Fifty Plus (50+) - I Think I Found the Forum I belong In

Since I'm 55+, I think this is where I belong. I was ignored in "Utility" and chastised in "Classic and Vintage", so I'll try here. If most of you guys remember when there were only three types of bicycle, coaster, three speed, and ten speed, then I'm in the right place. Am I right?
I've been looking for a three speed like the Dunelt I got at 9. I'm looking at the Electra "Amsterdam", and the Schwinn "Willy". (yeah I know the "Willy" is a 7speed, but it looks like the Schwinn 3peeds of old) Any thoughts on these? Most of the C&V guys told me to find an old Dunelt like the one I had, but since most of my wrenching led to trips to the bike shop to repair the damage, I don't think that would be a good idea. Another bike I've seen on line, but not at any LBS, is the KHS "Green". It seems like just because a shop is listed as a dealer on the manufacrurer's website, doesn't mean they have any in the shop. Any one know anything abut the "Green"?

Haven't a clue about the "Green", but welcome to 50+.

What's a 10 speed? - after my time, but welcome anyway. You are a bit young at 55+, but you are welcome to chime in - just respect your elders.

What kind of pie do you like, and have you had your colonoscopy?

Not everyone at 50+ is an expert in the old stuff, but we never chastise here... perhaps just an occasional wag of the finger (index that is).

Welcome aboard. We don't chastise or ignore here. This is where all the nice people are. They're so nice they even let me play, as long as I stay on my best behavior.

By the way, what is your favorite pie?

What's a 10 speed? - after my time, but welcome anyway. You are a bit young at 55+, but you are welcome to chime in - just respect your elders.

What kind of pie do you like, and have you had your colonoscopy?

10 speed? Back in the day it was usually a Schwinn "Varsity". Last one I saw new in a LBS was $72.95 + tax. Of course that was 1970; or was it '71? ;)

Pie? My favorite was pecan. Can't have that any more due to divertichulosis.

Colonsocopy? Two so far. First was in 2008. It was "normal". The second was last summer through the stoma for temporary colostomy. I had emergency surgery last February for a perforated colon due to the divertichulosis. Reassembled last August.

I know, TMI. :notamused:

Since I'm 55+, I think this is where I belong. I was ignored in "Utility" and chastised in "Classic and Vintage", so I'll try here. If most of you guys remember when there were only three types of bicycle, coaster, three speed, and ten speed, then I'm in the right place. Am I right?

10 speeds? Yep, I have two of them. An American Eagle/Nishiki and a Kabuki Syd. Can't help you with your 3 speed quest. Around here, even 10 speeds is pushing it to get up and down the streets.

The KHS Green is a fairly low-grade steel framed bike advertised as a quasi commuter. It's the kind of bike you might see anywhere in the Netherlands. It's not designed for speed, or even longer distance commutes (I wouldn't want to commute more than a few miles at most on it.) Given it already comes with a rear rack and mud guards, it probably does make a good 'get around town' bike.

10 speed? Back in the day it was usually a Schwinn "Varsity". Last one I saw new in a LBS was $72.95 + tax. Of course that was 1970; or was it '71? ;)

Pie? My favorite was pecan. Can't have that any more due to divertichulosis.

I know, TMI. :notamused:

We will have to write you an official "pie waiver"

In 1970/71, I was teaching and a parent of two growing boys.

Bikes?

We're supposed to know about bikes?

Welcome aboard. Now prepare to eat pie, post ride reports and pictures, and just have a lot of fun.

Actually I can feel your pain a bit. I've been keeping an eye out for a Raleigh 3spd on the cheap for a couple of years now. (lets not talk about the black Robin Hood that I gave away several years back, groan) So far the best I could do is an old brown grungy Huffy 3 spd I fould curbside. I hope to strip it, repaint and rebuild it over the summer. I figure it will suffice until something better stumbles into my stable.

Good Hunting to you.

I re-gifted a found sears free spirit 3-speed a few months ago. The frame was too small for me, and nobody else wanted to ride it. It was heavy, but it had a rack and fenders. Not a bad ride, just too small. I stuck it out on the corner with a "FREE" sign, gone within an hour. My 10 speed will be buried with me, it's a 1979 Centurion Super Elite. I ride it once in a while, you get spoiled with indexed brifters, and the down tube shifters just seem to be a hassle any more. It has 27 inch wheels, and it's getting harder to find good tires for it. Still a nice ride though, and you can't beat the classic look of lugged steel.
This is a live and let live group, we are all old enough to know that we all have something in common, even though we all do it differently.
Any way, forget the pie, what is on your +1 short list?

