Viscount Road Bike worth 125$ ?
04-22-20, 04:28 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Viscount Road Bike worth 125$ ?
Hi everyone, this is on craigslist locally, and I'm trying to figure out if it is worth the price. I have a townie built on a mountain bike frame, but am looking to get something a bit sportier for 5-10 minute commutes, and maybe for a little bit of weekend riding
It would be my first road bike, and I'm looking at this one, because I've had a hard time finding bikes big enough for me (6'3), and in my student budget. Measurements seem correct from what he told me, so this would be a ~58.4 cm frame. Also appears to have a steel fork, not the death fork? I will look closer if I decide to see it in person. I'm also 210 lbs, and will not be losing any weight, so that may be a consideration.
He's asking 125$
His Description, "WELL KEPT !!!
VINTAGE !!!
Viscount 12 speed English bike
23" braised frame, 27" rims
Good tires& tubes
New seat cables and housings
Tuned ready 2 ride"
Edit : I have 4 pictures that I can't attach, don't have enough posts, but they're in the attached zip file. If anyone is kind enough to upload for me, I would appreciate it!
Other thoughts, I originally thought about making my townie a bit racier with new tires and lower bars, but it's a pretty heavy mongoose hilltopper frame, and it may be pointless ... ?? I'm a pretty new and casual biker so a lot of this is new to me! I am good with mechanical stuff, so upgrade/repairs don't scare me. That may be a better option though, I'm open to comments etc. Thanks everyone!
It would be my first road bike, and I'm looking at this one, because I've had a hard time finding bikes big enough for me (6'3), and in my student budget. Measurements seem correct from what he told me, so this would be a ~58.4 cm frame. Also appears to have a steel fork, not the death fork? I will look closer if I decide to see it in person. I'm also 210 lbs, and will not be losing any weight, so that may be a consideration.
He's asking 125$
His Description, "WELL KEPT !!!
VINTAGE !!!
Viscount 12 speed English bike
23" braised frame, 27" rims
Good tires& tubes
New seat cables and housings
Tuned ready 2 ride"
Edit : I have 4 pictures that I can't attach, don't have enough posts, but they're in the attached zip file. If anyone is kind enough to upload for me, I would appreciate it!
Other thoughts, I originally thought about making my townie a bit racier with new tires and lower bars, but it's a pretty heavy mongoose hilltopper frame, and it may be pointless ... ?? I'm a pretty new and casual biker so a lot of this is new to me! I am good with mechanical stuff, so upgrade/repairs don't scare me. That may be a better option though, I'm open to comments etc. Thanks everyone!
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04-22-20, 05:14 PM
#3
Thrifty Bill
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Small frame for someone 6-3.
04-22-20, 05:21 PM
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
I think the fork was replaced, it doesn't look like the death fork.
Ok, it may be then, I'm new to this. I was basing it on a lot of my height being in the torso, and on a site suggesting 56 - 61 cm for people my height/inseam. My current bike measures the same as this one, but is a mtb frame, and the top tube is pretty close to my crotch when I stand over it.
Ok, it may be then, I'm new to this. I was basing it on a lot of my height being in the torso, and on a site suggesting 56 - 61 cm for people my height/inseam. My current bike measures the same as this one, but is a mtb frame, and the top tube is pretty close to my crotch when I stand over it.
04-22-20, 05:27 PM
#5
Thrifty Bill
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MTB sizing tends to be about 3 inches smaller. I ride an 18 to 19 MTB, I ride a 22 inch road bike.
I can't image any site recommending 56 to 61 for someone 6-3, particularly on a vintage road bike.
I have found this chart useful on vintage road bikes. Note, do not use your PANT inseam, use Bicycle Inseam. Google it if you don't know the difference. Bicycle inseam will be significantly longer.
I have a long torso and short legs. I sacrifice standover clearance in order to get an adequate top tube length.
Vintage Racing Bike Sizing Chart by bill, on Flickr
I can't image any site recommending 56 to 61 for someone 6-3, particularly on a vintage road bike.
