I took a road trip to pick up bikes this week. So far, I have picked up four, hopefully I pick up the last one later today. FWIW: all four bikes were on C/L for several days.

I bought a frame from a fellow lister, interesting that I spotted his ad on C/L rather than on the forum. Only issue is that the chrome on the fork is heavily pitted. I'll give it one shot with oxalic, then I probably will entertain powdercoating it. I believe this Basso is a 1987. On line catalog in 1990 shows the fork to be color matched with the seat tube. The frame is my size, so its a keeper.

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I picked up two Raleighs, nothing special, but good flip potential. The frames on both of them are in top shape. Bikes are dirty, need new tires, cables, bearings, the regular stuff. This is the better of the two.

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The fourth bike was a really nice score, a 1986 Schwinn Prelude, in a desirable 19 inch frame size.

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I can see more bike picking road trips in the future!

Well, my wife picked up the Bianchi basketcase, so I think that finishes the week. Bike is in worse shape than it appears in this picture, but it has some Campy parts that look worth saving. It also came with derailleurs, stem, handlebars, levers, shifters, etc. in needs work condition.

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Basketcase? Is that a Super Record crank I am seeing on it?

Yes, I think it is, we'll have to see when it gets home. I am hoping to garner some parts for the Basso. Not sure the Bianchi frame is recoverable. If it is, I probably won't part it out. But based on close-up pictures, I have my doubts.

It also has nuovo record derailleurs and levers. Everything needs considerable cleanup and some luck.

newbie hear, livin' @ the beach rode mainly cruisers. a friend rides a fixed gear and got me lookin'. believe this bike to be a peugeot px10, w/research. got his fine machine for a ten spot. the serial on the bb only has 5 digits - 72745 - any help?

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I'm not getting your pics...

what do i need to do then, thanks

Looks like Ofmega to me. Still, too nice to call a "basket case" -- it just needs some TLC...

+1 No pics. Note, 90% of the time, when posters ask if they found a PX10, they have found a UO8 or similar. For a ten spot, either bike would be a good catch.

I have found stuff at all East Valley Thrift stores. The problem is you have to make 10 trips to find one thing worth buying. This just happens to be my best find in 5 years.

Atleast your bianchi wasnt as neglected as this one that I found a while ago.
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Wow HSean, that Bianchi is really rough. Its really sad to see something really good so neglected.

I got the bike home (my wife picked it up, I had not seen the bike in person). The good news is I think the frame is savable, as long as I get the stuck seat post out. I bought it for the components, so the frame is a bonus. Turns out to be a Columbus frame, not sure what grade, as decal is almost all gone. Ofmega crankset, bottom bracket, hubs and headseat, Nuovo Record FD and RD, Superbe levers, Universal Mod 77 calipers, Mavic Module E 700c rims, Cinelli stem, TTT bars, 27.2 cm seatpost, Made in Italy. Been looking for date codes on anything, so far, I have not found one.

I am assuming it is a model Nuova Racing, based on the decal.

I would really like to get the seat post out, as the bike is my size. Bike definitely needs an oxalic bath, I'll have to set one up again.

Got the seat post out tonight, PB Blaster and a good solid bench vise worked this time.

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I've got the '83 Raleigh Olympian in 58" built up as a fixie and it's my favorite. Nice to see them out there in good shape. Nice find.

My last pick Atlanta pickup was a mid 1970s Raleigh Record Ace (I'll be checking Suntour date codes). It was basically a throw in with the nicer Raleigh Olympian I picked up. It is definitely low end, 20-30 high ten steel frame, chrome rims, stem shifters. It does have a couple of redeeming qualities. First, the paint is in outstanding condition, a little cleanup and it will look really nice. Secondly, most of the components are panto'd Raleigh: FD, RD, crankset and stem (and alloy!). Third, it has some really nice red lever hoods (and no turkey levers!!).

I'll probably upgrade the wheels to alloy, clean up, and replace cables, tires, bearings, and lube..

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Well, catch #6 this week was a 1980s Puch. Its a low end bike, but it was at a thrift store with typical thrift store pricing. It has good Suntour AR components, alloy rims with alloy hubs, and good/excellent paint. On the down side are stem shifters, turkey levers and a high ten steel frame. I'll either use it as a donor for the Raleigh above, or rehab it outright. It goes to the back of the line regardless, as the Bianchi and Basso are my two current projects.

This is my first thrift store in about 8 months.

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ok

Very nice bike, was the lock still attached when you found it? Ha, I'm always amazed at what people put out in the pick up piles.

lol no.

1975 Raleigh Folder
 

While it may not be a catch of the day to most, for 35$ it was one to me.

1975 Nottingham Raleigh Folder. Needs some work, but I've always wanted one of these...

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Nice catch on the folder, I've been looking for one myself!

Great find on the Holdsworth!

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Got this Mercier from a house sale for under A$50 (US$45). Not exactly found but gr8 story. Its one of the last of the Merciers before it went under. According to Norris Lockley Settle , UK the boss of one of France's retail trading giants - think Auchan, Decathlon , Leclerc, Champion..etc etc - himself a keen cyclist and eternal fan of Poulidor, thought that the demise of Mercier would be worse for the morale of the French than the invasion of France by Hitler had been. So he bought the name of the company and launched the brand Le Velo de Mercier.

The relaunch by the retail tycoon was a pledge of faith in the French cycle industry and was to amount almost to a one-man effort to support the whole of the industry as it was a condition of relaunch that the bikes should be Tout Francais..ie all the components should be French. Hence the bike has components from Stronglight and CLB - both St Etienne-based companies, Simplex gears from Dijon...not too far away, probably the hubs are from Perrin and the bars from Belleri, firms alsobased in the St Etienne area. Just possibly the saddle is a Perache and the pedals Lyotards (LOOK)..both St Etienne, or just outside.

The frame was probaby built by Cycles France Loire, and the tubing is most likely to be one of the Vitus range. Rides beautifully!

Cool bike, nice story.. but what on earth are those pedals??

Bill, no need to do that to date the bike. The serial number is probably on the back of the seat tube. (sometimes on the BB housing- usually on 531 Rapides). The first letter is the place of manufacturing, the second the month and the first digit (after the 2 letters) the last digit of the year of manufacturing. Re: the bianchi frame. From here it looks like Columbus Biachi Special. Think Columbus Tenax. About equivalent.

mercier
 

Yes these insane pedals are KOOL - another french brand - they're early click in ones - mid 1980's I think. Clipless pedals became popular when Bernard Hinault won the Tour de France on prototype Look clipless pedals in 1985. Thats all I know.
Tubing on the bike is is Super Vitus 980 butted steel.

Thrift store find.
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