retro rides for the 'rents project!
#1
Gaspipe Pilot
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Feeding on the bottom.
Posts: 200
Bikes: Lots of bikes for lots of different kinds of riding....
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
retro rides for the 'rents project!
For the last two years I've been picking up discarded bikes, repairing them then giving them away. My mother asked me recently if I would fix up bikes for her and her husband to ride about on local bike paths.
My primary desire is that the bikes will be comfortable. I was thinking of using a pair of Puchs that I have - an Austro-Daimler Pathfinder and a Pathfinder mixte. They are the proper size for my parents and I have on hand most of the parts I would need. I was thinking of using northroad or "3-speed" type handlebars (I have some Nitto Doves currently unused) and sprung saddles.
My concern is the 27" wheel. I have plenty of wheels and tires in decent condition, but will they provide a comfortable enough ride? My parents are in their mid 50s, so they're not ancient! My stepfather had a cool Panasonic 10 speed 20 years ago. He works hard at a physical job and has had back pain. I don't think my mother has ridden a bike since before I was born.
I suppose another way to go would be the fully rigid mountain bike with 1.5 - 1.75 road tires route. I have a Fuji step-through frame that could work. I'd have to find a comparable frame for my stepfather.
Any comments or words of wisdom from the congregation? Unfortunately, there's no money to put a pair of matching Trek Navigators under the tree, so that option is out....
My primary desire is that the bikes will be comfortable. I was thinking of using a pair of Puchs that I have - an Austro-Daimler Pathfinder and a Pathfinder mixte. They are the proper size for my parents and I have on hand most of the parts I would need. I was thinking of using northroad or "3-speed" type handlebars (I have some Nitto Doves currently unused) and sprung saddles.
My concern is the 27" wheel. I have plenty of wheels and tires in decent condition, but will they provide a comfortable enough ride? My parents are in their mid 50s, so they're not ancient! My stepfather had a cool Panasonic 10 speed 20 years ago. He works hard at a physical job and has had back pain. I don't think my mother has ridden a bike since before I was born.
I suppose another way to go would be the fully rigid mountain bike with 1.5 - 1.75 road tires route. I have a Fuji step-through frame that could work. I'd have to find a comparable frame for my stepfather.
Any comments or words of wisdom from the congregation? Unfortunately, there's no money to put a pair of matching Trek Navigators under the tree, so that option is out....
#2
Banned
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,258
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
6 Posts
What about wider tires, if they'll clear you brakes/fork?
https://www.biketiresdirect.com/pkekr...sscyklo/pp.htm
https://www.biketiresdirect.com/pkekr...sscyklo/pp.htm
#3
Banned.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 378 Post(s)
Liked 1,409 Times
in
909 Posts
Get 'em upright, make sure the saddle is high enough, and use cross tires at the smallest. If they can easily pedal, shift, and brake, you're 2/3 of the way there.
#5
missing in action
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,483
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Liked 49 Times
in
29 Posts
What about wider tires, if they'll clear you brakes/fork?
https://www.biketiresdirect.com/pkekr...sscyklo/pp.htm
https://www.biketiresdirect.com/pkekr...sscyklo/pp.htm
They're a great bargain suggestion, especially at Niagara's price.
#6
Señor Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Hardy, VA
Posts: 17,921
Bikes: Mostly English - predominantly Raleighs
Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1491 Post(s)
Liked 1,087 Times
in
637 Posts
Sorry to butt in, but I can't help but hear the Jetsons' dog Astro reading the thread title.
__________________
In search of what to search for.
In search of what to search for.
#8
Gaspipe Pilot
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Feeding on the bottom.
Posts: 200
Bikes: Lots of bikes for lots of different kinds of riding....
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
The Krosscyclos are listed as 27x1 3/8, and you'd expect them to be wider or at least have the same cross-section as 650a tires, but neither is true. I've had two sets that were no wider than standard 27x1 1/4", but were noticeably taller. So much so that I needed to mount the rear wheel with the tires deflated to clear the chainstay bridge. They should fit your 27" application, as long as you do the deflate-to-mount/unmount routine.
They're a great bargain suggestion, especially at Niagara's price.
They're a great bargain suggestion, especially at Niagara's price.
Cool, good advice folks! That tread doesn't look to be too agressive, either. They won't need to much knobbiness on the railtrails. I have some other things to order from Niagara (the mixte needs a fork), so that might be our solution.
#10
Thrifty Bill
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Mountains of Western NC
Posts: 23,523
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
Mentioned: 96 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1236 Post(s)
Liked 964 Times
in
628 Posts
I would suggest a vintage rigid mountain bike. You can find good ones for not much money, they have an upright riding position, and are highly customizable by just changing the tires. Same bike with slicks is good for the street, while with Kendra Kross tires, did a nice job on the trail.
#11
www.theheadbadge.com
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Southern Florida
Posts: 28,508
Bikes: https://www.theheadbadge.com
Mentioned: 124 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2420 Post(s)
Liked 4,381 Times
in
2,090 Posts
#12
Gaspipe Pilot
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Feeding on the bottom.
Posts: 200
Bikes: Lots of bikes for lots of different kinds of riding....
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Speaking of 27 X 1 3/8 tires, does anyone have any experience with these? https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ducts_id=12260
They look to have more of a hybrid rather than 'cross tread. Am I asking for trouble with Pyramid tires?
They look to have more of a hybrid rather than 'cross tread. Am I asking for trouble with Pyramid tires?
#13
www.theheadbadge.com
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Southern Florida
Posts: 28,508
Bikes: https://www.theheadbadge.com
Mentioned: 124 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2420 Post(s)
Liked 4,381 Times
in
2,090 Posts
#14
reTIRED
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Illinois
Posts: 106
Bikes: raleigh,trike x,puch mixte
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have a puch mixte I ride and love it. It is for me the one I run to the coffee shop on or a quick run to the store. Its a great bike however.......... the ones my wife and I ride on the bike trails etc. are hard tail raleigh's with sprung seats and continental contact sport tires for easier roll and 1.6 size for comfort. The wife runs her seat way low but its where she is comfortable and I will keep it where ever she wants as long as she and I can ride together! They work for us, I'm sure there are many choices but these are ours at 65 and 66.