Best of Classic & Vintage 2020
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Berkeley, CA
Posts: 7,241
Bikes: '72 Cilo Pacer, '72 Gitane Gran Tourisme, '72 Peugeot PX10, '73 Speedwell Ti, '74 Peugeot UE-8, '75 Peugeot PR-10L, '80 Colnago Super, '85 De Rosa Pro, '86 Look Equipe 753, '86 Look KG86, '89 Parkpre Team, '90 Parkpre Team MTB, '90 Merlin
Mentioned: 87 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 832 Post(s)
Liked 2,124 Times
in
554 Posts
Best of Classic & Vintage 2020
As this miserable year comes to a close, let's take a moment to reflect on your Classic & Vintage highlights from 2020. Perhaps you have a favorite new C&V thread? Best new acquisition of 2020? Do you have a favorite new build from another forum member? Best ride on a C&V bike during 2020? You get the idea...
I admit this thread is also a bit self-serving. It's been a very slow C&V year for me--not much riding or wrenching. As a result, I've spent a lot less time on this forum than in the past, and I don't know what Bikeforums C&V developments I've missed. I'm looking forward to hearing about your 2020 C&V highlights.
I admit this thread is also a bit self-serving. It's been a very slow C&V year for me--not much riding or wrenching. As a result, I've spent a lot less time on this forum than in the past, and I don't know what Bikeforums C&V developments I've missed. I'm looking forward to hearing about your 2020 C&V highlights.
#2
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Berkeley, CA
Posts: 7,241
Bikes: '72 Cilo Pacer, '72 Gitane Gran Tourisme, '72 Peugeot PX10, '73 Speedwell Ti, '74 Peugeot UE-8, '75 Peugeot PR-10L, '80 Colnago Super, '85 De Rosa Pro, '86 Look Equipe 753, '86 Look KG86, '89 Parkpre Team, '90 Parkpre Team MTB, '90 Merlin
Mentioned: 87 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 832 Post(s)
Liked 2,124 Times
in
554 Posts
I'll start...Greg Lemond is awarded the Congressional Gold Medal:
https://www.velonews.com/news/road/g...al-gold-medal/
https://www.velonews.com/news/road/g...al-gold-medal/
Likes For gaucho777:
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,435
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 178 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5888 Post(s)
Liked 3,471 Times
in
2,079 Posts
I picked up way too many bikes and rode too few miles. I bought a 1968 Schwinn Paramount Tourist, a 1971 Witcomb with a full campy NR group, a 1985 Pinarello cross with a bunch of inexpensive Japanese parts, and a 1958 Claud Butler Jubilee. I still haven't fixed up any of them! I did build up and got rid of three bikes (two specialized rockhoppers and a 1970s gitane mixte) so I guess this was a N + 1 year. I'm also building a 1992 Specialized stumpjumper drop bar bike for myself that I want to finish before my garage becomes a deep freeze.
1968 Schwinn Paramount Tourist
1971 Witcomb
1985 Pinarello Cross
1958 Claud Butler Jubilee
1968 Schwinn Paramount Tourist
1971 Witcomb
1985 Pinarello Cross
1958 Claud Butler Jubilee
Last edited by bikemig; 12-11-20 at 05:39 PM.
Likes For bikemig:
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 3,265
Bikes: '82 Univega Competizione, '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '83 Mercian KOM Touring, '85 Univega Alpina Uno, '76 Eisentraut Limited
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 1,205 Times
in
701 Posts
My success is much smaller in scale than Mr. LeMond’s, but I did figure out that I prefer drop bars on this Campania, which I had been riding as an upright townie for about a year. I’m now pondering fatter tires, or possibly a full Gigificazione 650b.
Likes For noobinsf:
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: North, Ga.
Posts: 2,401
Bikes: 3Rensho-Aerodynamics, Bernard Hinault Look - 1986 tour winner, Guerciotti, Various Klein's & Panasonic's
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 159 Post(s)
Liked 375 Times
in
162 Posts
2020 I came to the realization that I like down tube shifters and can totally live without brifters.
Likes For embankmentlb:
#6
Banned.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 378 Post(s)
Liked 1,409 Times
in
909 Posts
4050 miles so far.
