X3speed

Looking for a pre-1988 road bike/ frame. 61-4 cm with a short top tube and clearance for 35-38mm tires. Not looking for a project, just a solid frame with nicer tubing. Going to be racing the vintage category at Garmin Gravel Worlds. Any help/rcs would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Classtime 

This will be a fun thread.
Found this info about the vintage category:

• Vintage bicycles: steel frame produced prior to 1988. Down tube or bar-con shifters. Non-aero brake levers, with exposed brake housing. Traditional pedals w/ toe clips and straps. Tubed Tires.

Steel Cyclocross bikes are a nobrainer but hard to find. If you don’t expect mud (read cantis), many nice and light 531 70s bikes have room for 35s. I ran 35s on my PX-10. What drive train are you thinking?

X3speed

So I have an assortment of suntour parts and a biopace crankset, all mostly mountain bike gearing. Using shimano 600 brakes because they have a lot of clearance, but could go canti if need be. I have 32 h vintage wheels with 105 hubs and campy rims.

3alarmer 

...this describes just about every bicycle I own. I wonder why they're down on internal cable routing, which was going strong way prior to '88 ?

Classtime 

Rules is rules.

Classtime 

Here is a start. Some one knows if there is room for 35s. I’ve never had one.
https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/b...684303729.html

bikemig 

It's better asking here than on facebook. You'll get a lot more data points,

Many (if not most) road bikes from the 70s that came stock with center pull brakes will likely fit a 35c and may well fit a 38c. Of all the vintage bikes I've owned, a 70s Motobecane Grand Record or a 70s Raleigh Gran Sport or Competition have considerable clearance will easily take a 35c tire, perhaps a bit wider. The downside with the Gran Sport and Competition is that they do not come with standard drop outs but that can be dealt with. The Motobecane GR has campy drop outs but you will have to deal with a french threaded BB and headset (there are ways to deal with the non-standard stem).

The OP is in the Chicago area so there will be a lot of potential inventory.

Also if you pay to join BF (I think it's $10 a year), you can post a WTB in the C&V for sale forum. There are a lot of posters from the Chicago area and someone might be able to help you out. I'm in Iowa and I do have one bike that is the right size (a top end Trek) but I'm skeptical about sufficient tire clearance. You will want to focus on tire clearance.

X3speed

that’s really a good deal. Will it fit 35”s? If so I’ll get it.

bikemig 

I think that particular Schwinn takes an oddball stem (21.15). If it does, you're unlikely to find a replacement if you need a different length.

bikemig 

If the size works, this Fuji S12S is a good choice (double butted main triangle). A lot of posters have used these bikes to do a 650b conversion which will let you run a fat tire:

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...d-3b38059af79d

Also this 70s PX 10 frame, fork, HS is for sale on the C&V for sale forum:

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...rk-24-5-a.html

Classtime 

I think the 11.8 came stock with 32mm (1 1/4”) tires on 27” wheels. So I assume putting 700c wheels on it will give plenty of room for 35s.

found this with 35s so you should be good.
https://store.bicycleczar.com/62cm-S...p/01230157.htm

bark_eater 

Bring a wheelset to check clearances. I think that Schwinn frame in particular has less clearance than some of the other frames of the era. I've got a larger one, just the frame, but probably can't check it till next week.
P.S. I was going to say buy it for the 110 BCD Sugino Maxy crankset, but it's all ready been replaced with a less useful crankset.

bikemig 

If I were in your shoes, I'd be sorely tempted by the Fuji S12s on FB marketplace in the Chicago area.

It is likely one size too small (it looks to be a 23 inch/58 cm frame) but the top tube is likely right for your needs (you want a shortish top tube, right?). A MTB seatpost takes care of the saddle height and a Nitto technomic takes care of the stem height (or you could do a threadless adaptor for a quill stem).

Here's a thread on a 650b conversion on a Fuji S12s:

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...e-i-think.html

iab

Pinky is too small. 32s pictured, easily take 38s.


Umberto Dei 01 by iabisdb, on Flickr

X3speed

I'd ride that if it were my size!

Doug Fattic 

What combination of top tube length and stem length were you thinking that would fit your needs?

Kabuki12

I have about a dozen or so vintage racing bikes . The best one I have for tire clearance and gravel riding is my 1973 Mondia Special. I have it set up for road right now , but for 6-7 years I had 27” x 1 1/4” tires on it that actually measured 1.39” when inflated. These bikes came with 700c so I had to install the rear wheel prior to inflating the tire but once installed had enough room easily . The bike is full Reynolds 531 and nice geometry for handling some off road riding. Mine came to me with original group , Campagnolo NR including bar end shifters , and Mafac Racer center pull brakes. I am running 700c x 25 for road use on Gentleman Super Champion wheels and HF hubs , a truly all purpose bike.

27” wheel set up

700c set up for road

mpetry912 

I'd suggest a raleigh international

plenty of clearance, good enough handling and there are many of them out there

/markp

bikemig 

I own 2 vintage bikes that can easily take 700 x 35c tires: a '73 Motobecane Grand Record and an early 70s Raleigh Gran Sport. Both came stock with center pull brakes, lots of clearance, and 27 inch wheels. Both bikes currently have 700 x 35c tires.

Sedgemop 

Here's a Moto Grand Record that's a distance away, but appears to be in excellent shape. These ride beautifully too.

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/h...683996365.html

3alarmer 

...I have one of those Mondia Special's here, and it goes like a scalded cat. But they rarely appear for sale here on the local CL. The Special has longer chain stays and a longer wheelbase than the Mondia Super regular model. AS does the Raleigh INternational and some of the other suggestions. I get the impression that this bike/frame needs to be on the bargain side, pricewise. But if my requirements we for something that would take wider tires and do OK on gravel, it would be something like those...longer wheelbase and more space between the rear wheel and the seat tube.

Sedgemop 

Did you need to file the brakes on either bike?

3alarmer 

...nice bike, and very well priced, given condition and components.

Sedgemop 

I'd keep the 70's Raleigh Super Course in mind too. No shortage of those bikes around and can often be had very cheaply. Clearances tightened up in the late 70's. All models prior should fit 35's with no problem.

Sedgemop 

Yeah, I'm probably going to get it if the OP doesn't.