We were so much slower then, we’re faster than that now.
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Lacey, WA
Posts: 1,707
Bikes: Stevenson Custom, Stevenson Custom Tandem, Nishiki Professional
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 367 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 196 Times
in
128 Posts
We were so much slower then, we’re faster than that now.
Yeah, I know dating myself :
Ah, but I was so much older then I'm younger than that now.
My Back Pages
Bob Dylan
But browsing today I came across this Schwinn Speedster, marketing at its finest the age of “Corvette” and “Speedster” bicycles, speed sells even at 50lbs apiece, and I was struck by its speedometer (note the low mileage).
It appears up to 30 mph was an OK green speed but from 30 to 60 mph there is a cautionary orange (faded red?).
Yeah, 6 to 12 I remember cruising on my Schwinn Corvette at 30mph….sure I do.
Ah, but I was so much older then I'm younger than that now.
My Back Pages
Bob Dylan
But browsing today I came across this Schwinn Speedster, marketing at its finest the age of “Corvette” and “Speedster” bicycles, speed sells even at 50lbs apiece, and I was struck by its speedometer (note the low mileage).
It appears up to 30 mph was an OK green speed but from 30 to 60 mph there is a cautionary orange (faded red?).
Yeah, 6 to 12 I remember cruising on my Schwinn Corvette at 30mph….sure I do.
Likes For since6:
Likes For old's'cool:
#3
Senior Member
Ahhh, the good ole days when a kid would be mesmerized by that until running into the back of a parked car. Good times.
Now there's 20,000 apps for that and it's no big deal.
Now there's 20,000 apps for that and it's no big deal.
Likes For sdn40:
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Medford MA
Posts: 2,089
Bikes: Ron Cooper touring, 1959 Jack Taylor 650b ladyback touring tandem, Vitus 979, Joe Bell painted Claud Butler Dalesman, Colin Laing curved tube tandem, heavily-Dilberted 1982 Trek 6xx, René Herse tandem
Mentioned: 80 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 964 Post(s)
Liked 1,451 Times
in
723 Posts
I had an antique garage-sale-find Schwinn Speedster when I was growing up in the '90s. My parents would not let me leave our suburban cul de sac to cruise the neighborhood, which I thought unreasonable as an 11-year-old, so I hatched a plan. I persuaded my dad to mount an old Huret Multito odometer to the front axle, and then I rode a century, around in circles in the cul de sac, over the course of two days.
They let me cruise the neighborhood streets after that. I wore out three or four Multito drive belts before I outgrew the bike.
They let me cruise the neighborhood streets after that. I wore out three or four Multito drive belts before I outgrew the bike.
Likes For scarlson:
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Lacey, WA
Posts: 1,707
Bikes: Stevenson Custom, Stevenson Custom Tandem, Nishiki Professional
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 367 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 196 Times
in
128 Posts
sdn40, Yes!
I had just dropped off a weeks worth of books at the local library and picked up a few new ones riding my Schwinn Corvette, books held firmly in the mouse trap sprung front rack. Mind wandering as you do around 10 when "BANG" rode right into the bumper of a parked car and down we went. Got up, no books had fallen out of the rack and thanks to balloon tires and steel chrome bumpers neither the bike nor the car were damaged. Being a small town only my pride observed the event and that was soon pedaling away with a degree of heightened vigilance.
I had just dropped off a weeks worth of books at the local library and picked up a few new ones riding my Schwinn Corvette, books held firmly in the mouse trap sprung front rack. Mind wandering as you do around 10 when "BANG" rode right into the bumper of a parked car and down we went. Got up, no books had fallen out of the rack and thanks to balloon tires and steel chrome bumpers neither the bike nor the car were damaged. Being a small town only my pride observed the event and that was soon pedaling away with a degree of heightened vigilance.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 996
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 457 Post(s)
Liked 462 Times
in
270 Posts
I had an antique garage-sale-find Schwinn Speedster when I was growing up in the '90s. My parents would not let me leave our suburban cul de sac to cruise the neighborhood, which I thought unreasonable as an 11-year-old, so I hatched a plan. I persuaded my dad to mount an old Huret Multito odometer to the front axle, and then I rode a century, around in circles in the cul de sac, over the course of two days.
They let me cruise the neighborhood streets after that. I wore out three or four Multito drive belts before I outgrew the bike.
They let me cruise the neighborhood streets after that. I wore out three or four Multito drive belts before I outgrew the bike.
