StevePGN10

I'll be going to my first bike swap this Sunday, the Stop, Swap and Save - Westminster February 12:

https://stopswapandsave.com/

Any tips on attending the swap are appreciated.

I'm looking to improve my commuter situation, and could use some advice/opinions. I'm currently using an 1983 Schwinn Super LeTour to which I've added VO fenders, a Megarange freewheel, and a Wald rack. I had to coldset the frame to fit the 7 speed Megarange, plus add some washers to get the wheel to center and provide clearance for the freewheel. Also, the VO fenders are the 45mm model and they don't have much clearance for the 1 1/4" Paselas. All in all,it was a pretty good solution for me until a spoke popped a couple of weeks ago. Seems like 306mm spokes are hard to come by locally, and buying a box of them online is a little pricey. By the way, my commute is a roller coaster ride and something like the Megarange with a 34 tooth cog is essential. I'm considering a few options.

Buy spokes and fix the wheel. Or,

Buy a new 27" wheel with 130mm spacing (gets rid of the washers I'm currently using). Or

Buy a 700c wheel with 130mm spacing, the brakes have enough reach to accommodate 700c rims (gets rid of washers, plus gives some extra room for the tires inside the fenders). Or

BUY A NEW C&V BIKE!!!

I have pined away for an old school bike that has the fenders and racks as part of the original equipment, something like a Peugeot AE8. What models of C&V bikes should I be aware of? I'm aware that some of these bikes came with steel wheels and gaspipe tubing. Am I kidding myself that they could be a useful commuter for a hilly commute?

Thanks for your help.

Regards,
Steve

RobbieTunes

raleigh craigslist > for sale / wanted > bicycles
please flag with care: [?]

Koga Miyata Gent's-Touring - $280 (Downtown Raleigh)

Date: 2012-02-06, 6:52PM EST
Reply to: hqkng-2838237145@sale.craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]


Goodness:

Koga Miyata is a dutch company with frame building that took place in Japan.

These bikes are no longer in production and the Koga Miyata Gent's Touring is a real gem.

This touring bike is equipped with front and rear racks, fenders, downtube shifters (Shimano 600 components) and 10 speeds.

It's quite the unique find for us and we're happy to see it up and ready to ride.

We've installed new Panaracer Pasela tires, new tubes, rim tape and bar tape.

The 54cm chromoly frame will best fit a cyclist who is 5'6'' - 5'9''.

A free 90-day mechanical warranty accompanies the sale of this bike.

Thanks,

dZ.Oak City.

• Location: Downtown Raleigh

wrk101

Commuter with lots of range, room for fenders and racks, at a low price = high end vintage rigid frame MTB.

WNG

I'm confused....
You have a converted S.L.T. that's a suitable commuter. You broke 1 spoke, and instead of rectifying it with a $1-2 replacement spoke....you are correcting the problem with progressively costlier solutions. With one option being a bike that in all likelihood, less capable than the current one.

Like I said, sounds confusing, unless there's more going on here. As in wanting to add another bike and converting the S.L.T. back to original spec.

My first target at the swap would be correct length spokes.
Then a 126mm wheel next.
I assume you cold setted from 120mm and the washers were added to a 120mm rear hub.

StevePGN10

Thanks for the responses. Robbie Tunes, that is a very nice bike and something I would grab if it was in a 58-60cm size. Wrk101, my backup commuter is a Lotus Pegasus MTB, so I was looking for a roadish bike.

WNG, everything you say is correct, but I attempted to lay out the benefits of the progressively costlier solutions. Fiddling with the washers is a PITA when removing and replacing the rear wheel. The fender mounting hardware prevents the tire from being inflated to full pressure because it starts to rub on the bolt that holds the fender to the brake bridge. The tight fit of the tires inside the fenders forces me to spend time positioning the wheel “just so”, and then torque the quick release lever down extra hard to make sure it doesn’t move even a hair. It sometimes does move and that is an even bigger PITA to adjust while on the commute. You are correct about the size of the rear hub, I misremembered it as 126 enlarged to 130. BTW, last night I dug around in a rat hole and found an old 27” five speed wheel that had the correct size spokes. I harvested one but did not have time to install it on the other wheel. That brings up another question. The wheel that broke a spoke is almost 30 years old now. Is this broken spoke a one-off, or should I expect them to start breaking routinely?