1 organized century, 10 more with friends.
1 trip to WI to ride scenic hills.
Most of the mileage in MO and IL.
I learned to climb, by climbing.
Exxon Graftek
Coppi Reparte Corsa
Pinarelo Caten Lusso
Colnago CLX
Paramount (‘84) frameset
Koga-Miyata ProRacer
Got used to 1x11
PR’s on rollers
My girlfriend now has 2 C&V bikes
Met some cool people.
Looking forward to some old things being “new” again.
1 organized century, 10 more with friends.
1 trip to WI to ride scenic hills.
Most of the mileage in MO and IL.
I learned to climb, by climbing.
Exxon Graftek
Coppi Reparte Corsa
Pinarelo Caten Lusso
Colnago CLX
Paramount (‘84) frameset
Koga-Miyata ProRacer
Got used to 1x11
PR’s on rollers
My girlfriend now has 2 C&V bikes
Met some cool people.
Looking forward to some old things being “new” again.
Last edited by RobbieTunes; 12-20-20 at 06:29 PM. Reason: Added another frame and another bike.
Likes For RobbieTunes:
#7
Crawlin' up, flyin' down
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Democratic Peoples' Republic of Berkeley
Posts: 5,651
Bikes: 1967 Paramount; 1982-ish Ron Cooper; 1978 Eisentraut "A"; two mid-1960s Cinelli Speciale Corsas; and others in various stages of non-rideability.
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1025 Post(s)
Liked 2,525 Times
in
1,055 Posts
Biggest thing for me was a swap of Cinellis. I had a 1972ish Speciale Corsa that was a bit small for me, I rode it in an Eroica CA or two, but It's smaller than optimum. By pure kismet, I ran into a guy who had a 1965ish SC in my size. It was too big for him, and mine was his size. One mutual inspection of frames later, and the swap was done. So he got the silver frame and I got the blue frame. We're both happy.
This one is now his.
This one is now mine, as built up by me.
This one is now his.
This one is now mine, as built up by me.
__________________
"I'm in shape -- round is a shape." Andy Rooney
"I'm in shape -- round is a shape." Andy Rooney
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NW Burbs, Chicago
Posts: 12,053
Mentioned: 201 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3015 Post(s)
Liked 3,793 Times
in
1,407 Posts
Likes For iab:
#9
Phyllo-buster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,846
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
Mentioned: 133 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2297 Post(s)
Liked 2,054 Times
in
1,254 Posts
I picked up a nice Triplecross and a Crossroads ~1990 and learned to love trails and dike lands.
Last edited by clubman; 12-11-20 at 06:10 PM.
Likes For clubman:
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,448
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 874 Post(s)
Liked 2,287 Times
in
1,278 Posts
It has been an up and down year. On the down, missed Eroica and riding with my good friend and getting a weekend of eye candy, too many people not doing well and general state of affairs. On the up, I added to my stable by purchasing a fellow BF members 1975 Colnago Super(great bike from a cool former owner), a lot more saddle time this year as I am semi-retired, my family and I are healthy.
Likes For Kabuki12:
Likes For RobbieTunes:
#13
Senior Member
Ironman bike was available '85 - '89 and I had one Ironman for each year '86 - '89 and could never find an '85 til 2020. The straight is complete, I'm done getting bikes...other than to flip.
Likes For texaspandj:
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NW Burbs, Chicago
Posts: 12,053
Mentioned: 201 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3015 Post(s)
Liked 3,793 Times
in
1,407 Posts
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Fredericksburg, Va
Posts: 9,579
Bikes: '65 Frejus TDF, '73 Bottecchia Giro d'Italia, '83 Colnago Superissimo, '84 Trek 610, '84 Trek 760, '88 Pinarello Veneto, '88 De Rosa Pro, '89 Pinarello Montello, '94 Burley Duet, 97 Specialized RockHopper, 2010 Langster, Tern Link D8
Mentioned: 73 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1607 Post(s)
Liked 2,216 Times
in
1,103 Posts
Built this bike after acquiring it in September. Two PO are BFr's. Didn't think I would find one in the price range that would be acceptable. The frame set was nicely priced as were some of the components, some were not. Love the bike.
