Gaspipe gallery: (Show us your no-so haughty road bikes!)
12-13-10, 05:30 AM
#126
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Road Fan,
Chill. Back in 1972 we were calling bottom of the line Gitanes (even Hostellers and Interclubs), lugged frame/Valentino equipped Chiordas, Roger Riviere's, etc. 'gaspipe'. And it was never meant in a pejorative manner. What it meant is that the manufacturer was building his bikes out of some generic steel tubing, rather than either developing his own, or, buying some tubing manufacturers (more expensive) better known product. Actually, I grew up in the sport knowing 'gaspipe' as a short-hand for plain 'ol tubing, not a pejorative term.
Every use on this forum that I've seen seems to have been in this same manner.
Incidentally, I've never heard of a Murray, Huffy, Iverson, Columbia, cheap Ross, etc. made of 'gaspipe'. The usual terms used are 's**t' and 'crap'. If that doesn't prove that 'gaspipe' isn't an insult, what does?
Hell, we called 'em 'gaspipe' when we were selling them, except to the paying customer's face - he didn't know enough about bikes to get the fine difference intended. And, while I'm thinking of it, for some reason 'gaspipe' was only used to European bikes. We never thought of the Concords that passed through the shop in that term. Then again, we never had any enthusiasm for Concords - it was just hard to get enough 10-speeds to sell.
Chill. Back in 1972 we were calling bottom of the line Gitanes (even Hostellers and Interclubs), lugged frame/Valentino equipped Chiordas, Roger Riviere's, etc. 'gaspipe'. And it was never meant in a pejorative manner. What it meant is that the manufacturer was building his bikes out of some generic steel tubing, rather than either developing his own, or, buying some tubing manufacturers (more expensive) better known product. Actually, I grew up in the sport knowing 'gaspipe' as a short-hand for plain 'ol tubing, not a pejorative term.
Every use on this forum that I've seen seems to have been in this same manner.
Incidentally, I've never heard of a Murray, Huffy, Iverson, Columbia, cheap Ross, etc. made of 'gaspipe'. The usual terms used are 's**t' and 'crap'. If that doesn't prove that 'gaspipe' isn't an insult, what does?
Hell, we called 'em 'gaspipe' when we were selling them, except to the paying customer's face - he didn't know enough about bikes to get the fine difference intended. And, while I'm thinking of it, for some reason 'gaspipe' was only used to European bikes. We never thought of the Concords that passed through the shop in that term. Then again, we never had any enthusiasm for Concords - it was just hard to get enough 10-speeds to sell.
I just think here that a lot of people read what we write anonymously and see, "Oh, this is how the experts talk!" And compared to most people, we are experts in these old bikes. We may think it's tongue in cheek endearment, but I'm not sure others think that when they read it.
12-13-10, 07:02 AM
#127
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Hell, we called 'em 'gaspipe' when we were selling them, except to the paying customer's face - he didn't know enough about bikes to get the fine difference intended.
"Gas pipe", in my opinion, is a derogatory term, in the world of vintage bicycle experts and novices, alike.
That said, has anyone ever purchased a bicycle made from pipe? If so, let's see those pictures.
12-13-10, 07:39 AM
#128
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I used the term "gas pipe" to describe any tubing that isn't the more sought after name-brand stuff.
The premise of this thread is that it is often a lot better than many people think.
So while I may not have been very "PC" in my use of the term, it was not intended as a "dis".
-I think the many good-natured posts have borne this out, by just giving folks a chance to post their seldom-seen favorites.
I'd like to keep it that way, and not prolong this debate.
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12-13-10, 07:53 AM
#130
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Peugeot PA60:
https://www.radklassiker.org/?p=356&lang=de#more-356
https://www.radklassiker.org/?p=356&lang=de#more-356
12-13-10, 08:12 AM
#131
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12-13-10, 08:13 AM
#132
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Hi Randy -
I used the term "gas pipe" to describe any tubing that isn't the more sought after name-brand stuff.
The premise of this thread is that it is often a lot better than many people think.
So while I may not have been very "PC" in my use of the term, it was not intended as a "dis".
-I think the many good-natured posts have borne this out, by just giving folks a chance to post their seldom-seen favorites.
I'd like to keep it that way, and not prolong this debate.
I used the term "gas pipe" to describe any tubing that isn't the more sought after name-brand stuff.
