Still steel in Vermont
08-27-10, 08:08 PM
#1
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Still steel in Vermont
After occasionally commuting on an ancient chrome and green
Schwinn in the 80's, I bought a (70s era?) Frejus Tour de
France at a Spring used bike sale in 1990 and have been riding
more and more ever since. It's no longer stock. Given the
relentlessly hilly terrain in the Green Mountains, it has been
upgraded over the years from ten to 14 speeds, new cranks
and alloy wheels. The charming thing about the Frejus is that it's
remarkably fast, easily out running friends' newer and far more
expensive road bikes on downhills -- uphills, it's geared a bit
high for the local terrain, it sometimes requires more motor than
I have left at 63. But we are riding the Mad River Century
tomorrow!
My commuter and back road bike is an 80s (I suppose)
Univega Alpina Uno, which is comfortable, durable and
versatile. My only complaint about it is the mounting of the rear
brake at the bottom of the frame, just behind the crank shaft.
The downside of this design is that it will occasionally hook the
chain when down shifting to a lower gear on bumpy surfaces --
not a virtue for a 'mountain' bike. But as a commuter, especially
since my commute to work includes a steep and steady one
mile uphill, it's perfect.
Schwinn in the 80's, I bought a (70s era?) Frejus Tour de
France at a Spring used bike sale in 1990 and have been riding
more and more ever since. It's no longer stock. Given the
relentlessly hilly terrain in the Green Mountains, it has been
upgraded over the years from ten to 14 speeds, new cranks
and alloy wheels. The charming thing about the Frejus is that it's
remarkably fast, easily out running friends' newer and far more
expensive road bikes on downhills -- uphills, it's geared a bit
high for the local terrain, it sometimes requires more motor than
I have left at 63. But we are riding the Mad River Century
tomorrow!
My commuter and back road bike is an 80s (I suppose)
Univega Alpina Uno, which is comfortable, durable and
versatile. My only complaint about it is the mounting of the rear
brake at the bottom of the frame, just behind the crank shaft.
The downside of this design is that it will occasionally hook the
chain when down shifting to a lower gear on bumpy surfaces --
not a virtue for a 'mountain' bike. But as a commuter, especially
since my commute to work includes a steep and steady one
mile uphill, it's perfect.
Last edited by jggerdel; 08-27-10 at 08:09 PM. Reason: Corrected capitalization
08-28-10, 12:04 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: On the bridge with Picard
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Welcome to Bike Forums!
Good luck on the Century ride - don't forget to post a ride report in the 50+ or Long Distance forum.
Good luck on the Century ride - don't forget to post a ride report in the 50+ or Long Distance forum.
09-06-10, 07:34 PM
#5
Junior Member
I got my mother's steel bike from the 80's and it's lovely! I've borrowed new ones, and I agree. A lot of them just don't have the same charm!
