Looking for a classic steel frame bike
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Looking for a classic steel frame bike
I'm asking for advice and ideas. I want to build a bike, or rebuild to be more accurate, for riding around town and in the gravel or light dirt. I'm not looking for a bike with suspension as I prefer the old rigid steel bikes. I'm probably looking for something that can accommodate 700c wheels or 650b. Something along the lines of a touring / gravel bike but without all the carbon fiber.
In my area I have seen a late 60's AMF Hercules for sale for $60. A Royal Scot Touring no apparent year given on the bike for $100. A 60's Robin Hood 3 speed for $125. And lastly an early 90's Specialized Crossroads for $120. They all look to be in good condition for their age, nothing seriously abused or rusted and all supposedly functional.
Looking at the Robin Hood, I just noticed the wheels are 26". So it may take a 650b. The Specialized and the Royal Scot can take 700c. I'm not sure on the Hercules.
If I've done my research right the 3 British bikes were all made by Raleigh, correct? I'm leaning towards the British bikes more than the Specialized. I just want something different and solid all the way around that will last me for a long time, not that I abuse my bikes or neglect them. I'm in the process of thinning my bikes as they don't have the same appeal as the older bikes do.
Any advice as to which bike you may recommend in regards to frame or components quality? I may eventually upgrade and modernize some of the components to meet my criteria for what I want. Or is there another old school steel frame that may also be an option?
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
In my area I have seen a late 60's AMF Hercules for sale for $60. A Royal Scot Touring no apparent year given on the bike for $100. A 60's Robin Hood 3 speed for $125. And lastly an early 90's Specialized Crossroads for $120. They all look to be in good condition for their age, nothing seriously abused or rusted and all supposedly functional.
Looking at the Robin Hood, I just noticed the wheels are 26". So it may take a 650b. The Specialized and the Royal Scot can take 700c. I'm not sure on the Hercules.
If I've done my research right the 3 British bikes were all made by Raleigh, correct? I'm leaning towards the British bikes more than the Specialized. I just want something different and solid all the way around that will last me for a long time, not that I abuse my bikes or neglect them. I'm in the process of thinning my bikes as they don't have the same appeal as the older bikes do.
Any advice as to which bike you may recommend in regards to frame or components quality? I may eventually upgrade and modernize some of the components to meet my criteria for what I want. Or is there another old school steel frame that may also be an option?
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
#2
Bianchi Goddess
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Posts: 29,725
Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.
Mentioned: 191 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2912 Post(s)
Liked 2,836 Times
in
1,460 Posts
I'm asking for advice and ideas. I want to build a bike, or rebuild to be more accurate, for riding around town and in the gravel or light dirt. I'm not looking for a bike with suspension as I prefer the old rigid steel bikes. I'm probably looking for something that can accommodate 700c wheels or 650b. Something along the lines of a touring / gravel bike but without all the carbon fiber.
And lastly an early 90's Specialized Crossroads for $120.
Looking at the Robin Hood, I just noticed the wheels are 26". So it may take a 650b. The Specialized and the Royal Scot can take 700c. I'm not sure on the Hercules.
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
And lastly an early 90's Specialized Crossroads for $120.
Looking at the Robin Hood, I just noticed the wheels are 26". So it may take a 650b. The Specialized and the Royal Scot can take 700c. I'm not sure on the Hercules.
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
#3
SE Wis
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,516
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2731 Post(s)
Liked 3,361 Times
in
2,034 Posts
Be aware when you are talking about English 3 speeds you need to know you may be diving into "quirks and idiosyncrasies" that may limit you options or require workarounds.
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/english-3.html
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/english-3.html
Likes For dedhed:
#4
Hoards Thumbshifters
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Signal Mountain, TN
Posts: 1,173
Bikes: '23 Black Mtn MC, '87 Bruce Gordon Chinook, '08 Jamis Aurora, '86 Trek 560, '97 Mongoose Rockadile, & '91 Trek 750
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 245 Post(s)
Liked 322 Times
in
189 Posts
90's cross/hybrid bikes sound like a good way to go then. 700c and usually good frames. Trek Multitrack, Specialized Crossroads, Mongoose Crossway, and others.
Likes For mechanicmatt:
#5
Member
Thread Starter
Thanks so much for the link and the reply! Looks like I'll have to possibly rethink some things and research evenmore.
Likes For Gino71:
#6
Mr. Anachronism
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Somewhere west of Tobie's
Posts: 2,093
Bikes: fillet-brazed Chicago Schwinns, and some other stuff
Mentioned: 29 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 526 Post(s)
Liked 256 Times
in
165 Posts
Yes... the Crossroads is an incredibly versatile bike. It would gobble gravel with the right tires. Just make sure it's your size! Trek Multitrack would be just as good.
