Chr0m0ly 

Hey guys!
First post in a while, I'm a Chicago resident now! And I've brought my Miyata museum with me!

But that's neither here nor their right now, I need opinions on this German old timer.

https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/bik/6003375332.html

Going to look at it this weekend, anything I should be looking for? I bet it weighs at least 30 pounds, look at those brutal lugs!

I've been bike commuting exclusively in Chicago and I like the idea of the generator lighting, fenders, all the reflectors, mirror, already on it.

Is it something I could use fairly regularly or are these bikes anchors? Anyone have any info? I don't believe Staiger were ever sold in the US...

Anyone have a similar build? Are those tire generators durable?

Any info would be great!

non-fixie 

The Germans have been known to build very nice bikes. This is not one of them.

If it's cheap, it could be fun though. Those bottle generators were very much the standard BITD here in western Europe. They work, but are rather noisy and - maybe mainly because of that - always seem to slow you down. I do like them as they are also very dependable.

rhm

Well, at least it's fully accessorized! fenders, lights, odometer, bell, water bottle, luggage rack, lock, mirror, original tool kit... only thing missing is the pump!

It's not to my taste, but I think it would handle the Chicago hills pretty well. Yes, it's probably a heavy bike, but it has a certain i dunno what.

The bottle dynamo is durable enough, but the old incandescent bulbs are finicky (they burn out; and if one burns out, the other will get overpowered and it will burn out as well; so you always have to carry spares) and their light is meager. The wiring is simple, but if the lights don't work, diagnosing the problem can be difficult. You can upgrade the lights in various ways, though.

dweenk

You must buy the bike if for no other reason than that is has the key for the damned spoke lock on the rear wheel. I doubt if there were many variations on the pattern; so I see a small market for key blanks.

noobinsf 

I love historical relics that reference divided Germany. Reminds me of creative dissent in West Berlin. If I were in Chicago...

Vintage Raleigh

Well the front brakes have been toed in.

The bike has a charm that I'm not adverse to, especially with all the accessories.

I have two heavy bikes that I ride (not at the same time) for cross town commutes, while not as light as the International, you just go at a different pace and enjoy the journey.

If it was mine I'd remove the stand and the generator set up and go modern lighting, the rest of the stuff is practical though.

merziac

For $90 I can't imagine passing this up, when will you see another complete, unique, rare?, oddball, whatever like this again. Just my 2c

Clang

Pass on it and use the money to turn one of your existing bikes into a commuter. I imagine lighting technology has come a long way since the 80's with the advent of LEDs. Fenders are nice for when it rains, but steel rims are not!

jj1091

It's a nice-looking vintage ride. I'd be all over it for $90, the saddle is probably worth $40 by itself. It's a unique bike, and there's some value in that for vintage enthusiasts, having something nobody else has. Steel wheels? So what, they're original, and millions of people rode millions of miles on the things. Fenders? Sure, get a bike without the OEM fenders and later want to find some OEM fenders, you'll pay dearly for them. Same for the lights and dynamo. The way I look at it, I bet you'll never see another one that's that complete. Go get it.

Chr0m0ly 

You guys have basically voiced everything in my head.

Pros: rare,
complete,
cheap,
charming.

Cons: build quality,

I have a lit, fendered, C'Dale ST600 that's a killer commuter,

Space is at a premium in the city apartment.

I have incomplete bikes to tinker with including a frame up build.

Basically I like it and it's cheap are the main pros, but I have projects plus a bike that does what this would but better.

Anybody need a facilitater? 🤔

I'm leaning in "right bike, wrong time" direction. If this was one of the "nicely built German bikes" I'd find room for it but... meh.

Chr0m0ly 

Any guess for age?
And how can you tell steel rims from the pictures?

'Spose I'm still gunna "have to go look at it"
😇

Vintage Raleigh

1976
This one will be a short term quick fix - something to do while you're waiting for the NOS rear caliper spring to complete the 1948 Brown Mouse Club Flyer.

clubman 

Look at the graceful fender line! I think I saw those lugs used as weapons in a Hunger Games rerun.

Seriously, more work than it's worth, even at $50. Guess I'm jaded...

crank_addict

Just my 2 cents. That particular bike has been listed for quite some time in an active marketplace, so base that on what its worth.

But, it has a decent Ideale 39 saddle and worth half the bikes asking. Considered the affordable touring type from Ideale, has a good thicker leather. My guess the saddle is older than the bike itself. The bike appears mid range 'bike-boom' 70's era.

As whole: I think one has to ask -what do you expect out of it? Its an odd sighting, does have a little character but whats it going to ride like or perform to make you want it? If it sits, nothing gained. I wouldn't call it collectible in the sense of most cycling enthusiast.

My rational usually goes -do I like it enough where I'd look forward to riding it?

