Found this at LBS. Thoughts please?
#26
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I like it.
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
#27
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Positioned and adjusted properly the suicide levers work perfectly fine. Back in the day I used 'em... but not often from the tops of the bars, mostly from the sides, a couple inches short of the hoods. There is virtually no flex from this position... very solid feel.
Nice bike.
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The OP is a girl and only 5' tall. The challenge with Tektro and Cane Creek levers is the large bulbous size. Unappealing aesthetically, and meant for average or larger hands.
I'd recommend something along the lines of Shimano's Exage Sport mid-1980s line of aero levers, like BL-451 or somesuch. A smaller, better feel in her hand, with quick release buttons, and a choice of white hoods, too.
I'd recommend something along the lines of Shimano's Exage Sport mid-1980s line of aero levers, like BL-451 or somesuch. A smaller, better feel in her hand, with quick release buttons, and a choice of white hoods, too.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=sr_1_2&sr=8-2
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Here's a better view of the same bike in the men's version https://stlouis.craigslist.org/bik/5238608401.html It looks as though it is original and may have been stored for a lot of years. Those are the original pedals that would come on the bike. My guess is late 70s to early 1980s because it used the downtube shift levers and the brands for the components. Sakae and Suntour both went out of business and the names were bought out. They are made in Taiwan by a conglomerate these days.
There's a lot to check on the bike. Are the tires sound? If they are more than 6 - 8 years old, they probably should be replaced. Ditto for rubber brake pads, covers for the brake handles, and grips. The grease in all of the places where you have bearings has likely hardened. The very least you should clean and regrease the bearings in the wheel hubs. Check all of the cables to make sure they move freely in the housing and are not frayed. It is well worth taking a bike like this and refurbishing. Even though it may be "old school" with somewhat outdated components it will be far better than any entry level bike you were previously looking at.
It's worth buying an inexpensive ($40 postpaid) bike repair kit on eBay like this one so you have all of the tools to do maintenance on the bike Universal Bicycle Home Mechanic 44 PC Tool Kit Set Repair with A Case | eBay You can see tutorials for how to do maintenance on youtube, at the Park Tool Company website or at the Sheldon Brown website Sheldon Brown-Bicycle Technical Information and Repair Help Articles - Park Tool
There's a lot to check on the bike. Are the tires sound? If they are more than 6 - 8 years old, they probably should be replaced. Ditto for rubber brake pads, covers for the brake handles, and grips. The grease in all of the places where you have bearings has likely hardened. The very least you should clean and regrease the bearings in the wheel hubs. Check all of the cables to make sure they move freely in the housing and are not frayed. It is well worth taking a bike like this and refurbishing. Even though it may be "old school" with somewhat outdated components it will be far better than any entry level bike you were previously looking at.
It's worth buying an inexpensive ($40 postpaid) bike repair kit on eBay like this one so you have all of the tools to do maintenance on the bike Universal Bicycle Home Mechanic 44 PC Tool Kit Set Repair with A Case | eBay You can see tutorials for how to do maintenance on youtube, at the Park Tool Company website or at the Sheldon Brown website Sheldon Brown-Bicycle Technical Information and Repair Help Articles - Park Tool
#30
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@VegasTriker the shop replaced the cabling completely and serviced it.
It's now sitting in my living room
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I too would be hesitant to change anything that is a distinctive feature of the era. Of course, it has to work, and in the case of brakes it has to work flawlessly. But assuming the brakes work properly I think the levers are a cool look. It's really a nice looking bike, very pink
GH
#32
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Thank you so much to everyone for your input. I have a lot of information here to work with. Much appreciation.
Last edited by YogaKat; 10-08-15 at 03:36 PM.
#33
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UPDATE:
I rode a quick 5 miles on it yesterday after work. Very different that riding my cruiser. I now see the pros and cons between the two.
It rode really well although I was a bit wobbly due to the fact that I have never been on anything with gears or such narrow wheels before, but so far I absolutely love it! The breaking seems to work well and it shifts well too. I do miss my cruiser seat though. Owww!
I can't wait to get her out on my regular route later.
I rode a quick 5 miles on it yesterday after work. Very different that riding my cruiser. I now see the pros and cons between the two.