P1040420 on Flickr
the surprise may turn out to be the Trek 760, which is in process and surprizingly good!
P1040475, on Flickr
P1040420 on Flickr
the surprise may turn out to be the Trek 760, which is in process and surprizingly good!
P1040475, on Flickr
__________________
Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 3,418
Bikes: 1984 Miyata 310, 1986 Schwinn Sierra, 2011 Jamis Quest, 1980 Peugeot TH8 Tandem, 1992 Performance Parabola, 1987 Ross Mt. Hood, 1988 Schwinn LeTour, 1988 Trek 400T, 1981 Fuji S12-S LTD, 197? FW Evans
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 530 Post(s)
Liked 1,004 Times
in
514 Posts
I didn't ride as many miles as I wanted this year, for a variety of reasons, but I finished a project. It started last fall when a local shop held an "update an old bike" clinic. I missed the clinic but asked if they had any old bikes for sale. That led me to this 1981 Fuji S12-S LTD. It was missing a few parts and had a crappy rattle-can respray, but was basically solid and complete. First, I got it road ready to make sure it was going to be worth the effort to completely redo.
1981 Fuji S12-S LTD, ready to ride.
After the test ride, the work began. All the hardware came off, then I had to work on the "decals". They were a combination of craft store letters and auto shop striping decals. A heat gun helped soften the glue. Next I stripped the frame down to bare metal and sanded it smooth. Since it was cheap paint, it came off easily with sandpaper. One warm spring day, I got the primer and color applied. I didn't order the decals until after I painted but that was okay, so the paint had plenty of time to cure. I liked the color, but I wasn't sure about the shine. After I put the decals on and applied the clear coat, it really popped. I am extremely happy with how it looks. It was an agonizing wait for the clear to harden so I could reassemble everything. In the end, it was worth it. I try to rotate through all my bikes but I may have shown some favoritism toward this one.
1981 Fuji S12-S LTD
331 Chromoly frame
1981 Fuji S12-S LTD, ready to ride.
After the test ride, the work began. All the hardware came off, then I had to work on the "decals". They were a combination of craft store letters and auto shop striping decals. A heat gun helped soften the glue. Next I stripped the frame down to bare metal and sanded it smooth. Since it was cheap paint, it came off easily with sandpaper. One warm spring day, I got the primer and color applied. I didn't order the decals until after I painted but that was okay, so the paint had plenty of time to cure. I liked the color, but I wasn't sure about the shine. After I put the decals on and applied the clear coat, it really popped. I am extremely happy with how it looks. It was an agonizing wait for the clear to harden so I could reassemble everything. In the end, it was worth it. I try to rotate through all my bikes but I may have shown some favoritism toward this one.
1981 Fuji S12-S LTD
331 Chromoly frame
Likes For Pompiere:
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 4,703
Bikes: 82 Medici, 2011 Richard Sachs, 2011 Milwaukee Road
Mentioned: 55 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1947 Post(s)
Liked 2,010 Times
in
1,109 Posts
2020 was the year I got to sample the finest middle tier C&V bicycles picked up incomplete and cheap: Road Racers, Sports Tourers, and a Tourer. Each one was a "Keeper". Any one of them could have been my one and only. 2020 was also the year that I sold off every one of them and put the $ (I'm in the black.) into brazing equipment and hopefully a set of tubes and lugs. Everything I learned from riding the bikes THAT YOU GUYS TOLD ME I HAD TO HAVE will be sifted onto my conception of the ideal Classic Road Bike which I hope to be riding in 2021.
__________________
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
#18
Senior Member
My one keeper for 2020. The best news is that I passed on to others 4 or 5 bikes.
