General Cycling Discussion - Easy upgrades for new/old roadbike.

Hey guys.. Glad to be a new member of the forum..

I am a total beginner when it comes to biking knowledge, so bear with me.

I recently picked up my first road bike.. and a good catch i think. It is a old steel lugged Panasonic road bike from maybe the early 90's or 80's. I picked it up on craigslist and immediately road to the local bike shop to see what else I was going to have to do to it to make it run well. To my surprise/delight they were astonished at what good condition the bike was in.. Original everything (including tires, which have since been replaced). There is no rust or wear of any type and it had even been serviced within the past couple of years, as there was a sticker on the frame and the chain was still pretty well lubed (just filthy).

Either way, I simply replaced the tires and left the store, per recommendations of the shop owners.

I understand due to the inherent weight of the frame and level of the components there will be inherent limitations in making this bike anything more than just an easy rider, but I was wondering any easy upgrades or tricks to make this bike perform up to spec and beyond.

Thanks for your help, and thanks for the wealth of info provided here.

Mitchell

What do you mean by "up to spec and beyond"?
My hunch is it pretty much will do that as is.
Depending on the cogset in the rear, you might be able to try a different combination of cogs that MIGHT better "tune it" to your riding conditions.
Without knowing what gears you currently have, or riding conditions, that's just conjecture however.

Get a better seat.

Your shop was right, the level of the bike doesn't really justify going the upgrade route, but those bikes came with "contractor grade" seats that will become uncomforable after only a few miles.

After all, it's your hinnie!

A few things. Wheels with sealed bearing hubs, new rear der/shifter, and new drivetrain, being cassette, chain & chainrings. Check BB. bk

Seat, fenders, stainless steel chain. Consider new handlebars if you see a style you like better. Look at new pedals.

Rebuild with an internally geared hub rear wheel.

For more $$$.
http://sandsmachine.com/

A few things. Wheels with sealed bearing hubs, new rear der/shifter, and new drivetrain, being cassette, chain & chainrings. Check BB. bk

Spend at least $500 on a bike that's worth maybe $100?

Are you serious?

Seat, fenders, stainless steel chain. Consider new handlebars if you see a style you like better. Look at new pedals.

Rebuild with an internally geared hub rear wheel.

For more $$$.
http://sandsmachine.com/

Stainless steel chain? Internally geared rear hub? On an old Panasonic?!

The insanity must be spreading! :eek:

1. Chop off the roadie bits: derailleur hanger, cable guides, frame bosses
2. Slap on cheap fixed rear wheel
3. Post on craigslist

$$$$ Profit! $$$$

If it's in that good a condition as claimed, then throwing new parts at it isn't the wisest move. Just give it a tune up, overhaul/regrease the hubs, BB and headset. Replace the cables and possibly the housings for newer lined version. New brake pads. Possibly a new chain too if needed.

If it's in that good a condition as claimed, then throwing new parts at it isn't the wisest move. Just give it a tune up, overhaul/regrease the hubs, BB and headset. Replace the cables and possibly the housings for newer lined version. New brake pads. Possibly a new chain too if needed.

This is what I suspected.. I appreciate the help. I proably will get a new seat, too.

I have too many other random things i throw all my money at to get too into it.. I guess I'll just come back when I am ready to buy a nice bike. I didn't know if there was an easy way to make this bike tolerable to ride for a good distance and have a prayer of keeping up with a nicer bike.

An older road bike like that in decent shape will likely serve your needs for now as is. Cables, housings, pads, grease should all be looked at and refreshed if needed. Otherwise just hop on and have a good time. Newer bikes with fancy components do make a difference to many riders in many circumstances, but you can write that check when you find you need those fancy bits.

For now, you have a retro-stylish solid bike that is reliable, cheap, easy to fix, and provides decent performance.

jim

Good pair of bibs (or shorts) to go along with that new saddle, and after a while you may want some clipless pedals and a good set of shoes to match. Inexpensive jersey (to start) with rear pockets.

