Little help doing a bike search.
01-23-17, 12:18 PM
#1
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Little help doing a bike search.
I've been getting interested in older road bikes, pre 1970. But I am totally ignorant and have no idea what to search for. I've got several prewar cruisers but no lightweights. What are some good keywords to help with my search? Just browsing ebay with vintage road bikes isn't turning up much. I know these aren't just selling everywhere, but I'm having zero luck. Also what are some decent brands to keep an eye out for? Thanks.
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01-23-17, 12:26 PM
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How about searching for the names of defunct component makers rather than cycle brands?
For example if searching for brit bikes you could search on names such as Resilion, Benelux, Cyclo, BHC, Chater Lea etc.
For Italian bikes you could such on component names such as FB, Gian Robert, Magistroni, Gloria, Sheffield, Wa, etc.
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How about searching for the names of defunct component makers rather than cycle brands?
For example if searching for brit bikes you could search on names such as Resilion, Benelux, Cyclo, BHC, Chater Lea etc.
For Italian bikes you could such on component names such as FB, Gian Robert, Magistroni, Gloria, Sheffield, Wa, etc.
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Last edited by juvela; 01-23-17 at 04:12 PM. Reason: spellin'
01-23-17, 12:41 PM
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There was a war in 1970? 
More seriously: if you can give us an idea of the kind of bike you would like - perhaps some pics of bikes that tickle your fancy - we could help you dig out a few opportunities.
More seriously: if you can give us an idea of the kind of bike you would like - perhaps some pics of bikes that tickle your fancy - we could help you dig out a few opportunities.
01-23-17, 12:49 PM
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I agree with @juvela that searching for components might be the best approach. Even a search for "stronglight," while casting a pretty wide net, would still turn up quite a few pre 1970 lightweight.
Fwiw, I think the 1960s in particular were a lousy time for derailleurs. I've had a few Campy Gran Sport equipped bikes, and shifting was weak. I tend to favor IGH-equipped road bikes from the mid 1950s and earlier.
Fwiw, I think the 1960s in particular were a lousy time for derailleurs. I've had a few Campy Gran Sport equipped bikes, and shifting was weak. I tend to favor IGH-equipped road bikes from the mid 1950s and earlier.
01-23-17, 12:59 PM
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01-23-17, 01:00 PM
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(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
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(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
01-23-17, 01:04 PM
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The reason for the component suggestion is that there will always be hundreds of marques completely unknown to you, some of whose products may be of great interest...if only you knew of them.
Each visit to the forum introduces me to one or more new-to-me badges...
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The reason for the component suggestion is that there will always be hundreds of marques completely unknown to you, some of whose products may be of great interest...if only you knew of them.
Each visit to the forum introduces me to one or more new-to-me badges...
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01-23-17, 02:29 PM
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If you want to do a deep dive into really old race bikes (like 1910's and 20's), here are some names from my recently acquired Campagnolo story book:
Italy: Maino, Gloria, Globo and of course Atala, Legnano, Bianchi
France: Alcyon, Automoto, Liberator, Meteore, Louvet, Labor
Italy: Maino, Gloria, Globo and of course Atala, Legnano, Bianchi
France: Alcyon, Automoto, Liberator, Meteore, Louvet, Labor
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01-23-17, 02:44 PM
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I can't really help but , I was watching the Smithsonian CH . the other day the show was about post WWII events most was just about cleaning up and trying to get back on track . All of a sudden they start showing this bicycle race , I think they said the yr. was 47' in Germany. Anyhow the film was in color ( colorized ? )and all the bikes and riders were in fine kit . Almost all of the shots were on dirt roads .
01-23-17, 04:01 PM
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Ah yes! I can see why you would want one. 
Had a quick look around on ebay Italy, and found this one. If you want to go back another war there's this one. Both are priced above my comfort zone, though. If you're willing to look beyond Italy and at the post-WWII era - say late forties to early sixties - than bikes are slighly easier to find and prices become more reasonable, especially if you don't mind a little patina.
Had a quick look around on ebay Italy, and found this one. If you want to go back another war there's this one. Both are priced above my comfort zone, though. If you're willing to look beyond Italy and at the post-WWII era - say late forties to early sixties - than bikes are slighly easier to find and prices become more reasonable, especially if you don't mind a little patina.
01-23-17, 04:04 PM
#11
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I'm still in the looking around stage, trying to decide which way to go. And I like a little patina.
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01-23-17, 04:32 PM
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Well, I happen to have similar sympathies, and this is what I ended up with a couple of months ago:
01-23-17, 04:39 PM
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01-23-17, 05:15 PM
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OK, that helps. What size are you looking for? So we can keep an eye open. In the meantime do some web searching with terms like "ancien velo de course" and "antieke koersfiets" to get a feel for what's out there.
01-23-17, 05:28 PM
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Of course, if you want to go straight to a consistent source (though buyers don't always tell positive stories), there's Hilary Stone in Bristol, UK.
