noelweichbrodt

I'm on the prowl for a bike for my wife. I've researched and looked, shown her some different photos and in-person looks, gotten the gist of her aesthetic, and have it narrowed down.

A 1985 or earlier (roughly) bike with a step-through frame that has the top tube on a parallel slope to the downtube (ie not a mixte nor a loop frame, but a classic step-through or sloping top tube like https://www.bowerylanebicycles.com/breukelen.html). Steel of course, preferably high-quality butted (eg Reynolds 520/4130 at least), and the tubes shouldn't be too burly (no large-diameter, overbuilt tubing, which isn't usually a problem with these < 1985 frames). I'd like to make it a 3-speed with an SA internal hub, so I want horizontal dropouts. Fenders & chainguard would be nice extras. The geometry shouldn't be too aggressive (sa/ha of < 72), as she wants an upright ride and I'll be putting mustache or north road bars on it. Frame size needs to be around 56cm (5'9", long torso, so the handlebars need to be high and the top tube long). I love mixtes, but the wife doesn't like their split top tubes, so those are out as well.

The local STL craigslist/recycled bike scene is flooded with Schwinns, but I haven't run across anything else that really fits my desires above, especially in a larger-size-for-a-"women"-style frame.

I've almost scooped up a Schwinn World Tourist and Le Grande that kinda fit, except I wasn't happy with the steel, construction, or components on them (and the colors weren't that great, either).

Am I being too picky?

What other models/brands should I be looking for?

Like I said, I've only really seen Chicago-made & Chinese-made Schwinns pop up locally, but I'm more than happy to try and suss out Japanese, European, etc makes & models!

Thanks!

cb400bill

Maybe. There are not a lot of women's frames in the bigger sizes out there. Most of them are made for women/girls of aorund 5"4" or so.

That being said, I'd look for a bike from Fuji, Nishiki, Schwinn, Miyata, Univega, Raleigh, just to name a few.

Whatever you end up finding, I'd suggest not getting a fixer-upper. Just wait till you find a bike in great shape. She will appreciate it much more.

Good luck.

Ivandarken

To properly help, we will need a photo... of your wife.

Do you just want to upgrade a classic English 3 speed? I have a Dunnelt that I was thinking of building up for a lady friend using nice bits n' pieces. I think that could be great. Heavy, but great. You can find really cheap frames and then spend too much building up new wheels with, oh, maybe a Nexus 8 speed hub and front generator hub. Ad some Velo Orange fenders and front rack, a nice sprung Brooks saddle... go ahead, she deserves it.

curbtender

This came up alittle bit ago.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bik/1620923504.html

ducth bike - $130 (berkeley)

Date: 2010-02-27, 2:11PM PST
Reply to: sale-xcder-1620923504@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]



3 speeds dutch style bike.
and a strong chain lock for free.
pascal 510 847 4938
cash only

• it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

Ivandarken

That's nice. But I wouldn't exactly call that Dutch style... it's English, or an English copy. You could find these twice a week here in Chicago for $50.00. Imagine that with light weight wheels, aluminum fenders, and a front and rear rack. Montmarte bars... Brooks flyer saddle... leather tassels... (was that my outside voice???)

cia dog

You were on the right track with the Schwinn you almost bought. Any Japanese company like Nishiki, Centurion, Miyata, Panasonic, Univega, and Fuji just to name a few; all had decent frames with very reliable components especially the Suntour line of components.

retrofit

Something like this '60s 3-speed Triumph "Made in Notingham England"?


stan

sciencemonster

As much as I love 3 speeds, if you plan on doing anything more than runs to the store, I wouldn't be surprised if you wouldn't want something better.

