Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Classic & Vintage
Reload this Page >

How many “keepers” do you have?

Notices
Classic & Vintage This forum is to discuss the many aspects of classic and vintage bicycles, including musclebikes, lightweights, middleweights, hi-wheelers, bone-shakers, safety bikes and much more.

How many “keepers” do you have?

Old 08-03-19, 09:47 AM
  #1  
Essthreetee
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Essthreetee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Central California
Posts: 1,084

Bikes: 2001 LeMond Nevada City, ‘92 Merlin Titanium, '84 Torpado Super Strada, ‘84 Schwinn Tempo, '81 Bianchi Limites, '73 Raleigh Supercourse

Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 161 Post(s)
Liked 69 Times in 41 Posts
How many “keepers” do you have?

And in your eyes, what makes them so?

Me:
2001 LeMond Nevada City upgraded to Ultegra 11speed. Keeper because it was given to me by my Uncle as my first “Real” bike.

1992 Merlin Titanium upgraded to 105 10speed. Keeper because it is comfortable and only Titanium I will ever have.

1983 Mikkelsen Road Special upgraded to SRAM 10speed. Keeper because it fits, and is unique/small CA builder.

1985 Schwinn Tempo upgraded to Sora 9speed. Keeper because Grandpa bought me one new before he passed which was then stolen and this was built to remember that.

1973 Raleigh Supercourse. Keeper because it is Birthday bike...built same year as me and given to me on Birthday as a gift from same Uncle as LeMond.

IF I had to get rid of one, I guess the Mikkelsen would be on the block first because it has no sentimental value...after stripping it of its components...

What about you?!?

Last edited by Essthreetee; 08-03-19 at 10:04 AM.
Essthreetee is offline  
Likes For Essthreetee:
Old 08-03-19, 09:59 AM
  #2  
Wildwood 
Veteran, Pacifist
 
Wildwood's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,295

Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?

Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3873 Post(s)
Liked 4,766 Times in 2,199 Posts
??? ???
They are all keepers, until my priorities change.

edit: It's a vintage Euro roadie grouping. Follis is French, Bottecchia = Italian, Spanish Basque, Dutch, Swiss, Irish, English, Belgium, Austrian
The 'new' bikes are all American made frames - CoMotion, Calfee, Tallerico, Macalu
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.

Last edited by Wildwood; 08-03-19 at 11:20 AM.
Wildwood is offline  
Likes For Wildwood:
Old 08-03-19, 10:02 AM
  #3  
ridelikeaturtle
Senior Member
 
ridelikeaturtle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 1,259

Bikes: Bianchi Ti Megatube; Colnago Competition; Planet-X EC-130E; Klein Pulse; Amp Research B4; Litespeed Catalyst; Trek Y11

Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 596 Post(s)
Liked 476 Times in 258 Posts
1996 Bianchi Ti Megatube, with Campy Record 8 speed. Keeper because it's very rare (it might be the only one in Ireland), I bought it from the original owner, I've upgraded wheels and consistently improved it over the years and love the ride quality.

1987 Cannondale Competition ST, with a factory custom paintjob. Another super-rare one-off bike. It's for the wife (48cm), she's ridden it once and will never ride it again. I built it with Ultegra 10 speed. I'd let the niece take it out, but I will never get rid of it, I'm happy for it to become wall art eventually.

1976 Bianchi Sprint 76 and 2000 Bianchi M Alloy Pro, probably keepers, simply because I enjoy riding them. They're not anything particularly special though.

My others - the '98 Klein MTB, the steel '97 Colnago, the steel '94 Fondriest, even the '97 Litespeed Catalyst - I'm less attached to (though I do really like the Colnago and Litespeed). But at the moment, I've nothing I'd like to replace them with. Maybe someday I'd dump them to make room for something carbon.

edit: totally forgot the '96 Amp Research B4, that's 100% a keeper, another rare bird. (I don't see it every day... out of sight, out of mind?)
ridelikeaturtle is offline  
Old 08-03-19, 10:04 AM
  #4  
bikemig 
Senior Member
 
bikemig's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,505

Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones

Mentioned: 178 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5876 Post(s)
Liked 3,445 Times in 2,066 Posts
Originally Posted by Wildwood
??? ???
They are all keepers, until my priorities change.
+ 1. But not to worry, this thread will soon become another excuse for lots and lots of bike porn,
bikemig is offline  
Likes For bikemig:
Old 08-03-19, 10:11 AM
  #5  
Kilroy1988 
Senior Member
 
Kilroy1988's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Visalia, CA
Posts: 2,275
Mentioned: 45 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 981 Post(s)
Liked 1,836 Times in 608 Posts
I'm 30 years old and have been riding vintage steel bicycles for a decade. I have a lot to learn, but I've narrowed my priorities quite a bit when hunting for new acquisitions, and will probably be getting rid of most of my current stable over the coming year.

