Do you ride your vintage bikes hard?
#26
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,515
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
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I'm trying to remember who said something like "Why bother unless you're trying to snap off the pedals?"
At 61, my window of opportunity for doing more damage to the bike than to myself is rapidly closing.
I got the Ironman to do that. To push myself and the bike harder. That's why I gripe about it so much, because I don't like any nitpicking flaw that interferes with those workout rides. And now that it seems to be working well I can do that.
But I think the pedals and cranks are safe from being snapped. My weight is down to 155 and while I can make the frame flex a bit on sprints I doubt anything will break. According to Strava my hardest sustained 30 second sprint/climb averaged 379 watts and peaked at 733. I still struggle to sustain 300 watts for more than a few minutes. My average over 20-30 miles is usually around 150 watts. I'm pretty sure the bike can handle my modest efforts.
But I don't ride my '92 Univega Via Carisma that way. I got it for comfortable casual cruises on rest days and when the back and neck are aching. It's already survived being hit by a car (only the wheels were damaged -- and my shoulder). So I doubt I can break it.
At 61, my window of opportunity for doing more damage to the bike than to myself is rapidly closing.
I got the Ironman to do that. To push myself and the bike harder. That's why I gripe about it so much, because I don't like any nitpicking flaw that interferes with those workout rides. And now that it seems to be working well I can do that.
But I think the pedals and cranks are safe from being snapped. My weight is down to 155 and while I can make the frame flex a bit on sprints I doubt anything will break. According to Strava my hardest sustained 30 second sprint/climb averaged 379 watts and peaked at 733. I still struggle to sustain 300 watts for more than a few minutes. My average over 20-30 miles is usually around 150 watts. I'm pretty sure the bike can handle my modest efforts.
But I don't ride my '92 Univega Via Carisma that way. I got it for comfortable casual cruises on rest days and when the back and neck are aching. It's already survived being hit by a car (only the wheels were damaged -- and my shoulder). So I doubt I can break it.
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Port Angeles, WA
Posts: 7,927
Bikes: A green one, "Ragleigh," or something.
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Beleri bars, stock on an '85 Trek 600; non-sleeved, flimsy, light weight things, and you're asking for trouble if you treat them wrong at age 35+
I know better now, and I'm phasing out (or at least treating more gently) all my old non-sleeved bars. The stem is probably an SR or something: I'm not worried about it - yet.
I know better now, and I'm phasing out (or at least treating more gently) all my old non-sleeved bars. The stem is probably an SR or something: I'm not worried about it - yet.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
#28
Full Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, UK
Posts: 444
Bikes: Gitane Course, Paris Sport, Peugeot AO8, Peugeot Bretagne, Peugeot Premiere 85, Peugeot Premiere 86, Peugeot ANC Halfords Team Replica, Peugeot Festina Team Replica, Motobecane Grand Sport, Motobecane Super 15, Raleigh Pro Race, Raleigh Stratos, BSA
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All my bikes get ridden hard - sportives, commuting, Sunday rides.
I've only broken one so far - handlebar on the Gitane snapped off on the way home from work one evening last winter. I posted about it here at the time, but I'll repost a photo:-
I've only broken one so far - handlebar on the Gitane snapped off on the way home from work one evening last winter. I posted about it here at the time, but I'll repost a photo:-
#29
Master Parts Rearranger
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Portlandia's Kuiper Belt, OR
Posts: 4,467
Bikes: 1982 Trek 720 - 1984 Trek 620 - 1989 OS Schwinn Paramount
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As an owner (or steward) of many Racer McRacerFace bikes, and at 6'5" 210-215, having had a history of running track in school (ok, Uncle Rico, how long ago was 2003???), sprints and out of saddle climbing is fun and I do take part in it. Race bikes get to play race bike, and I've laid plenty of weight and power into a number of mine, pulling on the handlebars as well. Many respond beautifully, some tell me it's unnecessary, and I think the only one I'm conscious of not trying to yank into a pretzel is my '87 Schwinn Prologue. Not because it's weak or flimsy, but because its character and the way it flexes/winds up tells me violent twisting doesn't make it go any faster. My Davidson Impulse loves it, my Masi Nuova Strada really digs it, my Cannondales (SR and ST) laugh, and a few others say 'sure, but this is ridiculous.'
