Do you ride your vintage bikes hard?
01-08-19, 06:04 PM
#1
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Do you ride your vintage bikes hard?
I’m talking mashing pedals, yanking on handlebars, sprinting up hills.
I used to be scared of doing that on my recently bought 1990 Miyata 1000LT, but after many miles, a new stem, and replacement of consumables, I feel different. It’s really solid. But would I feel comfortable doing the same on, say, an early 70s Raleigh racing bike? A 1950s Holdsworth? How old a bike/components would you ride hard, and how hard would you ride an old bike and components?
I used to be scared of doing that on my recently bought 1990 Miyata 1000LT, but after many miles, a new stem, and replacement of consumables, I feel different. It’s really solid. But would I feel comfortable doing the same on, say, an early 70s Raleigh racing bike? A 1950s Holdsworth? How old a bike/components would you ride hard, and how hard would you ride an old bike and components?
Last edited by samkl; 01-08-19 at 06:09 PM.
01-08-19, 06:05 PM
#2
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I take the same approach as with my vintage wife.
Having said that, I broke my 1987 Bianchi frame riding it "too hard" in 1988, so I am on a second frame, and weigh about 20 lbs more.
I think it is unlikely you will do it any damage unless it is defective, or you often become airborne.
I dented the top tube of my (1981) Miyata 1000, within a year of owning it. (It got stolen in 1989).
Having said that, I broke my 1987 Bianchi frame riding it "too hard" in 1988, so I am on a second frame, and weigh about 20 lbs more.
I think it is unlikely you will do it any damage unless it is defective, or you often become airborne.
I dented the top tube of my (1981) Miyata 1000, within a year of owning it. (It got stolen in 1989).
Last edited by Cyclist0108; 01-08-19 at 06:16 PM.
01-08-19, 06:06 PM
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I doubt I'd ever torture my 1960 olmo grand sport but I have no issues taking it on a 50 mile plus ride. I'll take my 1985 Cannondale ST 400 pretty much anywhere or one of my vintage MTBs if going on trails.
01-08-19, 06:39 PM
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I remember, way back when, friends who were trying to be encouraging would yell “break the bike!” They knew full well I couldn’t do that, but it was shorthand for “try hard”. I still have two of the same bikes I had then, and I am even less likely to succeed now, so, in a word, yes.
01-08-19, 06:43 PM
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Absolutely. Always do.
I baby them when I'm not on them, but they were designed for a purpose.
Even a Pinarello, which sometimes are so pretty it hurts to think of them getting dirty, much less being ridden hard.
But, like @The Thin Man says, they were made to be used, abused, ridden hard, and then do it again the next day.
Broke two aluminum Treks in the mid-80's, on 1/8 mile hill climbs.
Serious bets (beer) among fools with no regard for safety or injury.
Obviously defective frames, which Trek replaced (for the owners).
Still, the bike shop refused to sell me an aluminum frame.
That's where the Ironman seed was planted.
Years later, when I was doing some lifting, I saw an ad for a Trek 5800 OCLV and a Douglas aluminum frame.
I decided to ride there to check them out. I arrived after 35 banshee miles. I used to enjoy the punishment.
One look at me and he said "I'm not selling you either frame." I slunk home, but it was a decent 70-mile day.
I often wish I'd discovered Kleins early on. I like the way they feel invincible. I felt that way, way back then.
I baby them when I'm not on them, but they were designed for a purpose.
Even a Pinarello, which sometimes are so pretty it hurts to think of them getting dirty, much less being ridden hard.
But, like @The Thin Man says, they were made to be used, abused, ridden hard, and then do it again the next day.
Broke two aluminum Treks in the mid-80's, on 1/8 mile hill climbs.
Serious bets (beer) among fools with no regard for safety or injury.
Obviously defective frames, which Trek replaced (for the owners).
Still, the bike shop refused to sell me an aluminum frame.
That's where the Ironman seed was planted.
Years later, when I was doing some lifting, I saw an ad for a Trek 5800 OCLV and a Douglas aluminum frame.
I decided to ride there to check them out. I arrived after 35 banshee miles. I used to enjoy the punishment.
One look at me and he said "I'm not selling you either frame." I slunk home, but it was a decent 70-mile day.
I often wish I'd discovered Kleins early on. I like the way they feel invincible. I felt that way, way back then.
Last edited by RobbieTunes; 01-08-19 at 11:08 PM.
01-08-19, 06:48 PM
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Giant CADEX CFR1 with Spinergy RevX wheels
The vintage bikes I build up and ride are ridden "hard" because I am big, my local roads rough and some of the tiny cog clusters on the back wheel require monumental effort from me to turn on slight rises and head winds. Also despite thinking I will go for a cruise around the block, near every ride I do turns into a full scale road thrash with self, its what I enjoy. So the bikes have to inspire confidence by always being strong. I'm OK with creaking (bike and me). They are all between 1979 and 1996. Apart from broken spokes and loosening parts all has been great. A pre start and post ride check are now my norm whatever the distance traveled. I will be interested to see how my latest build of old carbon, old aluminium and old glue in the form of this CADEX responds to my life on the road.
