Fifty Plus (50+) - What Bike?

Been wondering about what is a popular 50+ bike.

We all look in awe at the Specialised Roubaix- in all its guises and I should thing that this must get the popular vote. But if going into various models- The poll would have to be 3 pages long.

So what manufacture of bike do you ride?

So I ride Giant and The Boreas Ignis. So Boreas is under "Other-European based company."

Interesting musing - I just took one of my perennial looks at Specialized Roubaix, in this case the shop happened to have the top model on display, $7400!!!! Oh, well, not this year..

So in the meantime I have to be satisfied with my nice old vintage steel machines. At the start of the season here I am fitting into my 1984 Trek 610 very nicely. It has a V-O faux-Swallow saddle, a Chorus crank and derailleur set, Shimano 600 hubs/MA40 rims/28 mm Gatorskins, and nice Nitto Noodles. I just reduced the gear range to 13-24 53-39, and learning to stand and climb again. Dunno if that will be a workable Colorado combination for this August or not. It also has fenders. I'm the original owner of this one. I need a brake upgrade.

Next, and getting some minor refurb, is my 1980 Woodrup Giro Touring. This is a long bike with very cushy characteristics. It has recently gottan a Centaur conpact crankset to replace the triple, and I haven't ridden that new combo very much. I have 36-spoke tubular wheels on it, and I think it will eventually get clinchers on. Maybe taht will coincide with a change to Campy indexed 8 or 9 speed. I have the wheels, levers, and mechs, just need to get settled into it. I have planned to make this into Mrs. Road Fan's cushy distance bike. Oh, well-softened Brooks Pro.

No longer at teh top is my Mondonico. This has recent Campy 10-speed, Campy /Mavic/Sapim wheels custom built 2 summers abo, and Vittoria tubulars. It does everything well, except providing a smooth ride over time. Definitely a go-fast bike.

My 1980 Masi is the sweetest girl in the house, except for Mrs. Road Fan. It's a California Gran Criterium, and it has a flexy, smooth, stable, but responsive frame. With original Campy Nuovo Record on it, and Wolber tubular rims, it has the classic feeling in all resppects. What I really like is somehow the bike feels like it has an electric motor - I never think of pressing the pedals to harder to go faster, I think more of "work it a little more." I don't understand this, but its very intuitive and feels very efficient. The oddest thing is how short it is: 97 cm wheelbase!

Someone would get jealous if I brought a Spec. Roubaix home.

I REALLY need to work out this picture thing!!!

Road Fan

My 1980 Masi is the sweetest girl in the house, except for Mrs. Road Fan.

I REALLY need to work out this picture thing!!!



Yeah, well, we don't care about Mrs. Road Fan, but we'd sure like to see the Gran Crit. How can we help you "work out this picture thing?" :D

1. Vintage Japanese steel (Lotus Classique).

2. Newer Italian Steel (Colnago Master Lite).

3. Almost vintage American Steel (Trek 950).

4. Vintage American Steel (83 Trek 520, work in progress).

Grooving on my RANS V-Rex. Classic American-designed 4130 frame in production since the mid-'90s.
Oops! I meant to say classic short wheelbase recumbent. By 'bent standards, there are a ton of satisfied V-Rex owners.

Bianchi is an interesting option, for that isn't a big selling line in the USA. Here in the Madison area, there are something like 16-17 bike shops and only 1 carries Bianchi, and it is maybe their #3 or #4 bike line. They aren't rare, I do run across shops carrying them from time to time.

I suspect Marin outsells them by a significant margin (maybe not if the category is only road bikes?), and Jamis probably does too. Maybe Fuji.

You would probably want to lump Gary Fisher into Trek's totals. They sell a lot of GFs. Trek probably sold more LeMonds than what several other companies were able to sell.

No place to check for my three Japanese bikes - Fuji, Bridgestone and Panasonic. I also own two Sun bikes - a recumbent and a folder, Sun is technically an American company, but has a pretty small presence here. At least my RANS can go solidly into the American category.

No option for Asian bikes, even though about 95% or more of all bikes sold in the USA are made in Asia. Sometimes the "American" part of an American bike company can be very small.

My road bike is a '08 Fuji Roubaix RC and my wife's is a '06 Fuji Finest 1.0 WSD. They are great, mid-level road bikes.

My commuter is a '07 Schwinn Le Tour GS. For a bottom end bike it makes a great commuter.