Likes For jackbombay:
#7
verktyg
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 4,030
Bikes: Current favorites: 1988 Peugeot Birraritz, 1984 Gitane Super Corsa, 1980s DeRosa, 1981 Bianchi Campione Del Mondo, 1992 Paramount OS, 1988 Colnago Technos, 1985 RalieghUSA SBDU Team Pro
Mentioned: 207 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1036 Post(s)
Liked 1,237 Times
in
653 Posts
BANG - Instant Deceleration!
I had just dropped off a weeks worth of books at the local library and picked up a few new ones riding my Schwinn Corvette, books held firmly in the mouse trap sprung front rack. Mind wandering as you do around 10 when "BANG" rode right into the bumper of a parked car and down we went. Got up, no books had fallen out of the rack and thanks to balloon tires and steel chrome bumpers neither the bike nor the car were damaged. Being a small town only my pride observed the event and that was soon pedaling away with a degree of heightened vigilance.
I was in a full head down sprint at 30+ MPH when 2 guys I casually knew drove past me in a car and waved.
They were hard core dopers doing a dope deal at 8:00am and they came to a quick stop right in front of me. When I hit their bumper I went flying up over their car and landed sprawled out on the hood. My glasses came off and got caught on the hood ornament. The impact as so violent that just about everything on the bike was trashed, somehow even the rear wheel!
They got out and weren't the least bit concerned about my condition. They were complaining about the minor damage that I did to their old Buick junker! Stoners at 8:00am!
I went to the ER that morning and the next day was able to talk the Prof into letting me take the exam at a later date. I needed that one last course to finish. He was a stickler for no exceptions, no excuses but with my 2 black eyes and a broken nose, he took pity on me.
Fortunately it was my trainer/around town beater bike with mid range components.
How to spot a serious cyclist after a spill:
1. Get up, look around to see if anyone saw you dump (avoid embarrassment)...
2. Check out the bike for any damage...
3. Check to see if you have any injuries!
verktyg
__________________
Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
Last edited by verktyg; 07-10-19 at 05:52 AM.
Likes For verktyg:
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 2,397
Mentioned: 93 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1104 Post(s)
Liked 1,824 Times
in
878 Posts
One morning back in 1976 I was headed off to school after cramming all night for my last final exam. Had to get there before they locked the doors to the lecture hall at 8:30am.
I was in a full head down sprint at 30+ MPH when 2 guys I casually knew drove past me in a car and waved.
They were hard core dopers doing a deal at 8:00am and they came to a quick stop right in front of me. When I hit their bumper I went flying up over their car and landed sprawled out on the hood. My glasses came off and got caught on the hood ornament. The impact as so violent that just about everything on the bike was trashed, somehow even the rear wheel!
They got out and weren't the least bit concerned about my condition. They were complaining about the minor damage that I did to their old Buick junker! Stoners at 8:00am!
I went to the ER and the next day was able to talk the Prof into letting take the exam at a later date. I needed that one last course to finish.
Fortunately it was my trainer/around town beater bike with mid range components.
How to spot a serious cyclist after a spill:
1. Get up, look around to see if anyone saw you dump (avoid embarrassment)...
2. Check out the bike for any damage...
3. Check to see if you have any injuries!
verktyg
I was in a full head down sprint at 30+ MPH when 2 guys I casually knew drove past me in a car and waved.
They were hard core dopers doing a deal at 8:00am and they came to a quick stop right in front of me. When I hit their bumper I went flying up over their car and landed sprawled out on the hood. My glasses came off and got caught on the hood ornament. The impact as so violent that just about everything on the bike was trashed, somehow even the rear wheel!
They got out and weren't the least bit concerned about my condition. They were complaining about the minor damage that I did to their old Buick junker! Stoners at 8:00am!
I went to the ER and the next day was able to talk the Prof into letting take the exam at a later date. I needed that one last course to finish.
Fortunately it was my trainer/around town beater bike with mid range components.
How to spot a serious cyclist after a spill:
1. Get up, look around to see if anyone saw you dump (avoid embarrassment)...
2. Check out the bike for any damage...
3. Check to see if you have any injuries!
verktyg
First and foremost, a wreck like that is not funny.
Second, you made me laugh out loud
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,283
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1135 Post(s)
Liked 1,726 Times
in
950 Posts
Stoners saw my brother crash, when his brake straddle cable broke, into a shrubbery and he went flying. My bro said the reaction was, "whoa that was cool, can you do it again?"
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Lacey, WA
Posts: 1,707
Bikes: Stevenson Custom, Stevenson Custom Tandem, Nishiki Professional
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 367 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 196 Times
in
128 Posts
verktyg, if only you'd had the "Dorcy 26" cycle speedometer. That morning at 30+ mph you had traveled out of the safe "green" 30 mph zone and entered the "red" (now faded orange) danger zone.
But glad you were not injured any worse than you were.