I don’t think there is more going on here, except for the usual desire for a new bike. I guess part of that desire may be generated by reading the archive posts about the Westminster Swap. I might have unrealistic hopes of finding the perfect C&V bike for cheap.

WNG

The 'more going on' is pertaining to the additional details. Yeah, I see why you want another wheel. I'd opt for a 700C wheel as my 1st choice.
Keep your fingers crossed at the swap. Never know, you may find your bike.

Good bet that more old spokes might break. But usually it's low spoke tension that causes fatigue failures. Replace the spoke, retension the entire wheel as you true it. Any weak ones may reveal themselves by snapping. Had this happen on a used replacement wheel with a few fatigued spokes. It wouldn't hold true in the stand, until the spokes broke and the new ones went on. Glad it didn't happen on the road.

wearyourtruth

in my experience, there will not be a lot of spokes at the swap meet. i'm not saying there won't be some there, but i've been to this swap meet the past 3 years, as well as others, and it doesn't seem to be a popular item

i will be at stop swap & save with velocipede (a bike co-op in baltimore). we will have a table, and if you would like, i will bring you a handful of 306mm spokes you can have (like, for free). we have been blessed with a huge influx of parts donations over the years and have a large excess of spokes for 27" wheels. even if you buy a whole new bike, you can at least repair that wheel to resell or keep as a secondary bike!

wrk101

Any bike can be used as a commuter, but, the SLT is a racing bike, with limited room for fenders, no provisions for racks, etc. I have a 1985 SLT myself right now.

Your other option on wheels is the used route. In rehabbing close to 300 bikes in the last several years, and replacing quite a few wheels, I have yet to have bought a single new wheel. Its bound to happen eventually. But I continue to find deals on used wheels, picked up a wheelset last Saturday. I've also posted a WTB wheels in the local C/L in the bicycles for sale section, and have gotten a variety of good offers that way.

Poguemahone

Here's a tip: do not go to the swap looking for anything. Just be open to what you will find. It is a very random experience.

Base level stuff tends to be cheap, but the prime stuff is still relatively expensive. There are bargains to be had, but it requires some luck. It also helps to have a table or get in on a friends, though sometimes stuff appears late in the show.

I've gone some years and found very little, and others made out quite well. I sell as well, and that helps.

jeirvine 

Velocipede rocks. The racks of pre-measured used spokes is a godsend when repairing wheels. I'll stop by the table if I make the swap meet.
-John

StevePGN10

I wanted to circle back and let you know how it ended up. I bought a new bike. I was standing next to the bike carrel when I saw a couple roll two bikes up to the registration table. One of them quickly caught my eye. I talked to him about the bike for a moment and then went off to find my buddy to get his input. It had just about everything I wanted, wide spacing of forks and stays for fenders, a long wheelbase, flat handlebars, fairly lightweight, and my size. It was just missing the fenders. So, I bought the Fuji Special Road Racer (S10-S). It cost about the same as some of the wheels I priced out at the swap.



I've added the rack, 53mm fenders, and a megarange freewheel. It had a steel wheel on the front but my buddy bought a bike at the swap and had no interest in keeping the 27" alloy wheel, so now the Fuji has it. I have commuted on it every day since getting it and it feels like it rides sweeter every day. Smooth. Comfortable. Reliable. I'm a happy commuter. Thank you Bill H, wherever you are.

I decided to get some spokes and true up the Schwinn wheel and change to 1" tires. That should allow sufficient space for the fenders. It can be my backup commuter as well as a bike the kids can ride if they want to take a ride with me.

Thanks for everyone's input.