New Guy with an "old" bike
08-04-06, 09:02 AM
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New Guy with an "old" bike
Everything is relative. Take my brother for example. But seriously folks, I am new here and by most accounts the bike that brought me to this forum would be counted as old by most of you (I imagine...). Let me explain.
I am a 50+ year old father of three, who recently started to fix up his youngest teenager's now neglected mass-produced Raleigh mountain bike to ride occasionally in an effort to get some exercise and have fun. I went into a local thrift shop, just browsing for bargains earlier this week, and noticed an old racing bike amongst the junkers. My instincts were triggered by its thin tubing and lots of Campagnolo hardware beneath the dirt. The blue frame was prominently labeled as Ochsner, but I didn't know anything about the name. My eldest son, 20, works for a good local bike shop, building and selling higher end bikes. I asked him by phone and he told me that he had heard the name and it might be worth more than its $7 price tag, so I went back and bought it. Now I am suddenly obsessed and I have been cleaning it and exploring the web to find out all that I can. Here is what I know so far: It is a 55 cm (marked on bottom of frame) Ochsner frame. Ochsner, which is a story in itself, is a private company in Illinois founded by Orthon Ochsner, a Swiss bicycle racer from the early part of the 20th century (1919-1921 in competitions) who emigrated to the US, had a long career as a chef and manager of resorts and clubs, rode bikes into his 80's, and founded his company with his wife from their suburban Chicago home in 1969 after he retired (he was then in his 70's). They imported bicycle components and by 1975 had become the Campagnolo distributor for the US. The company is now owned and run by his son, who also collects classic cars and bicycles. In the early 80's, around 1981 or 1982, the Ochsner company imported a Swiss-made frame that they had built by a company called Royal (?) which came in two models and multiple sizes. The frames were made from Columbus tubes, lugged and brazed and all painted blue and prominently labeled as Ochsner. They sold the frames to bike shops who then outfitted them with various components to build custom road bikes, which must have been good, but not outrageously expensive, higher end consumer racing bikes. Not professional racers, but more than the Schwinn, Fuji or Peugeot racers, that I remember coveting as a lad. Mine is made from a steel alloy containing manganese and called their Aelle version, which I understand was there higher end version.
I haven't figured out the model of the Campagnolo brakes, gears, derailuers, etc. yet, but I will. The seat (I know now to call it a saddle.....) is a Brooks Professional, in reasonable condition given its age. The pedals are probably not original because they are clip-less. They are Shimano DP1065's, which are marked as "made in France". (Did Shimano, which is Japanese, settle a lawsuit brought by Look over their alleged patent violation by contracting to have Look manufacture pedals in France with a Shimano label? I am just beginning to learn about this stuff....). The handlebars seem to be aluminum and are marked Windsor, from Mexico, which is another mystery to be unravelled. Finally, the bicycle has a Trek Vision 30 headlight, which works and judging by its brightness, must be halogen and an even later addition. My suspicion is that the headlight alone is worth more than I paid for the bike.
I don't know that I will become a road bike rider. I am probably more of a fatter tire, higher handlebars, more cushioned seat with springs, kind of guy. But the aesthetic of this road bike has me hooked. The lines are great, the technology is simple enough to quickly grasp and beautifully fitted to its purpose. I understand why people love these "classic" road bikes. I am smitten. Maybe I will sell it, but maybe I will learn to ride it and enjoy the art in motion. In any event, I am working to fix it up, clean it, and understand all that I can about it and the history of its ilk. That is why I found the Bike Forums and have now joined. Thanks for your welcome. I will welcome all advice, information and suggestions.
