A few options, unsure how to determine which!
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
A few options, unsure how to determine which!
Hello! New to the forums but lurked for some time, hope this is the right place for this post. I'm looking to pick up my first used vintage bike for some errands/commuting and occasional longer rides around NYC + boroughs. Some options I've come across (cannot link URLs because of post count...) :
- Schwinn Caliente 10-speed (51 CM frame, 27 inch wheel)
- Raleigh Grand Prix (58 CM frame, 27 inch wheel)
- Another Raleigh Grand Prix (56 CM frame, "700C" wheel)
- Schwinn World (51 CM frame, unknown wheel)
- Gavin (unknown model) (53 CM frame, 26 inch wheel)
#2
Senior Member
I'm 5' 6.5", down from 5' 7". My legs are relatively short for my height, and my torso relatively long. The 51 CM frames are too small for me if they're measured BB center to seat tube top, so I think they'd be way too small for you. I think your best bet is to check out one or 2 bikes of different sizes.
Nowadays it looks like people think the most important measurement is 'effective top tube.' Having come down hard on the top tube of a bike that was too big for me, I think standover is most critical, especially in a city of any size. That means: straddle the top tube with your feet 1' apart and make sure you can lift the front wheel an inch or 2 before it hits bone. That usually comes out to 9"-10" less than 'cycling inseam' (floor to pubic bone, in stocking feet).
That's an old way of sizing a bike. Where emergency stops are likely, I wouldn't do it any other way. Of course, as I said, I've experienced the pain of coming down hard on a top tube, and I do NOT want to do that again.
Nowadays it looks like people think the most important measurement is 'effective top tube.' Having come down hard on the top tube of a bike that was too big for me, I think standover is most critical, especially in a city of any size. That means: straddle the top tube with your feet 1' apart and make sure you can lift the front wheel an inch or 2 before it hits bone. That usually comes out to 9"-10" less than 'cycling inseam' (floor to pubic bone, in stocking feet).
That's an old way of sizing a bike. Where emergency stops are likely, I wouldn't do it any other way. Of course, as I said, I've experienced the pain of coming down hard on a top tube, and I do NOT want to do that again.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Fairplay Co
Posts: 9,517
Bikes: Current 79 Nishiki Custum Sport, Jeunet 620, notable previous bikes P.K. Ripper loop tail, Kawahara Laser Lite, Paramount Track full chrome, Raliegh Internatioanl, Motobecan Super Mirage. 59 Crown royak 3 speed
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 790 Post(s)
Liked 1,760 Times
in
634 Posts
Can't tell much without pics but the 56cm Grand Prix while not a great bike is likely the only one that is a good size. These are all likely similar level quailty bikes so fit should be one of the main issues when making a decision.
#4
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
newyork.craigslist.org/brk/bik/d/brooklyn-raleigh-grand-prix-56cm/6907713670.html
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada - burrrrr!
Posts: 11,674
Bikes: 1958 Rabeneick 120D, 1968 Legnano Gran Premio, 196? Torpado Professional, 2000 Marinoni Piuma
Mentioned: 210 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1372 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,751 Times
in
938 Posts
Take the time to learn about what a quality bike looks like. You can learn this quickly by looking through Vintage Bicycle Quality. Learn what to watch for and you will have a much better chance of finding a really good bike for a decent price. Make sure that it fits, though...
__________________
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
#6
Senior Member
Old bikes are fun to ride and look cool. But, they're old and will eventually need new parts. My advice to someone new to vintage rides is to find a mainstream bicycle built sometime after 1982. English, Japanese and, USA brands are all good bets. Be cautious before purchasing a 60's or 70's era French, German or Italian bicycle. Don't even think about buying a 60 year old bike made in Switzerland. It can be very hard to locate replacement parts should they be needed. And of course, the most important thing is how a bike fits. A bike needs to fit your body like a good shoe fits your foot. At 5'-9" you probably want something around a 54cm frame.
#7
Thrifty Bill
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Mountains of Western NC
Posts: 23,524
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
Mentioned: 96 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1236 Post(s)
Liked 964 Times
in
628 Posts
Caliente is a real DOG. So is the World. The 1970s Grand Prix was a dog too. The 1980s Grand Prix on your link above is better.
Within your budget, there is a Dawes Atlantis that looks pretty interesting on your C/L. Nice Lotus Excelle too. Nice Atala but too small.
Simple "trick" on Craigs list. Do a search by price, be sure to put a low price and high price in your search, otherwise you get all the bikes that don't have a price listed, which will be a lot. The other place to look is Facebook Marketplace. Its really coming on strong here with sellers, buyers are not yet up to scrutinizing it, so I have found some GREAT deals on FB marketplace. The other tip, not so sure about Brooklyn market, but bicycle co-ops can be an excellent source. I volunteer at a co op in my area and buyers get nice bikes that have been checked out, adjusted, and are ready to ride.
If your budget is $300, put in a lower price as most used bikes will need some attention, tires, tubes, etc.
Within your budget, there is a Dawes Atlantis that looks pretty interesting on your C/L. Nice Lotus Excelle too. Nice Atala but too small.
Simple "trick" on Craigs list. Do a search by price, be sure to put a low price and high price in your search, otherwise you get all the bikes that don't have a price listed, which will be a lot. The other place to look is Facebook Marketplace. Its really coming on strong here with sellers, buyers are not yet up to scrutinizing it, so I have found some GREAT deals on FB marketplace. The other tip, not so sure about Brooklyn market, but bicycle co-ops can be an excellent source. I volunteer at a co op in my area and buyers get nice bikes that have been checked out, adjusted, and are ready to ride.
If your budget is $300, put in a lower price as most used bikes will need some attention, tires, tubes, etc.
Last edited by wrk101; 06-16-19 at 07:11 AM.
#8
Edumacator
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Goose Creek, SC
Posts: 6,796
Bikes: '87 Crestdale, '87 Basso Gap, '92 Rossin Performance EL-OS, 1990 VanTuyl, 1980s Losa, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 1987 PX10, etc...
Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2436 Post(s)
Liked 3,119 Times
in
1,962 Posts
I am a hair shy of 5'11". 55-56cm is my zone in sizing. There was a 54cm 80s Cannondale for $85 on the Savannah CL a few weeks back.
Hit some garage sales, thrift stores and the mystical barns sales that everyone keeps finding (but me). I am guessing you will find a gem at a fraction of CL prices, and still have money left over for fenders, tires, rack and a bag for the carry-ons!
Hit some garage sales, thrift stores and the mystical barns sales that everyone keeps finding (but me). I am guessing you will find a gem at a fraction of CL prices, and still have money left over for fenders, tires, rack and a bag for the carry-ons!
#9
Edumacator
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Goose Creek, SC
Posts: 6,796
Bikes: '87 Crestdale, '87 Basso Gap, '92 Rossin Performance EL-OS, 1990 VanTuyl, 1980s Losa, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 1987 PX10, etc...
Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2436 Post(s)
Liked 3,119 Times
in
1,962 Posts
#10
Edumacator
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Goose Creek, SC
Posts: 6,796
Bikes: '87 Crestdale, '87 Basso Gap, '92 Rossin Performance EL-OS, 1990 VanTuyl, 1980s Losa, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 1987 PX10, etc...
Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2436 Post(s)
Liked 3,119 Times
in
1,962 Posts
Here is a Bianchi that might be fun to update...in Conn.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-BIA...8AAOSwPGtcK8Yr
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-BIA...8AAOSwPGtcK8Yr
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Retep15
Fitting Your Bike
5
07-19-13 05:03 AM
PandaExpress
Recreational & Family
9
12-24-11 04:18 PM