__________________
"My only true wisdom is in knowing I have none" -Socrates
"My only true wisdom is in knowing I have none" -Socrates
Likes For Hudson308:
#7
Mother Nature's Son
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Sussex County, Delaware
Posts: 3,111
Bikes: 2014 Orbea Avant MD30, 2004 Airborne Zeppelin TI, 2003 Lemond Poprad, 2001 Lemond Tourmalet, 2014? Soma Smoothie
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 838 Post(s)
Liked 1,414 Times
in
801 Posts
What size frame are you looking for, and is the $120 the area of money you want to spend? I no longer have it, but I had a Crossroads for a few years. It was a nice riding bike that was ok on roads, MUPs and easy trails. I gave it to a friend of mine that was in need of bicycle quite a few years ago. He still has it, though he does not ride much.
Likes For delbiker1:
#8
Member
Thread Starter
I keep trying to post links and photos but it says I can't post until I have 10 posts or more. Blah. I'm between a small and medium size. The Crossroads is my size. I also believe the Robin Hood is my size. Once I get to the "correct" amount of posts I'll post pics and links.
Price isn't really a big deal honestly, I just want something to tinker with. If I did set a limit the most I would spend on the bike or frame would be about $300. Later this year I plan on investing in a handbuilt bike.
Price isn't really a big deal honestly, I just want something to tinker with. If I did set a limit the most I would spend on the bike or frame would be about $300. Later this year I plan on investing in a handbuilt bike.
Last edited by Gino71; 02-06-20 at 07:12 PM.
#9
Extraordinary Magnitude
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waukesha WI
Posts: 13,640
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
Mentioned: 84 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2597 Post(s)
Liked 1,678 Times
in
926 Posts
When I got back into riding- I had an "old" bike that I just hadn't ridden much at all for 20 years. I thought it was cool, and found that people also thought it was cool. The more I started reading and looking at pictures and really figuring out WHY I thought my bike was cool- I started piecing together what kind of bikes I liked. (short story long: I had an old "All Terrain Bike" {which I considered a "mountain bike"} so I thought "I like old mountain bikes," but I didn't realize ATBs shared a lot of characteristics and components with touring bikes- and it just so happened I went through a bunch of mountain bikes and was not really happy until I figured out that "touring bikes" were what I liked)
My advice- keep looking at pix- find out makes and model names, find out what those are and mean (why is a Stumpjumper considered "above" a Rockhopper), learn some about things like English/French/Swiss standards. ASK QUESTIONS! The coolest thing about this group is the willingness to help people.
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Likes For The Golden Boy:
#10
Member
Thread Starter
I was in the market for an old Stumpjumper. A guy about an hour from me had an old 80's StumpJumper with the biplane fork which I loved! Unfortunately he sold it before I could meet up with him. I love the look of the Biplane forks, no idea why.
I just saw on my local Craigslist a mid-2000's Jamis Coda Sport popped up for sale for $100. All steel no suspension. I may check that out and try to contact the owner tomorrow.
I just saw on my local Craigslist a mid-2000's Jamis Coda Sport popped up for sale for $100. All steel no suspension. I may check that out and try to contact the owner tomorrow.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 3,972
Bikes: '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '72 Gitane tandem, '72 Raleigh Super Course, '73 Raleigh Gran Sport, '73 Colnago Super, '76 Fiorelli Coppi, '78 Raleigh SBDU Team Pro, '78 Trek 930, '81 Holdsworth Special 650B, '86 Masi GC, ’94 Bridgestone RB-T
Mentioned: 67 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 784 Post(s)
Liked 515 Times
in
279 Posts
The thing about old steel bikes is those with lightweight tubing can be quite light (~21 lbs built up), whereas those with heavier tubing (like English 3-speeds) can be quite heavy (~32 lbs). You can find the former that will be light, sturdy, responsive, and fit wider tires for gravel riding. Something upper-mid range like a mid-70's Raleigh Competition that was built for 27" wheels, can be built with 700c wheels and fit maybe 35mm tires. Or an early 80s bike built for 700c rims might be built with 650B rims by just using long-reach brakes, and fit tires almost as wide.
Where are you located? If folks here are nearby, they could assist with the search.
Where are you located? If folks here are nearby, they could assist with the search.
__________________
The man who dies with the most toys…is dead. - Rootboy
The man who dies with the most toys…is dead. - Rootboy
Likes For jeirvine:
#12
Phyllo-buster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,831
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
Mentioned: 133 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2288 Post(s)
Liked 2,033 Times
in
1,246 Posts
Gino. What's your locale? Maybe connect with C&V misfits, err, people of character to help.
#13
Member
Thread Starter
Apparently I've been measuring wrong ... the Specialized Crossroads and the Jamis are too large.
I'm located in Plant City Florida, in between Tampa and Orlando.