I am a 50+ year old father of three, who recently started to fix up his youngest teenager's now neglected mass-produced Raleigh mountain bike to ride occasionally in an effort to get some exercise and have fun. I went into a local thrift shop, just browsing for bargains earlier this week, and noticed an old racing bike amongst the junkers. My instincts were triggered by its thin tubing and lots of Campagnolo hardware beneath the dirt. The blue frame was prominently labeled as Ochsner, but I didn't know anything about the name. My eldest son, 20, works for a good local bike shop, building and selling higher end bikes. I asked him by phone and he told me that he had heard the name and it might be worth more than its $7 price tag, so I went back and bought it. Now I am suddenly obsessed and I have been cleaning it and exploring the web to find out all that I can. Here is what I know so far: It is a 55 cm (marked on bottom of frame) Ochsner frame. Ochsner, which is a story in itself, is a private company in Illinois founded by Orthon Ochsner, a Swiss bicycle racer from the early part of the 20th century (1919-1921 in competitions) who emigrated to the US, had a long career as a chef and manager of resorts and clubs, rode bikes into his 80's, and founded his company with his wife from their suburban Chicago home in 1969 after he retired (he was then in his 70's). They imported bicycle components and by 1975 had become the Campagnolo distributor for the US. The company is now owned and run by his son, who also collects classic cars and bicycles. In the early 80's, around 1981 or 1982, the Ochsner company imported a Swiss-made frame that they had built by a company called Royal (?) which came in two models and multiple sizes. The frames were made from Columbus tubes, lugged and brazed and all painted blue and prominently labeled as Ochsner. They sold the frames to bike shops who then outfitted them with various components to build custom road bikes, which must have been good, but not outrageously expensive, higher end consumer racing bikes. Not professional racers, but more than the Schwinn, Fuji or Peugeot racers, that I remember coveting as a lad. Mine is made from a steel alloy containing manganese and called their Aelle version, which I understand was there higher end version.
I haven't figured out the model of the Campagnolo brakes, gears, derailuers, etc. yet, but I will. The seat (I know now to call it a saddle.....) is a Brooks Professional, in reasonable condition given its age. The pedals are probably not original because they are clip-less. They are Shimano DP1065's, which are marked as "made in France". (Did Shimano, which is Japanese, settle a lawsuit brought by Look over their alleged patent violation by contracting to have Look manufacture pedals in France with a Shimano label? I am just beginning to learn about this stuff....). The handlebars seem to be aluminum and are marked Windsor, from Mexico, which is another mystery to be unravelled. Finally, the bicycle has a Trek Vision 30 headlight, which works and judging by its brightness, must be halogen and an even later addition. My suspicion is that the headlight alone is worth more than I paid for the bike.
I don't know that I will become a road bike rider. I am probably more of a fatter tire, higher handlebars, more cushioned seat with springs, kind of guy. But the aesthetic of this road bike has me hooked. The lines are great, the technology is simple enough to quickly grasp and beautifully fitted to its purpose. I understand why people love these "classic" road bikes. I am smitten. Maybe I will sell it, but maybe I will learn to ride it and enjoy the art in motion. In any event, I am working to fix it up, clean it, and understand all that I can about it and the history of its ilk. That is why I found the Bike Forums and have now joined. Thanks for your welcome. I will welcome all advice, information and suggestions.
Last edited by benhurd; 08-04-06 at 03:55 PM.
08-04-06, 10:35 AM
#2
Occasional poster
Cool story benhurd! I too am recently obsessed with an older bike - but only about 8 or 9 years old. Post a pic sometime when you get it all restored!
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08-04-06, 06:43 PM
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Thrift stores in my area only carry WallyMart kids bikes. How about some pictures? - we're very visual here.
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See my Hyperlite 411 it's the photo model on OutRiderUSA web page
See my Hyperlite 411 it's the photo model on OutRiderUSA web page
08-04-06, 07:59 PM
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Wow! Congratulations on the find and welcome to the fourms!!
Please post some pictures, we love that stuff here.
Please post some pictures, we love that stuff here.
08-04-06, 08:31 PM
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Originally Posted by benhurd
I don't know that I will become a road bike rider. I am probably more of a fatter tire, higher handlebars, more cushioned seat with springs, kind of guy. But the aesthetic of this road bike has me hooked.
