tojayho

I just really like the design of the vintage frame, but I am having a hard time finding a good vintage bikes.
I was wondering if there are any new bikes in the market with vintage design frame.

Vintage Raleigh

Plenty - from Chinese to custom frames built to spec depending what you're after.
Plenty of excellent vintage out there too depending what you're after.
Maybe put together a list of your needs so a vintage bike aficionado can help.

JerrySTL

Sure. There's even L'Eroica cycling events that require historical bikes or new bikes built to historical standards.

Steel Vintage Bikes - Online Shop for Classic Bicycles and Parts for L'Eroica

This would be my choice: Eroica | Bianchi USA

CliffordK

You really need to decide what you desire.

This thread has an interesting commentary, and a few photos of different modern/retro steel road bikes.
https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...iums-poll.html

You might also find yourself attracted to some of the early "lugged" carbon fiber bikes. I should have a Colnago C40 built up shortly. But, the Colnago C40 and C50 frames may straddle the divide between vintage and modern.

Or, perhaps some of the early Specialized or Trek lugged Carbon Fiber bikes.

If you can't find your dream bike on Craigslist, everything is available on E-Bay, with a bit of patience.

kevins08 

Surly's/Salsa/All-City/Kona/etc. all make steel "vintagey" frames.

bmthom.gis

Also, keep your eye on the for sale section here!

davester

I would say that Rivendell is the granddaddy of vintagey looking new bikes...

Custom Bicycles from Rivendell

For example...

tojayho

Thank you all for such nice replies but dang those prices are quite up there.
I am a college student looking for commuting. I am 5"7. Georgia has lots of hills so I am looking for a road bike.
I had to go through the fixie phase (Fatal mistake)
I guess my maximum budget is 500.
Thanks for the links, but I don't have thousands to spend
I've been looking into Craigslist and I found the followings:
[h=2]Vintage Meister 10 Speed Road Bike - $125[/h][h=2]Planet x[/h][h=2]FUJI ROYALE VINTAGE BIKE - $365[/h][h=2]Trek 1220 Bike - $290[/h]Are these any good?

CuttersRidge

The Royale is not worth that much in my opinion; perhaps people can help on these other models. I think I see those Royales around.

davester

Those all seem like good used bikes except the Meister, hence its low price. I especially like the Trek and used to have that exact model. The bigger issue is that you're listing bikes in a wide range of sizes. Some will fit you, some won't. First step...figure out what frame size you need. What is your pants inseam and how tall are you?

Narhay

Those bikes are a bit different in sizes. What is your height/inseam/standover measurements? Search how to measure these and we can find you a nice bike on craigslist.

CuttersRidge

Disclaimer: I don't mind clunkers.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...r-bicycle.html Okay, here is a previous discussion on these in this forum.

Meister might be a Japanese bike, it's a clunker but sometimes clunkers work. It could be heavy gaspipe too.

eschlwc

^ tojayho, those are different sized bikes. do a little research on rules of thumb for your height/inseam and bike tubing lengths (top tube and seat tube).

you can often roughly determine bike size by looking at its head tube.

i just checked atlanta craigs, and there's very little there. at this high demand time of year, deals are going to be hard to find. if i were you, i would search the bikeforums and ebay.

RoadGuy

I think the Trek is the best bike of the bunch, but the frame is way too big for you. I'd guess that it's a 58cm frame, and you would need a 33-34" inseam to clear the top tube.

The Meister and the Fuji look like they might be 21"/54cm frames. This might be the frame size that you need (might need to drop drop to 52cm or 50cm). But the Fuji at $365 is way over market. The Meister at $125 asking might be the right bike for you, as you're looking for a commuter that isn't worth that much (commuters lead a hard life and often get stolen).

I don't recommend used carbon bikes for beginners, so the Planet X is out.

If you want a decent vintage steel bike that won't cost you an arm or a leg look for a 19" or 21" Trek 3XX, 4XX, or 5XX bike. You might find them between $30-$300 if you shop. A Trek 400T (triple crankset) might be exactly what you are looking for.

The Trek bonded aluminum bikes (like the 1220 triple crank that you found the link for) are also available in the same price range, and the later ones features brifters (if you are into them), but as some people might point out are for the most part lacking in the mounting lugs for adding racks easier, which make carrying commuter loads easier.

Vintage Raleigh

Maybe a triple chainring then or at least a good spread of gears.