I'm located in Plant City Florida, in between Tampa and Orlando.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Back in Lincoln Sq, Chicago...🙄
Posts: 1,683
Bikes: '84 Miyata 610 ‘91 Cannondale ST600,'83 Trek 720 ‘84 Trek 520, 620, ‘91 Miyata 1000LT, '79 Trek 514, '78 Trek 706, '73 Raleigh Int. frame.
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 682 Post(s)
Liked 364 Times
in
218 Posts
#15
Old fart
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,936
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3571 Post(s)
Liked 3,368 Times
in
1,916 Posts
Most British 3-speeds came with 650A wheels (590mm ERD); 650B is 584mm ERD, so pretty close, as long as the brakes can reach the rims.
Likes For JohnDThompson:
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada - burrrrr!
Posts: 11,672
Bikes: 1958 Rabeneick 120D, 1968 Legnano Gran Premio, 196? Torpado Professional, 2000 Marinoni Piuma
Mentioned: 210 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1370 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,743 Times
in
934 Posts
I built MY "TEN SPEEDS" just for people new to the interest in vintage bicycles. Perhaps the OP will find something helpful there. I do hope it is helpful...
__________________
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
Likes For randyjawa:
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,856
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
Mentioned: 104 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2304 Post(s)
Liked 2,742 Times
in
1,499 Posts
some ideas... bit difficult as size is a guess
nice bike #160 23" or ~58 cm ...maybe to big https://lakeland.craigslist.org/bik/...059100933.html
57 cm bridge stone xo https://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/bik...051009619.html
fuji 21" https://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/bik...070705727.html
nice bike #160 23" or ~58 cm ...maybe to big https://lakeland.craigslist.org/bik/...059100933.html
57 cm bridge stone xo https://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/bik...051009619.html
fuji 21" https://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/bik...070705727.html
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
#18
Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for the replies, I appreciate them.
Ch0m0ly ... I think my size would be about 54cm to 52cm. I measured my inseam and it's 26.5 ( if I did it correctly ).
Randyjawa, that's a beautiful bike. I like the old Raleighs a lot. I had thought about maybe an old steel Raleigh frame.
Squirtdad , thanks for the links. I've looked at those before, trust me I've scoured Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp and LetGo. I think the only one that would be near my size is the first link you posted in my town, the Bridgestone.
I'm almost starting to get burned out looking at bikes. I'll take my time and research while I keep looking.
Ch0m0ly ... I think my size would be about 54cm to 52cm. I measured my inseam and it's 26.5 ( if I did it correctly ).
Randyjawa, that's a beautiful bike. I like the old Raleighs a lot. I had thought about maybe an old steel Raleigh frame.
Squirtdad , thanks for the links. I've looked at those before, trust me I've scoured Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp and LetGo. I think the only one that would be near my size is the first link you posted in my town, the Bridgestone.
I'm almost starting to get burned out looking at bikes. I'll take my time and research while I keep looking.
#20
Phyllo-buster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,831
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
Mentioned: 133 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2288 Post(s)
Liked 2,033 Times
in
1,246 Posts
You stated you want road and path-gravel rides so maybe go back look for that Crossroads. Build another wheelset and ride anywhere. A really flexible platform from which to start a build.
#21
Just call me Carrie
I built MY "TEN SPEEDS" just for people new to the interest in vintage bicycles. Perhaps the OP will find something helpful there. I do hope it is helpful...
__________________
I was going to have a good signature but apparently I'm too verbose.
I was going to have a good signature but apparently I'm too verbose.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 718
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 189 Post(s)
Liked 472 Times
in
200 Posts
I built MY "TEN SPEEDS" just for people new to the interest in vintage bicycles. Perhaps the OP will find something helpful there. I do hope it is helpful...
Last edited by alexihnen; 02-07-20 at 09:11 PM.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 781
Bikes: Trek 970, Bianchi Volpe,Casati
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 354 Post(s)
Liked 120 Times
in
86 Posts
The made in USA , trek , 930, 950, 970. Rack mounts , etc. Awesome frames. , and deore components. If they rust free.
#24
Member
Thread Starter
I found another Specialized Crossroads Cruz about 40 minutes from me but I haven't had the time to go look at it due to work. I'll keep an eye out for something hopefully closer to me. I appreciate all the replies and the links people have responded with. I may also look into an inexpensive Fixie to tinker with until I find my "ideal" frameset for a build.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Seattle WA
Posts: 2,870
Bikes: 2009 Handsome Devil, 1987 Trek 520 Cirrus, 1978 Motobecane Grand Touring, 1987 Nishiki Cresta GT, 1989 Specialized Allez Former bikes; 1986 Miyata Trail Runner, 1979 Miyata 912, 2011 VO Rando, 1999 Cannondale R800, 1986 Schwinn Passage
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 796 Post(s)
Liked 522 Times
in
367 Posts
+15 on the Specialized Cross roads assuming it fits, a free bike that doesn't fit is no bargain