since6

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When I came across this bike in my morning wanderings I went way back, way way back. That first new 30lb.+ first 10-12 speed. Mine was this bike in Orange and I thought it was amazing, more than three speeds and 15-20lbs less than my Schwinn Corvette, man it was fast (actually I was then at 148lbs).

But what would I do with a 30lb.+ bike today? Hmm, does have a full set of fenders, could be the winter bike, that yellow should scream a car driver awake???

Very patient wife, but....but what price to ride a memory, sigh...but that 148lb. 18 year old would be missing in action. Quadry.

since6

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And then if that wasn't enough, I came next across a right and proper "Racing" bike, note the absence of turkey wing brake handles and racer bar tape, and well before Michael Jackson's "Thriller", this bike is a "Scorcher". God bless AMF, bowling balls and bikes!

Again memory lane, the days of carry a wrench for those quick release bolted hubs.

dddd

I can't say for sure why this is, but the Huffy and Murray "road" models seem to have the exact same geometry as the Varsity and Continental Schwinns.

So they will ride very similarly, and their geometry is very supportive of an upright ("comfort", vs. "racing") rider position suitable for less youthful/athletic riders, but less suitable for climbing steeper grades.

We're talking 70x70-degrees, so perhaps these bikes were entirely based on 1950's models with upright handlebars(?). I believe this is the case.

In any case, to see if either bike is good for contemporary riding, you'll first have to have a decent saddle and handlebar in place, since the old padded saddles will have seen their saddle foam compressed into dust many moons ago, and the narrow, thin 7/8" steel handlebars will not likely make your hands feel very good.
Varsities can be good riders but will flop around (especially when climbing while off of the saddle) if a much-longer stem is installed without a commensurate increase in handlebar width.

This one is pretty maxed-out as far as stem length, and I should have started out with the next-larger 24" (vs. 22") frame size to give more reach for steep climbs.
The 700c wheels were also a plus since the bottom bracket on these bikes is very high. Note that the wheels, saddle and bars were replaced first (the bike came with damaged 27" wheels).


This one is much more stock-appearing, even the wheels are stock. This one (with larger 24" frame) provides a much more comfortable fit for all-around riding, a bike I could actually recommend. They don't make 'em like this any more!!!

RobbieTunes

Awesome. I had a red one, paid a guy $10 for it, oiled the chain with 3-in-1 oil, adjusted the fit a bit, and rode it to class and back, 2 triathlons, and Assault on Mount Mitchell.

1982 or so.

Sometimes, not knowing any better is a good thing.

Pompiere

I stumbled upon a Huffy Techtra a couple years ago. Normally I would have passed it up, but it was only $5 and looked like it had hardly ever been out of the garage. Additionally, it had 27 inch alloy wheels, not 26 x 1 3/8. I brought it home and put on a pair of well used Paselas and took it for a ride. It would not be my first choice for a century, but I was pleasantly surprised. I think Huffy and their clones only made one frame size, which is a bit small for me, so for now I have a riser stem and flat bars on it. It would be fun to show up for one of our club rides with it.

since6

Thanks all for sharing your memories. Not sure about this as it would be an all day cross state for pick up drive. Maybe it's best just to enjoy good memories and then go ride your favorites...

noglider 

My first 10-speed was a white Atala Giro D'Italia, purchased in 1975. I've been riding ever since.

satbuilder 

That's pretty impressive!

Aubergine 

My Schwinn is an old Speedster (I think) that had been converted into a single-speed when I got it for $20. The previous owner(s) had swapped the wheels for ones with aluminum rims, and had put in a bottom bracket converter. I put on some gears and ended up with a rather pleasant bike to ride. The pressed steel fork is wibbly in turns but I have a replacement fork ready to go when I get around to it.





(I guess I took the pics before I added a rear brake caliper!)

since6

Very cool first bikes all and Aubergine while I don't share dual residences, I too commute every other year, but to Tours where my daughter lives with my three grand daughters.

The real mystery as I reflect back in time was how did I ride all those miles wearing cotton briefs and my Levi jeans, as currently when I look at my thighs and nether parts I see no build up of scar tissue. Which would be the sure and certain result given the last time I tired such a stunt.

jimmuller 

Memories and old bikes? Here is my first 10-speed back when it was new, 1972 I think:



It has been through a number of upgrades and rebuilds. It is still a 10-speed though. In September 2016 I rode it to the top of Cadillac Mt, Acadia National Park.



Okay, so it isn't quite Mt Mitchell but it is still a 1000ft climb in 3 miles.

52telecaster

no pictures but my first 10 speed that wasnt immediatly stolen was handed down by my brother. it was a champaigne colored beacon. cottered crank and all. it was actually a huge step up from the bike i bought at kmart that was stolen. wish i still had the beacon.

Fahrenheit531 

Free Spirit FTW!!!

The Golden Boy 

Yup!

since6

jimmuller great ride and bike, but your handlebar bag really took me back. Can't quite tell from the picture, but is yours attached to the handlebars via a rubber coated metal contraption that went under the stem and then over the bars to slot into the back of the bag with the cords keeping tension to keep things in place?I Haven't seen one of those since the early 80s when they were the rage and everyone rode with them. Always wonder why they went away, as they worked and other than rattling on chip seal had no real faults, but then everything rattles on chip seal. Lol

jimmuller 

Thanks, and yes. It is an Eclipse. At one time we had the matching panniers and rear mount with the sliding sleeves but it got trashed in a basement flood years ago.

Truth is, I no longer like that mounting style. The elastic cords don't hold it down very well on bumps so it occasionally rides backwards and higher on the bars and stem. Also my thumbs can bump into the frame and don't like the bruising. But it works and can be transferred between bikes easily.

since6

Yes, I do recall the bouncing about. A solid mount is so much better as we have on our tandem. But it was the rage at one time in the 80s.