Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Bought another bike - heavy?

I bought another bike off of CL tonight to start building a back-up bike for my main bike. I'll post some pictures and details probably tomorrow.

It's a cheap old 10 speed roadie, 27" wheels, 36 spokes, Suntour shifters and derails, Shimano brake levers and center pull brakes. Wheels are steel, frame is steel fully lugged. It's a Italian wannabe Asian knock off - Campania Sport. It needs work - cables and bar tape and tires. It was cheap though - well under the $100 max budget I had. In fact I may have it "ready to ride" for under $100 - we'll see.


It seems heavy thoug so I weighed it and my MTB to compare - the MTB fully loaded with pump, tools, tube, and computer is 36.5#, the roadie is 33.6 with none of that stuff loaded yet - so almost the same weight. I rode it around a little before the tires went flat again and it rolls really easy - pedal effort for decent speed seemed really easy.

So my question - on the scale of normal steel frame bikes (no carbon fiber frame jobs) is this super heavy, a little heavy, about right??? I know very little about road bikes.

Oh yeah - frame size - 25" crank to clamp, 23" seat post to stem, and 35.5" standover height. I wanted a bigger frame and this one seems very close to the perfect size.

The Jamis Quest that I bought today, but won't arrive until sometime next week, is supposed to be a bit over 20 pounds.

Japanamount! (my 1991 Japanese built Paramount) is 23 pounds without any gear, and it's a 58cm steel frame. It's only my weekend bike, so the most it gets is a rear wedge with a tube, multitool, and cell phone. The rest of my stuff goes in my jersey pockets.

Here's the ad for it:
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/bik/414131830.html

I bought another bike off of CL tonight to start building a back-up bike for my main bike. I'll post some pictures and details probably tomorrow.

It's a cheap old 10 speed roadie, 27" wheels, 36 spokes, Suntour shifters and derails, Shimano brake levers and center pull brakes. Wheels are steel, frame is steel fully lugged. It's a Italian wannabe Asian knock off - Campania Sport. It needs work - cables and bar tape and tires. It was cheap though - well under the $100 max budget I had. In fact I may have it "ready to ride" for under $100 - we'll see.


It seems heavy thoug so I weighed it and my MTB to compare - the MTB fully loaded with pump, tools, tube, and computer is 36.5#, the roadie is 33.6 with none of that stuff loaded yet - so almost the same weight. I rode it around a little before the tires went flat again and it rolls really easy - pedal effort for decent speed seemed really easy.

So my question - on the scale of normal steel frame bikes (no carbon fiber frame jobs) is this super heavy, a little heavy, about right??? I know very little about road bikes.

Oh yeah - frame size - 25" crank to clamp, 23" seat post to stem, and 35.5" standover height. I wanted a bigger frame and this one seems very close to the perfect size.

That does seem heavy, however it could be the steel rims that are adding a lot of the weight, you want to get rid of those ASAP anyway, when wet they have almost no brake grip ability, so unless you live in a desert, you need to keep that in mind. You also want modern hooked rims, these have an edge that the bead of the tire hooks onto, that will allow higher tire pressures. There are new 27" aluminum rims still available, Nashbar has house brand ones for $13 each right now SUN brand for $10 each, and if your at all mechanically inclined you should be able to do a rim swap yourself, then get your LBS to tension and true the finished wheels.

Some of those cheap older bikes are mild straight gauge steel, these are often called gas pipe frames, and they are quite a bit heavier then good butted Chromoly frames. A typical gas pipe frame could be 15lbs or more, a decent Chromoly frame, stripped, should weigh in around 6-7 lbs (depending on the size), the best carbon frames are around 3-4 lbs.

It's super heavy for a lightweight.

A good quality vintage steel bike would be in the 20-25# range.

Quote:That does seem heavy, however it could be the steel rims that are adding a lot of the weight, you want to get rid of those ASAP anyway, when wet they have almost no brake grip ability, so unless you live in a desert, you need to keep that in mind. You also want modern hooked rims, these have an edge that the bead of the tire hooks onto, that will allow higher tire pressures. There are new 27" aluminum rims still available, Nashbar has house brand ones for $13 each right now SUN brand for $10 each, and if your at all mechanically inclined you should be able to do a rim swap yourself, then get your LBS to tension and true the finished wheels.

