What is Your Oldest Bike?
#76
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How many parts need to be original to consider it that old?
Is a bike as old as its oldest part?
Or is it as old as its frame?
Is a bike as old as its oldest part?
Or is it as old as its frame?
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My bike and trike (2008 and 2011) are not that old. I bought my first LAST BIKE in 1988, and now that times have changed and I have gotten wiser, my last two last bikes are not that old.
#80
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This is arguably my oldest and newest bike. It's a 1986 Univega Gran Turismo that I bought new in the summer of 1987 for a cross country tour. It lived in my garage for many years, getting used off and on as a sort of chores bike. A few months
ago, I changed the handlebar tape and started riding it again. I was honestly surprised to find it was the most comfortable bike in my collection, but virtually everything on it was at the end of its life. I decided to update the bike with the the help of my local bike shop. I went to 700C wheels and brifters (Shimano Sora 3000), so it's not a loving vintage restoration. I did go from a 3x to a 2x which may not have been the smartest thing to do, but the gear range is fine for where I live.
ago, I changed the handlebar tape and started riding it again. I was honestly surprised to find it was the most comfortable bike in my collection, but virtually everything on it was at the end of its life. I decided to update the bike with the the help of my local bike shop. I went to 700C wheels and brifters (Shimano Sora 3000), so it's not a loving vintage restoration. I did go from a 3x to a 2x which may not have been the smartest thing to do, but the gear range is fine for where I live.
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last year, I discovered that I could actually pedal a 53/17 road bike up a steep hill out of the saddle. It was a moment of pure joy and glorious obeastness. Modern gearing makes one a slave to comfort.
#83
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Oldest is my 1985 Diamondback Ascent purchased at a thrift store for $7.50. Next is the 1989 Specialized Rock Combo, recently restored.
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1996 bianchi megatube ti...fresh paint.
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#86
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so call me a cheap slave...
Comfort? So does turning 70 and mountain life. I'm keeping my 30/30 gearing (and yes celebrating when I manage to get there without a walking break!)
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#89
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True enough.
But maybe you miss the point.
For many of us - finding, fixing, building and rebuilding is almost as much fun as riding them.
And definitely more fun than riding them in crap weather conditions.
edit: not my oldest but this frameset has been almost 100% re-Zeus'd. After being saved from metal recycling in western Canada.
But maybe you miss the point.
For many of us - finding, fixing, building and rebuilding is almost as much fun as riding them.
And definitely more fun than riding them in crap weather conditions.
edit: not my oldest but this frameset has been almost 100% re-Zeus'd. After being saved from metal recycling in western Canada.
Last edited by Wildwood; 01-23-21 at 04:49 PM.
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Mine is now a 2014 Argon 18 Gallium Pro. It's still running 10-spd.
Given the demand for bikes this year, I used this summer as an opportunity to get rid of all my older bikes that I didn't ride much and upgrade or move to more modern set ups. Sold three bikes, a frameset and a wheelset this year, and bought one new bike and one new frameset.
Given the demand for bikes this year, I used this summer as an opportunity to get rid of all my older bikes that I didn't ride much and upgrade or move to more modern set ups. Sold three bikes, a frameset and a wheelset this year, and bought one new bike and one new frameset.
#92
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Mine is a 1952 Rudge Aero Special. A guy employing a house he had bought to fix and flip found it in the attic, and brought it to an LBS to see if they could sell it. In I walked and noticed an interesting roadie without a repair tag. Looked it over, spun the wheels, hefted it, stood over it, looked over the paint, nothing missing other than the front fender and saddle. The owner only wanted $50, so soon I took it home!
I’ve overhauled front wheel, headset, and BB. The BB cups were all fine, rings were warped, and I damaged the spindle a little “extracting” the cotter. I found an alloy seat pin, a leather saddle with clamp, and a TA 5-pin dual chain set with matching spindle. The TA spindle bearing seats matched the original Raleigh ones so I installed the super light TA chain set. The first ride was not long, but nice. I’m now working on the brake calipers, changing to an alloy GB bar, and seeking a TA track spindle for a 1x3 with correct chainline.
1952 Rudge Aero Special, 531 non-butted, AW hub, modern saddle so it looks like a bike, modern tires, original rims. Rebuild will have repacked bearings, B15 Swallow or ???, and most likely a TA chainset 48 teeth.
I’ve overhauled front wheel, headset, and BB. The BB cups were all fine, rings were warped, and I damaged the spindle a little “extracting” the cotter. I found an alloy seat pin, a leather saddle with clamp, and a TA 5-pin dual chain set with matching spindle. The TA spindle bearing seats matched the original Raleigh ones so I installed the super light TA chain set. The first ride was not long, but nice. I’m now working on the brake calipers, changing to an alloy GB bar, and seeking a TA track spindle for a 1x3 with correct chainline.
1952 Rudge Aero Special, 531 non-butted, AW hub, modern saddle so it looks like a bike, modern tires, original rims. Rebuild will have repacked bearings, B15 Swallow or ???, and most likely a TA chainset 48 teeth.
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#93
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True enough.
But maybe you miss the point.
For many of us - finding, fixing, building and rebuilding is almost as much fun as riding them.
And definitely more fun than riding them in crap weather conditions.
edit: not my oldest but this frameset has been almost 100% re-Zeus'd. After being saved from metal recycling in western Canada.
But maybe you miss the point.
For many of us - finding, fixing, building and rebuilding is almost as much fun as riding them.
And definitely more fun than riding them in crap weather conditions.
edit: not my oldest but this frameset has been almost 100% re-Zeus'd. After being saved from metal recycling in western Canada.
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I get the fixing thing. I was trying to say that many equate owning an old bike with being a long time cyclist. Its also one thing to buy a nice old bike, much rarer to have had the nice bike from the beginning- and still have it. Before it was a thing.
-Restoration, whether its furniture, bicycles, motorcycles or anything else, is one of the most addictive hobbies on earth. It tickles all my senses.
Last edited by surveyor6; 01-24-21 at 10:48 AM. Reason: semantics
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Single speed - Go To bike () = flat landers get a 'vintage cycling genre' advantage over much hillier folk.
Almost jealous.
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Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.