Introductions - Old man on two wheels in s.NJ

Well, I might be a newbe but I like to save things, even if they are old and worn out. I bought my first bike in 1972. I was going back to school to get my BS in ME and a friend in work inspired me to get the best I could afford. So it was a choice of an Atala (Italy) top of the line all Campy Nuovo Record for $200 or $125 for the next step down Campy equiped with a Stronglight Chainwheel. It was only 21 pounds with the tubular tires. Since I just got married and Betty was with me (never bring your spouse!) I settled for the $125 one. (Boy, have prices changed!) It had the top of the line handbuilt double butted Columbus Tubing with chromed brazed lugs. Anyway, it was the best investment I made. Trust me, it never gathered dust as I logged over 3500 miles in the two years going 10 miles eachway to school in Germantown (Phila) over cobblestones. Now, it is time to redo it with upgraded parts. After my back operation, my daughter entered me in a 15 miler fun ride in Hamilton Twp in NJ. As you can imagine, there were some snickers but thats cool. You mean no one has center pull brakes and Brooks leather seats with copper rivits anymore?

You mean no one has center pull brakes and Brooks leather seats with copper rivits anymore?

Hmph!

Check out the Classic & Vintage forum for that centre pull brake and copper riveted Brooks fix :thumb: .

Welcome to BF, and feel free to PM me with any questions :) !

East Hill
Forum Moderator

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Welcome to BF.
Where did you get the notion that you are old? You're only 60 so you're just a youngster. I'm 63 and I'm still a kid. :beer:

Hey welcome!
Where is home for you now? and where do you ride?

welcome!
i did the same thing with my 1972 "giro de Atala" everyday for 2 years to junior college, 4.5 miles each way (was $125 but i picked it up used for $85 from a friend. i ended rebuilding entire bike, except main frame. does your's have cotterpin crank-arms hi-flanged hubs, and center-pull brakes?
eventually toured x-usa (e/w), x penns (philly/erie), vermant, maine- NSCA, the retire it to be a commute.
it was stolen the next year :-( .
i'm age 48, a riding friend just called to go for a ride. he's age 77...... :-)
welcome x2!!
ps: where about in s nj do you ride? check out the South Jersey Wheelmen bicycle club (centered in Vineland and Mullica Hill, but we ride all over at different levels, speed, terrain sjwheelmen.org )

I would have responded earlier but this computer was acting up and wouldn't let me go to this site. anyway, I live in Brooklawn Camden county. Just starting to get back riding and old Schwin but fixing the Atala (love the frame). You have a Peugeot? I was looking at a U08 I believe. Nice. Do you ride in a club or participate in any rides etc?

i have a 1974 schwinne touring paramount (campi comps/531 d/b frame)

my "replacement" Atala frame was purchased from a seller @ a now defunct web-site called "Cybercyclery'
It is size 25 inch frame (64cm) and not re/built-up yet.

i like how Atala put design on the lugwork (as classic rivendell/schwinne-USA). no peugeot, but fuji, puch, and an A/D, (1973 - 1981 respectfully).

if riding in the cumberland/east salem counties, let me know!

i am Bicycle Advocate for a bicycle club based here in S NJ called the South Jersey Wheelmen (SJW)

check out sjwheelmen.org for rides and specifics!

tomg

Hi and thanks for welcome me to BF. I installed a new Shimano Ultegra 6500 chain ring and new side pull brakes. Nice to get up and go. I can't believe how out of shape I am. I probably could have used the original StrongLite chain wheel because I found out later that the chain skipping was not the chain wheel worn but the chain "stretched". Expensive mistake but sure looks sharp! I rode a 12 mile tour in Hamilton Twp NJ, could have tried the 30 mile faster route but it was the first time out since the rebuild and my back and knee operation. Do you know how humilitating it is when 20" bikes pass you? I did eventually pass most. It was a good thing I did the casual route since I blew one of my 15 yr tubular sew ups and the other started to bulge when the side walls were so dry rotted, they started to split. It pays not to go cheap. I had to lower the pressure from 140 psi to around 70 so it wouldn't blow too, since i just used my spare. Since I am unfamilar with this forum, should I ask any questions on a separate topic? Thanks Tony

Hello, Tony. from another "oldie but newbie" in Mount Laurel NJ. I bought my LAST bike in 1973, and now that I'm 66 and retired, I again get to ride it 10-15 miles nearly every day. And yes, it still has the original Dura-Ace centerpulls, so you wouldn't have been the only one. No Brooks, though. I replaced the original rigid plastic "racing" saddle (kills prostates, cures hemorrhoids) with a padded one. And yes, some people snicker, but they stop when they get passed by a geezer on a 10-speed (of course, I then get out of sight so they won't see me faint).
My bike is a Royce-Union, but unlike most of them, it was built with decent quality stuff. It has chrome-molybdenum tubing, SR aluminum crankset, Araya aluminum wheels, Compe (no Dia) seatpost, and the rest Shimano. I bought it wholesale for something north of $300- a bunch of money for a factory-made bike in 1973, but I'm still happy with it
I was glad to see (last week) that you can still buy a new Shimano rear cluster, since like you I ran with a stretched chain, but I let it go so far that I ruined the cogs and a new chain just skipped constantly.

Happy riding.
John

Hi Tony welcom to BF

welcome tony. another newbie here. my wife just got me a diamond back (http://www.diamondback.com/bikes/mtn-hardtail/outlook-09/) http://www.diamondback.com/bikes/mtn-hardtail/outlook-09/ from dick's . and it been working out. i am a big guy and looking to loose some weight. i to am fron south jersey. (sewell area)

Meh. Brooks leather rocks. I just picked up this baby last month:

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