If your head is into it, might be able to do some changes and have something fun and certainly unusual. I would do a complete takedown and refurbish, leave off the sidestand, maybe even the lighting, remove turkey levers, yank the wheels. I might even go far as making it a single speed townie. And as mentioned, the fender line is a mess. Mostly though, its about making the mechanicals sound, pads replaced, cables lubed. Source a used wheelset 27" or 700c and with alloy rims. Budget of tops $20. You might even get them from another junker bike, to freebie.

Lower end bikes can be fun if you make some changes -mostly in the wheels and tires.

I currently have three low to mid-range riders that truly are enjoyed and used regularly. 50's era from Austria, late 60's Italy and a mid 60's made in Chicago. All are different and modified to my liking, not concerned whats correct or not. The key is all have original paint and hold its older character. They perform pretty well and fun to operate. Best part is there's not much expense in them. Parked next to any modern bike, they raise anyones eyebrow and smirks to grins.

Also had a lower end Japan made 70's of which didn't have enough soul and not worth keeping. The geometry was too quirky where I couldn't get the right feel in weight distribution and had poor physical fit on it.

Steve Whitlatch 

I have been eyeing that one as well just because I think it is cool looking. Now that you are in the area, I hope to see you out on the Chicago area rides?

martl

You fellas need to stop to drink whatever it is you are drinking - these things are around 20€ at any fleamarket around here and no one buys them...

rhm

I know it well! I was a student in Munich and I saw that bike a thousand times. I bet there are still bikes like that locked up at the Wilhelm Hausenstein Gymnasium that haven't moved since 1980.

That said, this one is in Chicago. You don't see many bikes like this in Chicago.

martl

I think i could walk outside and take pictures of 5 such bikes in various stes of decay lumped against a lamppost without any effort and in under an hour

Hah, you were at the Hausenstein? Did you by any chance meet a teacher named "Willi Bauer"?
I knew there was a reason why i liked Chicago so much..

rhm

Chicago is much, much, colder in the winter; and hotter in the summer.

I am racking my brain and, honestly, I cannot remember the name of a single teacher I had at WHG. I'll keep working on it, perhaps something will come to me. Willi Bauer? Well, the name sounds familiar enough, but there must be a hundred guys called Willi Bauer in Munich at any given time (not that I scoff; my name is even more common there!).

T-Mar

I'm seeing a couple of indicators that could push this into the early 1980s. The SR Silstar DX cranksets came out circa 1980. Sachs purchased Huret in 1981 and it's got a Sachs branded Huret front derailleur.

martl

I know, i spent some time in Schaumburg in '2000, from March (Blizzards!) to May (sunbathing at the lake)!
I loved to ride through those prairie preserves between Hoffmann estates and Elgin/fox river, though ultimately, i thought it was too flat

I used to play football (soccer) with a guy by that name who was a math teacher and later principal at the Hausenstein. Skinny guy with a moustache, and a major PITA too. But its not that important. May have been well after your time, i think i joined that team ~1988


Gonig back to the Staiger: It will at least cost 100 (€/$) to make it useable - tires, tubes, chain, cables, housings, and a lot of elbow grease. Which is about the same kind of money and effort one would need to spend to restore something significantly nicer... bikes of that sort never ran very nicely, the lighting is notoriously failure prone and not up to todays standards, the generator eats tires and has enormous drag, the rack is next to unuseable - so i still don't get the enthusiasm

But if these are so sought-after, an idea for a business model pops up, i may become a rich man with a bolt cutter and a shipping container

bmthom.gis

Offer 50 bucks maybe? Nothing like having a beater to bar hop on. Aesthetically I like it. With some tweaks and upgrades it could be a great rider...heavy, but great. Reminds me of my Peugoet. Very similarly outfitted with racks, fender, and bottle dynamo lighting, but has turned into a terrific commuter. It's like a Cadillac. Big, heavy, and smooth as butter.

bmthom.gis

The pattern on the rims are a dead give away. They actually brake fairly well. They are heavy, but solid. Easy upgrade with either going to 700c or or lacing your existing hubs to some alloy rims. I'm pretty sure Sun CR 18s come in 27".

Chr0m0ly 

Thank you!
I've officially let it go. It's a cool look but I'm putting my time into sorting out what I've got. I'm selling a few so once I have room I can go looking for projects.

and to the poster who asked about group rides (I can't scroll up on my phone) yes! I'm in. I need to check out the Handle Bar too! Is there a Chicago Events thread I could be pointed to?

Steve Whitlatch 

Forum ride threads post up close to the events. Iab hosts his ride in April. I will make sure you are informed. There are lots of other cool rides in Chicago. I hope to do "Bike The Drive" this year. I am not sure exactly were you are in the city but if you want to see some cool old bikes, check out this shop. Oscar Wastyn Cycles in Chicago, Il.