I ride my bikes, but I'm not a Neanderthal and thus possess mechanical sympathy and a fine sense of feel--to say nothing of not being a masher. I bike and commute in the city, so any bike I ride needs to be up to the task of hacking it up with cars.
It's going to be dry weather in a few days and I'm staring at my '89 Cannondale SR800. It looks so fine, and I want to ride it!!
I ride my bikes, but I'm not a Neanderthal and thus possess mechanical sympathy and a fine sense of feel--to say nothing of not being a masher. I bike and commute in the city, so any bike I ride needs to be up to the task of hacking it up with cars.
It's going to be dry weather in a few days and I'm staring at my '89 Cannondale SR800. It looks so fine, and I want to ride it!!
#30
Senior Member
At 53, I look at bikes like women. Know when to ride hard, know when to take it easy. Keep up on the maintenance and they will perform well. I don’t give special treatment to my 80s bikes. When I ride hard I ride hard. I would probably be more cautious if I had a new carbon fibre, you hear about those cracking and snapping, but seldom with a steel frame.
#31
ambulatory senior
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Peoria Il
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Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.
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#32
Sempiternal Newb
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Panama City, FL
Posts: 637
Bikes: '92 Trek 750, '85 Univega Gran Turismo, '95 Stumpjumper,
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I like to think that I'm riding hard on the road, but then I go on a club ride. Reality can be brutal.
This ol' Gran Turismo has become my favorite thing to ride on the local singletrack trails, though, and I am not kind to it. I'm a big dude and can put down some torque. But it consistently surprises me, it seems to love its new life as a root-scrabbling Swamp Romper
This ol' Gran Turismo has become my favorite thing to ride on the local singletrack trails, though, and I am not kind to it. I'm a big dude and can put down some torque. But it consistently surprises me, it seems to love its new life as a root-scrabbling Swamp Romper
#33
Curmudgeon in Training
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Rural Retreat, VA
Posts: 1,956
Bikes: 1974 Gazelle Champion Mondial, 2010 Cannondale Trail SL, 1988 Peugeot Nice, 1992ish Stumpjumper Comp,1990's Schwinn Moab
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I'm a masher. I've yanked my rear wheel forward in the dropouts repeatedly. Which leads me to a point: Modern skewers don't work so well in horizontal dropouts. I have to use old ones, and I'm always paranoid I'm still going to shift the wheel, have it lock against the stays, and put me on my face.
So I mash, but I don't mash that much. But's it's not out of fear of hurting the frame.
So I mash, but I don't mash that much. But's it's not out of fear of hurting the frame.
#35
Senior Member
Since picking up this Gary Hale I’ve started riding riding harder than usual. Could be partly due to the current ss build, but the lively action of the frameset certainly inspires more out of saddle peddling. I still baby the wheels, keeping mindful of rough road,
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Berkeley CA
Posts: 2,598
Bikes: 1981 Ron Cooper, 1974 Cinelli Speciale Corsa, 2000 Gary Fisher Sugar 1, 1986 Miyata 710, 1982 Raleigh "International"
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Absolutely! It's my friends with the modern carbon bikes who are the ones to bail when the going gets tough. When the road turns to dirt and gravel, they turn around lest they "hurt" their bikes while I charge ahead at full speed. Even on the road, I'm much more confident and faster on a bumpy, winding descent than the riders on modern bikes. Even my Cooper, which was freshly restored with new paint and decals two years ago, gets a heavy workout. I rode it almost 3,000 miles and climbed over 300,000 feet (according to Strava) last year. I admit that the first couple of post-restoration scratches were painful, but I'm now past that stage. No babying of my bikes!
#37
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 2,011
Bikes: ‘87 Marinoni SLX Sports Tourer, ‘79 Miyata 912 by Gugificazione
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Wish I could ride my bikes harder. They’d certainly take it. The Marinoni is often telling me “Shift up! Push harder! Go farther!” and the Miyata wants me to get out of the saddle going uphill.
#38
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 41,046
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
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Yes, I ride my old bikes hard. I try to treat them harder than I treat my wife. But I'm only 170 lbs and not a very powerful rider, so one person's hard is another person's gentle.
