Fifty Plus (50+) - When I was a teenager back in the 70's...

I worked all summer to get a new 10 speed. Finally it was good-bye Huffy stingray and hello big boy bike! I can remember when I was looking them over I was told by the shops owner to get one that was just below my crotch while standing flat footed over it. He did all the adjustment for me and off I went giggling all the way home. Looking at old cycling photographs of the era the, frames seemed bigger and saddles were a lot closer to the top tubes. Seat post were only a few inches between the saddle and tube. Now when we see modern road bikes there's a lot more seat post exposed and the frames are smaller. Am I right? Did some racer figure out years ago that a smaller frame = less weight? And the idea took?
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c333/JackandTimmy/specialized-tricross-sport-2009-road-bike.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c333/JackandTimmy/BillVetter.jpg

I traded my 1st 10spd for a lawnmower.

I traded my 1st 10spd for a lawnmower.

Sorry

I used the same principles (top tube just below the crotch) in seeking out my first touring bike in 2001. It ended up being a Fuji Touring. The advice then was to go for the biggest frame you can fit comfortably on... the idea being the the head tube would be nice and long and help handling/stability. The frame has been fine for almost 60,000km, although I have some issues with keeping a straight line (more likely to do with the fork).

Since the I bought the Fuji, my road bikes have been close to the traditional diamond frame shape with a horizontal top tube. Even my CF, a Merlin C110 Works, has a horizontal TT. So did my Merida 900, and recycled Shogun 400 and Peugeot frames that became fixies. I like the look of traditional frames.

The move to "compact" frames has changed the "dynamic" of frame design. I am not quite sure what the reason is for compact frames -- it might be stiffness, it might be use of shorter tubes and therefore a saving in cost, it might be standover height. I am sure the framebuilders can give a clue.

I am inclined to believe the standover issue was at the forefront because people were leery of injuring themselves; many are the stories of people who squashed their tackle on a TT when they were young. MTBs led the way in this area, and road bikes appeared to have followed.

The use of CF moulding techniques also has introduced an element of "art" (beauty is in the eye of the beholder, remember). So we are seeing curved tubes and blended joins that haven't really been possible with metal frames. It's probable that the joint designs are like that to strengthen them, as per full "monocoque" principles, but nevertheless, they seem to have given licence to frame designers to differentiate their's from other brands.

FWIW, nothing jangles with me on either design in the photographs. They both have their own functional beauty.

Anyway, I have just bought a new Ti frame that has horiztonal TT as well. I'll like it, too, when I've built it up.

The move to "compact" frames has changed the "dynamic" of frame design. I am not quite sure what the reason is for compact frames -- it might be stiffness, it might be use of shorter tubes and therefore a saving in cost, it might be standover height.

'Not 100% sure, but I think we can thank Giant for the compact frames that are now ubiquitous amongst us. Their move to sloping top tube pretty much led to S, M, L, XL frame sizing, and has hastened the end of civilization as we know it... In fact what it has done is made things easier for manufacturers because the # of frames built and stocked is fewer than the old days when there were a dozen or so frame sizes 1cm apart, in however many paint schemes and colors were available.

Also, in the old days, it used to be "a fistful of seatpost" for the correct sizing; this would have been true for the French way of sizing as their idea of a good fit was lots of tubing to absorb shock -> more comfortable ride, even for racing bikes. Racers in the '70s and '80s starting going to the smallest frame they could fit to 1) get a stiffer frame and 2) save some weight w/ shorter tubes.

I don't miss the 70's. They sucked.

Oh gawd, I remember some of the '70s. All those miles of near-empty Northern California roadway to ride on. I really thought I was something on my 1966 gold Schwinn Super Sport. I don't think I was ever buzzed (by a car) in that decade. Whatever happened to our civilization? Oh yeah, as noted above it must have been the small frames that did it in.

Oh gawd, I remember some of the '70s. All those miles of near-empty Northern California roadway to ride on.