It rode really well although I was a bit wobbly due to the fact that I have never been on anything with gears or such narrow wheels before, but so far I absolutely love it! The breaking seems to work well and it shifts well too. I do miss my cruiser seat though. Owww!
I can't wait to get her out on my regular route later.
#34
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@YogaKat. Congratulations on your new bike, hope you enjoy it. However I have to tell you, you already need a new bike
I saw on another of your post that you are planning to get into racing so this bike wont be the best candidate to race. But it is very normal for people on this forums to own more than 1 bike and ride them according to the activity they are doing. N+1 is the formula that determines the number of bikes you are planning to have, where N can be any infinite number.
Good luck, enjoy and have fun.
I saw on another of your post that you are planning to get into racing so this bike wont be the best candidate to race. But it is very normal for people on this forums to own more than 1 bike and ride them according to the activity they are doing. N+1 is the formula that determines the number of bikes you are planning to have, where N can be any infinite number.
Good luck, enjoy and have fun.
#35
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@YogaKat. Congratulations on your new bike, hope you enjoy it. However I have to tell you, you already need a new bike
I saw on another of your post that you are planning to get into racing so this bike wont be the best candidate to race. But it is very normal for people on this forums to own more than 1 bike and ride them according to the activity they are doing. N+1 is the formula that determines the number of bikes you are planning to have, where N can be any infinite number.
Good luck, enjoy and have fun.
I saw on another of your post that you are planning to get into racing so this bike wont be the best candidate to race. But it is very normal for people on this forums to own more than 1 bike and ride them according to the activity they are doing. N+1 is the formula that determines the number of bikes you are planning to have, where N can be any infinite number.
Good luck, enjoy and have fun.
#36
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Congrats on the "new" bike @YogaKat, that is is a very cool lugged frame. I love those old mixte frames and the twin top tubes are sweet. If it fits you, it is a keeper.
As an added bonus it has vertical dropouts, so it could be easily converted to singlespeed or dare I say, fixed gear - should you ever want to come over to the dark side.
We need moar pics please.
As an added bonus it has vertical dropouts, so it could be easily converted to singlespeed or dare I say, fixed gear - should you ever want to come over to the dark side.
We need moar pics please.
#37
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Congrats on the "new" bike @YogaKat, that is is a very cool lugged frame. I love those old mixte frames and the twin top tubes are sweet. If it fits you, it is a keeper.
As an added bonus it has vertical dropouts, so it could be easily converted to singlespeed or dare I say, fixed gear - should you ever want to come over to the dark side.
We need moar pics please.
As an added bonus it has vertical dropouts, so it could be easily converted to singlespeed or dare I say, fixed gear - should you ever want to come over to the dark side.
We need moar pics please.
#38
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Thanks @rex615
I've been riding a single speed cruiser until now so I guess I'm already a member of the dark side. In fact, I think I've even passed out cookies.
I will be taking more pictures soon.
I've been riding a single speed cruiser until now so I guess I'm already a member of the dark side. In fact, I think I've even passed out cookies.
I will be taking more pictures soon.
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Are you sure it fits? For someone 5' tall, a mixte makes it easy to get enough standover, but based on the headtube length, my guess is that it may be a larger size (something like a 52 cm or so). This could translate to an effective top tube length that is too long for you. If it does fit, then I agree with everyone else who said to get it, fix it up and enjoy it.
It's an intelligent approach for accommodating shorter riders, who might otherwise be unable to be fitted easily on a bike with full-size wheels.
Last edited by Trakhak; 10-09-15 at 08:17 AM.
#41
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Thanks @rex615
I've been riding a single speed cruiser until now so I guess I'm already a member of the dark side. In fact, I think I've even passed out cookies.
I will be taking more pictures soon.
I've been riding a single speed cruiser until now so I guess I'm already a member of the dark side. In fact, I think I've even passed out cookies.
I will be taking more pictures soon.
#42
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#43
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UPDATE:
I rode a quick 5 miles on it yesterday after work. Very different that riding my cruiser. I now see the pros and cons between the two.