I am very mechanical - so no problem building the wheels and even doing the trueing and tensioning. I think that sounds like a pretty good idea. I was noticing the tires were not rated very high pressure - 80 or 90 I think.

I'm not overly concerned about the weight if it rides good - I'm not racing anyone except myself. I just kind of expected a road bike to be a lot lighter than my MTB. The MTB has aluminum parts on it though - rims, seat post... things like that. I think everything is steel on the road bike. As heavy as the tube seems to be, I wonder why they lugged it? Hmmmm..........

Quote:That does seem heavy, however it could be the steel rims that are adding a lot of the weight, you want to get rid of those ASAP anyway, when wet they have almost no brake grip ability, so unless you live in a desert, you need to keep that in mind. You also want modern hooked rims, these have an edge that the bead of the tire hooks onto, that will allow higher tire pressures. There are new 27" aluminum rims still available, Nashbar has house brand ones for $13 each right now SUN brand for $10 each, and if your at all mechanically inclined you should be able to do a rim swap yourself, then get your LBS to tension and true the finished wheels.

I am very mechanical - so no problem building the wheels and even doing the trueing and tensioning. I think that sounds like a pretty good idea. I was noticing the tires were not rated very high pressure - 80 or 90 I think.

I'm not overly concerned about the weight if it rides good - I'm not racing anyone except myself. I just kind of expected a road bike to be a lot lighter than my MTB. The MTB has aluminum parts on it though - rims, seat post... things like that. I think everything is steel on the road bike. As heavy as the tube seems to be, I wonder why they lugged it? Hmmmm..........

It may not be the frame, if you have steel rims, steel seat post, steel bars, steel cranks all that steel adds a lot of weight, the good thing is that you can replace most of those parts, with AL ones, to get the weight down, if you care too, probably get the weight down a good 4-6lbs, which would make it high average for a steel framed road bike. What I would do, is replace the rims, that's a safety issue, any of the old timers who remember steel rims in the rain, when you grabbed the brakes hard and got nothing, would suggest getting rid of them. When you get a little money, replace a part or two, with lighter weight versions (CL and fleabay are good parts sources), and eventually you will get something really nice and still not have a lot of money in it. It's when your thinking or stripping it down adding some new bosses, and then getting the frame painted and the forks chromed, before building it back up, that you have arrived.....

Haha - I'm really trying to stay pretty cheap on it - it will never be worth a lot no matter what I spend on it. I just want to get it riding good. I ordered new AL rims last night, not only for the braking but to get some that will hold the tire securely. Also ordered new tubes (3) new tires (2) and rim tape last night. I have now more than doubled the purchase price of the bike - and exceeded my $100 initial purchase cost. :D I checked it over last night pretty good and I think it will be OK. The cables and bar tape are the only other things in serious need. Everything appears to be original on the bike so I'm betting it did not get rode much. Most of the paint damage looks like garage bumps.

Haha - I'm really trying to stay pretty cheap on it - it will never be worth a lot no matter what I spend on it. I just want to get it riding good. I ordered new AL rims last night, not only for the braking but to get some that will hold the tire securely. Also ordered new tubes (3) new tires (2) and rim tape last night. I have now more than doubled the purchase price of the bike - and exceeded my $100 initial purchase cost. :D I checked it over last night pretty good and I think it will be OK. The cables and bar tape are the only other things in serious need. Everything appears to be original on the bike so I'm betting it did not get rode much. Most of the paint damage looks like garage bumps.

That's another way bikes are like houses, there are the might as wells....

I want new rims, might as well replace those old tires,
Might as well get new tubes as well.....
Might as well get new rim tape too.....
Might as well lace it up with new spokes....
Hmmm, hub looks like it needs an overhaul, might as well replace that too....

Actually speaking of such, if that bike hasn't been ridden much in 20 years, you might want to pull the rear hub apart, clean it up and put in a new set of bearings, and fresh grease, you can't buy new 5 speed hubs anymore, and the old grease is probably not functioning well anymore. You don't want to put a lot of miles on a irreplacable hub with less then good grease in it.