I started my wife and daughter out on three speeds/mixte's, but it wasn't long before they wanted wanted what I had, and they ended up on small men's 531 lightweights with drop bars. My daughter may be young and athleticy, but my wife is 55 and out of shape, and even she won't get on a 3 speed anymore. It's amazing what she can do with that lightweight.

bikerosity57

A Raleigh Sports. She'll love it, and it is a great all around three speed English bike that's considered a true C and V classic.

gbalke

I found a '68 Robin Hood 3 speed for my my two years ago on Craigslist for $35. With a little bit of time and energy, I gave it to her for Christmas. She loved it. I've since replaced the saddle with a white one.



The following summer I couldn't pass up a pair of matching Raleigh Sports 3 speeds, $125 for both:

umpire54

I highly recommend a very nice clean Miyata or Nishiki with Suntour or Shimano components, their beautiful Sugino cranksets, and shiny well engineered Dia Compe brakesets. Sharp looking bikes with great design and classy details such a pin striping and great color mixing. While I love old English and Italian bikes...the Japanese bikes are the Lexus of bikes, and isn't that what she deserves?? Be patient and find one made for a lady and you and she will not only agree but will probably thank me once you have it built up for her. <I wouldn't change a thing>

They roll like they are on ice and the she will like the quality look. Once fixed up they still look retro but roll like new and are something to be proud of.

I have an 86' 710 road bike and a 91' Triplecross <she may like the various cross bikes for the upright attribute of the bike and easy to change bars as you want>. My Triple cross flys like it has a turbo on it and is just fun! I know you want newer but its been a while since the early 90's and you can see the period look...lol. Take a look at some of the mid 80's models even up into the early 90's, you will see about as nice of bikes made as were available at the time.

Below is my 86' Miyata 710 pics from the owner I bought it from. BLOW-UP THE PICS AND LOOK AT WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT. I have not done a thing to it yet but plan on new bar tape, saddle, and colored tires and will make new pics then. Look closely at its quality, and the nice components for 86 but still has that retro look. https://www.flickr.com/photos/umpire5...7622744130549/

Also providing a link to Miyata's catalog database to look at models. Take time to sit down and show her some of the bikes, stock colors, and components. I also find that most Miyata's have been well cared for...which is what you want. Good luck! ,< I like the old Triumphs too> Good guy for making her happy and biking together!

https://www.miyatacatalogs.com/

noelweichbrodt

Wow! A wonderful set of advice here. Thank you all!

Since Ivandarken asked, the lady in question is E from Academichic (https://www.academichic.com).

Lots of consensus to consider Raleigh Sports. I love that idea, and I'll start searching for a good candidate. I am customizing my own modern Raleigh, a 2010 One Way (https://www.flickr.com/photos/weichbrodt/4272129716/). It could use a British girlfriend =} However, since she will have to park it in our walkout basement, I don't want a 40lb beast to lug up & down the stairs. I would think a modern wheel, hub, seat, and handlebars set could help drop a few pounds off an old Sport, though.

umpire54, I hadn't really considered Miyata as a brand before. But you are right, those are beautifully detailed bikes. I will start making a note of Miyatas.

sciencemonster, I will burn the speed bridge when we cross it But since we're only pragmatic cyclists at the moment, I'm not too worried about aero-ness, but a lightweight frame is definitely on the agenda due to parking situation.

Thanks again!

big chainring 

Unfortunately this auction evded Sunday. Larger frame Atala
https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

rhm

Re. the Raleigh Sports suggestion, an English three-speed of non-Raleigh manufacture would be more interesting and has some distinct advantages:

--Standard 24 tpi threading, so you can use standard BSA headset and BB;
--better frame material; thicker seat post indicates thinner frame walls. As Sheldon Brown noted, "Most Raleighs use a seatpost diameter of 1" (25.4 mm) while other British 3-speed bikes usually use 1 1/16" (27.0 mm)." I've found 26.4 mm to be more likely, but still, that's a considerably thinner tube wall and therefore a lighter frame.

