Advice, please! : Vintage vs. New
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Newton, MA
Posts: 23
Bikes: '19 Fuji Touring | '09 Trek Belleville | '85 Raleigh Kodiak
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Advice, please! : Vintage vs. New
I'm in the market for a commuter bike since my beloved Bianchi Campione D'Italia 1999 had a catastrophic frame failure and my Trek Belleville rear wheel keeps torking out of alignment. It might help to know that I'm 6'4" and weigh 260 lbs.
The options I'm debating are:
O cycling sages, might you have advice for me?
P.S. My favorite bicycle ever was a perfectly balanced vintage Fuji racing bike. I LOVE a long top tube, though I now tend to commute with panniers.
The options I'm debating are:
- A new bike like the Motobecane Omni Strada SPORT ($699) or Windsor Tourist ($599) on BikesDirect.com
- A fully refurbished lotus 25" vintage bike with Suntour ARX componentry ($300)
- A fully refurbished 25" vintage Bridgestone Kabuki Synchro Memory ($180)
- A somewhat tuned up 25" vintage Raleigh Super Record ($140)
- A fully refurbished 25" vintage Shogun 100 ($225)
O cycling sages, might you have advice for me?
P.S. My favorite bicycle ever was a perfectly balanced vintage Fuji racing bike. I LOVE a long top tube, though I now tend to commute with panniers.
#2
Senior Member
Could you see yourself riding a touring bike? They make good commuters. I commuted on a 96 Novara Randonee for a number of years. It was a great value and tough as nails.
__________________
I.C.
I.C.
Likes For Insidious C.:
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Hervey Bay, Qld, Australia.
Posts: 2,928
Bikes: Colnago (82, 85, 89, 90, 91, 96, 03), 85 Cinelli, 90 Rossin, 83 Alan, 82 Bianchi, 78 Fountain, 2 x Pinarello, Malvern Star (37), Hillman (70's), 80's Beretto Lo-Pro Track, 80's Kenevans Lo-Pro, Columbus Max (95), DeGrandi (80's) Track.
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 179 Post(s)
Liked 199 Times
in
124 Posts
I'd be drawn to the Lotus but, with all your size and power, a well built frame must be the #1 priority.
#4
verktyg
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 4,030
Bikes: Current favorites: 1988 Peugeot Birraritz, 1984 Gitane Super Corsa, 1980s DeRosa, 1981 Bianchi Campione Del Mondo, 1992 Paramount OS, 1988 Colnago Technos, 1985 RalieghUSA SBDU Team Pro
Mentioned: 207 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1036 Post(s)
Liked 1,238 Times
in
654 Posts
Almost all of those bikes from Asian importers BikesDirect.com take advantage of the names of former European bike makers (and Mexican in the case of Windsor).
Ersatz past glory! For $600-$700 you get a $200-$300* bike that may serve a lot of less than serious cyclists well.
At your size and weight, I'd look for a bike with a strong alloy frame and good wheels then go from there.
The frame and wheels are the most important parts of a bike and you want to look for reliability.
I'll concede the floor to other BF members as to what bikes to look for.
One other suggestion, if you are mechanically inclined, you might want to look for a replacement frame and switch your components over, replacing or upgrading as needed.
* $200 probably the maximum cost ex China.
verktyg
Ersatz past glory! For $600-$700 you get a $200-$300* bike that may serve a lot of less than serious cyclists well.
At your size and weight, I'd look for a bike with a strong alloy frame and good wheels then go from there.
The frame and wheels are the most important parts of a bike and you want to look for reliability.
I'll concede the floor to other BF members as to what bikes to look for.
One other suggestion, if you are mechanically inclined, you might want to look for a replacement frame and switch your components over, replacing or upgrading as needed.
* $200 probably the maximum cost ex China.
verktyg
__________________
Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
#5
www.theheadbadge.com
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Southern Florida
Posts: 28,514
Bikes: https://www.theheadbadge.com
Mentioned: 124 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2422 Post(s)
Liked 4,397 Times
in
2,093 Posts
Large size Novara Transfer. 7-speed IGH, front 6V dynohub, factory rack and fenders, upright riding position, and 700C's. Anywhere from $200-350 on Craigs and OfferUp.
The overall architecture of it makes it highly Upgradable if it seems too commonplace and modern hybridy at first glance.
-Kurt
The overall architecture of it makes it highly Upgradable if it seems too commonplace and modern hybridy at first glance.
-Kurt
#6
Phyllo-buster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,847
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
Mentioned: 133 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2298 Post(s)
Liked 2,055 Times
in
1,255 Posts
[QUOTE=bsurkan;21079188 It might help to know that I'm 6'4" and weigh 260 lbs.... after my Bianchi broke right through the middle of the bottom bracket lug, I'm a little worried about large bicycle frame fragility. I'm also leery of overpaying for a mediocre bike.
[/QUOTE]
I broke my beloved Bianchi right through the BB shell on a train track
I've always been a 230 lb + rider, albeit much shorter than you. I ride any of the good butted cro-mo frames without a second thought. Columbus SP frames are stiffer if you can find one.