5 speed NOS freewheels

http://www.bicycleclassics.com/freewheel.html
http://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails.cfm?ID=793
http://cgi.ebay.com/NIB-NOS-SunTour-Freewheel-used-Regina-Freewheel-5-speed_W0QQitemZ120158467402QQihZ002QQcategoryZ56197QQcmdZViewItem

5 speed NOS freewheels

http://www.bicycleclassics.com/freewheel.html
http://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails.cfm?ID=793
http://cgi.ebay.com/NIB-NOS-SunTour-Freewheel-used-Regina-Freewheel-5-speed_W0QQitemZ120158467402QQihZ002QQcategoryZ56197QQcmdZViewItem

Yup lots of freewheels available, but the only hubs I was able to find at any of those sites were a Phil Wood (for $150 not including taxes and shipping:eek:) and some others that were even more pricey, and they were for 6 and 7 speed freewheels, not sure if that creates issues or not. If it were me, I would rather spend 1/2 hour with the kerosene cleaning out old grease, then putting in $3 worth of bearings, and 2 cents worth of new grease, then spending $150-$300 on a new hub. Front hubs can be replaced even now, but for another $3 worth of bearings, it's worth doing an overhaul.

Yup lots of freewheels available, but the only hubs I was able to find at any of those sites were a Phil Wood (for $150 not including taxes and shipping:eek:) and some others that were even more pricey, and they were for 6 and 7 speed freewheels, not sure if that creates issues or not. If it were me, I would rather spend 1/2 hour with the kerosene cleaning out old grease, then putting in $3 worth of bearings, and 2 cents worth of new grease, then spending $150-$300 on a new hub. Front hubs can be replaced even now, but for another $3 worth of bearings, it's worth doing an overhaul.

A 6 speed with a spacer will work, you just need to play with the low adjustment screw to keep it from shifting over the top of the gearing. I have an 8 speed XT hub with a spacer and a 7 speed cassette on my commuter right now. It works just fine.

I plan to dissassemble and clean every bearing and re-grease. No new hubs - if it needs new hubs I'll either find used or start on another bike. No way I'm spending more on a hub than the whole bike cost. ;) I saw another bike on CL for sale that has a damaged frame.... I might look into that for parts if things go too bad when I tear it down. Or there's always my ex-wifes bike hanging in the garage..........

That's another way bikes are like houses, there are the might as wells....

I want new rims, might as well replace those old tires,
Might as well get new tubes as well.....
Might as well get new rim tape too.....
Might as well lace it up with new spokes....
Hmmm, hub looks like it needs an overhaul, might as well replace that too....

Actually speaking of such, if that bike hasn't been ridden much in 20 years, you might want to pull the rear hub apart, clean it up and put in a new set of bearings, and fresh grease, you can't buy new 5 speed hubs anymore, and the old grease is probably not functioning well anymore. You don't want to put a lot of miles on a irreplacable hub with less then good grease in it.

I'm in the same boat. Picked up the Raleigh (sig) a few months back and need to do some serious work on it. Not because anything is wrong, but just to bring it up to snuff. I may end up going the lazy but pricey route and just take it to the LBS at the end of the season and get it overhauled there.

I did all that kind of stuff to my Schwinn that hadn't been ridden in years and years (probably on the order of 15 or so). Everything on it was very simple, though, and I put very little money in it for new cables, grease, cheap tires and tubes and brake pads. The rest of the work all involved elbow grease with the tear down, cleaning and re-assembly.

I picked up some bar tape today - should get started working on it this weekend. I'll take pics to bore you with. ;)

I did all that kind of stuff to my Schwinn that hadn't been ridden in years and years (probably on the order of 15 or so). Everything on it was very simple, though, and I put very little money in it for new cables, grease, cheap tires and tubes and brake pads. The rest of the work all involved elbow grease with the tear down, cleaning and re-assembly.

It's my opinion that any Clyde who wants to try a road bike out could go get a Schwinn Varsity for $80 that needed little or no work... those Varsitys are easy to find, strong, and people have put thousands of miles on them. Then, after you've ridden it a while, you know more what you want and can sell it for your money back and get a bike more tailored to your needs!

All the modern stuff is nice, for sure, but you don't need it to see if you're a road bike person!

Curiosity got the better of me so I broke out the scale...

