Originally Posted by
soonerbills
1. 27" wheels
2. Steel wheels
3. Nutted axles
4. Hi-Tensile steel frames
5. Rust
The only item on this list that is not a preferential issue is rust.
But rust in small amounts can be cleaned and therefore only quashes a deal if extensive.
The other items mentioned are completely reliable and serviceable if they are of quality.
While most riders who post on this forum prefer to have chromoly frames, alloy wheelsets and quick release hubs they are not absolute necessities for a usable ride.
Bingo, there are a lot of very nice candidates out there that have carbon steel frames - Peugeot UO-8 and siblings, Raleigh Grand Prix 1967 - 1973 or so, Dawes, Falcon, Mercier, Motobecane, and Gitane frames of same vintage, Italians of same vintage, such as Atala, Fiorelli, Bottechia, and many others. With these bikes make sure the bottom bracket spins well - the cottered cranks are an extra servicing challenge. Some (ask us here) can accept modern cranksets as replacements, and some can't without heroic techniques.