[/QUOTE]
I broke my beloved Bianchi right through the BB shell on a train track
I've always been a 230 lb + rider, albeit much shorter than you. I ride any of the good butted cro-mo frames without a second thought. Columbus SP frames are stiffer if you can find one.
#7
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,800
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1393 Post(s)
Liked 1,331 Times
in
837 Posts
All of us break frames and components. I'm a small/midsize guy (5'8", 145 lbs.), and over the years I have broken two frames, two cranks, a hub flange, and several spokes while riding. (To be fair, I don't include a third frame, which eventually failed after having been restraightened following a crash.) Among these breakages, only one, an alloy crank across the pedal eye, caused injury or otherwise endangered me in any way.
Either a good road frame designed for loaded touring or a no-suspension mountain bike with street tires could serve you well. Don't drop below 32, preferably 36, spokes per wheel.
Either a good road frame designed for loaded touring or a no-suspension mountain bike with street tires could serve you well. Don't drop below 32, preferably 36, spokes per wheel.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
#8
Old fart
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,792
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3591 Post(s)
Liked 3,401 Times
in
1,935 Posts
Unless you're looking for an excuse to buy a new bike, anyway.
#9
Bianchi Goddess
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Posts: 27,868
Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.
Mentioned: 194 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2938 Post(s)
Liked 2,934 Times
in
1,497 Posts
Where do you live? How long is your commute? Have you consider a hybrid or a mountain bike with slicks?
__________________
“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
#10
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,800
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1393 Post(s)
Liked 1,331 Times
in
837 Posts
Slicks, or just wide road tires with a bit of tread? I second your vote for a mountain bike, particularly one without suspension. My Schwinn can serve a commuting / transportation / grocery shopping purpose admirably.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada - burrrrr!
Posts: 11,674
Bikes: 1958 Rabeneick 120D, 1968 Legnano Gran Premio, 196? Torpado Professional, 2000 Marinoni Piuma
Mentioned: 210 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1372 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,752 Times
in
939 Posts
As much as I love my vintage road bicycles, not one of them is a decent commuter. The old school transmissions and outdated braking systems are not commuter friendly, in my opinion. I also feel that vintage road bicycles are flimsy, when compared to many other types of bikes. And, they attract thieves! Just a few days ago, my son found his Empire Professional gone and the cut in half lock laying on the ground...
With that in mind and in need of a decent "rider", I blew sixty dollars Canadian to buy this old Rocky Mountain mountain bike, changing this and that to meet my personal preferences and riding needs. The project has proved to be a great success and I think that I should have built something like this years ago, when I was commuting to and from work. After a month or so of riding the paved and dirt roads at the cottage, this thing seems to be almost bullet proof. That said, this one is still too pretty for me to consider using it as a city commuter since it, too, would attract thieves...
So, one other option might need to be considered. Check the prices of old mountain bikes and, if you find one, consider using some of the components (bars and brake levers) from the busted Bianchi to build something cheap that meets your personal riding needs.
With that in mind and in need of a decent "rider", I blew sixty dollars Canadian to buy this old Rocky Mountain mountain bike, changing this and that to meet my personal preferences and riding needs. The project has proved to be a great success and I think that I should have built something like this years ago, when I was commuting to and from work. After a month or so of riding the paved and dirt roads at the cottage, this thing seems to be almost bullet proof. That said, this one is still too pretty for me to consider using it as a city commuter since it, too, would attract thieves...
So, one other option might need to be considered. Check the prices of old mountain bikes and, if you find one, consider using some of the components (bars and brake levers) from the busted Bianchi to build something cheap that meets your personal riding needs.
__________________
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
#12
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Newton, MA
Posts: 23
Bikes: '19 Fuji Touring | '09 Trek Belleville | '85 Raleigh Kodiak
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Partially true....
I like to always have at least two bikes in my stable, and my Trek has proven an unreliable second bicycle which I generally tried to avoid because the rear wheel kept coming out of alignment. I have learned that fenders are a pain to align well and that I prefer quick release wheels. I also really enjoy drop handle bars. I do like touring bikes as well. I tried putting a rack on my Bianchi Campione D'Italia and it literally bucked it off.
#13
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,480
Mentioned: 93 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1361 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 424 Times
in
283 Posts
The 26" mtb road drop conversions don't cut it enough.
Go for a higher end 1990s hybrid 700c. Steel or aluminum. Let the big wheels take the punishment. Convert flat bars to road drop type and dual control levers. Meaty / faster 36 - 40 width rubber to blast through most terrain, trashed and roads under construction. Suggest having a set of quick detach fenders.
Many available for $200 USD.
Go for a higher end 1990s hybrid 700c. Steel or aluminum. Let the big wheels take the punishment. Convert flat bars to road drop type and dual control levers. Meaty / faster 36 - 40 width rubber to blast through most terrain, trashed and roads under construction. Suggest having a set of quick detach fenders.
Many available for $200 USD.
Last edited by crank_addict; 08-18-19 at 01:50 AM.