08-04-06, 10:36 PM
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I got a comfort bike at first. That lasted until I got a free road bike. The comfort bike is gone and I now have 6 road bikes.
08-04-06, 10:50 PM
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Road bikes can be made more comfortable for us older guys.
https://community.webshots.com/photo/...68014369ZkhXGG
https://community.webshots.com/photo/...68014369ZkhXGG
08-05-06, 04:18 AM
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Non Tribuo Anus Rodentum and off to the next adventure (RIP)
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Great find benhurd and welcome to the addiction. From the sounds of things any of thbits on that bike are worth more than the seven bucks you paid for it... Mark this one a steal!
Oh, yeah.... This thread is worthless without picture! We crave bike p0rn!
Oh, yeah.... This thread is worthless without picture! We crave bike p0rn!
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08-05-06, 07:05 PM
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feros ferio
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Lugged manganese moly steel frames are junk, as are Brooks Pro saddles and Campagnolo gear. 
Yes, we definitely want to see some pictures.
Yes, we definitely want to see some pictures.
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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
08-07-06, 04:04 PM
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Ok here are pictures of the Ochsner with its new "fatter" tires and "easier to use" pedals. The tires are Continentals that are all of 700x28 instead of the the 700x20 that were on it when I found her. The pedals are in place of the Shimano/Looks that were on it. Since I don't (yet) want to buy shoes and clips to match the old pedals, I thought that something with a toe clip might be a better way to try it out.
Ok...I give up. How do I post pictures? I tried and failed and I can't find an answer on the FAQ. What do I do to either upload the picture from my computer or post it somewhere and add the url to it. I tried using flickr.com but that didn't seem to work either. HELP?
Ok...I give up. How do I post pictures? I tried and failed and I can't find an answer on the FAQ. What do I do to either upload the picture from my computer or post it somewhere and add the url to it. I tried using flickr.com but that didn't seem to work either. HELP?
Last edited by benhurd; 08-07-06 at 04:40 PM.
08-07-06, 04:37 PM
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The bike is worth fixing up, but Alle was not the top end Columbus tubing, still should provide a first class ride however.
The Shimano "Made in France" pedals are the first units of "clipless" pedals sold by Shimano, made by Look, when Look had everyone by the wallet as they were the First and for a while only game in town, read patent and royalties....
If the bike is about the correct size, then be sure to be "fit" to it by others who know, if you had been riding for a while you would probably already have experimented a bit, but why waste time and pleasure?
Adjusting for fit might be a bit harder as most of the parts like the stem and bars are now an archaic standard, but can be found. Bars of the day were narrower than is suggested today, I ride a 55 to 56cm bike and am happy with 40cm center to center bars, I am of 50%tile build, today they would start with 42cm and might suggest 44cm!
Select a saddle that is comfortable, my old arse is used to old 70's Cinelli's but if I was starting today would probably be on something else.
The Shimano "Made in France" pedals are the first units of "clipless" pedals sold by Shimano, made by Look, when Look had everyone by the wallet as they were the First and for a while only game in town, read patent and royalties....
If the bike is about the correct size, then be sure to be "fit" to it by others who know, if you had been riding for a while you would probably already have experimented a bit, but why waste time and pleasure?
Adjusting for fit might be a bit harder as most of the parts like the stem and bars are now an archaic standard, but can be found. Bars of the day were narrower than is suggested today, I ride a 55 to 56cm bike and am happy with 40cm center to center bars, I am of 50%tile build, today they would start with 42cm and might suggest 44cm!
Select a saddle that is comfortable, my old arse is used to old 70's Cinelli's but if I was starting today would probably be on something else.
08-07-06, 07:39 PM
#13
SLJ 6/8/65-5/2/07
When you reply click the "Go Advanced" tab. Then scroll to "Manage Attachments." That'll take you to a menu for uploading jpeg or other picture files from your computer. There's also tabs foruploading from a website but I've never done that.
