How many use a vintage bicycle to commute on?
#151
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,502
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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@gaucho777, what do you teach? My lifelong dream to become a teacher will be fulfilled in September. I'll be a special needs teacher in middle or high school.
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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.
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#152
Senior Member
I still have my commuter, my vintage Trek 7000, even though I've retired. I'm going to repurpose it as a touring bike by adding a few bits to it, like different bar grips and different tires that I already have. I liked the 26" Gatorskins but I'd rather have something a little beefier for touring and I have a pair of Schwalbe Marathons.
#153
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Berkeley, CA
Posts: 7,238
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
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@gaucho777, what do you teach? My lifelong dream to become a teacher will be fulfilled in September. I'll be a special needs teacher in middle or high school.
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#154
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,502
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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__________________
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.
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#155
Junior Member
Early Eighties Bob Jackson tourer
My commute is 10 miles one way with (free) ferry ride in the middle, my last tank of gas lasted three months.
My favorite thing about this bike has to be the cheap powder coat both very durable and looks fine from a few feet away, best of all the finish leaves me with no reservations about riding it.
My favorite thing about this bike has to be the cheap powder coat both very durable and looks fine from a few feet away, best of all the finish leaves me with no reservations about riding it.
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#157
Newbie
Current bike is a '87 Schwinn Traveler, but it's too big for me.
Just got a '92 Specialized Rock Hopper, but it's going to need some TLC to get back in reliable shape.
Just got a '92 Specialized Rock Hopper, but it's going to need some TLC to get back in reliable shape.
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#158
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,502
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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I own 8 old bikes and no new bikes. They work for me.
__________________
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.
#159
Senior Member
35 mile RT commute on a 1990 Panasonic mountain bike:
Sometimes I do it on a newer 1991 Wicked Fat Chance:
Are they vintage? Maybe. Am I vintage? Most definitely!
Sometimes I do it on a newer 1991 Wicked Fat Chance:
Are they vintage? Maybe. Am I vintage? Most definitely!
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#160
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Manhattan & Woodstock NY
Posts: 2,746
Bikes: 1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, early '70s Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Raleigh International, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mk1
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Very happy that my company has provided indoor parking on two of our floors for bike and scooter parking! I still throw a lock on it but I think I can do with one that isn't so heavy. On the other hand, sometimes I don't head straight home and I'd want the heavy Kryptonite.
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1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
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#161
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,902
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
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I don't call my winter/rain/city bikes that served for decades as my commuters vintage. Just the right tool for the job. Early to mid-'80s horizontally dropped "sport" bikes; either generous 700c or 27" running fix gear, fenders, dropped bars, Mafac or Mafac and Weinmann style brakes. Long TTT or Cinelli stem; later even longer steel customs. LowRiders and panniers. U-lock. Single color paint jobs of durable paint. Now powder coat. BITD brushed 2-part epoxy (much cheaper and just as durable). Wheels - Miche track rear hub, Tipo front. Open Sports and 2.0-1.8 spokes. 28c Paselas.
1980-85 was the sweet spot for production bikes that fit the role above so well. The brief window of time when much of the bike world had one standard. Nearly all the steel frames used the same diameter tubes. Threads were the same. (Well not always cut the same but after the first well greased and muscled force, just fine.) When one of my commuters met an un-timely death, a trip to a bike store or two yielded another well used frame. Swap over of parts - one evening and there would be one or two parts I'd have to buy for that one; maybe a headset or seatpost.
Current ride - a Trek 4-something, circa 1983. Powder coated after the seatstay cap TREK cracked across the "R". Sugino 110 BCD crankset with an 1/8" chainring. RACER front brake, Weinmann rear. (I turn RACERS into fronts, Weinmanns into rears. Gives appropriate response front and rear with very similar feels after full length rear cable mush. Great city brakes.) Fun part on that bike - a Chorus aero seatpost. Single bolt so I won't use it on my good bikes plus it came to me badly zigzag scored. High quality clamp that while single bolt, allows exact seat placement and zero slip. Way, way above the rest of the bike for quality! Except for the 175mm -22 degree stem to get "the fit".
My other winter/rain/city bike is a geared Raleigh Competition, triple 7-speed. Other than that, very similar to the bike above except it has a rear rack also. Farmers market bike. Very comfortable on very poor roads (with or without pavement). Wheels like above except Phil hubs and wider Paselas. Edit: Another powdercoat, this time because that frame missed braze at the factory so all lugs were filled by TiCycles (plus do-dads; WB bosses, Huret to modern hanger change, seatlug/pin repair).