I have a three speed, Schwinn Racer from 1967, a two speed Schwinn Traveler from 1962, a two speed Columbia from 1937, a three speed 1980 Dahon, and a ten speed 1977 Schwinn Sportabout. Wouldn't sell any of them, wouldn't give twenty five cents for another one.

To the OP, are you trying to find a 3 spd, or are you trying to find a new(ish) 3 spd that doesn't need to be taken to an LBS for add'l repairs? If you're anywhere near a college/university, you might try going to one of the auctions that probably come up on a regular basis @ the campus/local PD. 3 spds generally aren't high on the list of the current crop of bike fashionistas, probably 'cause they can't figure out how to put a S-A hub back together...

WRT the KHS Green, even if the local dealer doesn't carry it, he should at least be able to give you cursory info on it (which you could just as easily find online), but if your market has no demand for it, other than you, of course, you're either going to have to travel or plunk down some green for it because he's surely not going to want to sit on a slow mover.

10 speed? Back in the day it was usually a Schwinn "Varsity". Last one I saw new in a LBS was $72.95 + tax. Of course that was 1970; or was it '71? ;)

Pie? My favorite was pecan. Can't have that any more due to divertichulosis.

Colonsocopy? Two so far. First was in 2008. It was "normal". The second was last summer through the stoma for temporary colostomy. I had emergency surgery last February for a perforated colon due to the divertichulosis. Reassembled last August.

I know, TMI. :notamused:

That's a common amount of TMI for this forum.
My first "Adult" bike was a '73 Continental which cost about $120 including a generator light.
Not a speck of nostalgia for that boat anchor, although it did do everything I asked of it- without breaking down - while I got hooked on cycling

Sorry, I can't help with newer hub-transmission about-town bikes - I pretty much stuck with my old Sports for my errand bike. Is what you want or do you want something that will go further afield with a slightly sportier feel? Let us know what purpose/distance you were thinking about for your bike dreams. Have you considered trying to find an older three speed, or do you want something new?

Meanwhile, welcome to life in the slower lane! Some very nice, supportive people dwell here - and I do know what you mean about the other forums. See you around!

Welcome to the crowd. My own first "10-speed" was also a Schwinn Varsity, bought by my parents in or around 1967. I remember poring endlessly over the catalog, trying to decide which color I wanted. I ended up with metallic green. My older brother got a baby blue Continental.

Welcome.

When I was a kid we pretended to have two-speed kickbacks, but we just had single speed Bendix coaster brakes. My first geared bike was a Sears Free-Spirit 10-speed, in about 1972. Then came a Schwinn Continental 10-speed, which led to a Fuji 12-speed then a Trek and now a V-Rex recumbent.

Today my daily commuter is a '70's Continental running a Shimano 3-speed coaster brake and swept bars. Perfect for a short, flat commute.

I think we can relate.

:welcome My first 10 speed was a Columbia, I swear it was made with "cold rolled plumber pipe", HEAVY. I did do my first "tour" on it with my church group (1971). Our Assoc. Minster was from Austria and never owned a car. He took 20 of us and we rode from Colorado Springs, CO. to Santa Fe, NM. and back.

The "frame" broke in 2 places on my Columbia, we just used "tons of duct tape", LOL to get back home with it. I got them to "give me" a Schwinn Colleget drop bar 5 speed instead of another POS Columbia. In Summer 72 I got a pt. job at a bicycle shop and bought a "Italian Racer", called a Olmo, now that was a "10 Speed":D:love: It sounds like your looking for a "serious" commuter bike, check out a Trek Soho, whatever you get to RIDE, ENJOY!:thumb:

Since I'm 55+, I think this is where I belong. I was ignored in "Utility" and chastised in "Classic and Vintage", so I'll try here. If most of you guys remember when there were only three types of bicycle, coaster, three speed, and ten speed, then I'm in the right place. Am I right?
I've been looking for a three speed like the Dunelt I got at 9. I'm looking at the Electra "Amsterdam", and the Schwinn "Willy". (yeah I know the "Willy" is a 7speed, but it looks like the Schwinn 3peeds of old) Any thoughts on these? Most of the C&V guys told me to find an old Dunelt like the one I had, but since most of my wrenching led to trips to the bike shop to repair the damage, I don't think that would be a good idea. Another bike I've seen on line, but not at any LBS, is the KHS "Green". It seems like just because a shop is listed as a dealer on the manufacrurer's website, doesn't mean they have any in the shop. Any one know anything abut the "Green"?