Very nice find. Take her for a ride but once the bug bites......
Very nice find. Take her for a ride but once the bug bites......
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“Life is not one damned thing after another. Life is one damned thing over and over.”
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08-16-06, 12:51 AM
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trying to add the pictures
maybe this time.... here is the Ochsner.
I think I figured it out. Anyone recognize the campy gear? The brakes and cranks have a really nice matte silver gray finish that my LBS guy says wasn't very popular and only lasted a year or two but he can't remember the name or the year (he's nearly my age, so I understand....). All info welcome and appreciated. Thanks.
I think I figured it out. Anyone recognize the campy gear? The brakes and cranks have a really nice matte silver gray finish that my LBS guy says wasn't very popular and only lasted a year or two but he can't remember the name or the year (he's nearly my age, so I understand....). All info welcome and appreciated. Thanks.
Last edited by benhurd; 08-16-06 at 03:09 AM.
08-16-06, 01:56 AM
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Nice bike you got there. Especially buying something 'priceless' for $7 seems a good deal 
What Jet says: try https://www.imageshack.us
Upload a picture from your harddisk (browse) and choose the line in front of:
Thumbnail for forums (1)
just copy paste it here and you will get:
A clickable thumbnail!
(bonus points who guesses the Peugeot rider, the answer is in the filename)
What Jet says: try https://www.imageshack.us
Upload a picture from your harddisk (browse) and choose the line in front of:
Thumbnail for forums (1)
just copy paste it here and you will get:
A clickable thumbnail!
(bonus points who guesses the Peugeot rider, the answer is in the filename)
08-16-06, 08:59 AM
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"Road bikes can be made more comfortable for us older guys"
Here's what I did on a NOS Titan frame. Longer quill stems are available & would raise the bars on your Ochsner. Don
Here's what I did on a NOS Titan frame. Longer quill stems are available & would raise the bars on your Ochsner. Don
05-22-08, 08:08 AM
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Ochsner's also came in red which were constructed from the higher end Columbus SL tubing.
05-22-08, 09:14 AM
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Nah, DuraAce/Ultegra combo. I bought it just frame/fork and decided to go old school steel and new school STI's.
05-22-08, 09:33 AM
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05-22-08, 09:50 AM
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Who cares, just ride it!
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Yeah, I think Athena too. The rear derailleur definitely, the cranks are either that or maybe Chorus. I can't tell from the tiny pictures....hint, hint...
05-22-08, 06:32 PM
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Doubt you're going to be getting any more pictures. Look at the date of the OP (also note that the OP is still a "junior member"). Thread necromancy.
03-19-09, 03:00 PM
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Greetings to anybody out there. I just stumbled on this forum while googling Ochsner.
I have owned a blue "O" since around 1985. I am the second owner - the original owner is a friend of mine who bought it as a second bike, a commuter if you will. His #1 was a custom built Pinarello he went to Italy to see get built.
I was a new but rapidly improving SoCal rider in need of an upgrade so we made a deal for the O. Mine has 40 cm Cinelli "Giro de Italia" bars, a Cinell one piece satin finish stem (beautiful!), Campy Record down tube shifters with blue hoods to match my frame, King sealed bearing headset, Sugino 52-42 chain rings with 170 mm cranks, a 6 speed Regina freewheel (14-21... I used to be fairly studly) and Suntour Cyclone clamp-on shifter and derailleur.
Wheels are Mavic 32 spoke cross three chrome spokes, rubber is Continental slicks. My chain stay guard is a long, well cut piece of heavy black fabric and it looks and works great. Forgot the make of my BB.
All this stuff has been on the bike for over 20 years and it all works great. I have been off the bike for about 4 years but maintained it for the occasional ride on the bike path with the kids. Before that I rode it constantly. It is a great climber, deceptively light and easy to handle, especially on descents - I love to scream down hills and my blue steel relic loves it too. I just found out I have diabetes that is manageable with diet and exercise so ... time to start riding!
