mmbgobosox

I recently bought a backup bicycle for my daily commute from and elderly gentlemen who advertised it as a city bike, well I was surprised! He was asking $125, I got it for $110, and to be honest I was skeptical till I rode it. I commute everyday on an original Specialized Globe so I'm used to the city bike feel, anyway I took it for a spin and I was floored by the ride for an old bike, and the absolutly smooth shifting. The gentleman said he's never made any adjustments, it has 2471 miles on the vintage speedometer, always inside hung up, only the seats beat up, other than that its like new except for the worn ugly old foam grips.
Problem is I know I took a chance but I can't find ANY info on the web, CAN YOU HELP???? It's white with red lettering decal Sterling on the diagonal post, and City Sport 15 on the top tube both red , Diacompe Cantilevers, 19" frame says, "Chromoly Frame Tube Hi-Tension Forks And Rear Stays" on one decal, the other up the center post, says Sterling in silver below with a red diagonal stripe bordered by two black ones , Sugino VP cranks, Suntour Alpine front and rear Deraillers, Sumo 26x1.75 rims, Can anyone help , it also has a nice ribbed seatpost, really different.
I hope I didn't get taken, but strangely enough it rides smoother than my globe, and shifts unbelievably smoth, reminds me of an old racing ten speed I had in college (I'm 56, so it's been awhile) THANKS for any help!!!

1ntense

Hello, I just bought an old folding bike with Sterling decals too. I will probably post pictures later. Any info would be excellent!

Mine looks like a very old version of the Safari Chrome.
https://www.sterlinghouse.co.uk/prodl...56&order=alpha

mmbgobosox

Funny no one has replied, these must have been very low production, or not at all well known, all I know mines one nice bicycle

int19

Hello there,

As far as I know, there were several different builders/companies that have used the Sterling name:

1) The original Sterling Bicycle company: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sterling_Bicycle_Co.

2) A bike boom brand

3) A name briefly used by framebuilder Steve Bilenky - https://bilenky.com

If you can post a closeup picture of the "Sterling" logo, and the bike, we can probably tell you which it is.

jgedwa

[QUOTE=int19;7378288]

3) A name briefly used by framebuilder Steve Bilenky - https://bilenky.com

QUOTE]


I found a very nice Bilenky-built Sterling a few years ago. Too small for me, so I sold it to another BF member. Is that person still around here? Can't remember their user name. Just curious how it worked out.

jim

jacksbike

The first inference , to me, of the name Sterling is that it was a sub-brand for Univega bicycles in the 1980's. Just like Trek had the Jazz brand for their lower priced bikes, Sterling was Univega's lower priced brand of bikes. I sold them and the first post sure sounds like one of them. I also think that this brand name was created to sell to dealers that were not Univega franchise dealers, just so the company could get more sales .

mmbgobosox

Here's the photos I just took of my bike in question, if all I know by my gut feeling, and how it rides it seems like a nice one, let me know guys, it sounds like it could be one of many, I've changed the grips and seat, and added a rack, other than that, she's all original except of course for the tires, Thanks , Mitch

jacksbike

This is the Sterling sub-brand sold by Univega. That is their decal.

mmbgobosox

Thanks, So Much to everyone, well for a sub brand it sure makes the modern toys pathetic in ridabilty. I live in a POOR road condition mill village area, and the whole unit from shufting, to braking to the feel for the road makes my much, much newer Specialized Globes ride pathetic. Enough so that I just recenty packed up the Globe and shipped it to my brother in CT in hopes of getting him to exersize a bit. I quess the old saying is true, "They don't make them like they used to!" Mitch

1ntense

Hello, it took me too long to post these! Any ideas where I can find more info on this fold-up brand? It's the brown bike in the middle (w the helmet on the seat). Thanks everyone.

ViaBike

Here is the black copy of the same bike, except with the original San Marco saddle, Exage Trail rear Derailler and tires.