sykerocker 

While often true, it's not necessarily a universal rule. The French, Belgians and Dutch seemed to have a knack for building wonderful riding bikes with 'gas pipe'. A lot of the difference has to do with age.

Back in the 60's and early 70's, the low end bikes were still considered serious riders by quality manufacturers, and were built to a lower price point but with expectations of use above that price point.. By the 80's, bottom line bikes were low-end beginner bikes made for around the neighborhood riding with racy looks, and the manufacturer usually had another 6-8 models higher than it. And the push was on to get you to buy the higher stuff.

EjustE

Not doomed at all Welcome to the concept of a 'donor bike'. In several builds I have used frames that fit and high end components from bikes that did not fit, had issues with the frames or I would not ride them (like foil frames.) It is kind of a dual search: Search for a frame that fits and grab on to any bike with high end components (for cheap). Not $20 cheap, but if you look around, you can find inexpensive deals...

btw, the el cheapo concept is well living here. Look at the archives for this years' contest.

roccobike

Aquakitty,
Do what I do, ignore the high end Italian stuff. I would really love to get a high end Bianchi, but it hasn't happened yet and I don't expect it to. There are plenty of threads with bikes that are very run of the mill, entry level stuff. That's where the fun is. The ability to buy a bike that's been ignored and recover it to make it a thing of beauty. I get more satisfaction from that than paying a grand to obtain someone elses high end bike off of ebay. There's plenty of room for everyone here especially someone like you who is a true C&Ver.

roccobike

Oh man, that is sweet. My size too!

khatfull

I have yet to find a true donor bike. The one that came closest I paid $50 for, swapped the 7 speed drivetrain for a 6 speed (to use the 7 speed elsewhere), then sold it for $350. Hard to call that a donor.

(yes, my best deal/flip to date but shows there are deals out there)

OrangeOkie

To answer the OP's question, I am not in to what he is into. I like old things of quality. I like bikes that have a human creator . . an artisan . . . I love to build up quality frames with new old stock components from the glory years. I just happen to have fallen in love with Schwinn and English frames and the best from SunTour. Se la vie!

khatfull

Ok, so what does the stable look like?

wrk101

I don't see any anti-Japanese bike bias around here myself. Most of my current family fleet is 1980s Japanese built: 1984 Centurion Lemans 12 mixte, 1984 Lotus Classique, 1987 Miyata 215ST, and a 1987 Schwinn Prologue (built by Panasonic). Other than those bikes, I just have two Trek (USA built) mountain bikes, a Giant hybrid (Taiwan), and an Italian bike. I just added that 1995 Fuji above, I think it was made in Taiwan, but I do not know for sure.

When I look for bikes, I personally prefer Japanese models. They use standardized parts, they had great workmanship, and I have quite a pile of spares in hand so it works well for me.

I have several Japanese bikes in the to be rehabbed pile right now: two Centurions, two Lotus, and two Miyatas. I have had quite a few Japanese Fujis, which were all quite nice.

I have one Univega in the "to find a new home" pile, and have had several Univegas in the past. I like them too. Wish the Gran Turismo I had was my size, as I would have kept it for sure.

cb400bill

There are some forum members who don't appreciate the Japanese made Paramounts, but other than that I see no dislike of Japanese bikes around here. I'd love to have a Japaramount.

Rollfast

I have 17 pages of some argument against your philosophy! But then again I might be a tad insane so I've had at it anyway

khatfull

Funny, I've never considered wanting anything other than a Japanese bike. Go figure

matimeo

This is the perfect place for you- if you're like me. I love finding the old road bikes at bargain prices. Unfortunately, there aren't as many to be had here in Portland, as they get gobbled up very quickly.

USAZorro

Yes, she is. And should be happy to be doomed in such a way.

rhm

Uh, who was it that was complaining about all the slippery leaves last October?

OrangeOkie

Lazy photo . . . I really need to get these babies out and make some good pics.

Steve Whitlatch 

My buying , fixing up and selling cheap bikes has paid off in big ways. I had amassed a great deal of nice spare parts. I traded a bunch of those parts for this Trek 1400 that had everything but wheels. I also had a spare set of wheels. Now to start the process over again I have amassed 5 new cheap bikes to fix up and sell over the winter.

OrangeOkie

My problem is after i get them fixed up, I can't bring myself to sell them!

Antieverything

bought for $20, spent $40ish, ride it for utility and rainy day.


rescued from the scrap pile, spent $60ish.

I love to find cheap vintage bikes and rebuild them just for the fun of it. I ride them as much as possible and I only sell them out of necessity, sometimes for profit (if I need to pay for auto repair or pet care), most times I barely break even.

autoteacher

Like it, buy it, ride it. I couldn't care less what others think, I'm too old for that foolishness.

seedsbelize 

I'm currently riding an early 70s Araya that I was able to rent for two weeks, from a homeless shelter workshop here in Harrisonburg where I'm visiting. I've absolutely fallen in love with it. Suntour components, chrome rims, steel handlebars, bent fork. If I hadn't just sworn off keeping any bikes or parts in the US, I would find a way to keep it. I'm renting it for $20/ week, about what it's worth.

Fahrenheit531 

To the OP: I'm sure there are lots of people here that do exactly what you do. My wife and I have one "nice" bike each: a Trek 7900 hybrid and a Schwinn Tempo, respectively. They don't measure up to most of the truly epic bikes around here, but they're nice. After that our bikes are worn-looking, refurbished rides that once used to be nice bikes. My old Super Sport, complete with a Boris Karloff "Frankenstein" decal, has a front derailleur with a custom-bent cage (vice grips!) to help it work on a triple chainring; the bike is pure "just make it work," and basically exists as a platform for my 2-year-old's child seat.

But I digress. You asked if there was a place for you here, and the answer is Yes. I've found these forums to be an amazing collection of experience and wisdom from riders of all types. That diversity of opinion and methods is why this place is the best, widest-ranging assembly of knowledge on all-things-bicycle that I've come across. How many bikeforums members is the right number to have? N+1.

uncle uncle

I totally enjoy reading the "clunker challenge" and hoopty bike posts here. I have low end (aka entry level hi-ten bike shop bikes from the 70's & 80's) and enjoy riding them. I have also been fortunate to find some really nice bikes at very reasonable prices too. And I have a small cache of cheap rides that I hope/want to wrench on some day. I don't really care what someone may think the bike is worth after I'm done; that's not my goal. My goal is to learn to fix them and to get the chance to ride and experience them. It's okay if I don't make much, or any, money at the start (or ever maybe).

old's'cool

I'm Cool with it...

Bledfor Days

I like the cheapies. Especially this $100 1964-65 CCM Imperial I just aquired. A nice old piece of Canadiana.

Aquakitty

Wow this thread is still going after 4 years! I have learned a lot in the last 4 years. Not sure how I ever had this problem, lol.