I have the old toe clip pedals but lost my cleats long ago. Yesterday I bought a pair of Keo Sprint clipless pedals on-line for $75.00 from ProBikeKit (normally about twice that). Going to look at a pair of road shoes tonight. Need new gear cables but brake wires are nice and tight. A few nicks here and there give the bike some character and I have no intention of touching them up. Future enhancements might be an 8 or 9 gear cluster with new gears and chainset, although my old 6 is familiar and gets the job done. But I'm not a 30 year old Hercules anymore and I ain't gettin' any younger!
I'll put some photos up if there is any interest in seeing them. By the way, somebody said the name Ochsner is displayed prominently on the bike. Counting Mr. Ochshner's signature on both sides of the top tube the bike is marked 11 times! Head tube, forks, both sides of the down tube, both sides of the seat tube and the seat stays.
I have owned a blue "O" since around 1985. I am the second owner - the original owner is a friend of mine who bought it as a second bike, a commuter if you will. His #1 was a custom built Pinarello he went to Italy to see get built.
I was a new but rapidly improving SoCal rider in need of an upgrade so we made a deal for the O. Mine has 40 cm Cinelli "Giro de Italia" bars, a Cinell one piece satin finish stem (beautiful!), Campy Record down tube shifters with blue hoods to match my frame, King sealed bearing headset, Sugino 52-42 chain rings with 170 mm cranks, a 6 speed Regina freewheel (14-21... I used to be fairly studly) and Suntour Cyclone clamp-on shifter and derailleur.
Wheels are Mavic 32 spoke cross three chrome spokes, rubber is Continental slicks. My chain stay guard is a long, well cut piece of heavy black fabric and it looks and works great. Forgot the make of my BB.
All this stuff has been on the bike for over 20 years and it all works great. I have been off the bike for about 4 years but maintained it for the occasional ride on the bike path with the kids. Before that I rode it constantly. It is a great climber, deceptively light and easy to handle, especially on descents - I love to scream down hills and my blue steel relic loves it too. I just found out I have diabetes that is manageable with diet and exercise so ... time to start riding!
I have the old toe clip pedals but lost my cleats long ago. Yesterday I bought a pair of Keo Sprint clipless pedals on-line for $75.00 from ProBikeKit (normally about twice that). Going to look at a pair of road shoes tonight. Need new gear cables but brake wires are nice and tight. A few nicks here and there give the bike some character and I have no intention of touching them up. Future enhancements might be an 8 or 9 gear cluster with new gears and chainset, although my old 6 is familiar and gets the job done. But I'm not a 30 year old Hercules anymore and I ain't gettin' any younger!
I'll put some photos up if there is any interest in seeing them. By the way, somebody said the name Ochsner is displayed prominently on the bike. Counting Mr. Ochshner's signature on both sides of the top tube the bike is marked 11 times! Head tube, forks, both sides of the down tube, both sides of the seat tube and the seat stays.
03-19-09, 05:27 PM
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no more Ochsner here
I loved my blue Ochsner find, but I realized that it was not the right bike for me. After lots of research and some restoring and cleaning I ended up selling it via Ebay for $600+. I tried another road bike, it was not as nice but a newer Japanese and more my size. But eventually, I realized that for daily commuting here in my new home in a Canadian University town, my best bet was something more upright with fenders. I found a 1983 Schwinn World Tourist (made by Giant) on Ebay for $47. It was in pristine condition, with only one cracked rear reflector. It cleaned up well, and is working like a charm. It has a ten speed, pre-indexed shifting, that uses a free-wheeling BB, that allows you to shift gears while coasting. Good for riding in an urban setting. It suits me and it is easier on my aging torso.
03-19-09, 07:51 PM
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You'll be back......there's always another day, another thrift shop, another bike will beckon....
We know. Been there. Are there. Am there. Will Be there.
We know. Been there. Are there. Am there. Will Be there.