Classic Vintage Climbers
09-10-15, 06:44 AM
#26
Ellensburg, WA
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So far, the Super Vitus 983 Gitane Tour de France has been my best climber from a feel perspective. The Spectrum Ti is a close second. Haven't done a significant climb on the Vitus 979 yet and am anxious to see how it does.
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1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1968 Peugeot PL8; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super, mid-80's Bianchi Veloce, 1984 or 85 Vitus 979
1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1968 Peugeot PL8; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super, mid-80's Bianchi Veloce, 1984 or 85 Vitus 979
09-10-15, 06:51 AM
#27
~>~
09-10-15, 09:28 AM
#28
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I'll go with my 78 Colnago Super.
Fits me like a glove and it feels very light and nimble going uphill. I also can stay on top of a bigger gear with her than with my other bikes.
Fits me like a glove and it feels very light and nimble going uphill. I also can stay on top of a bigger gear with her than with my other bikes.
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It never gets easier, you just go faster. ~ Greg LeMond
09-10-15, 09:34 AM
#29
Hump, what hump?
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Mine all seem equivalent for the rollers we have locally, excepting the trike. Hope to do some serious climbing next year, so I should have narrowed it down to one or two by then. I'm thinking the Rourke may come out on top, followed by the Gap.
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2010 AB T1X ** 2010 Cannondale SIX-5 ** 1993 Cannondale RS900 ** 1988 Bottecchia Team Record ** 1989 Bianchi Brava ** 1988 Nishiki Olympic ** 1987 Centurion Ironman Expert(2) ** 1985 DeRosa Professional SLX ** 1982 Colnago Super ** 1982 Basso Gap ** 198? Ciocc Competition SL ** 19?? Roberts Audax ** 198? Brian Rourke ** 1982 Mercian Olympic ** 1970 Raleigh Professional MK I ** 1952 Raleigh Sports
2010 AB T1X ** 2010 Cannondale SIX-5 ** 1993 Cannondale RS900 ** 1988 Bottecchia Team Record ** 1989 Bianchi Brava ** 1988 Nishiki Olympic ** 1987 Centurion Ironman Expert(2) ** 1985 DeRosa Professional SLX ** 1982 Colnago Super ** 1982 Basso Gap ** 198? Ciocc Competition SL ** 19?? Roberts Audax ** 198? Brian Rourke ** 1982 Mercian Olympic ** 1970 Raleigh Professional MK I ** 1952 Raleigh Sports
09-10-15, 09:46 AM
#30
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I think my Basso Gap would closely rival my Colnago, as it has much of the same characteristics as it's Italian cousin, but the gearing it has isn't very conducive for climbing...
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It never gets easier, you just go faster. ~ Greg LeMond
09-10-15, 10:17 AM
#31
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Bikes: '72 Cilo Pacer, '72 Gitane Gran Tourisme, '72 Peugeot PX10, '73 Speedwell Ti, '74 Peugeot UE-8, '75 Peugeot PR-10L, '80 Colnago Super, '85 De Rosa Pro, '86 Look Equipe 753, '86 Look KG86, '89 Parkpre Team, '90 Parkpre Team MTB, '90 Merlin
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Titanium Speedwell, vintage weight weenie.
09-10-15, 10:28 AM
#32
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^wow! You might like reading the book Reckless, The Life and Times of Luis Ocana. There's portions discussing his choice in bikes, who built, etc.
09-10-15, 10:57 AM
#33
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@crank_addict, Thanks for the tip re Reckless. I'll have to check it out. I have to admit that I know very little about Ocana since he was a little before my time (born in '73). In fact, I didn't even realize what the bike was when I bought it, just that it was a cool, old titanium bike with some unusual parts and an alloy-railed Ideale.
09-10-15, 11:44 AM
#35
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I recently swapped out the tiny FW on my Colnago even for the simple pleasure rides in our hilly town. It's a fun bike to climb with now.
09-10-15, 12:04 PM
#36
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Like OldsCOOL, I recently swapped to a larger fw. Not my original intention but I had a slight mishap chainsuck with this bike so......
Now have beyond the max chain wrap for a '72 LeChampion and original NR derailleur. 28t cog and 42/52t c.ring. Oh, and not only that, now my only bike with a dork disc. Fitted to Campy Tipo hub. LOL
Now have beyond the max chain wrap for a '72 LeChampion and original NR derailleur. 28t cog and 42/52t c.ring. Oh, and not only that, now my only bike with a dork disc. Fitted to Campy Tipo hub. LOL
09-10-15, 12:25 PM
#37
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Even though I ran what amounted to be a corncob, my best climbing memories (easiest) were on my '94 Gios Compact. I had it all kitted out with Super Record, but the frame stiffness coupled with the ability to radically reduce the wheelbase - it was just phenomenal about putting the power right to the road. I should find another one of those things 
DD
DD
09-10-15, 12:38 PM
#38
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This bike is no lightweight. 25 years ago It did much climbing in the mountains of North Georgia. 