Floor pump, patch kit, water bottles, spare tubes, saddle bag.

1. Chop off the roadie bits: derailleur hanger, cable guides, frame bosses
2. Slap on cheap fixed rear wheel
3. Post on craigslist

$$$$ Profit! $$$$

:lol:

:lol:

right.. that might be pretty good advice

right.. that might be pretty good advice

Maybe, if you want to turn a quick profit.

I was laughing at the implied gullibility of those who would buy it.

The best way to make the bike faster is to ride it a lot!!!

Hincapie could ride circles around all of us on that bike, no matter what modern wonder bike we were riding. ;)

If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

I'm taking an 80's Nishiki and adding a few things such as bars,stem,seat and a Shimano SIS drive train that I purchased on Ebay to it(I may even just keep the Suntour friction stuff on it for awhile). I plan on using it for training and some centuries that are coming up in the spring and summer. Granted it might not be as flashy as a new Trek Madone or Orbea but there is something to be said for the steelies out there. And I think it will be nice riding something that I've customized for my riding style and speed. All for under $200 and a little elbow grease. I'm fairly new to cycling also and have grown to love just getting on and riding. So I recommend that first then come up with what works for you to be comfortable and safe.

Maybe, if you want to turn a quick profit.

I was laughing at the implied gullibility of those who would buy it.

or
1. (blah blah)
2. ?????
3. Profit!!

Here's an example of what I was talking about:

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/bik/503864607.html

Check out the Numbskull of the Day thread that's stickied at the top of C&V.

Here's an example of what I was talking about:

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/bik/503864607.html

Check out the Numbskull of the Day thread that's stickied at the top of C&V.

jerks like them are why the lock for my bike was more expensive than my bike..

Spend at least $500 on a bike that's worth maybe $100?

Are you serious?What's wrong with that? Why is the bike only worth $100? Because of the components? So, if you add $500 worth of upgrades that you want, is the bike still worth only $100? I like the older steel frame bikes. But I don't like the older brakes, one of the first things I do is buy new handlebars and brakes.
Though I don't think his Panasonic will need anything to be a great ride, but if he wants to spend $600 dollars on a bike, then buying an old steel frame and upgrading is a good way to go.

I agree with the cables and brake pads being the major changes needed on that bike. If the bike has steel rims, it might be a good investment to buy an inexpensive 27' inch aluminum front rim. Steel rims brake very poorly if wet.

If it's in that good a condition as claimed, then throwing new parts at it isn't the wisest move. Just give it a tune up, overhaul/regrease the hubs, BB and headset. Replace the cables and possibly the housings for newer lined version. New brake pads. Possibly a new chain too if needed.

Brake levers and calipers too, if the old style feel bothers you that much. I switched out the caliper on my 1984 Panasonic pretty much immediately, after being spoiled by my more modern 2004 Nishiki.

What's wrong with that? Why is the bike only worth $100? Because of the components? So, if you add $500 worth of upgrades that you want, is the bike still worth only $100? I like the older steel frame bikes. But I don't like the older brakes, one of the first things I do is buy new handlebars and brakes.
Though I don't think his Panasonic will need anything to be a great ride, but if he wants to spend $600 dollars on a bike, then buying an old steel frame and upgrading is a good way to go.

If it's Tange 1000, then I wouldn't spend over $300 in total. If it's a higher end frame then by all means, it's worth spending more on. Good steel is good steel, no matter what the year.

Tange 1000, which most of the Panasonics around are made of, is pretty heavy (but durable!) stuff.

What model Panasonic?

What model Panasonic?

Hi Stacey,
It's a Sport-LX.. Using the Secret Search Button has lead me to believe that this was a pretty low-mid level model, as opposed to the DX-(1,2,3000)

attached is a picture of the bike. note the nice brown chain.

or
1. (blah blah)
2. ?????
3. Profit!!

Point taken.