Ironically there is a thread in Utility Forum where you may find ideas on a "New" 3 speed replacement bike for you. http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/259077-Bring-back-the-English-3-speed?highlight=3+speed

It takes a little time and exploration of the different forums to figure out what they are about. When I first started coming to Bike Forums I thought "well, I have a single speed cruiser, so... Single speed fixed gear must be where I belong"... Wow, could I have not been anymore wrong.:notamused:

But yes, asking about "New Bike" advice in the C&V forum is about like going to an antique shop and asking about buying a new microwave oven. :)

Whatever you do don't go to Road Forum with this question :twitchy: If in doubt I have always found that the "General Forum" works as well as any.

Anyway hope you find out what your looking for...

Welcome to 50+! I'm concerned that you can't have pie, so I'll have a slice of pecan for you this very afternoon! No need to thank me, it's the least I can do to help a newcomer feel at home!

Well, I'll join in and offer another welcome, though I don't really feel authorised yet to do so cos I'm a 56 yo youth

But if you're trying to slide in sideways with a fondness for Dutch bikes, you might be more at home in the groovy young forums where my daughter and her Dutch bike and her stacked boots and her floral tea dresses hang out.

I'm told it's a good place, and they use fewer PEDs

;)

This is where all the nice people are.

Eff that action.

Welcome to 50+, first off, ignore Pcad most of the time. He is alright as long as he stays on his meds (generally synvisc and ibuprofen.) No chastisement or ignoring here. As to your last colonostomy and the associated "fun and games". been there, done that, have the t-shirt and poster. find a smooth pie or what ever floats yer boat and stick around, please.

Bill

Don't forget we're sliding closer to Pie Day, March 14. Won't be long.

Welcome, before you know it you'll be a +60er.

first off, ignore Pcad

Fixed.

Welcome to 50+! I'm concerned that you can't have pie, so I'll have a slice of pecan for you this very afternoon! No need to thank me, it's the least I can do to help a newcomer feel at home!

Shoot- I was ready to welcome the OP and claim that piece of pie, but seenoevil beat me to it. Oh well, glad to have BGBeck in the group even if I missed out on the pecan pie - my favorite, hands down.

Shoot- I was ready to welcome the OP and claim that piece of pie, but seenoevil beat me to it. Oh well, glad to have BGBeck in the group even if I missed out on the pecan pie - my favorite, hands down.

pmcq: I see you're in Claremont. Claremont HS ia the last place I saw my 3spd Dunelt. I won't ask you to keep an eye out for it since that was 1970. :lol: BTW is that guy still selling refurbished bikes on Foothill Blvd? (South side, a block or so east of Indian Hill.) I stopped by there once last year, but all he had were racing bikes made by companies I'd never heard of. He didn't sound like he was real interested in refurbishing 3spds.

Sorry, I can't help with newer hub-transmission about-town bikes - I pretty much stuck with my old Sports for my errand bike. Is what you want or do you want something that will go further afield with a slightly sportier feel? Let us know what purpose/distance you were thinking about for your bike dreams. Have you considered trying to find an older three speed, or do you want something new?

Meanwhile, welcome to life in the slower lane! Some very nice, supportive people dwell here - and I do know what you mean about the other forums. See you around!

I remember the OP's post in C&V, and I think I replied with some similar questions: What kind of riding do you see doing with this bike?

I also feel one should be careful in today's market, not to go too cheap. Some department store bikes are very difficult to maintain, and very few are assembled correctly. The end result is a bike that won't work right or at all, and an expensive proposition to get it set right, especially if you ride it until it breaks. I'd trust a rusty 3-speed that works, first!

pmcq: I see you're in Claremont. Claremont HS ia the last place I saw my 3spd Dunelt. I won't ask you to keep an eye out for it since that was 1970. :lol: BTW is that guy still selling refurbished bikes on Foothill Blvd? (South side, a block or so east of Indian Hill.) I stopped by there once last year, but all he had were racing bikes made by companies I'd never heard of. He didn't sound like he was real interested in refurbishing 3spds.

Sorry, false alarm!