Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Anyone using a classic or vintage bike for Long Distance rides?

I'm considering using my 1972 Schwinn Paramount for flat century rides in the midwest. I'll install new 700c rims and use 700x28 road tires. The gearing is... interesting: A 52/49 half step Crankset and a 5 speed 14-26 freewheel will make hill climbing a problem.

Is anyone using an older bike? What has it been like?

Michael

yes, I'm using a 1980 Viner, which is a racing bike. 44-25 is my low gear, which is a problem in my current condition/weight. That being said, I did ride a full SR series and am 10/12 of the way to an R12. It's just that I feel stupid going up steep hills.

I would say that your bike would work pretty well. I replaced my wheels with 9 speed Shimano. My frame was spaced 126, so going to 130 wasn't much of a problem. Your frame is spaced 120mm, so going to 130 would be a bit of a stretch. I would think about getting a compact crank, something like 50/34. You could put a TA "Cyclotourist" on there and remain vintage. Alternately, Campagnolo made triples, and there were also many conversions. That gets you to 36 on the front, which would also work fairly well with your gearing in the back.

I'm considering using my 1972 Schwinn Paramount for flat century rides in the midwest. I'll install new 700c rims and use 700x28 road tires. The gearing is... interesting: A 52/49 half step Crankset and a 5 speed 14-24 freewheel will make hill climbing a problem.

Is anyone using an older bike? What has it been like?

Michael

One way to work the gearing would be to triple-ize the crank and add a 32 tooth granny. That would get you a bottom of around 35 inches, rather than the 53 inches you have with the half-step. You'd have to have a rear derailleur that can wrap 30 links of chain.

yes, I'm using a 1980 Viner, which is a racing bike. 44-25 is my low gear, which is a problem in my current condition/weight. That being said, I did ride a full SR series and am 10/12 of the way to an R12. It's just that I feel stupid going up steep hills.

I would say that your bike would work pretty well. I replaced my wheels with 9 speed Shimano. My frame was spaced 126, so going to 130 wasn't much of a problem. Your frame is spaced 120mm, so going to 130 would be a bit of a stretch. I would think about getting a compact crank, something like 50/34. You could put a TA "Cyclotourist" on there and remain vintage. Alternately, Campagnolo made triples, and there were also many conversions. That gets you to 36 on the front, which would also work fairly well with your gearing in the back.

Yes, the 120 mm spacing is a real limitation. I'm considering changing the chainrings to 49 & 44t. I completed a 200k with 44-27 as my lowest gear. I would avoid any event with real hills on this bike. My modern bike now has a road triple and would be used as an alternative.

Michael

1984 trek

Sounds like a fun project. I rode a 1980 Peugeot my first several years of brevet riding. It worked fine. We had much hillier brevets than you're going to have there in the midwest (I know you have some routes with lots of ups and downs). You should be able to find a wider range cassette to give you a little more bottom end. I eventually changed mine from the original Stronglight components to 8sp Ultegra triple to save my sad knees.

My 1972 Fuji Finest has 120 spacing. I have it set up with a 48-34 by 14-32 (six speed). So far, I have only taken it on a century, but have ridden it on hills, and the gearing range seems satisfactory. I feel competent with maintenance, so I'm not terribly concerned about something going irreparably wrong during a ride - at least not anything that could be reasonably anticipated.

I'm considering using my 1972 Schwinn Paramount for flat century rides in the midwest. I'll install new 700c rims and use 700x28 road tires. The gearing is... interesting: A 52/49 half step Crankset and a 5 speed 14-24 freewheel will make hill climbing a problem.

Is anyone using an older bike? What has it been like?

Michael

If the concern is that the low gear isn't low enough, IRD makes a 5-speed freewheel with: 13 16 20 24 32

and you could probably go with a 38 in the front.

Other than that, the Paramount should do just perfect. Given the half-step gearing on yours, it sounds like maybe it was a "touring" paramount (P15?) so it may have a nicer geometry for long distance than a "racing" paramount.

I just bought an '82 Trek 614 that will likely get used for randonneuring as soon as I get a stem that'll go a bit higher. The current Cinelli is really designed more for racing. The Reynolds 531 tubing is just wonderful to ride, and the moderately-low trail works very nicely with a handlebar bag.

I'm riding a 1988 Miyata 610. I did a 200k last year a couple of weeks after I bought it (and about a week after putting on a brand new Brooks B-17). I've since upgraded it to 8-speed (was 6-speed). It was stock with a triple crank with biopace chainrings. I've kept the triple, but replaced the chainrings (biopace just don't shift as well). I'm using Campy brifters with a ShiftMate to make them work with the Shimano RD, so I can use a h-bar bag. So the bike at this point is a blend of 80's and 90's technology, but it's a pleasure to ride.

Keith

If the concern is that the low gear isn't low enough, IRD makes a 5-speed freewheel with: 13 16 20 24 32

and you could probably go with a 38 in the front.

Other than that, the Paramount should do just perfect. Given the half-step gearing on yours, it sounds like maybe it was a "touring" paramount (P15?) so it may have a nicer geometry for long distance than a "racing" paramount.

I just bought an '82 Trek 614 that will likely get used for randonneuring as soon as I get a stem that'll go a bit higher. The current Cinelli is really designed more for racing. The Reynolds 531 tubing is just wonderful to ride, and the moderately-low trail works very nicely with a handlebar bag.

Mine is a P10. The sport geometry of this bike is a perfectly balanced between stability and responsiveness. I think a 41t is the smallest chainring that will fit, TA makes a 41t for these cranks, but the front derailleur has a limited range. I’ll consider a 44t. I would be happy with a 44-26 gear combination, if I can get that to work.

Michael

I'm back to riding my 1973 P13 Paramount and it's still good for century rides. It has 27mm tires on it now but there is enough room for 33's if you don't need fenders. 42t rings are one of the most common Campy 144 rings knocking about for sale. I took it on a ride with some really steep gradients and had to use a lot of weaving to get up the 14% sections but it's workable.

Mine is a P10. The sport geometry of this bike is a perfectly balanced between stability and responsiveness. I think a 41t is the smallest chainring that will fit, TA makes a 41t for these cranks, but the front derailleur has a limited range. I’ll consider a 44t. I would be happy with a 44-26 gear combination, if I can get that to work.

Michael

What's your front derailleur? Is the range limited in terms of tooth count difference, or in terms of lateral travel?

TA makes or made a neat gadget for adding a granny to a Nuovo Record crankset, called a Triplizer.

Attempted a 600k on a 80's Miyata, not sure if that counts as classic/vintage... not exactly a "period piece" but I was using the original Exage FD..

The bike was fine, but I had to DNF the ride at 530k in due to a broken pump.

You'll do fine on that bike, as long as the drivetrain works well.

I'm considering using my 1972 Schwinn Paramount for flat century rides in the midwest. I'll install new 700c rims and use 700x28 road tires. The gearing is... interesting: A 52/49 half step Crankset and a 5 speed 14-26 freewheel will make hill climbing a problem.

Is anyone using an older bike? What has it been like?

Michael

That does sound like a classic. I've been told my Bridgestone RB1 steel bike circa 1992 is a classic, and I use it for centuries. Maybe not the greatest compared to carbon fiber etc. but I'm happy.