Even the couple of bikes I like best may easily go, as I have some frame sets waiting to be built up that may well surpass those in quality and practicality. Perhaps not!

I suppose the only keeper I have in my life is my lovely wife.

-Gregory
Kilroy1988 is offline  
Likes For Kilroy1988:
Old 08-03-19, 10:34 AM
  #6  
prairiepedaler
Banned.
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Winnipeg - traffic ticket central
Posts: 1,674

Bikes: Looking for "the One"

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Liked 320 Times in 212 Posts
I haven't found a keeper yet but I do want to. I think I've narrowed it down. It is time and energy consuming to locate, buy, personalize and get to know a bike through use... And, then to get rid of it if it is not working out. I really do want to find a few keepers, each one which would represent different life purposes and uses (hauling, leisure, travel etc). I'd rather be riding or doing something else, than be looking for those keepers to ride.
prairiepedaler is offline  
Old 08-03-19, 10:47 AM
  #7  
Fahrenheit531 
52psi
 
Fahrenheit531's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 4,133

Bikes: Schwinn Volare ('78); Raleigh Competition GS ('79)

Mentioned: 29 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 790 Post(s)
Liked 800 Times in 390 Posts
Three. They're listed just to the left of this post.

What makes them so? Dunno. But I like them and don't feel the need to seek out more or better.
__________________
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
Fahrenheit531 is offline  
Likes For Fahrenheit531:
Old 08-03-19, 10:50 AM
  #8  
iab
Senior Member
 
iab's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NW Burbs, Chicago
Posts: 12,138
Mentioned: 200 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2986 Post(s)
Liked 3,671 Times in 1,382 Posts
I'd say 3 out of 6 of my bikes are keepers, to me. The 3 I'd give up are my off-topic commuter, a retro-mod I keep at the cabin and my 1960 Cinelli Model B. The commuter can be upgraded at any time, it probably has 30K hard miles on it. I'll ride it into the ground, get something else. The retro-mod is neat, but again, entirely replaceable. A couple years ago I would have said I wouldn't give up the Cinelli. But since then, I saw a Gran Sport equipped Maino that could replace the Cinelli. I still regret not buying it at the time (I'd sell the Cinelli to finance the deal) and it showed me I could upgrade the Cinelli.

What I don't think I could upgrade is a 1925 Frejus, a 1933 Frejus and an off-topic Cinelli. The 25 and 33 pretty much are irreplaceable. The 25 is a bit small, but I have no illusions of finding another. The off-topic Cinelli because it was the second production one made. The first is at the Cinelli factory. Also, it is a frame made from XCR tubing, which this year is the first steel tubing used in the TdF in the last 30 years. Good stuff.
iab is offline  
Old 08-03-19, 10:51 AM
  #9  
xiaoman1 
Senior Member
 
xiaoman1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: City of Angels
Posts: 5,151

Bikes: A few too many

Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1359 Post(s)
Liked 2,171 Times in 1,177 Posts
I have only 2, my P-15 Paramount and a PX-10...both were purchased by me.
There are others that I like and ride more but these are my keepers.
Best, Ben
__________________
"EVERY PERSON IS GUILTY OF ALL THE GOOD THEY DID NOT DO"
Voltaire

Voice recognition may sometimes create odd spelling and grammatical errors



xiaoman1 is offline  
Old 08-03-19, 11:16 AM
  #10  
Slightspeed
Senior Member
 
Slightspeed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 2,257

Bikes: 1964 Legnano Roma Olympiade, 1973 Raleigh Super Course, 1978 Raleigh Super Course, 1978 Peugeot PR10, 2002 Specialized Allez, 2007 Specialized Roubaix, 2013 Culprit Croz Blade

Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 741 Post(s)
Liked 816 Times in 420 Posts
Only two, right now. My 1964 Legnano Roma Olympiade, got it new as a junior racer, raced it, commuted to college, hung on the wall for 20 years, got it down in 2000, been on two Eroicas with it. Too much history.

My 1973 Raleigh Super Course. My first build from scratch, on a found, scrap pile frame. I loved the building experience, and love riding it even more. Can't sell it, I would never get the $$$ out that I spent, but don't care. Been on one Eroica with it.

I guess all of my bikes are keepers. I've only ever sold one, built with a Nashbar frame that I hung parts on from a steel Bianchi that got destroyed by a car. It just wasn't the same.


Last edited by Slightspeed; 08-03-19 at 11:26 AM.
Slightspeed is offline  
Likes For Slightspeed:
Old 08-03-19, 11:17 AM
  #11  
Wildwood 
Veteran, Pacifist
 
Wildwood's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,295

Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?

Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3873 Post(s)
Liked 4,766 Times in 2,199 Posts
Originally Posted by bikemig
+ 1. But not to worry, this thread will soon become another excuse for lots and lots of bike porn,
Yes, thanks for the reminder.

It's all good!




And one of GF's is a keeper because...it just makes me wanna smile.

‘91 SuperCaliber
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.

Last edited by Wildwood; 08-03-19 at 11:29 AM.
Wildwood is offline  
Old 08-03-19, 11:35 AM
  #12  
3speedslow
Senior Member
 
3speedslow's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Jacksonville, NC
Posts: 9,337

Bikes: A few

Mentioned: 117 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1936 Post(s)
Liked 1,043 Times in 627 Posts
That is what I am trying to figure out ATM.
3speedslow is offline  
Old 08-03-19, 11:41 AM
  #13  
clubman 
Phyllo-buster
 
clubman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,828

Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic

Mentioned: 133 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2286 Post(s)
Liked 2,025 Times in 1,243 Posts
Too many?
clubman is offline  
Old 08-03-19, 11:54 AM
  #14  
seedsbelize 
smelling the roses
 
seedsbelize's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Tixkokob, Yucatán, México
Posts: 15,428

Bikes: 79 Trek 930, 80 Trek 414, 84 Schwinn Letour Luxe (coupled), 92 Schwinn Paramount PDG 5

Mentioned: 104 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7081 Post(s)
Liked 901 Times in 612 Posts
A week ago I thought I had it narrowed down to two. Then I put those two on hooks and got out the other two. The coupled bike, which rarely gets ridden, will likely be one of the last to go.
So, 5. The sixth, a 1980 Trek 414, could leave if need be. The high ten rear triangle and fork are its detractors.
seedsbelize is offline  
Old 08-03-19, 12:11 PM
  #15  
ramzilla
Senior Member
 
ramzilla's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Fernandina Beach FL
Posts: 3,605

Bikes: Vintage Japanese Bicycles, Tange, Ishiwata, Kuwahara

Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 700 Post(s)
Liked 321 Times in 251 Posts
I love my 87 Centurion Ironman. But, I might be tempted to sell it for the right price.
ramzilla is offline  
Old 08-03-19, 12:12 PM
  #16  
Classtime 
Senior Member
 
Classtime's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 4,663

Bikes: 82 Medici, 2011 Richard Sachs, 2011 Milwaukee Road

Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1918 Post(s)
Liked 1,940 Times in 1,079 Posts
You're right honey. I'll sell all of them. Except my made for me Sachs and my Medici.
Classtime is offline  
Old 08-03-19, 01:02 PM
  #17  
SurferRosa
Banned
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 8,761

Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo

Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3844 Post(s)
Liked 6,434 Times in 3,181 Posts
I just boxed up the one keeper that means something really special to me. It's going to my nephew. I promised it to him years ago. Seemed silly to keep it with the others while he was riding a crappy bike in comparison.

But I made sure to replace it with a couple new ones. Its departure leaves me with four and two others in my size up for sale.

Four is one more than I need. I always thought three is perfect...
SurferRosa is offline  
Likes For SurferRosa:
Old 08-03-19, 01:21 PM
  #18  
Bandera
~>~
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: TX Hill Country
Posts: 5,932
Mentioned: 87 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1112 Post(s)
Liked 180 Times in 119 Posts
All five of mine were purchased new, modified to my requirements out of the box or built frame-up.
Three have been modified again, and sometimes yet again over the years and kept in service.
These are the survivors as a good many road race, 'cross, mtb and commuter machines have been and gone.


-Bandera
Bandera is offline  
Old 08-03-19, 01:32 PM
  #19  
T-Mar
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,233
Mentioned: 651 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4719 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3,034 Times in 1,874 Posts
Two - my wife and my son. Every thing else is disposable, for the right price, bicycles included.
T-Mar is offline  
Likes For T-Mar:
Old 08-03-19, 01:52 PM
  #20  
Gravity Aided
Senior Member
 
Gravity Aided's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Normal, Illinois
Posts: 2,714

Bikes: Trek 600 ,1980Raleigh Competition G.S., 1986 Schwinn Passage, Facet Biotour 2000, Falcon San Remo 531,Schwinn Sierra, Sun Seeker tricycle recumbent,1985 Bianchi Squadra