But glad you were not injured any worse than you were.
#11
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,480
Mentioned: 93 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1361 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 423 Times
in
282 Posts
I like the sloooow pace, Summer nights through the neighborhood. Comical speedometer on this 1965 Sears (made in Austria by Steyr). Gen lighting works pretty good too at slow speed.
Last edited by crank_addict; 07-10-19 at 11:37 AM.
#12
Shifting is fun!
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: South Holland, NL
Posts: 11,000
Bikes: Yes, please.
Mentioned: 279 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2193 Post(s)
Liked 4,585 Times
in
1,764 Posts
#13
Classic, Vintage Mechanic
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Vancouver B.C. Canada
Posts: 117
Bikes: '65 Legnano Gran Primeo || '76 Holdsworth Mistral || '82 Specialized Stumpjumper
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 47 Post(s)
Liked 40 Times
in
25 Posts
Ha! When I was a kid i spent my hard earned allowance on a plastic wind-driven speedometer. My older, wiser cousin was skeptical of its accuracy and refused to accept my claims of 40mph+, though I swear I cracked that speed every day on my way to school on my single speed CCM clunker.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,031
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 267 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4509 Post(s)
Liked 6,374 Times
in
3,666 Posts
I had an antique garage-sale-find Schwinn Speedster when I was growing up in the '90s. My parents would not let me leave our suburban cul de sac to cruise the neighborhood, which I thought unreasonable as an 11-year-old, so I hatched a plan. I persuaded my dad to mount an old Huret Multito odometer to the front axle, and then I rode a century, around in circles in the cul de sac, over the course of two days.
They let me cruise the neighborhood streets after that. I wore out three or four Multito drive belts before I outgrew the bike.
They let me cruise the neighborhood streets after that. I wore out three or four Multito drive belts before I outgrew the bike.
Likes For merziac:
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Madison, WI USA
Posts: 6,149
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2362 Post(s)
Liked 1,746 Times
in
1,190 Posts
Few years ago, a perfect "stoopid things happen in threes" trilogy. Saturday of Art Fair weekend, 23823432 wandering tourists (give or take) in town.
1) State Street (our "no car" downtown retail street) is torn up for construction but still bustling. Crosswalk for W Johnson St is diverted by 50 feet or so. W Johnson is one-way eastbound with a left-side bike lane (buses use the right side). Wife and I are in the bike lane, bunch of tourists are crossing, AGAINST the signal, and for whatever reason, looking east rather than west as they cross. We slow down, we slow down, we nearly stop, and one young blonde just walks into my front wheel. We both get up and are fine, and I say, as nicely as I can, that the traffic IS coming from the west....
2) 10 minutes later, W Gorham St just off State, car on Gorham stops for more wandering tourists, car behind just plain doesn't notice, rear-ends the first car square on. Low speed, but a LOUD bang, minor but obvious damage to both cars. Lady in the car behind yells "YOUR CAR'S FINE" to the one ahead. Yeah, sure....
3) 20 minutes later, residential street behind the food co-op. We launch from a four-way stop, couple is coming the other way on bikes, five seconds after we pass, LOUD BANG. One of the couple just plowed into the back of the car parked just off the intersection. Square on, not even an attempt to swerve. Amazingly, no damage.
That seemed to mollify the Gods of Three for the day.
Well it ain't danger-ous either....
Last edited by madpogue; 07-10-19 at 02:45 PM.
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Lacey, WA
Posts: 1,707
Bikes: Stevenson Custom, Stevenson Custom Tandem, Nishiki Professional
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 367 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 196 Times
in
128 Posts
non-fixie. I love that zero to about 12 mph is "Safe".
Now watching my two grandsons with their Mom, it is obvious that this speedometer was designed by a mother who had sons!
"Mom, what do you mean we can't joust with brooms on our bikes!"
Now watching my two grandsons with their Mom, it is obvious that this speedometer was designed by a mother who had sons!
"Mom, what do you mean we can't joust with brooms on our bikes!"
#17
curmudgineer
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Chicago SW burbs
Posts: 4,417
Bikes: 2 many 2 fit here
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 263 Post(s)
Liked 112 Times
in
70 Posts
Haha, when the movie Rollerball was playing, we played a version of it on soccerfields, with our hi-rise bikes
#18
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Lacey, WA
Posts: 1,707
Bikes: Stevenson Custom, Stevenson Custom Tandem, Nishiki Professional
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 367 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 196 Times
in
128 Posts
non-fixie just curious I can read the first part of the name on your speedometer "SAFTI-GO???", but can't read the second half of the name.
Lovely bike, areo chain guard, looks like a machined front fender with a crease in it and chrome caps to the head of the fork.