What's wrong with that? Why is the bike only worth $100? Because of the components? So, if you add $500 worth of upgrades that you want, is the bike still worth only $100? I like the older steel frame bikes. But I don't like the older brakes, one of the first things I do is buy new handlebars and brakes.
Though I don't think his Panasonic will need anything to be a great ride, but if he wants to spend $600 dollars on a bike, then buying an old steel frame and upgrading is a good way to go.

Dude, I was around when these bikes were introduced and none of them was anything special. I can't imagine that they've improved with age.

Hi mitchellb, I think you need to ask this question in the Classic & Vintage forum, where we will do our best to encourage you to think that you are not nuts, no matter what you decide to do...

And Welcome to Bike Forums :) .

East Hill

thanks east hill.

rmfnla: I understand the bike is not that great.. after all it was <100 on craigslist. I appreciate your help and opinion in letting me know it's not worth my time or money. I was just wondering if people who know a lot more about bikes than I do had any tips to keep it up and running, and if there were simple things I could do to achieve better performance from the bike. Obviously, you don't think there is, so you have sufficiently answered my question. All of your ancillary opinions about how crumby my bike is are sort of in bad form, IMHO.

Pointless spending a great deal of money on an old bike. Ride it untill you are certain you want to ride more and then get a better bike. When you do get to the stage of "Wanting"- get upgrades that can be transferred to a new bike. Saddle- and wheels spring to mind but the main thing to do is ride and repair as it wears things out. By the time you have the "want"- you will find the best improvement has been made- The engine.

Hi Stacey,
It's a Sport-LX.. Using the Secret Search Button has lead me to believe that this was a pretty low-mid level model, as opposed to the DX-(1,2,3000)

attached is a picture of the bike. note the nice brown chain.

That's a decent entry level bike. I'd focus my energies on servicing what you have. Clean lube & adjust. Then do your mods & upgrades to the engine... Easily transferable if you move to a new bike. :)

thanks east hill.

rmfnla: I understand the bike is not that great.. after all it was <100 on craigslist. I appreciate your help and opinion in letting me know it's not worth my time or money. I was just wondering if people who know a lot more about bikes than I do had any tips to keep it up and running, and if there were simple things I could do to achieve better performance from the bike. Obviously, you don't think there is, so you have sufficiently answered my question. All of your ancillary opinions about how crumby my bike is are sort of in bad form, IMHO.

If I gave you the impression I think it's a crumby bike I apologize because that was not my intention.

You got a decent deal on a very ridable bike. My comments were aimed at the (in)advisablity of adding a bunch of expensive, high-zoot parts (like a stainless steel chain).

My personal opinion is any bike that gets someone out riding is a good bike, but I just can't help tweaking people who offer unrealistic, uneducated advice.

Good tires, lubed chain and a decent tune-up and you should be good to go.

Oh, and a comfortable seat.

And when you buy parts go back to that bike shop that didnt try to talk you into buying lots of expensive stuff you didnt need.

And when you buy parts go back to that bike shop that didnt try to talk you into buying lots of expensive stuff you didnt need.

+1

I just picked up the same model Panasonic. I will clean it up and flip it this Spring.

Are you sure this is the right bike to upgrade at all? I am definitely a C&V guy, but this is not all that good of a bike. Stem shifters, stamped dropouts, no derailleur hanger, cottered cranks, and a hi-ten frame. I am all for fixing up an old bike; but this is not a great candidate to upgrade. For me, I would at least hold out for double butted tubes.

jim

If I gave you the impression I think it's a crumby bike I apologize because that was not my intention.

You got a decent deal on a very ridable bike. My comments were aimed at the (in)advisablity of adding a bunch of expensive, high-zoot parts (like a stainless steel chain).

My personal opinion is any bike that gets someone out riding is a good bike, but I just can't help tweaking people who offer unrealistic, uneducated advice.

Good tires, lubed chain and a decent tune-up and you should be good to go.

Oh, and a comfortable seat.

Great to know.. It is pretty tuned and riding. I will keep it as is (with my fancy new seat) until I decide to upgrade..

Thanks for all your help guys