Likes For rjhammett:
#19
Senior Member
I discovered a whole different side of cycling on my wacky cyclocross adventure on the Emma Carlin trail in Wisconsin. My Mercier wasnt exactly the type of bike to tackle the trail but I made it thru without incident. But then hung out in the trailhead parking lot and talked to a few mountain bikers. Liked the atmosphere and the comradery. I'll be looking for a mountain bike with some suspension for next year.
.
.
Likes For big chainring:
#20
Full Member
Me!
My best of 2020 is joining the C&V ranks, finally fixing up and getting riding on my Ironman, after nearly a decade of lurking (and time in the Recreational and Family forum).
Story here https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ion-story.html
I enjoyed the process enough to start a second C&V project... Italvega Gran Turismo which languished as I spent my non-family, non-chore weekend time riding not wrenching.
My goal had been to do an easy (organized) century this summer. inspired by the HHH discussion on the Ironman thread, I targeted Aug 29th, and to do it on the Ironman, requiring more commitment to flexibility and strength. 8/29 turned out to be a "Stay inside, avoid activity due to smoke" day, but I rode 63 miles and 44kft, a milestone for me. On the Ironman!
Then, courtesy of the "Are you looking for one of these" threads, a Lambert, well cleaned up, was available right near me, and reasonably priced. That would ensure I'm L'Eroica ready if the ItalVega stalls...why not go see it.
As I'm buying the Lambert from a fellow BF'er, he asks "So, are you a collector too?"
I guess I am now!
Story here https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ion-story.html
I enjoyed the process enough to start a second C&V project... Italvega Gran Turismo which languished as I spent my non-family, non-chore weekend time riding not wrenching.
My goal had been to do an easy (organized) century this summer. inspired by the HHH discussion on the Ironman thread, I targeted Aug 29th, and to do it on the Ironman, requiring more commitment to flexibility and strength. 8/29 turned out to be a "Stay inside, avoid activity due to smoke" day, but I rode 63 miles and 44kft, a milestone for me. On the Ironman!
Then, courtesy of the "Are you looking for one of these" threads, a Lambert, well cleaned up, was available right near me, and reasonably priced. That would ensure I'm L'Eroica ready if the ItalVega stalls...why not go see it.
As I'm buying the Lambert from a fellow BF'er, he asks "So, are you a collector too?"
I guess I am now!
Likes For tgot:
#21
Friendship is Magic
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,984
Bikes: old ones
Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26402 Post(s)
Liked 10,374 Times
in
7,203 Posts
.
...I did some more paint repairs, and after fixing up and reassembling a Cinelli SC and a Colnago Super (both from the 80's, I think), I got to ride them.
I don't know what I was expecting, exactly. I decided after a number of rides that they are fine bicycles, but no better or worse than a number of other fine marques.
So on the one hand, I'm pleased I finally have a Cinelli SC and a Colnago Super.
And on the other hand, I'm pleased that I have had a number of bikes I thought their equal, and for a longer time. So I guess I wasn't missing much.
Mostly, I am very impressed with more modern rims and tyres. But that's been going on since before 2020. And I still wish I were as fast as I once thought I was.
...I did some more paint repairs, and after fixing up and reassembling a Cinelli SC and a Colnago Super (both from the 80's, I think), I got to ride them.
I don't know what I was expecting, exactly. I decided after a number of rides that they are fine bicycles, but no better or worse than a number of other fine marques.
So on the one hand, I'm pleased I finally have a Cinelli SC and a Colnago Super.
And on the other hand, I'm pleased that I have had a number of bikes I thought their equal, and for a longer time. So I guess I wasn't missing much.
Mostly, I am very impressed with more modern rims and tyres. But that's been going on since before 2020. And I still wish I were as fast as I once thought I was.
