Road Fan

I think you love the DoD work too much to retire!

jdawginsc 

Either this coming June or one more year. Haven’t decided...

Dave

Road Fan

Haves: (nb = not built). List revised 1/19/2023.

2005 Mondonico ELOS - Columbus ELOS tubeset
1984 Mondonico - front half of frame rebuilt after major crash, but back on the road
1980 Woodrup Giro - not built but awaiting return from painter - 531 dB classic dimensions and butting as far as I can tell!
1980 Masi Gran Criterium - Tubeset not known, MC53 sizing code
1982 Trek 720 - nearly road or indoor trainer ready - one of the first 720s stamped, I bought this as a try-out, always wanted a 720!
1984 Trek 610 - not built, she's agreed to donate her parts to the 720, but she might become a fixed, so she still agrees to be the shop mule
1970 Peugeot UO-8 - not built - one lovely ride no major problems, but wonderful metallic green finish is in terrible condition
1967 Peugeot PX-10 - STILL not built - it should show great geometry when she's built.
Meridian Tandem - not built
1952 Rudge Aero Special - on its way, I have to check spoke tension - lightweight rims, chainset, seatpin, Stumey AW with alloy shell, all 531 pinned frame very classic geometry
Terraferma Super Rando 650b very thin, planey 7-4-7 tubing, nice ride but it always feels heavy with the shimano parts and heavy duty rims. Also not a great fit.

Wants: not sure ... maybe a big-tire 700c bike with 7-4-7 and excellent fit, imitating the principles of the Rudge geo.

But I'm starting a new job to lead the safety analysis for a new EV chassis for trucks, luckily it's only 10 hr/week. So I might not ever finish all of these!

microcord

I doubt that there are any road (or other) frames by Reminton in my size (circa 61 cm); but if I encountered one, I'd be tempted.

However, better legs are more desirable.

SpectrumTi

Something (Anything) made by Richard Sachs.

REV160

1. Raleigh Team Professional of Reynolds 753 tubing made at Raleigh's SBDU factory in Ilkeston, 1976-1987
2. Eddy Merckx 7-Eleven frame of Columbus TSX, late 1980's.
3. DeRosa Team Professional of Columbus SLX, late 1980's.
4. Raleigh Professional Mark IV or Mark V, Reynolds 531 tubing, in classic mink blue and silver. Mark IV is early 1970's and prettier with chrome fork, chainstay, and seat stay socks. However, Mark V is a better made frame albeit without the chrome socks.
5. Pinarello Montello of Columbus SLX, mid 1980's, I think. Unfortunately, in those days, Pinarello did not clear coat over the decals and they often dried and flaked off over time, leaving an ugly mess.

My rule of thumb is never to buy a repainted bike. Once painted, its value as a collectors item is shot. Of course , you also never know what damage was painted over.

countyrider

Still have my Team Champion with clincher and tubular wheels. My son rode it for a number of years. Bought it in 1976 in Palo Alto. Would like to try a Paramount.

scarlson 

I'm biased, because I have had all of these, but:
5. Any of the '80s alpha tourers (Univega Gran Turismo or Specialissima, Nishiki Cresta/Riviera/Seral GT, Panasonic Touring Deluxe, Centurion pro tour, Miyata 1000, Trek 720, Raleigh Portage/Kodiak/Alyeska, Schwinn Voyageur SP) or equivalently an early '80s MTB (Peugeot Orient Express, Schwinn Cimarron, Univega Alpina)
4. Early '80s Trek "sport tourer" (model 61x, the bikes that built the Trek mystique and forged the brand's reputation. Infinitely reconfigurable and customizable, choose your own adventure bike)
3. Ron Cooper (best fit and finish out there, super refined, and people tell me he did everything by hand with no jigs, which is amazing)
2. Jack Taylor (a touring one from the '50s, just to experience how the three Taylor brothers made stiff competition to the French constructeurs but remain underappreicated to this day)
1. René Herse (still cheaper than modern carbon, but you're riding a legend)

Firecyclist

[QUOTE=RH Clark;22232397]Hello everyone. I love all kinds of bikes but maybe because I'm 53 and only started cycling at 50,I am drawn to classic steel frame bikes. I would love to know the top 5-10 bikes on everyone's wish list to own or maybe you already own what you consider the best. In either case I would love to know more about the best bikes ever made. I would rather the list be made up of bikes that might still be found though than bikes that are only desirable because of their unicorn scarcity.

Senior cyclist here too…I think you would enjoy a “long distance” tourer, like a Trek 720, 620, or 520. So comfortable to ride.

my top 5 wish list right now would have mostly Trek steel, maybe throw in an older Raleigh or two.

relrrt

Except humility.

chuck nacke

Only currently only ride one bike, had it for over 25 years. Red, White and Blue TREK Pro 770 with all D/A 7400.
Love that bike.