My wife and I also have vintage Schwinn Le Tours. Mine is a '77 and hers is a '78.

And my wife, my 2 sons and I each have a Diamond Back MTB (actually my wife's started out as a comfort bike but I was able to morph it into a decent trail bike).

I had to vote for Other- American based company. My #1 ride - Litespeed Tuscany :thumb:
http://web.mac.com/ronhorne/Site/Rons_Bicycles_files/IMGP0712.jpg

My #2 ride - Giant TCX - not ridden nearly as much as #1. :innocent:
http://web.mac.com/ronhorne/Site/Rons_Bicycles_files/IMGP1012.jpg

2007 LeMond Sarthe (butted steel / Shimano) road
1983 Puch Austro Daimler (lugged steel / Suntour) road

1986 Univega Grand Touring (lugged steel / Suntour) touring
- and for sale, by the way, if you live near me.

At least the poll tracking bar graph has almost the right color for Bianchi. :)

Here is my "other" american bike company bike. My Litespeed. This was dressed as a commuter. I have taken the rack off and now have a nice seat post rack that I only put on when I need to carry my lunch.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh107/RoMad_02/Bicycles/DSCN3033.jpg

Serotta Ti. Have been looking for a used Specialized Roubaix SL frame though - to try carbon again.

Catrike Road, American made. The grin with it comes standard.

Yeah, well, we don't care about Mrs. Road Fan, but we'd sure like to see the Gran Crit. How can we help you "work out this picture thing?" :D

Got some free time tomorrow - stay tuned!

I won't tell her what you said :)!

Been wondering about what is a popular 50+ bike.

We all look in awe at the Specialised Roubaix- in all its guises and I should thing that this must get the popular vote. But if going into various models- The poll would have to be 3 pages long.

So what manufacture of bike do you ride?

So I ride Giant and The Boreas Ignis. So Boreas is under "Other-European based company."

Specialized? I look on SpecialEd as a horrible joke personally. You can buy that crap, I'll never spend a dime with that company. YMMV. Trek invited me long ago to stop being a customer so the two frames I've got (one and a half considering the OCLV is half useful in it's demise) are at the bottom of my fleet.

In any case you can see what I own below.

I had to vote Trek since I own three of them. I became a Trek fan after finding my present LBS. I took my Giants and Jamis to them for service. Their service was so great I stuck with them and purchased my new bikes from them:)

I voted "Other - American based company" for my 1992 Bridgestone RB-1 which is my main ride. Although the parent company was Japanese and the frames were built there, Bridgestone America's bikes were designed and spec'd in the US by Grant Petersen and that is where the bikes got their personality and characteristics. Basically a lugged steel road frame made from quality Japanese steel (quad butted Ishiwata tubing) with traditional Italian dimensions and geometry, fairly quick steering on a somewhat longish top tube with a setback seat tube to make for a good handling bike that is comfortable for all day rides.

It has been a love affair since the first day I rode the bike in April 1992. Every time I think about replacing Ribby, she ends up with new components and/or accessories to keep her going for a few more years. The upgrades are not necessarily more modern, just good quality and functional parts to keep me happy on the bike. It started with mostly Shimano Ultegra components with some Suntour and Dia Compe thrown into the mix and some Ritchey parts like rims, stem etc.

Current configuration is new Ultegra rear der., old Dura Ace front der., Suntour ratcheting friction bar end shifters, Nitto stem and handlebars, Campagnolo Chorus headset, original Dia Compe brakes with Kool Stop salmon pads, Shimano brake levers, Mavic Open Pro rims with DT db spokes, Dura Ace front hub, original Ultegra 7 speed cassette rear hub, Vittoria Rubino Pro Slick 700X23C tires, unknown seat post with two bolt seat attachment, Brooks B-17 saddle, Sugino XD600 triple crank with 26/36/48 chainrings, KMC 8 speed chain, Elite Ciussi stainless steel bottle cages and custom paint by Airglow. I built and rebuilt it from the frame up and do all the maintenance myself.

I'm looking for a new frame to eventually replace this bike, but I'm in no hurry to find it.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3166/2932804340_ffa8811975_o.jpg

4 bikes:

- "custom bike" - Davidson ti
- "Other European" - vintage Tommasini
- "Specialized" - 1988 Stumpjumper

- I didn't know where to vote for my 1983 Univega (my commuter), which I consider a Japanese bike, but I guess since it was designed/name/imported by a US company I should have voted "other American" for it.

