Is anyone aware of a quality vintage bike that was offered in a small frame?
07-22-14, 09:04 AM
#1
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Is anyone aware of a quality vintage bike that was offered in a small frame?
Greetings,
Is anyone aware of a quality vintage bike that was offered in a small frame? Ideally, I am looking for something reasonably lightweight (low-20 lbs weight range or less), a frame smaller than 50cm (e.g., a 42 or 44 cm frame), and 650C or 26" wheels. I realize I may be chasing a unicorn here, but I'd welcome any/all suggestions or leads -- especially if there are any currently for sale that meet some or all of these criteria.
Thank you!
Is anyone aware of a quality vintage bike that was offered in a small frame? Ideally, I am looking for something reasonably lightweight (low-20 lbs weight range or less), a frame smaller than 50cm (e.g., a 42 or 44 cm frame), and 650C or 26" wheels. I realize I may be chasing a unicorn here, but I'd welcome any/all suggestions or leads -- especially if there are any currently for sale that meet some or all of these criteria.
Thank you!
07-22-14, 09:06 AM
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Terry built a lot of women specific bikes in smaller sizes, some with 650c if I recall, and some with different sized wheels. They don't come up often though.
07-22-14, 09:29 AM
#3
Still learning
I've got a complete Junior Peugeot, which weighs in at 26 lbs, and is 17.5" or 44cm. You can pop some alloy MTB wheels on it and save a few lbs. I can bring it to NNJ before Labor Day.
Last edited by oddjob2; 07-22-14 at 10:08 AM.
07-22-14, 09:39 AM
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Bianchi Eros came in a small size with 650c wheels in the early 90's. Others, too, no doubt.
If you can find a decent juvenile bike made for some sort of 24" wheels (520 mm, 540 mm, etc) you may be able to fit 26" (559 mm) wheels with shorter brakes. The problem there is that most juvenile bikes frames are nothing special.
If you can find a decent juvenile bike made for some sort of 24" wheels (520 mm, 540 mm, etc) you may be able to fit 26" (559 mm) wheels with shorter brakes. The problem there is that most juvenile bikes frames are nothing special.
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07-22-14, 09:55 AM
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Pinarello Piccolo used 26" wheels. Probably rare as hen's teeth in the USA.
I'd keep an eye on the European eBay sites; much better chance of getting a good frame there.
I'd keep an eye on the European eBay sites; much better chance of getting a good frame there.
07-22-14, 10:16 AM
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There was a Bridgestone 550 that was small woman specific for a couple of years.
Note the smaller front wheel, which allows downsizing for standover in a level top tube design.
They show up on CL from time to time, and we just sold one here at my co-op a few months back.
The other similar design was sold under the Terry marque, but they are usually way more 'spensive when you find them for sale.
Note the smaller front wheel, which allows downsizing for standover in a level top tube design.
They show up on CL from time to time, and we just sold one here at my co-op a few months back.
The other similar design was sold under the Terry marque, but they are usually way more 'spensive when you find them for sale.
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07-22-14, 10:34 AM
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There was also a Centurion Ironman that came in a Terry-design. Rear wheel was 700c and front was 600c (24", aka 520mm BSD). Very smart design. Actually, it would have been just as smart if both wheels were 24", and I don't know why Terry and others didn't make it.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
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Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
07-22-14, 11:44 AM
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Thanks everyone for the ideas. Please keep them coming. The Terry design looks pretty funky, and I had the same thought as noglider.
I guess I'll keep searching.
I guess I'll keep searching.
07-22-14, 11:56 AM
#11
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You could also look at bikes for the Japanese market.
Check out 3rensho if you are searching for exclusive stuff.
As you might now, there will always be a problem to make small frame with horizontal top tube and 700C wheels.
Check out 3rensho if you are searching for exclusive stuff.
As you might now, there will always be a problem to make small frame with horizontal top tube and 700C wheels.
07-22-14, 11:59 AM
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Here's a Litespeed Bella Titanium offered on Chicago's Craigslist
Litespeed Titanium 47cm-Ultegra-Mavic Ksyrium Road-TT-Tri-Male/Female
You can contact the seller for more photo's and if the seller will ship.
Good Luck,
Mike
Litespeed Titanium 47cm-Ultegra-Mavic Ksyrium Road-TT-Tri-Male/Female
You can contact the seller for more photo's and if the seller will ship.
Good Luck,
Mike
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Moots VaMoots 2012-Peugeot Mixte 1974-Peugeot Mixte 1973
Moots VaMoots 2012-Peugeot Mixte 1974-Peugeot Mixte 1973
07-22-14, 12:09 PM
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Small Nishiki Road Bike - $150 (N.Central) Austin CL
Must sell my classic 12 speed road bike, 45 CM CroMolly frame, just had new tires, tubes, chain and shifter cables installed. Its road ready. Cash only
Small Nishiki Road Bike
Probably a bike shop in Austin that would pack & ship so the seller could just drop it off. Or maybe a facilitator here.
Must sell my classic 12 speed road bike, 45 CM CroMolly frame, just had new tires, tubes, chain and shifter cables installed. Its road ready. Cash only
Small Nishiki Road Bike
Probably a bike shop in Austin that would pack & ship so the seller could just drop it off. Or maybe a facilitator here.
07-22-14, 12:18 PM
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Sticking with a full-size rear wheel meant that they could use, e.g., conventional drive train components, thus avoiding, among other problems, disproportionately large chainrings necessitating nonstandard front derailleurs. Most bikes with matching wheels that are smaller than the standard sized for adult bikes are geared low enough to be arguably inappropriate for anything other than short, casual rides. That was the thinking, anyway.
07-22-14, 12:54 PM
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07-22-14, 12:57 PM
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Sticking with a full-size rear wheel meant that they could use, e.g., conventional drive train components, thus avoiding, among other problems, disproportionately large chainrings necessitating nonstandard front derailleurs. Most bikes with matching wheels that are smaller than the standard sized for adult bikes are geared low enough to be arguably inappropriate for anything other than short, casual rides. That was the thinking, anyway.
07-22-14, 02:44 PM
#17
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The most common junior models I've seen are vintage Bianchis.
Last edited by 1987; 07-22-14 at 05:18 PM.
07-22-14, 04:02 PM
#18
Still learning
Are you building for a woman, child, or man? If the first, how about a mixte? How tall is the rider?
I also have this Raleigh Super Course MK II, Reynolds 531 main frame tubes.
I also have this Raleigh Super Course MK II, Reynolds 531 main frame tubes.
07-22-14, 04:47 PM
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650c wheeled road bikes are rare. 26" wheeled road bikes of any decent quality are even more uncommon.
I have seen a few small mtb.'s repurposed with drop bars and 26 x 1.5 slicks or near slicks.
My kids are both in that "no mans" land of just under 5'. My son is about ready to grow out of his 24" wheeled road bike and the 49 cm 700c road bikes I have purchased for when that time comes are just too big still. When they do get to fit them they will be on 155 mm cranks, then 165's. Another problem for smaller folk, the cranks are too long.
07-22-14, 05:18 PM
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07-22-14, 07:09 PM
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Looks pretty nice- what's the size, standover height, etc.?
07-22-14, 08:01 PM
#24
Still learning
Female rider, about 5'1" or 5'2". Would need roughly 28" standover height. I wouldn't say no to a mixte, especially a nice one that's fairly lightweight, but I/we prefer the aesthetics of a traditional diamond frame.
Looks pretty nice- what's the size, standover height, etc.?
Looks pretty nice- what's the size, standover height, etc.?
07-22-14, 08:09 PM
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