My (big frame) old Schwinn, with nothing but 2 empty water bottles and a cyclocomputer on it weighs 30 pounds.

My HardRock with rear rack and bag, heavy chain with lock, kneesavers, 2 empty water bottles, a computer, multiple reflectors, road end bar ends, heavy armadillo tires with thorn resistant tubes and a spare thorn resistant tube in the bag, frame pump, bell multi tool, crescent wrench, sunglasses, helmet and gloves weighs in at 42 pounds.

It's my opinion that any Clyde who wants to try a road bike out could go get a Schwinn Varsity for $80 that needed little or no work... those Varsitys are easy to find, strong, and people have put thousands of miles on them. Then, after you've ridden it a while, you know more what you want and can sell it for your money back and get a bike more tailored to your needs!

All the modern stuff is nice, for sure, but you don't need it to see if you're a road bike person!

That is exactly why I got the Schwinn in my garage into ride-able condition. Just to see if I want to get a road bike down the line (and also to get a feel for general bike maintenance). I am still deciding but I think I would enjoy one. Truthfully, I may just end up getting a different older Schwinn (or similar) that fits better. That may easily be enough road bike for me.

JeeperTim, is it a Campania or a Compania? I think those Companias are really pretty.

I really like those weird lower end bike boom bikes. I think some of them are interesting looking. I know people look down on Hi-tensile steel, but I don't mind riding them! I think they can offer a very stabile, solid ride and they're plenty fast for just going on a ride. My errand/back-up bike is lugged hi-tensile (if I remember right!)--it's 23 years old and it's still a good bike! I ride it recreationally, too, choosing it over better bikes! There's nothing wrong with a Hi-tensile bike, even though they don't have a lot of prestige.

And they're still lighter than mountain bikes! Put some alloy rims on them (cheap to buy, cheap to true) and some high pressure tires and have some fun!

Also, you burn more calories and build more muscle on a heavier bike!

My first road bike coming back was a Schwinn Continential, it weights as much as a Lincoln Continential, but it was smooth and hard to kill.

JeeperTim, is it a Campania or a Compania? I think those Companias are really pretty.

I really like those weird lower end bike boom bikes. I think some of them are interesting looking. I know people look down on Hi-tensile steel, but I don't mind riding them! I think they can offer a very stabile, solid ride and they're plenty fast for just going on a ride. My errand/back-up bike is lugged hi-tensile (if I remember right!)--it's 23 years old and it's still a good bike! I ride it recreationally, too, choosing it over better bikes! There's nothing wrong with a Hi-tensile bike, even though they don't have a lot of prestige.

And they're still lighter than mountain bikes! Put some alloy rims on them (cheap to buy, cheap to true) and some high pressure tires and have some fun!

Also, you burn more calories and build more muscle on a heavier bike!

It's a Campania Sport - I hear the pro model came with better components. It has kind of an old school cool to it. I don't mind the weight - if I want to be 5 pounds lighter it's cheaper for me to lose some weight. ;) I really am just riding for fun and fitness - so it should be good for that. I'm waiting for the rims and tires to show up and then I'll tear into it. I think it will be a fun project. It has no bottle bosses - I'll have to find some clamps somewhere. It's kind of funny - all the badges and stickers are in the Italian flag colors - they were really trying to make it look like something special.

I noticed Wal-Mart has Schwinn Varsity's for sale for under $200 - that would probably be a better deal but not as fun to put together. ;) :D

OK, I gotta see a picture. I know it's not built yet, but let's have a preview!

Edit: JeeperTim!!! I was* thinking of the Campania. There was just one for sale on the seattle Craig's list. It's funny how these odd bikes seem to show up in groups. There are 3* hostellers in the twin cities right now...all made in different countries, all sharing some similar badging.

Anyway, I was kind of smitten by the Campania. It was so quirky and cute! It actually reminded me of Mexico, for some reason. The one in Seattle was selling for $100.

I still want photos.

The ad has some pics - I have been taking some but don't have them downloaded yet.

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/bik/414131830.html

http://images.craigslist.org/0102020103050104042007090454680b8f0b33cba094008c36.jpg

35.5" stand-over height - it's a big frame for sure. Fits me pretty good as it sets - will fine tune it after the rebuild.