Depending on how far you have to ride, generally the lighter the bike the less effort required.
Look for alloy rims and quick release hubs which generally will mean a better quality wheel.
If you're handy with a spanner then you'll know what to look for as far as condition goes.
Otherwise spin the wheels to make sure they're true, check looseness of bb, headset, wheel cones, make sure everything works as you ride it etc.
If you're planning leaving it outside chained to a bike rack at school you might want a bike that's understated and take a bit of stick.
Good luck!

bikemig 

Soma is a very good choice as well.

SOMA Fabrications | For the everyday cyclist

Seizedpost

As stated above, if that Royale is worth $350 my S12-S LTD is worth $500. Sometimes you just need to wait for a good deal.

CuttersRidge

A lot of people cut their teeth on Fujis, I have seen an Allegro go for over $200, this 19 inch top tube Fuji Allegro in Marrieta is $125. So, there is a question if it would fit a 5'7" rider. I would think it is too short.

Posted a month ago.

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/bik/5453832074.html



So look for classic marquee names, Fuji, Miyata, Nishiki, Motobecane, Raleigh and many others and one might find something. Trek, Schwinn...

jon c. 

Has a decent derailler for a cheap bike though. And it would fit the OP.

If you could get it for $100 I think it might serve the purpose well. And if the commuting includes commuting to campus, where there is always a higher probability of theft, there's a lot to be said for a $100.

noobinsf 

Here are a couple that might at least be worth a look. The brown Schwinn is billed as a "single speed," but it has the double crank and the freewheel, so you would just need to throw a couple of cheap derailleurs and a longer chain on it to make it "geared."

The Shogun looks like it would be the best fit, and would just need a cheap set of drop bars. You could reuse the brake levers.

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/eat/bik/5435403456.html
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/bik/5512262747.html
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/bik/5499380753.html
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/bik/5469152440.html

CuttersRidge

The Meister has down tube shifters and the head badge has the Foxes per the other thread, one of the people like it. The head tube lugs don't look bad either actually, I think I see a seat cluster.



https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...r-bicycle.html

Unique bike, $125, one may wonder some. If it were $80, probably a sure deal. It's also in very good shape.

CliffordK

There are a number of reasons why the quality reproduction bikes are extraordinarily expensive. Materials, components, and labor, and perhaps "brand name" are all expensive. That is, assuming you want a quality bicycle. There are plenty of cheap Walmart specials.

Of that grouping above, the Meister has pressed steel dropouts and no derailleur hanger. A sure sign of what to AVOID.



They do serve their purpose, for a $125 bike, but there is a good chance the bike is very heavy. Look for bikes with cast or forged dropouts and an integrated derailleur hanger.

I'd probably lean towards the Trek 1220 as a good entry level vintage bike.

Then PlaneX bike would also be good, but it is twice as expensive, and you could do better.

A couple of more bikes for your consideration.

58 cm Cannondale R900 Road Bike - $550 (Marietta) A bit on the tall side.
Performance R103 Road Bike - $350 (East Cobb)
Bianchi Campione D'Italia (1988) - $350 (Johns Creek)
Road Bike - Cannondale - $325 (Lavonia, Georgia) (R300?)
Scattante R-560 Road Bike - $450 (Johns Creek)

The vintage bikes can make solid commuters/college bikes. I am, however, a bit split. I do like the more modern 1 1/8" threadless stems, and brifters, a few more gears, and smoother shifting.

I'd probably avoid sewups/tubulars often found on some of the oldest racing bicycles.

Another class of bikes to consider for the commuter would be the Gravel/Cross/Cyclocross bikes.
2015 Motobecane Fantom Cross CX or Gravel Grinder - $450 (N Macon)
3 Jamis bikes - $400 (Columbus)
FELT V100 Brand New (2015) Gravel Bike ROAD Cyclocross - $788 (Woodstock)

Thinking of the Motobecane. It is worth poking around the BikesDirect website.
Save Up to 60% Off Motobecane Cyclocross Bikes - Fantom Cross Outlaw

Vintage Raleigh

This is definitely worth a look if the right size etc.

tojayho

Excuse my ignorant statement, but I do not see much in the D'Italia. I see rusts and scratches even on the gears and chains.

tojayho

I just realized that as I went through the bikes more. I am 5"7 with 30inches inseam. I am guessing that I am within the 50-55cm range and 51-53 inches range.