Heh, tell me about it... :(

As T4mv said racers have always chosen smaller frames for more seat to bar drop, lighter weight and stiffer frames. I like the look of modern frames and do not miss the 70s. Today's frames, components and wheels offer significantly more customer choice and higher value, IMO. And I just purchased two more track bikes so we are up to nine bicycles.

And I sucked in the 70s.

I raced motocross in the 70's, I liked the 70's.

^^^^^^
Ah Budds Creek in the '70s. I still race MX.

Beer in the 70's when it was not quite legal to imbibe seemed to taste better. I know its off topic I just thought I'd throw that out there. Now I'm a teetotaler, don't miss it a bit but don't mess with my coffee or there will be war.:)

Ah yes the 70's, only the first few years of it I was able to fill a five gallon can of gas, give two dollars to the cashier and get change back. A carefree bachelor having a mixture of hot rods, motorcycles, a couple of Varsities, really the 70's were only a warm up for the real party, the 1980's.

As far as cycling in the 70s go I remember heavy Varsities and Continentals somewhere in the 30 pound range. Shifting was anything but precise. Tires were 27 X 1.25 and if you got good fast tires they were 27X1 inch. Race bikes had sew ups but they were a pain in the rear. Then someone thought stem shifters were an improvement but it wasn’t. I got a pretty reasonable road bike that was a feather light 22 pounds and moved to a mountain community. I fell off the cycling wagon before I ever got the chance to try bar end shifters.
I got back into cycling and an entry level road bike was 22 pounds with STI shifters and wheels that will take 700 x 22 clinchers stock. I like the new stand over height and lighter frames. I like the new shifters and I like the new saddles and clipless pedals. No I don’t think I care for the old days very much.

I only started cycling in 1990 so can't remember the old style bikes. From what I have seen of most of them- I don't want to either.

Current bikes and design work for me.

I like them all. Old style, new style, old tech, new tech.

The 70s were great! (What I can remember of them)

And I just purchased two more track bikes so we are up to nine bicycles.

So, what's next? (n+1)

As far as cycling in the 70s go I remember heavy Varsities and Continentals somewhere in the 30 pound range. Shifting was anything but precise. Tires were 27 X 1.25 and if you got good fast tires they were 27X1 inch. Race bikes had sew ups but they were a pain in the rear. Then someone thought stem shifters were an improvement but it wasn’t. I got a pretty reasonable road bike that was a feather light 22 pounds and moved to a mountain community. I fell off the cycling wagon before I ever got the chance to try bar end shifters.
I got back into cycling and an entry level road bike was 22 pounds with STI shifters and wheels that will take 700 x 22 clinchers stock. I like the new stand over height and lighter frames. I like the new shifters and I like the new saddles and clipless pedals. No I don’t think I care for the old days very much.

Moving from a Continental to a LeTour (hi-ten frame, steel rims) seemed an exciting step forward, more so after going to wheels with alloy rims. And, yes, rear shifting was pretty vague in the '70's.

It was in the 70's here a few weeks ago.

My remembrance is that all bikes looked very similar in the 70's. They were 10-speeds with 1" tubing. The top tube had to be parallel with the ground or it would look funny and no one would buy it. My old Raleigh Gran Prix had quite a bit of seatpost showing, but I'm 6'4" and that was how I got a "proper fit".

The difference between bikes was in the type of tubing (I think my Gran Prix had straight tubing - double-butted was too exotic for my wallet) and the components - Huret or Simplex derailleurs, Dia-compe brakes, maybe Compagnolo if you could afford it.

I think my present bikes are light years beyond that old Raleigh, and my bikes aren't close to top-of-the-line these days. But I sure loved that Raleigh, and I sure got a lot of use out of it. I don't want to go back to a bike like that, but I remember it with great fondness.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4763852697_365ea9cf97.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ccorlew/4763852697/)
ccc diablo 1975 or so (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ccorlew/4763852697/) by ccorlew (http://www.flickr.com/people/ccorlew/), on Flickr

I climbed Mt. Diablo in 1975 for the first time. in blue jean cut offs, a cotton tee, tennis shoes, sexy socks on a Gitaine Grand Sport Deluxe that was too big for me. It was great. But I sure like my modern road bike a whole lot more.