KBM

If I had my choice of five classic bikes, I'd go for something historical. It would have to be period correct and tied to the heritage of the sport. These five would be a good start:

Eddy Merckx - Orange Colnago, Jacques Anquetil - Helyett Special, Bernard Hinault - Gitane, Sean Kelly - Vitus 979 (Aluminum, but I want it) and
Raymond Poulidor - Mercier
There certainly would be better steel bikes available, but riding the same bike as a legend of the sport would more than make up for any performance shortcomings.

Ed333

Although starting life as a MTB, my 1984 Trek 850, with its 531 double butted tubing, super long chain stays (providing tons of clearance from rear bags for my size 14 heels), relatively low bottom bracket, short top tube and steep head angle, has made for a bulletproof touring bike for me. 37 years later it gets me around the village, to the grocery store, short half day loops, etc, to my continuing satisfaction.

stuartmoc

One French
One Italian
One English
One American
One Vintage
One Current
One beater

qcpmsame 

True that! If the right project, and a good GC/ design build team, I’d happily take a contract to do the CQM engineering.

Thank goodness someone is buying the Raleigh International in the FS sub-forum. That frameset is on my bucket list. Regretted selling my own ‘74 International back in 1981🤨.

Bill

Noodlesandsam

Raleigh Pro ( building up a mid 73 frame, with an early fork ( with less rake - long story ).

late 79 / early 80 Paris Sport 531 frame ( maybe Cuevas? ) - bought for me by mom and dad.

on the list:

late 70’s, early 80’s Masi or Guerciotti.

swedefinn

How about a 1977 or 1978 Schwinn Volare. One of several rentals and or Columbus tube hand built bicycles Schwinn turned out. I have the Volare and have had in the past, the Columbus tubed Peloton and a voyageur SP. These were considered by some to be on a par with the Paramount's of the time. The Peloton was the next model below the similar Paramount racing bike

Stan Heinricher

I have no idea as to the best classic steel frames, but years ago I had a circa 1974 Fausto Coppi Campionissimo frame made of Columbus light road tubes that didn’t beat you to death, that would steer steady with no hands. Wish I had it back.

vintage1987

Hi,
I prefer Italian but live my vintage bikes. Currently these include a Panasonic DX2000 with shimano 600 index shifting. The frame is one you can simply ride all day. The other easy rider is a Trek 760 aluminum. But my favorite is the 1987 Ciocc micro74. It’s 100% Dura ace which is unusual for an Italian 531 double butted bike. It’s never been wet. Those are
my favs

motogeek 

In no particular order, and kinda added a couple to the 5 limit:

First generation Specialized Sequoia
First generation Specialized Expedition
'85 Trek 720
'72-'75 Motobecane Grand Record
Mercian Vincitore
And anything by Spectrum, Sachs, Vanilla, Bob Jackson, Herse

GranSport70

1968 Chrome Grand (Gran) Sport: (Unicorn Scarcity)
I first purchased a Chromed Raleigh Grand Sport in 1971. The original owner said he purchased it in ‘68. It had the Coffee and Bronze Green decals that fell/peeled off rapidly & easily. It did have the Huret Derailleurs that I replaced with Campagnola before riding her from Miami to San Francisco and down the Coast in 1972.
I recently purchased a “New” 1968 Chrome Grand Sport Raleigh, the same exact bike, in “as near new” condition. She has the other color scheme, Black and Gold Trim in near perfect original condition. I’m keeping her as a show piece and riding my original bike regularly.
It’s rumored that only a few were manufactured in 1968 and sent to a few dealers. They were shown in the 1970 catalog but never mass produced. The Coffee/Green decals were defective. I recollect that the Coffee/Green were of decal material that fell off. The other option available, Black/Gold model with Gold Decal and Hand Painted Black and Red Pin Striping.
I believe I’ll be taking these thoughts to my grave since the first one I purchased when I was 21 and the second one I purchased as a 70 year old, having not heard much more Definitive information since or in between.
Coffee/Green S/N 182336
Black/Gold S/N 171232
Reynolds 531 tubing, Zeus alloy crank-set, and Huret Luxe…. Gold Decal and Factory Black Hand Painted with Red Pin Strip. 1968 original condition Raleigh Gran(d) Sport.




The bike above was stolen in 1974 and found and retrieved 39 years later.
Same 1968 Raleigh Gran(d) Sport as bike above, without the decal, and w/ Campagnola Derailleurs.

mtnguy

The only steel frame bike that I am familiar with is my Shogun 200 that I bought in 1986. It has served me well over the last 35 years.

The Golden Boy 

I love the way the metal flake shows in this pic!!!

ejw

I’ll give you just one. Today I’ve got 3 bikes over 40 years old, and used to have a classic Paramount in the early 80’s. But at 66 years old, for me, it’s the Raleigh International. Elegant and a wonderful ride. I recently obtained a very clean chartreuse 71 International. All the original Campy bits, except the wheels, are on it, and I’m converting it into the ultimate Townie.

RH Clark

I just wanted to thank everyone for posting. I now have names I never knew to research and dream about owning. Thanks also for the beautiful bike pictures. I could look at classics all day. They are so much more interesting to me than matt carbon.