The premise of this thread is that it is often a lot better than many people think.
So while I may not have been very "PC" in my use of the term, it was not intended as a "dis".
-I think the many good-natured posts have borne this out, by just giving folks a chance to post their seldom-seen favorites.
I'd like to keep it that way, and not prolong this debate.
The premise of this thread is that it is often a lot better than many people think.
And, I rarely wade through a multi page thread but this one interests me a great deal. Nice thought and cudos to the OP.
12-13-10, 08:24 AM
#133
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Yeah, you've seen it before. Sorry.
My Norman tourist model, from about 1950.
My Norman tourist model, from about 1950.
12-13-10, 09:08 AM
#134
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sykerocker, those sound like fun times. Thanks for writing.
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12-13-10, 09:13 AM
#135
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Gaspipe is a generic term for low level tubing since the '70s that I never thought of as derogatory. I knew what the "Hi-Ten" sticker meant when I bought my Record Ace new. Would I have clamped on a baby seat to a 531 frame? No. I've thousands of outstanding miles on that bike that a boutique tubeset wouldn't have made any better.
This gaspipe thread is great to illustrate that low level bikes had, and still have a place in the often snooty world of cycling. Most of them can still look pretty darn good in their advanced years with a little elbow grease.
Brad
This gaspipe thread is great to illustrate that low level bikes had, and still have a place in the often snooty world of cycling. Most of them can still look pretty darn good in their advanced years with a little elbow grease.
Brad
12-13-10, 09:22 AM
#136
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I'll skip the arguing of terminology and just post a photo of my reborn Raleigh Reliant. It's some kind of cheap tubing, but it's such a nice bike to ride. So smooth, and not that horribly heavy at all.
12-13-10, 10:09 AM
#138
No one cares
this was a gaspipe bike made by "Ideal" that i found on the side of the road out for the trash. I refurbed it with components I had sitting in my bike shack and gave it to a friend who rides it in "the city".
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12-13-10, 02:46 PM
#140
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My wife's 26 x 1 3/8" tired Galaxy II 10-speed. Converted to townie duty. Added some Suntour and Schwinn Approved brake calipers. Heavy Chrome, but she digs it.
12-13-10, 04:00 PM
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Maybe it should be the Proletarian bike Gallery, either way these everyday machines are what truly keeps me in the hobby. Don't get me wrong, I love my 531 machines too, but in our world the run of the mill is all too easily pushed out of the way to focus on the higher end.
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12-13-10, 05:38 PM
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Mmm, this Mercier was pretty nice. Note the canti brakes. I gave it to a friend who fixed it up for his wife. Wish I had more close ups, it had lots of nice details.
Last edited by sailorbenjamin; 12-13-10 at 05:38 PM. Reason: misspilling
12-13-10, 05:39 PM
#144
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I'm amazed at the number of SSFG bikes I see on here...
12-13-10, 05:42 PM
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Back when I was flipping bikes, I'd run out and buy anything with a 531 sticker on it. I knew I'd get some money for it.
Some bikes you'll buy just for the tubing sticker. A gaspipe bike is one that has to stand on it's own. The label won't sell it, you need to look a little closer. It has to be well made or designed.
BTW, I used electrical conduit in my homemade recumbent. Lighter than real gaspipe but maybe not quite as stiff.
Some bikes you'll buy just for the tubing sticker. A gaspipe bike is one that has to stand on it's own. The label won't sell it, you need to look a little closer. It has to be well made or designed.
BTW, I used electrical conduit in my homemade recumbent. Lighter than real gaspipe but maybe not quite as stiff.
12-13-10, 06:26 PM
#146
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Screwed together and then glued. Does it qualify as gas pipe? If so, I'll take two, please.
And that white Single Speed is stunning. Nice job!
12-13-10, 08:16 PM
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SR coaster brake frankenbike
1920's Elgin? idk also a frankenbike
1920's Elgin? idk also a frankenbike
12-13-10, 08:56 PM
#148
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I must find a chaingaurd like what you have on your Juenet for my mixte, that is too awsome!
Nice bike too !
Nice bike too !
12-13-10, 09:25 PM
#149
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12-13-10, 09:55 PM
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Well, I left it in Maine when I moved a couple of years ago, but I left it in good hands.
It also had Phillips grips and pedals. Cool bike.
It also had Phillips grips and pedals. Cool bike.