Cars sucked in the 70s. It was the beginning of pollution control and testing tail pipe emissions. On the other hand, the 60s were great. Muscle cars, 427 Corvettes, Mustangs and etc. I could work on my car and they ran great with a lot of power. It took a long time for the auto industry to perfect fuel handling and combustion such that there was a reasonably low emissions car that accelerated smoothly with power and idled correctly.

My first bike in '79 was a Ross Professional Gran Tour II, set up as a full blown touring rig. Blackburn racks front and rear and Cannondale bags all around. I still miss that bike.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4763852697_365ea9cf97.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ccorlew/4763852697/)
ccc diablo 1975 or so (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ccorlew/4763852697/) by ccorlew (http://www.flickr.com/people/ccorlew/), on Flickr



Two things: 1) I'm surprised there's not a photo of you & MyLilPony at the top of Diablo, ca 1975 ;) and 2) you need to post up the same pic ca 2010 so we can have a side-by-side comparison.

Hey, maybe you can have some fun with photoshop!

^^^^^^
Ah Budds Creek in the '70s. I still race MX.

Budds Creek is much different now then back in the day.
I still once in awhile search e-bay for blue 250 Pursang. My last/favorite bike

I remember being put on a waiting list to get my Schwinn Varsity 10 speed in the early 70s. It was a "hot" item back then.

Budds Creek is much different now then back in the day.
I still once in awhile search e-bay for blue 250 Pursang. My last/favorite bike

Oh yeah. It's kinda scary these days. I still have a 1980 YZ465. Hijack completed please return to your original thoughts.

Man, do I feel disconnect with this thread. Guess I will stick to the 65-85+ thread. :) - a teenager in the 70's - Well, I never!!

My teenage years ended early in the 70s and apart from a very short period in the mid 70s, it was a lost decade for me as far as cycling goes. I bet I didn't ride more than 100 miles the whole decade.

Man, do I feel disconnect with this thread. Guess I will stick to the 65-85+ thread. :) - a teenager in the 70's - Well, I never!!

Have to admit that the 70's were a bit past my age of youth aswell.

Now if we were taking about the 60's??- but if you lived them- you should not be able to remember them.

Cars sucked in the 70s. It was the beginning of pollution control and testing tail pipe emissions. On the other hand, the 60s were great. Muscle cars, 427 Corvettes, Mustangs and etc. I could work on my car and they ran great with a lot of power. It took a long time for the auto industry to perfect fuel handling and combustion such that there was a reasonably low emissions car that accelerated smoothly with power and idled correctly.

Ain't it the truth. If you lived in California, and had a pre "Nox Emissions" car, you sure didn't want to give it up. I rebuilt a '63 Chevy Impala station wagon (was my dad's) from the block up - 327 with a 4 barrel carb. Nothing newer ran as sweet. I remember coasting down a long hill in neutral once (must have been almost out of gas), and the cold light came back on, it ran so cool. Nothing like driving (or riding) something you've put your own sweat and scraped knuckles into. It got around 13 mpg, which I thought was great.

Man, do I feel disconnect with this thread. Guess I will stick to the 65-85+ thread. :) - a teenager in the 70's - Well, I never!!

That is a scary thread which I have not opened. i do not want to see how deep the rabbit hole goes.:D

That is a scary thread which I have not opened. i do not want to see how deep the rabbit hole goes.:D

There is wisdom and understanding in that thread far beyond the comprehension of someone who was a teenager in the 70's!! But, your computer will explode if you enter and don't qualify. :)

Ahh, the 70s! It was a pretty cool decade to be a teenager. The music, the muscle cars, (American Motors AMX, anyone? Little 2-seater coupe with a fairly good sized engine,
that went like a bat of freakin' hell. Uh, don't ask, OK?)Learning to use a slide rule (I still have mine, and I've acquired a few more since) Girls wearing wicked short skirts and boots to school* :D... What more could you want? Oh, back to bikes...