1980-85 was the sweet spot for production bikes that fit the role above so well. The brief window of time when much of the bike world had one standard. Nearly all the steel frames used the same diameter tubes. Threads were the same. (Well not always cut the same but after the first well greased and muscled force, just fine.) When one of my commuters met an un-timely death, a trip to a bike store or two yielded another well used frame. Swap over of parts - one evening and there would be one or two parts I'd have to buy for that one; maybe a headset or seatpost.
Current ride - a Trek 4-something, circa 1983. Powder coated after the seatstay cap TREK cracked across the "R". Sugino 110 BCD crankset with an 1/8" chainring. RACER front brake, Weinmann rear. (I turn RACERS into fronts, Weinmanns into rears. Gives appropriate response front and rear with very similar feels after full length rear cable mush. Great city brakes.) Fun part on that bike - a Chorus aero seatpost. Single bolt so I won't use it on my good bikes plus it came to me badly zigzag scored. High quality clamp that while single bolt, allows exact seat placement and zero slip. Way, way above the rest of the bike for quality! Except for the 175mm -22 degree stem to get "the fit".
My other winter/rain/city bike is a geared Raleigh Competition, triple 7-speed. Other than that, very similar to the bike above except it has a rear rack also. Farmers market bike. Very comfortable on very poor roads (with or without pavement). Wheels like above except Phil hubs and wider Paselas. Edit: Another powdercoat, this time because that frame missed braze at the factory so all lugs were filled by TiCycles (plus do-dads; WB bosses, Huret to modern hanger change, seatlug/pin repair).
Last edited by 79pmooney; 07-28-22 at 10:25 AM.
#163
Newbie
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Los Angeles
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Bikes: Schwinn Panther Alfine 8 speed klunker MTB
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My '88 Schwinn something-or-other...
... I call her "Big Blue."
I originally spotted the lugged steel frame, fork, and seat post, then built her up over time.
I commute about 4 1/2 miles each way daily, and is currently my favorite bike to ride.
- Wald Tourist Bars with ergo grips
- Sturmey Archer 5 speed Grip Shift
- Sturmey Archer long pull Brake Levers
- Sturmey Archer Drum Brake front hub
- Sturmey Archer 5 speed Drum Brake rear hub- Sturmey Archer Crank & chainring 46 x 18
- Light system powered by B&M Bottle Generator
- Persons leather saddle
- Schwalbe Marathon 700x40 tires
- Cafe lock
I originally spotted the lugged steel frame, fork, and seat post, then built her up over time.
I commute about 4 1/2 miles each way daily, and is currently my favorite bike to ride.
- Wald Tourist Bars with ergo grips
- Sturmey Archer 5 speed Grip Shift
- Sturmey Archer long pull Brake Levers
- Sturmey Archer Drum Brake front hub
- Sturmey Archer 5 speed Drum Brake rear hub- Sturmey Archer Crank & chainring 46 x 18
- Light system powered by B&M Bottle Generator
- Persons leather saddle
- Schwalbe Marathon 700x40 tires
- Cafe lock
#164
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Chicago area
Posts: 2,551
Bikes: Airborne "Carpe Diem", Motobecane "Mirage", Trek 6000, Strida 2, Dahon "Helios XL", Dahon "Mu XL", Tern "Verge S11i"
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I've been commuting daily on folding bikes for over 20 years. Last week, I wore out a stem part after about 7,200 folding cycles. While waiting for a replacement part, I pressed into service my old Motobecane Mirage... the first bike I ever bought (in 1975). The METRA conductors gave me tacit approval, though technically it's not allowed during Rush Hour.
The part for my folder was delivered yesterday, but was stolen off my porch while I was out for my birthday dinner.
So I'll be on the Motobecane for a while...
1975 Motobecane Mirage. Original frame, rear wheel, drivetrain, brakes, saddle. Replacement front fork, wheel, seatpost and handlebars.
Sun Tour VGT Luxe derailleur. Original steel rear rim (poor braking!). There is now a cap on the valve.
Original head tube badge.
The part for my folder was delivered yesterday, but was stolen off my porch while I was out for my birthday dinner.
So I'll be on the Motobecane for a while...
1975 Motobecane Mirage. Original frame, rear wheel, drivetrain, brakes, saddle. Replacement front fork, wheel, seatpost and handlebars.