Ok, let me post my Masi and see if this works:

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/cra6uo-6hD1XFhlMTD1X3g?feat=directlink

Nope, it didn't.

My road bike stable includes:
07 Specialized Roubaix Expert w/Sram
Trek XO1 Cross with ultregra/105's
99 Cannondale R600 with 105's
73 Raleigh Super Course TT (under reconstruction) Frame is being repainted currrently in British Racing Green with off white bands (in the later 70's paint scheme) and a gold over spray. Have purchased to date, Mavic Tubular wheels, tubular tires, Shimano 600 (Abersque) derailers and shifters, Atom 13 x 22 freewheel, 38 tooth chain ring, TTT Super Compitizone bars, TTT stem, Gipemine fluted seat post, numerous small parts including brake pads, Jaguar green Deda tape and complete decal set. Have polished up the center pull brakes, crank set Shimano RSX 52 x 42, headset etc... Have a new black Brooks Professional (1980's) that I will put on at first but long to purchase a Brooks Swift in Brown or Honey. Can't wait to ride steel and tub's again.

2003 Specialized Allez for those times I'm running a little late to work. ;)
Cannondale Bad Boy for my pack horse.
My wife has Bianchi Boardwalk which we use to pull a small trailer and pickup groceries.

Two Specialized comfort bikes. They haven't gotten as much use since we bought our Bianchi and Cannondale.

My road bike stable includes:
07 Specialized Roubaix Expert w/Sram
Trek XO1 Cross with ultregra/105's
99 Cannondale R600 with 105's
73 Raleigh Super Course TT (under reconstruction) Frame is being repainted currrently in British Racing Green with off white bands (in the later 70's paint scheme) and a gold over spray. Have purchased to date, Mavic Tubular wheels, tubular tires, Shimano 600 (Abersque) derailers and shifters, Atom 13 x 22 freewheel, 38 tooth chain ring, TTT Super Compitizone bars, TTT stem, Gipemine fluted seat post, numerous small parts including brake pads, Jaguar green Deda tape and complete decal set. Have polished up the center pull brakes, crank set Shimano RSX 52 x 42, headset etc... Have a new black Brooks Professional (1980's) that I will put on at first but long to purchase a Brooks Swift in Brown or Honey. Can't wait to ride steel and tub's again.


Allegheny, what brakes did it come with? I recall Weinmann center pulls, but were they Vainqueur 750s?

Plus, does yours have a little tube set into the rear brake bridge, to bush the pivot bolt hole?

I said Specialized just because I like it so much. If I had the money I'd probably pick the custom built though.

Ok, here are my bikes! Sorry about the small pictures, I'm still hassling with Picasa on how to get it to deliver valid filenames.

Edit: Grrr, why won't it do multiple pictures?

At least here's the Masi.:crash: I hope!

sorry.

I have the Trek 4500 and Trek 820 that I have been riding for the last couple of years. I had to check the other American though because I just bought a new Kona Dr. Dew. It is really sweet and the new love of my life. It is not the best picture though.

torgrot

One more time:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_t_w9MxdvzXI/SdCgPWr_3bI/AAAAAAAAADg/dWA-hlxbras/s720/DSC00444.JPG


OMG!!! It worked!!!

Now I need an up to date picture in good light.

Allegheny, what brakes did it come with? I recall Weinmann center pulls, but were they Vainqueur 750s?

Plus, does yours have a little tube set into the rear brake bridge, to bush the pivot bolt hole?

Roadfan;

The brakes are Weinman Center pulls. I think they are 990's if I recall correctly, I'll check when I'm home from work today, the levers are Weinman with white Carlton hoods. The rear brake housing ends into a small brass pivot bolt that is equal to or less than 3/16" in diameter that is held in place by the brake's spring tension since it doesn't thread into the half circle bridge.

I'm waiting to build up the bike then decide on what brake levers to use. I have a set of black hooded Tektro Areo's that will give the bike a more modern look or I'll go with the exposed white housing with the original levers and hoods.

i have a Fuji S 10-s (purchased 1978) a Bianchi Nyala hardtail (purchased 1997) and a trek 1,2 (purchased 2008).