01-23-17, 06:32 PM
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@sloar, don't forget about VeloBase VeloBase.com and Classic Rendezvous Lightweight Classic Vintage bicycles, to get ideas for search terms and some ideas for a build.
One other place I like to haunt is Classic LIghtweights Classic Lightweights
These should give you some directions and they all have links pages as well. Happy hunting, Semper Fi buddy.
One other place I like to haunt is Classic LIghtweights Classic Lightweights
These should give you some directions and they all have links pages as well. Happy hunting, Semper Fi buddy.
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I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
01-23-17, 06:44 PM
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non-fixie -
if sloar has a spouse you would do well to count yourself fortunate there be an ocean between your two residences!
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non-fixie -
if sloar has a spouse you would do well to count yourself fortunate there be an ocean between your two residences!
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01-23-17, 07:08 PM
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@sloar, don't forget about VeloBase VeloBase.com and Classic Rendezvous Lightweight Classic Vintage bicycles, to get ideas for search terms and some ideas for a build.
One other place I like to haunt is Classic LIghtweights Classic Lightweights
These should give you some directions and they all have links pages as well. Happy hunting, Semper Fi buddy.
One other place I like to haunt is Classic LIghtweights Classic Lightweights
These should give you some directions and they all have links pages as well. Happy hunting, Semper Fi buddy.
All the most likely names we can throw at you are precisely the ones that are likely to get expensive on eBay or elsewhere. The most interesting things, and the best deals, are going to be the things the seller doesn't understand and can't identify.
Last edited by rhm; 01-23-17 at 07:12 PM.
01-23-17, 07:13 PM
#19
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great thread- has got me thinking as well.
one think you can do on CL searches is just do it by year, and hope that the seller put a year in! like:
1967|1968|1966|1965 etc etc.
got some hits around here - but our CL is a huge market.
pulled up this local:
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik/5950046200.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik/5950127603.html
one think you can do on CL searches is just do it by year, and hope that the seller put a year in! like:
1967|1968|1966|1965 etc etc.
got some hits around here - but our CL is a huge market.
pulled up this local:
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik/5950046200.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik/5950127603.html
Last edited by jetboy; 01-23-17 at 07:21 PM.
01-23-17, 07:24 PM
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All great ideas, thanks.
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01-23-17, 07:53 PM
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Here is one that is very interesting with a price that makes it not.
Terrific lug work.
ebay item number
252722215779
So, you could use Campagnolo Cambio in your search…
No way I could reach back to shift one though, just not flexible enough.
Terrific lug work.
ebay item number
252722215779
So, you could use Campagnolo Cambio in your search…
No way I could reach back to shift one though, just not flexible enough.
01-23-17, 07:57 PM
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This one is pretty cool and I think your size:
1961 Schwinn Paramount 10 Speed All Campagnola | eBay
1961 Schwinn Paramount 10 Speed All Campagnola | eBay
01-23-17, 08:09 PM
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great thread- has got me thinking as well.
one think you can do on CL searches is just do it by year, and hope that the seller put a year in! like:
1967|1968|1966|1965 etc etc.
got some hits around here - but our CL is a huge market.
pulled up this local:
58cm 1968 Raleigh Carlton Super Course w Reynolds 531
1960's Doniselli ALL CHROME 51cm Vintage Road Bike Full Campagnolo Gro
one think you can do on CL searches is just do it by year, and hope that the seller put a year in! like:
1967|1968|1966|1965 etc etc.
got some hits around here - but our CL is a huge market.
pulled up this local:
58cm 1968 Raleigh Carlton Super Course w Reynolds 531
1960's Doniselli ALL CHROME 51cm Vintage Road Bike Full Campagnolo Gro
wrt Doniselli - chainset has been changed out to one several years later than bike.
interesting finds jetboy!
01-23-17, 08:59 PM
#24
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I went country wide with that search and found
anyone want to facilitate?
1969 BOTTECCHIA ROAD BIKE
same guy.. loves his shorty fenders!
https://richmond.craigslist.org/bik/5954794613.html
and yellow apparently.
anyone want to facilitate?1969 BOTTECCHIA ROAD BIKE
same guy.. loves his shorty fenders!
https://richmond.craigslist.org/bik/5954794613.html
and yellow apparently.
Last edited by jetboy; 01-23-17 at 09:04 PM.
01-25-17, 09:32 AM
#25
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sloar,
dream bike image you posted is a machine done by Fratelli Torello of Savona. they operated 1927-1963. have seen two or three post-1963 machines with their brand name so they may have sold the rights to it at closing.
some history here:
Ruote di Carta: Ideor 1939
Happy Searching!
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sloar,
dream bike image you posted is a machine done by Fratelli Torello of Savona. they operated 1927-1963. have seen two or three post-1963 machines with their brand name so they may have sold the rights to it at closing.
some history here:
Ruote di Carta: Ideor 1939
Happy Searching!
-----
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