Likes For 3alarmer:
#22
weapons-grade bolognium
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Across the street from Chicago
Posts: 6,344
Bikes: Battaglin Cromor, Ciocc Designer 84, Schwinn Superior 1981
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 985 Post(s)
Liked 2,378 Times
in
891 Posts
Just ticked over 2500 miles for the year - haven't put in this many miles in at least 15 years. Gym was closed, and I was grateful for an exercise option.
WFH has allowed for "after work" rides to continue into October, November, and December. WFH has also made it easier to ride farther after work since there is no commute time. Big change for 2020. Many times, I couldn't get out of the office in time to ride.
Late in the fall, I discovered some new MUP links to areas way north of the city. Looking forward to exploring more in 2021.
Weight is down 25 pounds as part of an effort begun in April of 2019. Lack of workplace candy and vending machines helps a lot. 200lbs is the new "sound barrier".
Found a Schwinn Prelude being thrown out while on a "Covad sanity walk" with my wife. Filpped it since it was too small for me. Went to a gal who was stoked to get it. Before and after pics, since this is C&V.
Hoping 2020 will pass and 2021 will be better for all!
WFH has allowed for "after work" rides to continue into October, November, and December. WFH has also made it easier to ride farther after work since there is no commute time. Big change for 2020. Many times, I couldn't get out of the office in time to ride.
Late in the fall, I discovered some new MUP links to areas way north of the city. Looking forward to exploring more in 2021.
Weight is down 25 pounds as part of an effort begun in April of 2019. Lack of workplace candy and vending machines helps a lot. 200lbs is the new "sound barrier".
Found a Schwinn Prelude being thrown out while on a "Covad sanity walk" with my wife. Filpped it since it was too small for me. Went to a gal who was stoked to get it. Before and after pics, since this is C&V.
Hoping 2020 will pass and 2021 will be better for all!
Likes For thinktubes:
#23
Full Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: San Mateo, CA
Posts: 253
Bikes: Bike Friday PRP, Bike Friday NWT, Bromton M6R, 1991 Miyata 914, 1991 Miyata 1000, 1986 Raleigh Portage, many more frames
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 215 Post(s)
Liked 347 Times
in
182 Posts
Lots of ups and downs for me this year. 2020 has altered my reality: I had to drop out of the lovely little college in Portland I used to attended thanks to academic pressures rising costs, I got into lots of squabbles with my mom when moving back in, and I haven't seen much of my friends thanks to the pandemic. On the up side, I got my mom into cycling, I've acquired some tools and skills that will allow me to work on all things C&V, and I've learned about the N+1 rule which has allowed me to amass a decent squad of bikes that I hope to ride on during 2021 Eroica CA. I hope to look back on this year with rose-tinted specs.
On left: my mom's Brompton; On right: my 1991 Miyata 1000.
On left: my mom's Brompton; On right: my 1991 Miyata 1000.
Likes For philpeugeot:
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,155
Mentioned: 481 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3808 Post(s)
Liked 6,683 Times
in
2,609 Posts
I’ve ridden about 4600 miles this year with probably 90% of that on modern bikes, mostly steel but one Ti frame I bought back in May and that has been pretty much my primary ride (did 63 miles today on it). These bikes have 1 1/8” threadless headsets, sloping top tubes, and two have carbon forks and disc brakes, all have brifters of some sort. That said, my current project is rehabbing a 1937 Raleigh Sports Tourist, so I keep dabbling in C&V.
Likes For nlerner:
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Visalia, CA
Posts: 2,249
Mentioned: 45 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 981 Post(s)
Liked 1,844 Times
in
609 Posts
I've ridden a little bit this year, bought a little bit, sold a little bit, and tinkered a little bit... Purchasing the 1954 Carlton Super Python and gathering parts for it has probably been the most significant project, but that's not done yet and may well be sold off just about as soon as it's done... I currently have four bicycles ready to ride, one of which is borrowed and will be returned to the owner soon, two I want to sell, and one new cruiser I purchased. The other three are projects slowly coming together. The goal is to just have three or four bicycles to suit my different riding styles, all ready to ride and keep in orderly fashion. I hope that becomes a reality in 2021!
-Gregory
-Gregory