Roadfan;

The brakes are Weinman Center pulls. I think they are 990's if I recall correctly, I'll check when I'm home from work today, the levers are Weinman with white Carlton hoods. The rear brake housing ends into a small brass pivot bolt that is equal to or less than 3/16" in diameter that is held in place by the brake's spring tension since it doesn't thread into the half circle bridge.

I'm waiting to build up the bike then decide on what brake levers to use. I have a set of black hooded Tektro Areo's that will give the bike a more modern look or I'll go with the exposed white housing with the original levers and hoods.


Interesting. I've been test-fitting a pair of DiaCompes that are mismatched, and not satisfied. The front one has a peg and groove that tend to synchronize the left and right arms, eliminating float. I don't think I like this feature. It also limits the distance the shoes can approach each other, and I'm finding it will run out of travel with 700c tubulars and worn pads! So that's not acceptable. I think I'm going to use a set of long (55 to 75 mm I think) Tektros, and probably the Cane Creek or Tektro aero levers, like Deez's bike. Plus, I don't have any Weinmann or other spare levers with quick releases.

My question about the bridge: I meant the seatstay bridge, onto which the brake caliper mounts, and any fenders. Mine is drilled through for the brake pivot or mounting bolt, and it has a small steel tube inset to take the compressive load of tighting the mounting nut, and hence to prevent crushing the cross tube (it connects the seatstays just above the tire) when the brake nut is tightened. That little tube in my case is loose. Is yours? The brake caliper rattled around when I tightened it, not conducive to good braking performance.

My ride this winter was a Raleigh Technium Non susp.,real early mtn bike, from early 80's. Weighs 39 lbs. Alu frame, and is a 3x6 speed.(got a 7 f/w and shifter laying around for later. Use lotsa energy to get it around.
My summer ride is an Gianni Motta lugged steel that I built in 83,with all DA stuff and weinman rims, etc..
Just spent abt $500 to put open pro wheels, and 2x 10 sp sis stuff on it...Its heavy,(21lbs) and scares the crap outta me... Places where I went 15/16mph, with the same effort,I now am well over 20mph.I am on the MUP's with the dogs on leashes etc...Its really fun, but scary..Am working on changing the front chainrings so I can try some real hills. Love the steel...
Bud

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_t_w9MxdvzXI/SdCgPWr_3bI/AAAAAAAAADg/dWA-hlxbras/s720/DSC00444.JPG



Oh, yeah, much better than Mrs. Road Fan, much better.... :p (post a pic if she does a good impression of Queen's Bicycle Race, though!)

So whatcha got on there, are those Binda straps and Modolo hoods? You need to scour far and wide for some gum hoods, and yeah, the leather saddle is a much better choice than the one in your pic. Nice job. Thanks for sharing. :thumb:

Hi,

Kind of strange categories from my perspective but I played anyway. I selected 'Hand built custom frame and build up' because that is the bike that I ride most often. here are how my bikes fit into the categories:

Specialized: None
Trek: None
Giant: None
Cannondale: None (though I've had one in the past)
Bianchi: 1975 Bianchi Specialissima, 2005 Bianchi Milano 120, 2006 Bianchi Pista Concept, 2007 Bianchi D2 Crono Carbon (all custom builds except the Milano which has significant mods)
Other- American based company: None
Other- European based company: None
Handbuilt custom frame and build up: 2007 Serotta Attack
Wallymart grade bike from anywhere
Uncategorized: 2009 Cervélo R3 (custom build)

I might have used North American instead of American and I would have added Asian (Japan, China, Taiwan). Also, I would have had North American, European, Asian frames with custom build. My 1975 Bianchi is the only racing bike that I've bought as a complete bike. Everything else has been a frame with various kinds of builds.

Regardless, interesting poll. :)

Specialized: No
Trek: No
Giant: No
Cannondale: No
Bianchi: No
Other- American based company: Rivendell -- Bleriot (made in Taiwan) Custom build.
Other- European based company: None
Handbuilt custom frame and build up: Two Marinonis -- one ti, one steel. One Reynolds 531C Ken Legge. Also Canadian.
Wallymart grade bike from anywhere: You're kidding, right?

Also have 1993 Rocky Mountain Blizzard (upgraded to 8 sp) and a 1978 Nishiki Landau, modified in '79 w/ Phil Wood/Weinmann wheels, Campag Nuevo Record drive train, Dura Ace brakes, etc.

My Bikes (http://www.veloweb.ca/mybikes.html).