How concerned should I be about riding old aluminum handlebars? There are two gruesome pictures above.
How concerned should I be about riding old aluminum handlebars? There are two gruesome pictures above.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#40
Polymultiplié
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: South Holland, NL
Posts: 11,236
Bikes: Yes, please.
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As much as I'm able to. Which isn't very much, I'm afraid. I did manage to break a chain once. Yea!
#41
Banned
No, as you are only interested in road vintage bikes , I haven't taken my vintage road bike out in years, It has no mudguards..
[ I put heat treated Nitto Dirt Drop bars that came off an old Bridgetsone MB1 , on my road bike..
so they're a strong handlebar , were a Dealer shop take off, so low hours of use.]
Its raining , now.. so I use the bike with mudguards and lights, instead....
...
[ I put heat treated Nitto Dirt Drop bars that came off an old Bridgetsone MB1 , on my road bike..
so they're a strong handlebar , were a Dealer shop take off, so low hours of use.]
Its raining , now.. so I use the bike with mudguards and lights, instead....
...
Last edited by fietsbob; 01-09-19 at 04:20 PM.
#42
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: North Bend, Washington State
Posts: 2,992
Bikes: 1937 Hobbs; 1977 Bruce Gordon; 1987 Bill Holland; 1988 Schwinn Paramount (Fixed gear); 1999 Fat City Yo Eddy (MTB); 2018 Woodrup (Touring) 2016 Ritchey breakaway
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I've been known to ride hard every now and then. This one is over 80 years old..
Cino descent on my Hobbs (Tim Davis Photo) by NBend, on Flickr
Cino descent on my Hobbs (Tim Davis Photo) by NBend, on Flickr
#43
Senior Member
My old bike grew old with me.
I bought it used, and so it was over a dozen years old when I got it. And, now the frame has about a half century on it, although a few parts here and there have been changed over the years.
I'll admit, I have divided my attention a bit, so that one gets sidelined some, but it still gets out.
Ok, so I like NDS photos.
Vintage Colnago Super (1968 or 1969)
I bought it used, and so it was over a dozen years old when I got it. And, now the frame has about a half century on it, although a few parts here and there have been changed over the years.
I'll admit, I have divided my attention a bit, so that one gets sidelined some, but it still gets out.
Ok, so I like NDS photos.
Vintage Colnago Super (1968 or 1969)
#44
Old Legs
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Mass.
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Sure do, never gave it any thought . They have been up kept and even upgraded over the years. And stored inside. KB.
#45
I’m so hard the streets call me mean,
I’m so fast I make the carbon guys green.
I’m so fast I make the carbon guys green.
#46
Senior Member
#47
Full Member
I like to think that I'm riding hard on the road, but then I go on a club ride. Reality can be brutal.
This ol' Gran Turismo has become my favorite thing to ride on the local singletrack trails, though, and I am not kind to it. I'm a big dude and can put down some torque. But it consistently surprises me, it seems to love its new life as a root-scrabbling Swamp Romper
This ol' Gran Turismo has become my favorite thing to ride on the local singletrack trails, though, and I am not kind to it. I'm a big dude and can put down some torque. But it consistently surprises me, it seems to love its new life as a root-scrabbling Swamp Romper
#48
Senior Member
I'm pretty sure it was the Tricross + Avenir trailer.
I did have the Schwinn trailer in Eugene briefly this summer which I was pulling with the yellow Colnago, but I think that trailer had made its way back to Portland by the time we met.
A little less vintage, but vintage in its own right. I'm a lot more picky about trailer attachments with that bike.
#49
Senior Member
#50
Master Parts Rearranger
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Portlandia's Kuiper Belt, OR
Posts: 4,467
Bikes: 1982 Trek 720 - 1984 Trek 620 - 1989 OS Schwinn Paramount
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I'm a masher. I've yanked my rear wheel forward in the dropouts repeatedly. Which leads me to a point: Modern skewers don't work so well in horizontal dropouts. I have to use old ones, and I'm always paranoid I'm still going to shift the wheel, have it lock against the stays, and put me on my face.
So I mash, but I don't mash that much. But's it's not out of fear of hurting the frame.
So I mash, but I don't mash that much. But's it's not out of fear of hurting the frame.
Top is internal, bottom is external.