Sun Tour VGT Luxe derailleur. Original steel rear rim (poor braking!). There is now a cap on the valve.
Original head tube badge.
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#165
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Chicago area
Posts: 2,551
Bikes: Airborne "Carpe Diem", Motobecane "Mirage", Trek 6000, Strida 2, Dahon "Helios XL", Dahon "Mu XL", Tern "Verge S11i"
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Happily, the package was delivered 24 hours later, thanks to UPS's apparently poorly-synchronized tracking and notification system. Folding bike is back on-line, but it's nice to know I have a safety net!
#166
Disco Infiltrator
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
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Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
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#167
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Chicago area
Posts: 2,551
Bikes: Airborne "Carpe Diem", Motobecane "Mirage", Trek 6000, Strida 2, Dahon "Helios XL", Dahon "Mu XL", Tern "Verge S11i"
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My current folder (Tern Verge S11i) came with one of those. It's like a cable organizer. I found it noisy and it complicated chain maintenance. I suspect that it would retain any water that got in during rain rides. I took it off the first day.
#168
Fork and spoon operator
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Hopkins, Minnesota
Posts: 577
Bikes: 2013 Surly Crosscheck, 1990 Schwinn Impact, 1973 Schwinn Continental
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This isn’t my main commuting bike, but I do ride this 1973 Schwinn Continental some. It has newer wheels and a square taper bottom bracket, so the weight isn’t TOO crazy… maybe around 31 pounds. I really like the springiness of those skinny tubes!
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#169
Newbie
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Location: Los Angeles
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It just slios over the chain. I superglued and overlapped the ends together. There's no drag, and very little noise. I mean, not silent, but I hardly notice it., The environmental noise basically masks it.
I've had it on there like, 6 months.
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#170
bill nyecycles
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Location: Houston TX
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I’ve been commuting on this bike since 2014.
1984/85? Raleigh Sportif. Belonged to my aunt - I got it and stripped it into a single speed. It’s been through about 6 iterations. Different bars, with/without rear racks.
Here’s how it looks now. My job is changing as is my gym/locker situation so I may need to change how I carry things. I’ve been backpacking it for the last 3 years. Might need to go back to a rack & panniers.
1984/85? Raleigh Sportif. Belonged to my aunt - I got it and stripped it into a single speed. It’s been through about 6 iterations. Different bars, with/without rear racks.
Here’s how it looks now. My job is changing as is my gym/locker situation so I may need to change how I carry things. I’ve been backpacking it for the last 3 years. Might need to go back to a rack & panniers.
#171
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
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Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
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I commute in an 85 team miyata
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Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Last edited by squirtdad; 09-04-22 at 07:14 PM.
#172
Full Member
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Montreal
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Bikes: 1999 Bike friday NWT, 2009 Bike Friday Tikit, 2023 silverock Dewy, 2008 Dahon Smooth Hound, 2023 Litepro Trifold
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Here is my new-old Raleigh Rocky III I bought for commuting. Paid CDN$80 for it this week. I needed something with mudguards and a rear rack. I’m in the process of replacing the tires, brakes, handlebars and 22.2 mm stem. The bike dates from the 1980’s, was made in Canada and spent it´s years in a garage. It still had the original tires. I bought it to replace my other bike which was stolen this week.
Last edited by jfouellette; 09-03-22 at 05:21 AM.
#173
Full Member
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Location: Montreal
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Here it is with new v brakes, brake levers, friction shifter cables, handle bars and tires. It still needs the derailleur adjusted. This is the part I ll leave to the bike shop. The final addition is the milk crate on the rear rack just to make it ugly and hopefully theft resistant.
#174
Full Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Indianapolis
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Bikes: 1993 Bridgestone XO-3, 1981 Trek 613, 1988 Fisher Montare, 1986 Univega Alpina Uno, 2010 Surly Long Haul trucker, 2004 Rivendell Quickbeam. 1970s Gitane Mixtie (60cm), 1994 Diamond Back Axis TT
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1988 Fisher Montare. Restored this a few years back but now it’s getting official commuting duty. Generator hub and rack off my old commuter, LHT. This is much more comfortable.
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#175
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My current 40 mile round trip commuter. Neat bike for 30 bucks plus consumables.
1973 Peugeot PA-10E
1973 Peugeot PA-10E
1973 Peugeot PA-10E
1973 Peugeot PA-10E
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I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.