I think this poll is starting to bring out our snobbishness. ;)

Allegheny, what brakes did it come with? I recall Weinmann center pulls, but were they Vainqueur 750s?

Plus, does yours have a little tube set into the rear brake bridge, to bush the pivot bolt hole?

Road Fan,

On closer examination the brakes are Weinmann 750 with Vainquer 999. Also there is no movement in the small tube that bridges the tube that hold the brake bolt in place. The rear brake has a washer for next to the brake, then for the other side of the tube a pivot, lock washer, washer and bolt. PM me if you need a image.

I said Specialized just because I like it so much. If I had the money I'd probably pick the custom built though.

ditto.........+1

Is anyone riding Giant Cypress?

I voted "American Made" which covers my favorite double-century bike (Calfee Tetra), my century bike (GT Titanium Edge), my mountain bike (GT Zaskar - Santa Ana, CA), my Sport-Touring bike (GT 853 Edge) and my fixed gear bike (American - Carlsbad - '75 MASI). 2 others are British (Hercules 3-Spd, Mercian Vincitore), so they're not on the chart.

American MASI '75 - Fixed gear
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee179/bikephoto1/DSCF1058.jpg

Mercian Vincitore '86- Touring (+ PBP '91)
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee179/bikephoto1/TheMercianinCamp.jpg

Calfee Tetra - Shimano Ultegra
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee179/bikephoto1/CalfeeTetra.jpg

GT Ti SRAM Force
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee179/bikephoto1/SRAMbikerightsideview.jpg

GT Zaskar LE '98
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee179/bikephoto1/WhiteZaskaratSunrise.jpg

Rick / OCRR

Road Fan,

On closer examination the brakes are Weinmann 750 with Vainquer 999. Also there is no movement in the small tube that bridges the tube that hold the brake bolt in place. The rear brake has a washer for next to the brake, then for the other side of the tube a pivot, lock washer, washer and bolt. PM me if you need a image.


Thanks, I think I understand. I need to find a way to secure that little insert.

I think I'm headed for Tektro brakes. It never was going to be a vintage build, but to get some experience with a different geometry.

I rode a Schwinn Traveler from 1982 to 1986. I upgraded to a Schwinn Prelude, which I rode from 1986 - 1998. A rear dropout broke, Schwinn would not honor the lifetime frame warranty (new Schwinn owners a that time determined that lifetime meant 10 years). Bought a Trek 720 hybrid then, then a used Trek 600 in 2001. Got a Trek 1000 in 2004, and a Trek 1500 in 2006.

I have been buying Treks from a good LBS here in the Phoenix area for several years now. I plan to stay with Trek for a while.

I see a lot of Trek bikes. They cover Hybrids as well as High level Road bikes like Madone. I have friend with Tek bike for under $1,000 and others spend over $5,000.
I love my Trek Madone 5.2 and 7 series Hybrid. I will buy a Trek Cyclocross soon.

Catrike Road, American made. The grin with it comes standard.

That's why I own two! :thumb:

Surly LHT and Giant Cypress DX

Specialized Sirrus, Klein Aura, Eddy Merckx Team SC, Ridley Crossbow. So far...

For me, Cinelli is now my main ride. I ride this because it is one of the most comfortable bikes I have ever ridden as I hit twin 5s. Not as popular as other brands but wow what a bike.

Long enough to get a feel on what you ride and No surprise in that American bikes "Rule". What did surprise me though was the low number of Cannondales. American made and a well made quality bike. Have to admit that the ride is not exactly suitable for me so perhaps it is not as popular as I thought it would be.

But Although I voted- I only did it for my road bikes.

Currently I have 3 giants- the OCR3, FCR1 And the TCR-C

Then there is the Boreas Ignis- Made in Europe and is a quality aluminium frame that can build up into a very light bike.

But then- I have the Mountain bikes- Bianchi Grizzly- Kona Explosif and A Giant Trance 3 that I seem to have inherited. And on mountain bikes- The Cannondale MT2000- The offroad Tandem.

On top of these bikes- or at the rear of the shed now- A GT Talera-A Muddy Fox and a Raleigh M400. There is also a Mixte that is looking for a good home.

Is anyone riding Giant Cypress?

I do. Until last week, when I got my new Randonee, this Cypress Dx was my regular commuter.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3042/2945151685_a1ee16de21.jpg