Old 10-Speed—What Year?
12-25-18, 12:03 PM
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Old 10-Speed—What Year?
Hello there, recently I got my hands on a very climatic old 10-speed, which I intend to have a lot of fun restoring and riding. What I'm very curious about is what year it's from, at least approximately, and was hoping you guys could help me narrow it down. I'll start with what I learned so far, then the pics.
From what I found while searching the forum for clues, is this post by bigwoo, which seems to be describing the same model—most details match mine exactly.
Originally posted in a thread "Ever heard of Boulder Bikes?". I read someone else on the forum saying (refering to a different bike) that upright shifters (tabs) could suggest early '80s, not sure if that notion applies to my bike or not. So far my impression, based on what little I know, is that it's most likely from the '80s (foam grips, everybody), early or mid? Or late? Can't really say.
Here's the pics.
From what I found while searching the forum for clues, is this post by bigwoo, which seems to be describing the same model—most details match mine exactly.
The other bike is still there and is a lugged steel roadie that looks older than 1991 and has GOT to be a different Co because it has no tubing decals on the seat tube, has steel rims, very old style steel crank arms, a low-end double crankset, steel bars, Shimano Tourney rear Der, unknown Shimano front D, and the downtube decal and head badge decal just say "Boulder". It just looks like too much of a POS to be from Boulder Bicycles..... Am I mistaken there ?? It just doesn't look like a handcrafted machine, to me anyways...
The 2 cool things were the beautiful orange paint...
The 2 cool things were the beautiful orange paint...
Here's the pics.
12-25-18, 12:31 PM
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The bike in the pictures looks early ‘80s but is fairly low end model. It could be some built for a regional chain if hardware or sporting goods stores.
12-25-18, 12:40 PM
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Its a bit of an enigma....the steel side pulls scream low end, but the rear dropouts are not just stamped....the pedals and cranks are low end but the frame has brazed on cable guides. The shifters look vaguely Simplexish, but the derailleurs are low end Lark or Tourney. Quick release front wheel too, but steel rims......Be interested if someone has more info.
12-25-18, 01:15 PM
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IMO, gas pipe special made in the 80's. By then, the braze-ons had replaced most clamp-on bits.
Brakes look terrible.
"Old" does not always = good.
Brakes look terrible.
"Old" does not always = good.
12-25-18, 01:16 PM
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It appears that the bike had center pull brakes at one time (probably Dia Compe alloy). Parts appear to have been changed over time, so a serial number would help.
12-25-18, 01:35 PM
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It's very similar to a Miyata 90 from 86...same braze-ons, fork, lug work. Manganese hi-ten tubing...good entry level bike. I don't know if Miyata ever allowed rebrands of their frames.
12-25-18, 01:41 PM
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No expert here but we just discussed Boulder bicycles in another thread, if this is an early one of them it is one rare bike. 
Here's a 93, script is very similar to me.
Here's a 93, script is very similar to me.
12-25-18, 02:33 PM
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I don't see anything on the OPs bike that says anything other that a low-end department store bike. If I was looking for a bike to actually ride, I'd keep looking. Steel rims especially are a big no-no for me, since I live in a hilly area with ample rain.That said, despite the low end compnents, the frame itself might be pretty good. I've been pleasantly surprised by at least one cheapo 1980ish Japanese built frame I've run across.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
Last edited by Lascauxcaveman; 12-25-18 at 03:42 PM.
12-25-18, 02:46 PM
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12-25-18, 03:00 PM
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Yes, and has a dedicated kickstand mount. Boulder may have referred to weight...
It looks a little like an old Murray I once had.
It looks a little like an old Murray I once had.
Last edited by curbtender; 12-25-18 at 03:09 PM.
12-25-18, 03:44 PM
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Reflector
Last edited by Essthreetee; 12-25-18 at 03:48 PM.
12-25-18, 03:47 PM
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It looks like a stamped steel reflector mount to me. Given how far it sticks out, that’s what I would put my money on. I own a dia compe quick release cable stop, and that’s certainly not one.
12-25-18, 04:26 PM
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Thank you guys for all your valuable feedback, very much appreciated.
Here's the serial: W90810314. Could "81" be indicative of the manufacture year?
Can you please send or post the link to that thread? I'd love to read through.
Since I'm fairly new to the game, could you explain why steel rims are non-preferable, aside from rust issues? Weight?
Comparing the two frames; I'd say the script is where the similarity ends I don't see anything on the OPs bike that says anything other that a low-end department store bike. If I was looking for a bike to actually ride, I'd keep looking. Steel rims especially are a big no-no for me, since I live in a hilly area with ample rain.
I don't see anything on the OPs bike that says anything other that a low-end department store bike. If I was looking for a bike to actually ride, I'd keep looking. Steel rims especially are a big no-no for me, since I live in a hilly area with ample rain.Last edited by DruVioleteer; 12-25-18 at 05:40 PM.
12-25-18, 04:50 PM
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The chrome on steel wheels isn’t a good braking surface especially when wet. Also they don’t ride as smoothly as aluminum alloy rims.
Personally I think if your looking to buy this you should pass.
Personally I think if your looking to buy this you should pass.
12-25-18, 04:53 PM
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it actually looks like a reflector holder to me as opposed to the center pull stop that you show.
Reflector
12-25-18, 06:42 PM
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12-26-18, 09:17 AM
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Yes, I'd agree with August 1989, as the two tone fade paint puts it no earlier than late 1980s. That's in the grey area where it could be a 1989 or 1990 model. The serial number format is Taiwanese, though I don't know the manufacturer. The level is typical of a hardware or department chain store bicycle of the era. BTW, this is a 12 speed, as opposed to a 10 speed.
Last edited by T-Mar; 12-26-18 at 09:21 AM.
12-26-18, 11:54 AM
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it actually looks like a reflector holder to me as opposed to the center pull stop that you show.
Reflector
12-26-18, 12:08 PM
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Sounds great, thank you guys again for extending your expertise and experience to help me figure out what this bike is, and how should I approach it. 
Always fun to learn something new.
Always fun to learn something new.
12-26-18, 07:23 PM
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Thank you guys for all your valuable feedback, very much appreciated.
Here's the serial: W90810314. Could "81" be indicative of the manufacture year?
Can you please send or post the link to that thread? I'd love to read through.
Since I'm fairly new to the game, could you explain why steel rims are non-preferable, aside from rust issues? Weight?
Here's the serial: W90810314. Could "81" be indicative of the manufacture year?
Can you please send or post the link to that thread? I'd love to read through.
Since I'm fairly new to the game, could you explain why steel rims are non-preferable, aside from rust issues? Weight?
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