biohish

Hi,

I'm a road cyclist but a newbie to vintage bicycles. I've been looking for a vintage 70s and earlier bike for casual use. I've found two that I like, but want some info and opinion from you guys.

1. Glockner Rad (Austria)

Anyone have info on this company, and the year this bike was produced? I can't find anything. I want to put drop handle bars, is that a good idea with this bike since the handbar looks vintage?



2. 1975 Sekine Medaille (Canada).
I want to replace the seat and handle bar tape with brown leather.




Thank you for the help.

The Golden Boy 

I guess rather than going into it already deciding what you're going to do with it... get something close to what you want, and try riding it for a bit to see if it'll meet your needs.

That way you don't spend a load of time, money and energy tearing up a perfectly good 40 year old bike only to figure out it's not what you wanted.

RoadTire 

I vote for the Sekine if it fits, 'cause I still have mine from '75. They are a "sleeper," meaning the bike is better than it's resale price for some reason.

old's'cool

I don't know anything about the Glockner, but if the Sekine is in as good condition as it appears to be, and fits you, it looks like a pretty good bet. All component sizes should be more or less standard, in modern terms, so replacements and upgrades should be no problem. It already has nice features like downtube shifters and aluminum fenders, which are a nice touch for a boom bike.

biohish

Golden Boy, I was just planning on adding drop handle bars, keeping the original handlebar (if that is original) on the side, can put back at any time. It looks to me that both frames look relatively similar. I have ridden a Sekine before, a friend's, many years ago just a couple of times and it was fine. I don't think riding them will be a problem. I mainly want to know if anyone knows anything about the quality of the Glockner and what year that Rad model was produced, because I cannot find anything online, which is surprising.

biohish

Yean, I noticed that they are pretty cheap for the apparent quality, especially the ones produced in Canada post 1973. thanks

Old's'cool yeah agree, seems like a great bike, BUT, I do want to know more about the Glockner now, simply because I cant find anything on it making me curious.

randyjawa 

The Sekine is the better bicycle to start with if riding is your primary goal. I have owned dozens of Sekine bicycles in days gone by...

biohish

Randy... Thanks. Seems the consensus is the Sekine. I like you site. Question, the Sekine is a 21inch frame. I ride a 56cm specialized tarmac for road but according to the owner he's 5'11" and the 21 Sekine is fine. I'm the same height. Is it a decent fit for a Sekine or should I look fur a 22inch? Thanks

randyjawa 

Better stick with the 56 or close to it, in my opinion. I am five foot ten inches and, though I can ride a 54cm, I prefer a 56cm for comfort sake. Height has something but not everything to do with size choice. Short torso, long legs demands a larger fit. So, too, in my case, does the rider's age. I can no longer feel comfortable on the smaller size due to a busted neck which gets awfully sore, thanks to the need to curl my neck up to allow me to see where I am going. The point is, you need to know you and what you want the bike for.