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 33 Post(s)
Liked 12 Times in 9 Posts
1985 Trek 600 I bought on the commute home. 531 steel, originally all 600 tricolor, but since, I have upgraded the corncob rear cassette to a wider cassette, same Mavic wheels, different derailleur to match the cassette, and brifters . Unbelievably nice ride. I paid little for it. It is worth so much to me, though. I also bought a Schwinn Passage frame from a fellow BF member, to replace the one I wore out. Columbus Tenax steel, a dream tourer. I have a Trek 950, True Temper steel, very light, made over as a 26" touring bike. And a Falcon San Remo some fellow threw out. Full Campy, Reynolds 531 frame. So four. anything else can be salable, for the right price
Gravity Aided is offline  
Old 08-03-19, 02:07 PM
  #21  
delbiker1 
Mother Nature's Son
 
delbiker1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Sussex County, Delaware
Posts: 3,106

Bikes: 2014 Orbea Avant MD30, 2004 Airborne Zeppelin TI, 2003 Lemond Poprad, 2001 Lemond Tourmalet, 2014? Soma Smoothie

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 838 Post(s)
Liked 1,412 Times in 799 Posts
I think only one, a '91 Ochsner steel road bike I have rebuilt. I bought it new in '92. I have three others, but I would be willing to sell or trade all of them to acquire the right touring bike.
delbiker1 is online now  
Old 08-03-19, 02:15 PM
  #22  
Dean51 
Senior Member
 
Dean51's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Olympic Peninsula, WA
Posts: 650

Bikes: '8? Ciocc Mockba 80, '82 Ron Cooper, '84 Allez, '86 Tommasini Racing, '86? Klein Quantum, '87 Ciocc Designer 84, '95 Trek 5500, '98 Litespeed Classic, '98 S-Works Mtb

Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 226 Post(s)
Liked 307 Times in 121 Posts
I view all of my bikes as keepers, each for it's own reason. Having said this, if I could put my mitts on a '89 Merckx in 7-Eleven trim and a 56 or 57 size, the Schwinn Volare would be for sale in a heartbeat.

Dean
__________________
Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die
Dean51 is offline  
Old 08-03-19, 02:38 PM
  #23  
ryansu
Senior Member
 
ryansu's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Seattle WA
Posts: 2,870

Bikes: 2009 Handsome Devil, 1987 Trek 520 Cirrus, 1978 Motobecane Grand Touring, 1987 Nishiki Cresta GT, 1989 Specialized Allez Former bikes; 1986 Miyata Trail Runner, 1979 Miyata 912, 2011 VO Rando, 1999 Cannondale R800, 1986 Schwinn Passage

Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 796 Post(s)
Liked 522 Times in 367 Posts
Depends on my personal economics I have sold a few I'd have rather kept when times were tight. Currently trying to whittle the collection down to four from my current seven which means three have to go, two are very close and the third needs a refurb I might get to 4 by October if all goes well.

78 Motobecane Grand touring, 87 Nishiki Cresta GT, 87 Trek 520 and my workhorse a 2009 Handsome Devil. The Cresta and 520 do the same thing so I might have to have a shoot out between those two.
ryansu is offline  
Old 08-03-19, 03:06 PM
  #24  
dedhed
SE Wis
 
dedhed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,490

Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970

Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2716 Post(s)
Liked 3,332 Times in 2,024 Posts
I'd say the only 2 keepers if I had to downsize would be the 84 Gran Prix, my first real bike I bought new, and the 68 Raleigh Sprite because it's just so cool & classic.


Last edited by dedhed; 08-04-19 at 08:20 AM.
dedhed is offline  
Old 08-03-19, 03:07 PM
  #25  
Andy_K 
Senior Member
 
Andy_K's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Beaverton, OR
Posts: 14,785

Bikes: Yes

Mentioned: 522 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3228 Post(s)
Liked 3,848 Times in 1,435 Posts
I have a hard time parting with any of my bikes, partly because I get sentimentally attached to them but partly because I know how much I’ve spent on them and I hate to lose that much money. The only bike I’m sure I could sell for what I’ve spent on it is my ‘73 De Rosa and even though I don’t ride it much I have no intention of getting rid of it any time soon.

I do have a rough idea of the order I’d get rid of them. The four that would probably last the longest are the ‘7? Stella SX-76, ‘83 Specialized Sequoia, ‘75 Motobecane Grand Jubilé, ‘72 Motobecane Grand Record. All of these except the Sequoia I’ve had customized and refinished. They all ride great, and their value to me is just way beyond their value to anyone else.

I have bikes like my ‘83 Gios Professional that I really love but are highly regarded among enough other C&V fans that I could probably sell them for a price that I could live with. Others like my ‘01 LeMond Buenos Aires are nothing special, but relatively not special to me either so I could part with them. Then there’s the ‘80 Scwinn Voyageur that required so much fork straightening after I picked it up that I’m not entirely certain it’s safe, and though I ride it I wouldn’t feel right even giving it to anyone else, so that one is probably a keeper until I decide I’d rather send it off for recycling.
__________________
My Bikes
Andy_K is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.