Question for the pros: which vintage make and models are CLASSICS?
 

Hi. I'm mainly a commuter, and I commute frequently. I've been wanting to learn more about bikes but it's been slow. So far I've owned two big box store bikes. One was actually a pretty decent commuter, and the other made me realize how much I prefer a rigid frame over suspension for commuting.

Now I think I'm ready to buy some quality vintage bikes. Previously the bikes I owned cost all of $50 at yard sales. I'm looking to invest up to $250 for my next bike, but the range of choices is bewildering!

I was wondering if the more experienced folks could chime in. When it comes to vintage bikes, are there particular makes and models that stand out as "classics"?

I'm looking for ideas of which bikes might be called classic in the following categories:

1. Vintage road bikes that felt high performance even at a modest price

2. Vintage road bikes that accepted a fatter tire

3. Versatile vintage bikes - eg, I'd put the Bianchi Volpe in this category, based on limited research

4. Vintage mountain bikes - I'm not concerned about this category because, very broadly speaking, mountain bikes kind of perform w/ similar characteristics when fitted with slicks and turned into commuters.

I know I may be asking a lot here, but I'd greatly appreciate any info at all. Thanks.

Question: Have you had a chance to explore the C & V forum yet? Most of, if not all, the answers you seek can be found in there. When the time comes, be sure to post any queries on value or "is this a good buy" for any bike you find and are considering threads in the C & V Appraisals forum.

Hope this helps. :)

Specialized Rockhopper -- every bike commuter should own one.

Your question is too broad. Vintage classic under $250 - could be anything from a 1974 Peugeot UO-8 to a 1992 Bridgestone MB-2 to a 1988 Cannondale SR400. Vastly different bikes, all perfectly suitable for commuting in the right circumstances, all usually $200 or less on Craigslist.

But your instinct is, I think, sound. Older bicycles offer tremendous quality and interest for the buck.

It is almost mandatory to have the ability, and the few inexpensive tools needed, to perform basic maintenance and overhaul. If you have to pay a bike shop $100 to overhaul every used bike you buy, then it will be harder to get a very good bike for under $250 all in.

Go lurk on C&V for awhile, figure out generally what you want. Learn to tell what size bike you need. Then ask in the Appraisals forum. Link a couple of Craigslist ads and ask if this looks like a good bike at a good price for the intended use that you describe.

buy a brand new bike - spend some money, think of it as an investment. Not a bso at Wally World, a nice LBS bicycle that will be a joy to ride. Ride it for the next 30 years so it is a part of you and your personal heritage. Take very good care of it - after all, it was an investment. Then, in 2042, when someone starts a discussion about vintage bikes - point to it!

Already there myself, my 1981 custom built Davidson, my 1982 classic Italian Ziliolii, even my 1991 Trek 8000 & 7000 seem to qualify. I ride the Davidson and Trek regularly, the Trek 7000 as a commuter, and the Davidson has been my 2nd road bike for weekend rides, although my main bike has been in the shop so it's getting a lot of use again.

You can browse here and see some of the classic names. http://www.classicrendezvous.com/

Check the Classic & Vintage forum here. Your question is rather broad if asking about all vintage bikes. However, if you are only looking for vintage bikes suitable for commuting and touring, I can recommend a few:

- Miyata 1000 or 600 (THE classic touring bike)
- Various other Japanese touring models from the 80s (Panasonic, Shogun, Lotus, Fuji, Nishiki, Univega)
- Various Rivendell models, such as the Rambouillet, Romulus, Bleriot
- Classic Italian and European cross bikes (Pinarello, Merckx, etc.)
- Waterford RST and other touring models (handmade American)
- Bob Jackson and Mercian touring models (classic British tourers)

I've got a Waterford RST-22 and a Bob Jackson World Tour that are classic in construction although not vintage. I bought the Waterford used and the BJ new, both for what I consider bargain prices (about $600 for frame and fork). Both are classic steel, lugged frames.

Thanks for thr replies guys - much appreciated. My long term plan is to eventually build a "stable" of vintage bikes for different categories. I'll definitely have to get a Rockhopper as one.

I guess this question would be better suited to C&V sub-forum. Thanks - I'll take it there.

