Originally Posted by dbc
Wouldn't pegging this as a mid-range model be a little optimistic? My Grand Prix from the early 80's is similar, with a lugged, nothing special steel frame, and mostly alloy components. It was occupying the bottom end of the LBS fleet. Not that I want to throw mud at the name - it certainly weighs less than my modern hybrid, and I got some excellent use out of it.
The bike looks in nice shape, except for the rubber that was already noticed. You may not want to drop a whole lot of money on it. Replace the rubber with what you can find for cheap, check the bearings, and you should be good to go. Have fun riding!
I'm an optimist
How about we say a low end racing bike but a mid-range bicycle in general?
But I'd still make the arguement. What was a typical lineup of the day?
* Heavy welded steel frame bikes like Huffy/Murray/Free Spirit
* The ubiquitous Schwinn Varsity and its brethren
* Relatively lightweight straight gauge hi-ten steel frame bikes like the Raleigh Grand Prix/Peugeot UO8/Bottecchia deLuxe/Special etc.
* A variety of Columbus or 531 bikes with second level components
* Same frames as above with Nuovo Record gruppo at the top of the heap
Which puts the bikes we're talking about right in the middle. Almost everyone I knew back then rode a department store bike or a heavy Schwinn, just like most people today ride a $250 Walmart bike so these bikes were a big step up. If you went to the LBS today you
might find the cheapest road bike for $700 or so. Does that make it bottom of the line because it's the cheapest one at the LBS? I think most people would be astounded that anyone would pay $700 for bicycle. I think we cycling enthusists tend to develop a certain elitist attitude about bikes. But you're right, I wouldn't spend a lot of money on it.