-In the Boston area, the "ten speed boom" was going full swing. The two most popular names were Raleigh and Fuji. Cyclists who were more "knowledgeable" and who had more capital,
went for some of the Italian makes, which were considered very exotic at the time. Yes, there were plenty Schwinn varsity bikes as well.

-"Richard's Bicycle Book" was very popular among riders of all types. Cover price: $1.95. I still have it. Kind of funny, reading through it now.

-Bicycle theft was very common, everywhere. This is what gave rise to an entire new industry: High Tech bicycle locks. As soon as you said you were getting a ten speed,
someone would almost immediately say, "You better get a Kryptonite lock to go with it!" Or, "Better watch out! I hear those ten speeds are getting ripped off". It was true, of course. If you left a ten speed near a store, library, or the public swimming pool, and you left it unlocked, it would just be gone by the time you returned to it, even if you were only gone for a few minutes.

-Most bike shops around here in the early 70s were an add-on to another business, usually lawn care and garden shops, or hardware stores. My favorite LBS was originally part of
of a hardware store. ("Your authorized Raleigh Dealer!") Today, the hardware business is long gone, but the bike shop is going stronger than ever, and has an enormous presence on the web.

-Almost no one had a helmet. The only helmets around were the Bell Tourister, and the European leather "hair nets" Yep, the tourister offered protection, but was heavy compared to today's helmets. It also made you look as though you had a salad bowl on your head.

-Bike shorts, gloves, jerseys, all of that stuff was still a few years away for me. I did not have pair of cycling shorts until '79.

I agree that the technology is much better today. But, I still like steel frames. Some of "this new fangled stuff" just doesn't interest me.

* Note: When I was a high school freshman, there was this very old female teacher, who went around with a ruler, measuring girls' skirts. More than three inches
above the knee and the student in question got sent home, no further discussion. Well, the old battle axe retired at the and of the year, and then the sky
became the limit. Sometimes, things just go your way. :D

I never had a new bike till I was about 35, somewhere around 1975 or so. I never paid much attention to how they were made or what size they were. I just made do with what ever I could get at the time when I was a kid. My first new bike was a Panasonic road bike and I didn't have a clue why I got that one. I guess the sales person just felt thats what I needed. Lots of bikes since then, but I was never one much for looking at the design complexities.

Ahh, the 70s! It was a pretty cool decade to be a teenager. The music, the muscle cars, (American Motors AMX, anyone? Little 2-seater coupe with a fairly good sized engine,
that went like a bat of freakin' hell. Uh, don't ask, OK?)-"

I had a hot little AMC car, but it wasn't an AMX. It was a 1972 Gremlin X, the first brand new car I ever owned. 304 cid, 3 on the floor, went like stink.
http://i51.tinypic.com/2vs2f82.jpg
This shot would have been taken about 1975 I think.

Another 70's motocrosser here and still racing on a Yamaha YZ426F along with my cycling habit which I feel will outlast the MX racing judging by my health. The bicycles keep me feeling young and the feel and handling of my Cannondale is worlds above my Continental. I just wish I had kept my '74 Raleigh International with all campy Record, including the brakes. At least I married my high school sweatheart and can keep that great memory alive.

Bill

Man, I have a hard time remembering last year, let alone 4 decades ago.

um yeah ... the 70s ... I liked bikes but not dancing "The Hustle"

Curtis, you are very brave (and very secure) posting that picture. The few existing pictures of me in those days are under lock and key and will stay that way until I retire. I can't have my students seeing them.

I had a Raleigh, like I said. My dad was a Raleigh man, so I wanted a Raleigh more than any other brand. I remember Peugots being very popular and highly sought after, as were Motobecane, Nishiki, Panasonic, Volkscycyle...was there one called Fisher?

