Old Steel Ride...
#1
Motorcycle RoadRacer
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,826
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
Old Steel Ride...
I know I am preaching to the choir, but I gotta tell ya, the old steel rides!!
Lately I have been riding my 85 Raleigh Prestige, 88 Centurion Ironman, 87 Schwinn Prelude, and my 85 Raleigh Competition. They all give up the goods. Today, I rode the second bicycle I got since my Western Flyer back in the 50s..
The 1979 Raleigh Competition GS. My son gave me this back some 30 odd years ago. He purchased it used, gave it to me. I rode it for a while, let it set, rode it, let it set some more, then I let it set for a real long time. Fast foward to a littel over a year ago. I get bike crazy. I purchased another 1979, making me have two 79s. Anyway, riding the older one today, I said Gawd Daymm!! This thing is tight, handles like a dream and super smooth. What I think is happening is my riding senses are sharper now. Sure I got a different set of wheels and tires on this bike, things adjusted, but somehow it feels super good. Or my riding has come up to a level where I can feel slight differences, good or bad.
Everything I feel with this bike is good.. and to think I have another one in way better shape than this one. BTW, the two 79 Raleigh Comps are the oldest in my little stable. The youngest is the 1996 Lightspeed. The Lightspeed has no comparison. It rides like it is on air, has the lowest gear and the highest gear, it is the fastest, the smoothest, and the lightest (17lbs). But, I DON'T RIDE IT!!
Everytime I reach for a weapon to ride, I always go to the real old steel..Dam this habit has bit me...
Thanks for letting me ramble on..
Lately I have been riding my 85 Raleigh Prestige, 88 Centurion Ironman, 87 Schwinn Prelude, and my 85 Raleigh Competition. They all give up the goods. Today, I rode the second bicycle I got since my Western Flyer back in the 50s..
The 1979 Raleigh Competition GS. My son gave me this back some 30 odd years ago. He purchased it used, gave it to me. I rode it for a while, let it set, rode it, let it set some more, then I let it set for a real long time. Fast foward to a littel over a year ago. I get bike crazy. I purchased another 1979, making me have two 79s. Anyway, riding the older one today, I said Gawd Daymm!! This thing is tight, handles like a dream and super smooth. What I think is happening is my riding senses are sharper now. Sure I got a different set of wheels and tires on this bike, things adjusted, but somehow it feels super good. Or my riding has come up to a level where I can feel slight differences, good or bad.
Everything I feel with this bike is good.. and to think I have another one in way better shape than this one. BTW, the two 79 Raleigh Comps are the oldest in my little stable. The youngest is the 1996 Lightspeed. The Lightspeed has no comparison. It rides like it is on air, has the lowest gear and the highest gear, it is the fastest, the smoothest, and the lightest (17lbs). But, I DON'T RIDE IT!!
Everytime I reach for a weapon to ride, I always go to the real old steel..Dam this habit has bit me...
Thanks for letting me ramble on..
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Maine
Posts: 529
Bikes: 90 Raleigh Chill MTB, 92 Trek 1200, 2004 Trek 2300, 67 Sports, 70 Sports, 71 Philips, Lotus Challenger, 74 Super Course, Univega Gran Tourismo, Nishiki Seral
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yes, preaching to the choir, we're all ears. We know the feeling.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Above ground, Walnut Creek, Ca
Posts: 6,681
Bikes: 8 ss bikes, 1 5-speed touring bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 86 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
nice bike!
i've got a 85 elance 300 no cache (where is the accent agui when you need it?), i know, but mine's set up just like yours. black, faded red bar wrap, brooks pro etc.
but i like the chrome drop outs on yours. always looks nice with black.
i've got a 85 elance 300 no cache (where is the accent agui when you need it?), i know, but mine's set up just like yours. black, faded red bar wrap, brooks pro etc.
but i like the chrome drop outs on yours. always looks nice with black.
#5
smelling the roses
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Tixkokob, Yucatán, México
Posts: 15,320
Bikes: 79 Trek 930, 80 Trek 414, 84 Schwinn Letour Luxe (coupled), 92 Schwinn Paramount PDG 5
Mentioned: 104 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7081 Post(s)
Liked 901 Times
in
612 Posts
Set your keyboard to US/International.
My '87 Prelude is my favorite bike.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Hervey Bay, Qld, Australia.
Posts: 2,928
Bikes: Colnago (82, 85, 89, 90, 91, 96, 03), 85 Cinelli, 90 Rossin, 83 Alan, 82 Bianchi, 78 Fountain, 2 x Pinarello, Malvern Star (37), Hillman (70's), 80's Beretto Lo-Pro Track, 80's Kenevans Lo-Pro, Columbus Max (95), DeGrandi (80's) Track.
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 179 Post(s)
Liked 198 Times
in
124 Posts
Lovely Raleigh. Great story.
#7
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,325
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3896 Post(s)
Liked 4,822 Times
in
2,226 Posts
I rode my '85 Trek 600 today - it was wonderful and seemed so light (?).
The '72 Raleigh Super Course rides like no other.
Took the '84 Peugeot to Vancouver last weekend to ride (over 3 modern bikes).
I know the feeling, but in my case it must have something to do with nostalgia.
On group rides I pick a newer bike with everything at my fingertips, better brakes, etc.
The '72 Raleigh Super Course rides like no other.
Took the '84 Peugeot to Vancouver last weekend to ride (over 3 modern bikes).
I know the feeling, but in my case it must have something to do with nostalgia.
On group rides I pick a newer bike with everything at my fingertips, better brakes, etc.
#9
Motorcycle RoadRacer
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,826
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
That is the reason a cherry 1979 Raleigh Professional would make me scream for joy, whereas, the latest, greatest and lightest wouldn't get a second look from me. In fact, if they were the same price, I would pick the vintage.
#10
Motorcycle RoadRacer
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,826
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
I rode my '85 Trek 600 today - it was wonderful and seemed so light (?).
The '72 Raleigh Super Course rides like no other.
Took the '84 Peugeot to Vancouver last weekend to ride (over 3 modern bikes).
I know the feeling, but in my case it must have something to do with nostalgia.
On group rides I pick a newer bike with everything at my fingertips, better brakes, etc.
The '72 Raleigh Super Course rides like no other.
Took the '84 Peugeot to Vancouver last weekend to ride (over 3 modern bikes).
I know the feeling, but in my case it must have something to do with nostalgia.
On group rides I pick a newer bike with everything at my fingertips, better brakes, etc.
#11
Motorcycle RoadRacer
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,826
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
It is a super ride...Trying to land me a Paramount(vintage) too..
That is worth a pic of my 86 Prelude.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
TampaRaleigh
Classic & Vintage
46
04-24-13 09:59 AM