I have found this chart useful on vintage road bikes. Note, do not use your PANT inseam, use Bicycle Inseam. Google it if you don't know the difference. Bicycle inseam will be significantly longer.
I have a long torso and short legs. I sacrifice standover clearance in order to get an adequate top tube length.
Vintage Racing Bike Sizing Chart by bill, on Flickr
04-22-20, 05:34 PM
#6
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Thanks! When you say 3 inches smaller, you mean actual measurements, or advertised measurements? I'm basing this on what I measured on my own frame (center of bottom bracket to top of seat tube). Frame sizing is confusing, but based on your chart, the viscount looks too small ... Thanks again!
04-22-20, 06:28 PM
#7
Senior Member
I once owned a Viscount. Probably the worst vintage bike I have owned. I would not call it classic by any means.
04-22-20, 08:12 PM
#8
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04-22-20, 08:54 PM
#9
Thrifty Bill
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Thanks! When you say 3 inches smaller, you mean actual measurements, or advertised measurements? I'm basing this on what I measured on my own frame (center of bottom bracket to top of seat tube). Frame sizing is confusing, but based on your chart, the viscount looks too small ... Thanks again!
As to the original bike, its probably "worth" $125. Wrong size for you, so to me, its worth nothing at that point. 27 inch wheels, many of the Viscounts have unique pressed in bottom brackets. They are a bad choice for someone who just wants a vintage road bike. There are endless choices from the 1980s, made in Japan. They will have top notch quality, some are higher end (some aren't), and value wise they are cheaper than other choices.
For a little more $$, you should be able to find a nicer steel frame vintage bike, with better components, and standard parts.
I've owned two Viscounts, both were bought cheap, and both were bought for their parts. My keepers tend to be either made in Japan, or made in USA.
Last edited by wrk101; 04-23-20 at 12:03 PM.
04-24-20, 10:41 AM
#10
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Yes, again, this is in the vintage world. Center to Top seat tube is common, its what I have standardized on. Modern bikes with sloping top tubes, etc., sizing can be different.
As to the original bike, its probably "worth" $125. Wrong size for you, so to me, its worth nothing at that point. 27 inch wheels, many of the Viscounts have unique pressed in bottom brackets. They are a bad choice for someone who just wants a vintage road bike. There are endless choices from the 1980s, made in Japan. They will have top notch quality, some are higher end (some aren't), and value wise they are cheaper than other choices.
For a little more $$, you should be able to find a nicer steel frame vintage bike, with better components, and standard parts.
I've owned two Viscounts, both were bought cheap, and both were bought for their parts. My keepers tend to be either made in Japan, or made in USA.
As to the original bike, its probably "worth" $125. Wrong size for you, so to me, its worth nothing at that point. 27 inch wheels, many of the Viscounts have unique pressed in bottom brackets. They are a bad choice for someone who just wants a vintage road bike. There are endless choices from the 1980s, made in Japan. They will have top notch quality, some are higher end (some aren't), and value wise they are cheaper than other choices.
For a little more $$, you should be able to find a nicer steel frame vintage bike, with better components, and standard parts.
I've owned two Viscounts, both were bought cheap, and both were bought for their parts. My keepers tend to be either made in Japan, or made in USA.
04-24-20, 11:12 AM
#11
Full Member
I have a 25" viscount that was given to me. As I am 6'4" it will fit me. It is actually in pretty good shape. It is a ways back in the rebuild pile. I know I should change out the fork if I am going to ride it, but the welding on the frame is flawless.
04-24-20, 11:15 AM
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Remember that the most important thing is how the bike fits you when you are riding it. Stand-over and clearance over the top tube matter, but are not the only consideration. For example, I must be similar to WRK101 in that I tend to fit better on bikes with longer top tubes.
Some people believe you should be able to sit on the saddle and touch your feet, flat, to the ground. If you can do this, the bike is way too small for you. In my case, I can barely tough my toes and that's fine because I never feel the need to do that anyway!
Good luck with your search and feel free to ask for more suggestions.
