on and go, but better to be safe than sorry. I wouldn't trust riding on tires that are 20 or so years old and original wires. I have other working bikes anyway.

I'll definitely be posting pictures soon so keep an eye out.

Chris

Wonderful! I am actually amazed when I can get on an old bike and just ride--quite often the tyres are just fine, but the cables almost always need to be replaced. The bottom bracket is generally the problem area, as the grease has usually hardened.

East Hill