Oh, and I drove my mom's Rambler in the 70's. It was a beige (looked kinda pink) American I think? 3-speed on the stick. It got me around so I can't disrespect it too much. It sure wasn't very cool though. My older brother used to rent cars for big dates. He would be too embarrassed to pull up to his date's house in the pink Rambler!

I was a teenager in the 60's. Had a Rayleigh "English Racer" with a three speed Sturmey Archer hub. Rode that thing everywhere until a car made a left turn into me at an intersection and bent the frame around my leg. That was my junior year in high school and I don't remember owning another bike until the early 80's when my kids got old enough to ride. Rode for 2-3 years followed by another 20+ year hiatus, but we're making up for lost time now on the tandem.

Sorry That lawnmower didn't run, but it had a 2 stroke engine, the start of my gearhead days. Blame that one on dad.

I started racing in 1974 with a team in the Phoenix area (training mostly north of Scottsdale), it was fun. I bought a Peugeot UX-10, a good racer that I could afford (barely), but a couple team mates had Pinnarello bikes that I lusted over, the Campy components so much nicer than the Simplex and Mafac on mine. It was a fun time, but I gave up racing as soon as mountain bikes hit the scene.

My best friend and I saved lawn mowing money and what we could steal to buy Schwinn Super Sports for a summer after graduation of tour biking from Omaha to Lake of the Woods, Ont. We went out every day and put huge miles on those bikes in training for the trip for over a year. Then he met Laurie and then he broke up with Laurie and then I met Laurie and we never made it to Lake of the Woods. Both of the bikes were great ten speeds and she was a pretty amazing gal. I miss all four of them and also the missed trip. I can still let a pretty face get in the way of biking if I'm not careful but I have better cadence on my bike.

Nice story momule!

Ah the 70's, had a great Schwinn Varsity in brown. My claim to fame was that I could wheelie that thing a long way. Once I was able to wheelie one handed I started shifting it so I could just keep going and accelerating. I can't believe that the front wheel held up to all that abuse. But then again it probably weighed four pounds without a tire and tube. :lol:

I still like the look of a horizontal top tube, but most of the modern bikes are sloping. They all work, some just better than others. I had a Serotta Atlanta circa 1998 that I sold last year and that to me was a classic steel frame, traditional geometry bike. I miss it, but he Fierte outperforms it hands down.

Mark

Cars sucked in the 70s. It was the beginning of pollution control and testing tail pipe emissions.

I can remember one time getting to the top of the Baldwin Hills in L.A. in the '70s. I could see the mountains in the distance, but my tongue tasted of lead.

In 1978 I worked in my LBS and was riding a basic Raleigh Record, finally bought the bike my boss was given from one of his suppliers, that had been displayed at the NYC Bike show. It was a Garlatti, Columbus SL Frame fully chromed, with Campy Grand Sport components, I rode that great bike for 7 years even though it was always a little big for me. Two years ago, I pulled it from storage, cleaned it, tuned it, put on new rubber and sold it on e-bay, $300. (original price in 1978 $400) Some gent in New Mexico is doing morning training rides on it. Better than sitting in the shed.

toobusi, you have inspired me. I have a Brazilian-made Mundo Cycles Caloi Racer in the basement that I bought new in about 1974 or '75 while in high school. I think I'm going to resurrect that baby this spring - throw on some new 27 inch rubber and brake pads and see what it's like to ride that old steel frame. Could be fun!

Go for it, once if finished the restoration, it brought great memories of great rides, I almost kept it. But I have to many hobbies and to many toys, and was running out of space. In 1994, I moved to a part of Long Island that's not very bike friendly, and pretty much put my bikes away for good, now its 16 years later and 40 pounds heavier.
In July my old riding partner and I decided to "get back into it" so i bought a new bike, a Scattante R-670, so far about 800 miles and 12 pounds off, can't wait for the spring.