Yeah, that's a sloooow motion rider.
Lovely bike, areo chain guard, looks like a machined front fender with a crease in it and chrome caps to the head of the fork.
Yeah, that's a sloooow motion rider.
#20
small ring
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: PNW
Posts: 1,024
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 437 Post(s)
Liked 925 Times
in
370 Posts
I think it's "guide"
__________________
72 Bob Jackson -- 74 Motobecane Grand Jubile -- 74 Sekine SHS 271 -- 80 Nishiki International
85 Shogun 800 -- 86 Tommasini Super Prestige -- 92 Specialized Rockhopper -- 17 Colnago Arabesque
72 Bob Jackson -- 74 Motobecane Grand Jubile -- 74 Sekine SHS 271 -- 80 Nishiki International
85 Shogun 800 -- 86 Tommasini Super Prestige -- 92 Specialized Rockhopper -- 17 Colnago Arabesque
#21
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,480
Mentioned: 93 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1361 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 423 Times
in
282 Posts
^ Yep, its Guide.
Here's a Dorcy on my wife's Raleigh Twenty. Funny because its for a different ratio wheel and this one reads faster than actual. I've never told her as she's always proud of any extra distance shown on the odometer. He-he
Here's a Dorcy on my wife's Raleigh Twenty. Funny because its for a different ratio wheel and this one reads faster than actual. I've never told her as she's always proud of any extra distance shown on the odometer. He-he
#22
Senior Member
21st-Century version - 2a. Check to make sure you caught the whole thing on your GoPro.
Few years ago, a perfect "stoopid things happen in threes" trilogy. Saturday of Art Fair weekend, 23823432 wandering tourists (give or take) in town.
1) State Street (our "no car" downtown retail street) is torn up for construction but still bustling. Crosswalk for W Johnson St is diverted by 50 feet or so. W Johnson is one-way eastbound with a left-side bike lane (buses use the right side). Wife and I are in the bike lane, bunch of tourists are crossing, AGAINST the signal, and for whatever reason, looking east rather than west as they cross. We slow down, we slow down, we nearly stop, and one young blonde just walks into my front wheel. We both get up and are fine, and I say, as nicely as I can, that the traffic IS coming from the west....
2) 10 minutes later, W Gorham St just off State, car on Gorham stops for more wandering tourists, car behind just plain doesn't notice, rear-ends the first car square on. Low speed, but a LOUD bang, minor but obvious damage to both cars. Lady in the car behind yells "YOUR CAR'S FINE" to the one ahead. Yeah, sure....
3) 20 minutes later, residential street behind the food co-op. We launch from a four-way stop, couple is coming the other way on bikes, five seconds after we pass, LOUD BANG. One of the couple just plowed into the back of the car parked just off the intersection. Square on, not even an attempt to swerve. Amazingly, no damage.
That seemed to mollify the Gods of Three for the day.
Well it ain't danger-ous either....
Few years ago, a perfect "stoopid things happen in threes" trilogy. Saturday of Art Fair weekend, 23823432 wandering tourists (give or take) in town.
1) State Street (our "no car" downtown retail street) is torn up for construction but still bustling. Crosswalk for W Johnson St is diverted by 50 feet or so. W Johnson is one-way eastbound with a left-side bike lane (buses use the right side). Wife and I are in the bike lane, bunch of tourists are crossing, AGAINST the signal, and for whatever reason, looking east rather than west as they cross. We slow down, we slow down, we nearly stop, and one young blonde just walks into my front wheel. We both get up and are fine, and I say, as nicely as I can, that the traffic IS coming from the west....
2) 10 minutes later, W Gorham St just off State, car on Gorham stops for more wandering tourists, car behind just plain doesn't notice, rear-ends the first car square on. Low speed, but a LOUD bang, minor but obvious damage to both cars. Lady in the car behind yells "YOUR CAR'S FINE" to the one ahead. Yeah, sure....
3) 20 minutes later, residential street behind the food co-op. We launch from a four-way stop, couple is coming the other way on bikes, five seconds after we pass, LOUD BANG. One of the couple just plowed into the back of the car parked just off the intersection. Square on, not even an attempt to swerve. Amazingly, no damage.
That seemed to mollify the Gods of Three for the day.
Well it ain't danger-ous either....
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Maryland
Posts: 3,799
Bikes: Lots of English 3-speeds, a couple of old road bikes, 3 mountain bikes, 1 hybrid, and a couple of mash-ups
Mentioned: 53 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 887 Post(s)
Liked 335 Times
in
225 Posts
The Byrds - "My Back Pages"
They were so much older then, they're younger than that now.
They were so much older then, they're younger than that now.