As for what's a non-Raleigh, that's a bit trickier since by the 60's Raleigh made most of them, even if they didn't say "Raleigh" on them. Sheldon suggests "the easiest way to identify Raleigh-built bikes is by looking at the rear dropouts. Almost all Raleigh-threaded bikes have the rear fender eyelets located directly behind the axle, instead of above it." A 50's B.C.C. bike --Hercules, Phillips, Norman, Sun-- is always a good bet.

But when in doubt, go for something with a cool chain ring, even if it's a Raleigh.

___
Edit: I just remembered, I have an orange Schwinn Super Sports that might work for this type of upgrade. Fillet brazed chrome-moly frame, 27" alloy wheels... though frankly I'm not sure those "lightweight" Schwinn frames are any lighter than standard Raleigh ones.

Ivandarken

Which reminds me... I also have a Norman lady's bike that I have to restore or sell. Where do you live Noel?

mickey85

Does it need to be step-through? And if so, why NOT mixtes? You can usually find those made of decent steel, and they're not much more than standard step-throughs. My girlfriend LOVES the mixtes. I wanted to set her up with a diamond-framed bike, but she said she was uncomfortable on it.

gna

That looks like one of the Made in Austria Sears 3 speeds. I'm not sure what the threading is on those, or if it has the dreaded Swiss bottom bracket. The men's I saw seemed like a nice bike.

wrk101

+1 Too picky, unless you plan to have something custom built for you.

+1 Step through frames tend to be rock bottom end bikes. The only womens style that comes with a higher quality frame are mixtes. And they are hard to find and tend to be pricey.

The Schwinns you almost scooped up are typical of the step through style. Very heavy gas pipe frame, bottom end parts, etc. So you are looking for something I have not seen: a high end built frame with a step through design. I guess you could have a frame builder make one for you.

Depending on where you live and ride, a 3 speed is very limiting. I would look for a 12 speed mixte, probably Japanese, and be ready to pounce if you see one.

Here's a Centurion Lemans Mixte I set up for my wife.

sciencemonster

My wife's consideration was distance and hill-climbing - never speed. She is _never_ going to have speed, and neither am I.

I spent years slowly turning her Sports into a Competition, one part at a time. Ideally I would have just made a Sports out of a
Competition frame to start off with, and saved some struggle, but both she and I had an infatuation with 3 speed Sports, and she resisted
the 'idea' of a racing bike until she just couldn't deal any more.

It wasn't until we worked up to 50 mile-a-day tours thru California hills that we outgrew them.

The other consideration was lifting the bike - usually onto a train.

gna

What attractive ladies! Perhaps I would have finished my PhD had I been surrounded by such loveliness.

I was a bit surprised by the "chic" movement in bicycling--Copehagen Cycle Chic, Chic Cyclist-- and I didn't realize that the "chic" movement had extended to academia. I'd recommend you ask Let's go Ride a Bike! and Lovely Bicycle! for advice.


My wife finished her Ph D. a few years ago, but I got her a Raleigh Sports to match mine last summer:



Here in relatively flat St. Paul, 3-speeds are just fine. Also, one can go on the Lake Pepin 3-speed Tour.

sekaijin

+1 for a Raleigh Sports if it's just for easy neighborhood rides, not hammering. I got my wife one and she loves it. She is tall but likes the medium size. As a road cyclist I forgot that not everyone wants maximum leg extension.

Her Sports weighs around 33 lbs. as original, which is heavy compared to a road bike but light compared to a Schwinn Breeze which was over 40 lbs.

noelweichbrodt

LOL. Right on! And thanks for the Sheldon quotes. It's hard to remember when you're looking which English-style are just English-style, actually English, and Raleighs.

noelweichbrodt

St. Louis. We do beer and baseball.

noelweichbrodt

Like I said in the OP, she doesn't like the split top tube on mixtes. I, otoh, have dreams of finding a 61cm mixte and kitting it out for myself

noelweichbrodt

We live on a shallow ocean bed, aka St. Louis. Three are plenty. I've been riding all over town on my ss/fg for quite a while. More importantly, she needs a chain guard, and those are hard to fit onto front derailuers.