09-10-15, 12:48 PM
#39
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My favorite climber would be my 84 Peugeot PSV. As I've beaten many good climbing friends (and my brother) on it back when it was new.
I assume that my ALAN Carbonio, Vitus Carbone 7 and my Peugeot PY10FC are much better climbing bikes than the PSV, but I had not had a chance to prove so, and at my agw, never will. especially now that all my bike sort of feel close to the same to me.....
I assume that my ALAN Carbonio, Vitus Carbone 7 and my Peugeot PY10FC are much better climbing bikes than the PSV, but I had not had a chance to prove so, and at my agw, never will. especially now that all my bike sort of feel close to the same to me.....
09-10-15, 01:10 PM
#40
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+1 I have found the Cannondales I have owned both road and rigid mountain bikes to be excellent climbers. This is due to the stiff light very solid frames with relatively aggressive hill friendly geometry.
09-10-15, 02:21 PM
#41
Senior Member
Hmmm. I have a first gen Cannondale M400 and it ranks pretty low for climbing, compared to all the bikes I've climbed with. It is rigid as all get-out, and I suspect its rigidity is actually part of the problem. It's also heavy, given those massive O/S aluminum tubes, heavy-ish 90s Deore LX/DX group mix, and boat anchor Schwalbe Land Cruiser tires, which could be part of the problem. I've wondered whether the bike might be a good candidate for an All-road Enduro conversion with the new Compass 26x2.3 Rat Trap Pass tires. But I probably won't bother.
09-10-15, 05:43 PM
#42
Get off my lawn!
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09-10-15, 05:58 PM
#43
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09-10-15, 06:23 PM
#44
Death fork? Naaaah!!
This spring I was on the third day of a 180 mile charity ride. It was pouring rain, mid-50sF, and 15-20 MPH headwinds. 35 miles from the finish for the first time in my life I thought about quitting. I stopped a a C-store, poured a hot black coffee, and had my phone in my hand when this image arose unbidden:
https://www.fixedgeargallery.com/repo...rk/07x1000.jpg
I got back on the bike and finished the ride.
Top
https://www.fixedgeargallery.com/repo...rk/07x1000.jpg
I got back on the bike and finished the ride.
Top
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You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
09-10-15, 08:26 PM
#45
Ellensburg, WA
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My favorite climber would be my 84 Peugeot PSV. As I've beaten many good climbing friends (and my brother) on it back when it was new.
I assume that my ALAN Carbonio, Vitus Carbone 7 and my Peugeot PY10FC are much better climbing bikes than the PSV, but I had not had a chance to prove so, and at my agw, never will. especially now that all my bike sort of feel close to the same to me.....
I assume that my ALAN Carbonio, Vitus Carbone 7 and my Peugeot PY10FC are much better climbing bikes than the PSV, but I had not had a chance to prove so, and at my agw, never will. especially now that all my bike sort of feel close to the same to me.....
__________________
1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1968 Peugeot PL8; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super, mid-80's Bianchi Veloce, 1984 or 85 Vitus 979
1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1968 Peugeot PL8; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super, mid-80's Bianchi Veloce, 1984 or 85 Vitus 979
09-10-15, 09:10 PM
#46
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This spring I was on the third day of a 180 mile charity ride. It was pouring rain, mid-50sF, and 15-20 MPH headwinds. 35 miles from the finish for the first time in my life I thought about quitting. I stopped a a C-store, poured a hot black coffee, and had my phone in my hand when this image arose unbidden:
https://www.fixedgeargallery.com/repo...rk/07x1000.jpg
I got back on the bike and finished the ride.
Top
https://www.fixedgeargallery.com/repo...rk/07x1000.jpg
I got back on the bike and finished the ride.
Top
09-10-15, 09:31 PM
#47
Señor Member
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This spring I was on the third day of a 180 mile charity ride. It was pouring rain, mid-50sF, and 15-20 MPH headwinds. 35 miles from the finish for the first time in my life I thought about quitting. I stopped a a C-store, poured a hot black coffee, and had my phone in my hand when this image arose unbidden:
https://www.fixedgeargallery.com/repo...rk/07x1000.jpg
I got back on the bike and finished the ride.
Top
https://www.fixedgeargallery.com/repo...rk/07x1000.jpg
I got back on the bike and finished the ride.
Top
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In search of what to search for.
In search of what to search for.
09-11-15, 11:49 AM
#49
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My 1992 R1000 is a good climber. Stiff, light, short chainstays, small frame. The gearing is limiting, with 53/39 x 12-21. But within the limits imposed by this gearing, the bike is fast and efficient uphill.