Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Looking to purchase a single speed, have choice of three vintage steel frames, ideas?

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johnknappcc
03-27-09, 10:23 PM
Hello,

I'm looking at purchasing a single speed bike. I have a choice of three same sized steel frames, all about early - mid eighties, all in pretty good condition. I will also note that the following are all about the same price (within 50 dollars of each other). Also, they are all the same 52t/16t.

1) Schwinn LeTour
2) Motobecane Nomade Sprint
3) C. Itoh ?

I'm familiar with the LeTour (as I have a voyageur from the same era), I've heard good things about the Motobecanes (apparently this was made in france), and I have no idea about C. Itoh?

This will be my first single, mainly for exercise and easy commuting around Chicago.

Thank you for the input!
John

moz138
03-28-09, 03:35 PM
http://www.eighthinch.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=C&Category_Code=Toys
craigcraigcraig
03-28-09, 03:53 PM
decided to post that here since no one responded to your own thread?

dmg
03-28-09, 05:14 PM
C.Itoh was the alternate name for Bridgestones, but according to Sheldon they're 'pretty crappy bikes'. The motobecane might be nice, but french threading can make things difficult (although velo orange is going to be coming out with a sealed french-thread BB, so that would make things much better) - finding stems and headset parts could be painful though. Le Tours are unremarkable but solid bikes and probably the safest bet.
dmg
03-28-09, 05:20 PM
Actually, just noticed that the Le Tours were made by Panasonic (a good thing) and the Motobecane is "for younger cyclists" according to the catalog... so Le Tour all the way.
moz138
03-29-09, 11:46 AM
decided to post that here since no one responded to your own thread?
no that's the frame he should buy. go small first. see if you like it.
craigcraigcraig
03-29-09, 11:55 AM
hahaha alright, since you made a joke out me being a smart @$$ you win.
RichinPeoria
03-29-09, 06:31 PM
I have a nice early 80's Bianchi lugged steelie "Limited" frame for sale 55cm c-c tt.
pushcart
03-29-09, 09:01 PM
The C IToh was a department store bike in the 70s. I remember that they were pretty poor when brand new. I'd buy the Schwinn.