It rode really well although I was a bit wobbly due to the fact that I have never been on anything with gears or such narrow wheels before, but so far I absolutely love it! The breaking seems to work well and it shifts well too. I do miss my cruiser seat though. Owww!
I can't wait to get her out on my regular route later.
I rode a quick 5 miles on it yesterday after work. Very different that riding my cruiser. I now see the pros and cons between the two.
It rode really well although I was a bit wobbly due to the fact that I have never been on anything with gears or such narrow wheels before, but so far I absolutely love it! The breaking seems to work well and it shifts well too. I do miss my cruiser seat though. Owww!
I can't wait to get her out on my regular route later.
It isn't the narrow wheels that make you wobbly, it's the unfamiliar riding position and the need to get used to changing gear. You'll be fine with an hour or two's practice.
Put a couple of thousand miles on that and by the time you get the road bike, you'll be flying.
#44
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Thanks for the tips about the saddle @chasm54
I'm about to go shopping for some accessories to add to my new girl. Firstly a water bottle, since there is not 'cup holder.'
I'm about to go shopping for some accessories to add to my new girl. Firstly a water bottle, since there is not 'cup holder.'
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Thanks for the tips about the saddle @chasm54
I'm about to go shopping for some accessories to add to my new girl. Firstly a water bottle, since there is not 'cup holder.'
I'm about to go shopping for some accessories to add to my new girl. Firstly a water bottle, since there is not 'cup holder.'
#46
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The problem with "If it fits..." is that you are 5ft! Any bike with full size wheels might be a problem.
The turkey levers help you ride a bike that's too big. But if you find you use them all the time then you need a shorter reach, and this is a style of bike that also looks great with swept handlebars. Here's one on my local CL. If swept handlebars wind up too high you can also find them with no rise or flip them upside down.
The turkey levers help you ride a bike that's too big. But if you find you use them all the time then you need a shorter reach, and this is a style of bike that also looks great with swept handlebars. Here's one on my local CL. If swept handlebars wind up too high you can also find them with no rise or flip them upside down.
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#47
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One recurring thing I've seen (@bike Shop) in the rear brake on Mixtes like that ,
Is water draining into the up turned U of the housing, and rusting and then the brake stops working
new stainless steel cable and new housing , And greasing the cable for good measure
Plus using a rubber cable bellows boot, that is now common on V brakes between the 2 arms of that side pull Brake
all to try to slow and resist the ill effects of water entering the cable section.
(Mid stay mounted center pull brakes did not have this issue, like the blue one above)
May like a pull back upright handle bar better than the drop bars ..
you can change the big chainring to smaller ... that looks like a 110 type, so 34t and larger.. ie 34-46.
unless a garage queen , never ridden .. chain+ new freewheel ..
fresh brake shoes . KoolStop Continental model is perfect on those.
Is water draining into the up turned U of the housing, and rusting and then the brake stops working
new stainless steel cable and new housing , And greasing the cable for good measure
Plus using a rubber cable bellows boot, that is now common on V brakes between the 2 arms of that side pull Brake
all to try to slow and resist the ill effects of water entering the cable section.
(Mid stay mounted center pull brakes did not have this issue, like the blue one above)
May like a pull back upright handle bar better than the drop bars ..
you can change the big chainring to smaller ... that looks like a 110 type, so 34t and larger.. ie 34-46.
unless a garage queen , never ridden .. chain+ new freewheel ..
fresh brake shoes . KoolStop Continental model is perfect on those.
Last edited by fietsbob; 10-09-15 at 01:08 PM.
#48
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#49
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Keep an eye on the tire sidewalls. If there is cracking or crazing visible on the sidewall, it is time for new tires. Those are called "gum wall" or "skinwall" tires referring to the natural rubber strip making up the sidewall. They start out lighter in color than what I see on your bike and that is a sign of aging. I didn't know they still made them but Niagara Cycle where I do a lot of my online bike parts ordering has several in the old 27" X 1+1/4" or 27" X 1+1/8" size common on 70s and 80s road bikes. You can see the original color here: Kenda K35 27 x 1-1/4 Skinwall Tire
#50
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I've seen that saddle before. If you start having trouble with saddle sores, remember that going to a smaller/harder saddle after your rear end becomes accustomed to the bike may be the right thing to do.