01-08-19, 06:50 PM
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I used to.
Then I got older. But I do put a lot more stress on my rear wheel nowadays. I'm working on losing the gut, though.
Then I got older. But I do put a lot more stress on my rear wheel nowadays. I'm working on losing the gut, though.
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
01-08-19, 06:59 PM
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In as much as I ride hard, yes I do ride my vintage bikes hard. I have had my 93 Paramount mountain bike since new and I would not hesitate to ride it as hard as I can on a downhill trail. I stress that riding hard is not as hard as it used to be.
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Andy
Andy
01-08-19, 07:08 PM
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I know of one that was hit by a car, snapped clear through the left side seat stay. Rider was really lucky and only roughed up. Told me he forcefully repositioned the broken stay (revealing woven shreds) and continued on his way. I had the frame and fork, was considering on saving it for the fork only but in hindsite should have repaired the frame. They are robust.
On that note, in the early 1990s I rigorously rode a hardtail Kestrel CS-X carbon mountain bike. Had a few good smashes and wipeouts. That bike never failed me.
On that note, in the early 1990s I rigorously rode a hardtail Kestrel CS-X carbon mountain bike. Had a few good smashes and wipeouts. That bike never failed me.
01-08-19, 07:13 PM
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To the original question, I ride all as designed for. Quite a few of my vintage bikes have the >>DEATH<< parts as others point out. I do keep close tabs on them and respect the age.
01-08-19, 07:22 PM
#13
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Sure, or course. Why not? Probably not riding quite as hard as I used to, but that's me and not the bike. Steel is tough, especially good steel. Campy NR is tough. Some other early parts weren't as tough. Full sprints out of the saddle, even over steep hills? Check. Going down twisty descents at nutty speeds? Yes. That's what they were designed for.
Riding hard means different things to different people. If you like to jump off picnic tables and ride straight into curbs, don't do it on a racing bike.
Riding hard means different things to different people. If you like to jump off picnic tables and ride straight into curbs, don't do it on a racing bike.
01-08-19, 07:46 PM
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Sure, in fact my go to sprint bike is my 1987 Schwinn Circuit.
I rotate through and use all my bikes and I like speed. So I don't have too many "off" rides where I'm just taking it easy.
Probably the only one I purposely take it easy on is my 1972 Peugeot U-08 since it's still got the original RD and I'm hoping to keep it in one piece.
I rotate through and use all my bikes and I like speed. So I don't have too many "off" rides where I'm just taking it easy.
Probably the only one I purposely take it easy on is my 1972 Peugeot U-08 since it's still got the original RD and I'm hoping to keep it in one piece.
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Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
01-08-19, 08:13 PM
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I broke this..
...and this...
...in the past couple years. So yeah
DD
...and this...
...in the past couple years. So yeah
DD
01-08-19, 08:34 PM
#17
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My lowest gear is a 42x28t, so, a lot of times, I have no choice.
01-08-19, 08:49 PM
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No special treatment for mine. We go as hard as my body allows.
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
01-08-19, 08:53 PM
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Heck, yeah. I play with my toys.
And I get faster every year, too.
And I get faster every year, too.
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Hard at work in the Secret Underground Laboratory...
Hard at work in the Secret Underground Laboratory...
01-08-19, 09:04 PM
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Not me, no mashing, ever. Never had it in me, but I can, will and do ride all day long with some hills when I have to. No reservations about any of my bikes anyways. 
01-08-19, 09:06 PM
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I've ridden my Eddy Merckx MX Leader and Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra in The Belgian Waffle Ride in North San Diego County. Lots of Pavement, Fire roads and a bit of single track, and they held up just fine. It's what got me into steel bikes...I didn't want to break my Carbon road bike, so I bought a steel Eddy Merckx. I no longer own a carbon road bike.
01-08-19, 10:11 PM
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I'm a frequent gravel grinder and a very hard fat man in the saddle. Sure, I ride 'em hard*, and I break 'em sometimes.
*downhill, at least
*downhill, at least
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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 ●
● 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 ●
01-08-19, 10:22 PM
#23
What??? Only 2 wheels?
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You mean like this?
Of course that was on our tandem. All 160lbs of me couldn't do that by myself even though I do like to ride fast. Fast is relative...
Of course that was on our tandem. All 160lbs of me couldn't do that by myself even though I do like to ride fast. Fast is relative...
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01-08-19, 10:28 PM
#24
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I recently bought an early 80s Zunow in mint condition. I've been riding hard in the last few months.
Makes me sad but I chip more paint in those few months than the previous owner did in the last 35+ years...
Mostly from locking it up around town.
Makes me sad but I chip more paint in those few months than the previous owner did in the last 35+ years...
Mostly from locking it up around town.
01-08-19, 11:06 PM
#25
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