What is the "least" you'd be happy with
03-25-17, 03:13 AM
#76
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Sadly, I am a bike snob and now only ride and collect top of the line models offered by a manufacturer. I still have my first "race" bike, a 1982 Raleigh Competition, Carlton. Of course the stock bits were removed and NR was installed within a year. Regardless of the standard I set for myself, I am simply happy to see so many people riding vintage bikes of all levels! Keeping history alive an useful everyday.
03-25-17, 04:52 AM
#77
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Steel is fine, but adding an aluminum racing kind of bike of the near C and V variety adds to the enjoyment of the sport. The comfort of steel isn't everything to me, speed on a bicycle also counts.
03-25-17, 09:05 AM
#78
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Dang! That’s a tough decision. Fortunately, at this point in my life, I don’t have to settle. However, I find this is a very worthwhile mental exercise.
If I was limited to one bike, which may be a future reality, my choice would depend on my health and locale. First, a baseline; I’m in my early 70s, in good health and have been cycling regularly since I was 9 or 10. I’ve never competed or toured. I just like to ride. Until a few years ago, centuries were my passion. And now, on to my thought/decision process. For the most part, I like my bikes simple and utilitarian. If I was living in a relatively flat area like Phoenix, AZ, a single speed would suffice. Add in some small hills, overpasses and a few years, I’d move to a three speed. More hills, long grades and years would necessitate more gears, i.e. a 1X wide ratio 9 or 10 speed or maybe an 8 speed IGH. What ever I chose would be light, hopefully less than less than 25 lbs or at most, less than 30 lbs.
Currently, three bikes are my primary rides. A 1 X 8 city/utility bike built on a Fuji Nevada frame with ridged fork and front disc. It’s 23 lbs with narrow tires, sans racks. Ready to go shopping, it’s 26 lbs. Next is a 2014 carbon/aluminum Ridley CX with Shimano 105 drive train. At 22 lbs it’s my “go fast” ride where I can focus on speed and not worry about the nuances shifting and braking. Lastly, a 1965 Eddie Soens with Campagnolo Nuovo Gran Sport DT, Weinmann brakes and GB cockpit. It’s a surprising light, 22.5 lbs, 12 speed. This is my favorite, as it brings back memories of earlier days and the freedom of my first 10 speed. The Fuji gets 40 to 50% of my ride time because of its practicality and our weather. The other two split the remainder.
Having only one bike would be tough decision that I may have to make, but for now I’ll ride what I like.
Cheers,
Van
If I was limited to one bike, which may be a future reality, my choice would depend on my health and locale. First, a baseline; I’m in my early 70s, in good health and have been cycling regularly since I was 9 or 10. I’ve never competed or toured. I just like to ride. Until a few years ago, centuries were my passion. And now, on to my thought/decision process. For the most part, I like my bikes simple and utilitarian. If I was living in a relatively flat area like Phoenix, AZ, a single speed would suffice. Add in some small hills, overpasses and a few years, I’d move to a three speed. More hills, long grades and years would necessitate more gears, i.e. a 1X wide ratio 9 or 10 speed or maybe an 8 speed IGH. What ever I chose would be light, hopefully less than less than 25 lbs or at most, less than 30 lbs.
Currently, three bikes are my primary rides. A 1 X 8 city/utility bike built on a Fuji Nevada frame with ridged fork and front disc. It’s 23 lbs with narrow tires, sans racks. Ready to go shopping, it’s 26 lbs. Next is a 2014 carbon/aluminum Ridley CX with Shimano 105 drive train. At 22 lbs it’s my “go fast” ride where I can focus on speed and not worry about the nuances shifting and braking. Lastly, a 1965 Eddie Soens with Campagnolo Nuovo Gran Sport DT, Weinmann brakes and GB cockpit. It’s a surprising light, 22.5 lbs, 12 speed. This is my favorite, as it brings back memories of earlier days and the freedom of my first 10 speed. The Fuji gets 40 to 50% of my ride time because of its practicality and our weather. The other two split the remainder.
Having only one bike would be tough decision that I may have to make, but for now I’ll ride what I like.
Cheers,
Van
The rest of my bikes come in at around 30 lbs, with the upright touring rigs closer to 40. I've always thought that I could lose 10 lbs at the beginning of the riding season here and be much better off, but then I rode a friend's 22 lb racer and was blown away by the difference in exertion vs. speed. It seems that the weight of the bicycle is much more important than that of the rider.
Turning back towards the subject though, I don't think I could build a bike under 30 lbs that would meet all my cycling criteria. It's a challenge that I may take on next winter.
__________________
Roulez pour la joie, jamais pour la douleur.
USMC 1981-1991 Semper Fi!
Roulez pour la joie, jamais pour la douleur.
USMC 1981-1991 Semper Fi!
03-25-17, 03:15 PM
#79
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I would say there are a few 'musts':
No Astabula cranks
No steel rims
No stamped-steel cranksets
No ugly welds on the frame
No Astabula cranks
No steel rims
No stamped-steel cranksets
No ugly welds on the frame
03-25-17, 03:34 PM
#80
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What is the "least" you'd be happy with
As long as a bike rides well and looks the part I'm happy with it. The "least" of my bikes that managed that so far is this late seventies hi-ten Mercier. Even with the Brooks and all the steel parts it weighs 12.2 kgs, just a couple of pounds more than my more fancy machines.
As long as a bike rides well and looks the part I'm happy with it. The "least" of my bikes that managed that so far is this late seventies hi-ten Mercier. Even with the Brooks and all the steel parts it weighs 12.2 kgs, just a couple of pounds more than my more fancy machines.
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