Re: Tools
Yep, you are absolutely right about that. I agree that frequent trips to the LBS are just not financially efficient. One nice thing is that I've found a local bike co-op with a tool rental program. It's inexpensive, and more than that it's a great place to socialize with other commuters!

You know, I've thought about this idea. I researched and decided on a Surly Cross Check. But even for such a fantastic bike, when it retails for $1,200 MSRP, and my maximum budget is $400, you start to rationalize how to do better for cheaper! My logic about it is this: if multiple internet reviews state the Cross Check as the best "all-around" bike that can do light touring, commuting, and exercise, but it's outrageously expensive - why not buy 3 vintage bikes for under $200, that each can perform well in each task that the Cross Check does? That way, instead of having one do-it-all bike, you have 3 inexpensive vintage ones that you can swap out.

You know, it's definitely not as cool as having a brand new Cross Check, but it does have a logic to it!

I think that any bike that has fenders/lights and makes you smile is a "commuter".

Even a longish commute is not a terribly demanding ride, as rides go. Would you ride that ____ for an hour on the weekend? Then you could ride it on a commute.

I've commuted on a vintage mountain bike with slicks, rack, pannier, full fenders. And I've commuted on a vintage racebike with Raceblades. They both made me smile and were fast enough to pass just about every cyclist on my route.

So go over to C&V, find a couple makes and models that trip your trigger, and start learning and looking. Winter is a good time to buy a bike, and if you watch Craigslist long enough and act fast enough when you see something good, you can pick up a "very" nice older bike for $200-300.

I recommend spending the money for a new bicycle at a LBS. You can get some quality rides between $500-1000 if you scout around. The benefit of buying new is obvious: it is new, less likely to break or fail right away, you have built up a relationship with the shop owner, etc. The other biggie is that it will most likely be far more enjoyable to ride than any $250 vintage bike you find on CL.

Tho OP's budget is $400 and preferably less.

I think if you have some basic mechanical skills and patience you can find some pretty nice bikes for under $250. I bought a Univega road bike with Shimano 600 components for $75. It just needed tires. I also bought Bianchi Project 3 for $125. It was really dirty but otherwise in great condition. It had the Shimano thumb shifters that people really like. Both have nice lugged chromoly frames. The Bianchi in particular was a unique bike for its era and a blast to ride, - sort of an ancestor to the modern 29er.

A couple of years ago I sold an 80's Peugeot road bike that was just about immaculate for $270. Also had a Rockhopper that Andy_K mentioned which I sold for $170.

I think it might be hard to find a vintage high performance road bike for $250, - those tend to command a higher price. The Peugeot road bike I sold was more of a lower-middle range bike in its time. The Univega I have (my wife's actually) is a sport-touring model. Some very nice components but not a high performance bike.

I think the biggest benefit of buying new(ish) is purely in standardization; most new bikes are spec'd pretty much straight-up ISO and are a lot easier both to maintain and upgrade.

And I agree that Univegas are an excellent choice- the Japanese-made Univegas are seriously unsung bikes (and made by Miyata, no less).

My first purpose-built commuter was a Miyata 310 I built up from a free frame/fork, some cheap-but-quality eBay and donor parts, garage sale finds (Campy crankset and Assos arm warmers, $6.00!) and some awesome wheels I found on a local bike forum sale post. With new tires and cables, I doubt I had $90 total in that bike, and rode it for 2 years. When I sold it, believe I took $200 for it.

I didn't know it was a classic when I started the project - it was a combination of opportunity and appreciation that combined to make it one.


A couple years ago, relative who likes how I roll gifted me a totally amazing, very rare, 40 year old stainless steel racing bike, all original, all Campagnolo Nuovo Record and barely ridden. It never fails to get comments from people who appreciate a great ride.


I suggest you patiently look for older bikes that just sing to you. As your appreciation of quality rides increases, you won't just find other people's ideas of 'classics', you'll find your own.

The early (late 70's to mid 80's) "sport touring" models such as the Trek 500 or 600 series make GREAT commuters as do the eraly rigid MTB's like the Specialized Rockhopper or Stumpjumpers. They usually have multiple commuter-friendly features like braze-ons for racks and such.