Old vs new bikes

[onlyconnect]

I have an Eighties bike with Campag hubs, Stronglight bottom bracket, Brookes leather saddle, all decent quality at the time.

It is showing signs of age and I've just spent ages trying to get the hubs in order with new ball bearings and grease.

Problem is that things like eg buying new wheels are difficult because of 27 x 1 1/4 size etc, you can get them but not the same quality.

On the other hand the old stuff like mine seems easier to maintain in some ways because it all comes apart, no sealed components or cartridges.

Anyone got experience of keeping an old bike going, is it worth it, and at what point is it better to give up and buy a new one?

Tim

 

[avole]

New bike. You'll be stunned at how good they are.

I've been maintaining a friend's old bike, but, having taken a month to source wheels and tyres (old sizes, no stocks anywhere), I finally said to her that it wasn't worth it the next time something happened.

 

[stevec67]

You can do it but it's hard work pre 1990s. As you say parts availability gets harder. I really do appreciate the standardisation done by Shimano in the 90s. OK, it's since gone to pot and I have 3 different BB tools, none of which fit the latest pattern. The technology is better though - I never want to go back to rebuilding BBs, just buy a sealed one and have done.

I think there comes a point where the rebuild is more than it's worth - I recently missed out on a 2 yr old hybrid - 3 x 9 gears, Deore, hyd discs, little use, £150. That will pay for a couple of wheels, a chain, jockey wheels and not much else on my old bike, and it still won't be as nice.

Do it if you want to, for a period piece. Otherwise, no.

 

[clifftaylor]

Eighties bikes are more of a hobby than a mode of transport - what make is the frame? The "steel is real" part of ebay can get crazy, so you may have a winner.

 

[demotivated]

Plenty of spares for campag record hubs. If your wheels are 27 inch, just put 700c wheels on. Now you have clearance for mudguards. You may need to change the brakes or find a way to drop them a cm if they are boy racer ones with little adjustment. Plenty of shimano 5,6 or 7 screw on freewheels still around and cheap chains at this end of the range.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Wheels-Wh...&_dcat=177830&rt=nc&Wheel%20Size=27%22|700C|!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Bikes-/17...g%20Bike&_catref=1&_pppn=r1&_dmpt=UK_Bikes_GL

http://www.campyoldy.co.uk/stocklist.htm

[OK a quick look on tbay shows it's nowhere near as useful as 10 years ago, with lots of bodgers and parts strippers selling tat. But if you know what you want, and you are not in a rush there is good stuff still]

Check out the Cycle jumbles on Campyoldy and the late great Sheldon Brown's factsheets for what works with what:

http://sheldonbrown.com/speeds.html


These guys may still be good:

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/index.php

I see St John - http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/ look way too ponsy modern prices compared to back then.

I haven't needed to buy any old parts for years, since I stocked up when the MTB gimmick was making everything harder. 6/7 speed gears can take cheap as chips chains so buy them while they are still around. eg:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/sis.html?... Cycle Chain 5 6 7 Speed&_itemId=330623198548

 

[merlin]

Honestly?

If you want to ride, buy a new bike.

They are vastly better in so many ways these days. 'Tis the same in so many fields. Vintage is a nice hobby but not suited to convenience performance or practicality.

 

[JezmondTutu]

Honestly?

If you want to ride, buy a new bike.

They are vastly better in so many ways these days. 'Tis the same in so many fields. Vintage is a nice hobby but not suited to convenience performance or practicality.

I totally agree - there have been major advances in bike technology.

 

[onlyconnect]

Eighties bikes are more of a hobby than a mode of transport - what make is the frame? The "steel is real" part of ebay can get crazy, so you may have a winner.

It's Reynolds 531. Frame made by Claude Butler I *think* (it was badged London Bicycle Co).

Tim

 

[onlyconnect]

Honestly?

If you want to ride, buy a new bike.

They are vastly better in so many ways these days. 'Tis the same in so many fields. Vintage is a nice hobby but not suited to convenience performance or practicality.

So how much do I have to spend today to get one as good as my old one (touring bike, Reynolds 531, Campag etc)?

Tim

 

[James]

So how much do I have to spend today to get one as good as my old one (touring bike, Reynolds 531, Campag etc)?

Tim,

I restored a 1983 531c framed TI-Raleigh to its full glory (with NOS Campag Super Record) at great cost a few years ago. It was a shit ride compared to a modern bicycle. Don't bother. You can get a new bike for a fraction of the cost of restoration.

 

[JezmondTutu]

So how much do I have to spend today to get one as good as my old one (touring bike, Reynolds 531, Campag etc)?

Tim

Probably £300 from Halfords in one of their sales I'd say. £600 upwards starts to get you some really decent kit, you can start to get the budget carbon bikes at around £1k.

Check some of Ribble's prices for super value bikes:

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/pu/road-track-bike/special-edition-bikes/specialedition/1

 

[JezmondTutu]

there you go: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...goryId=165710&productId=1024810&storeId=10001

 

[onlyconnect]

there you go: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...goryId=165710&productId=1024810&storeId=10001

Interesting, thanks.

Tim

 

[merlin]

So how much do I have to spend today to get one as good as my old one (touring bike, Reynolds 531, Campag etc)?

Tim

Tim,

IMHO the answer to that question lies in your legs and your intentions.

If you plan on riding a lot and taking cycling up as a hobby then it is worthwhile investing in better running gear simply because there is a point where it lasts longer and therefore pays for itself.

If you plan on just using a bike to pootle to the shops or the pub once or twice a week, the extra cost is IME unjustified. Between say £300 and £1000 you are usually paying for longevity and build quality. It's down to the individual as to whether that's a worthwhile spend so to speak.

 

[avole]

Not sure I fully agree with that, merlin. My bikes are my main form of transport, so they get daily use, but distances are sometimes short. You might as well go for quality for all bike uses.

I'm also of the opinion it's the shorter trips where you need better components, mainly because you're braking and shifting gears much more often than on long touring trips, plus there's the extra weight from shopping.

 

[stevec67]

Actually, I’m with Merlin. It does depend on your usage. Very few people use bikes every day as a mode of transport. I recently helped someone find a bike, I found some fairly decent cheap machines. In the end she went for one I wouldn't have chosen, a rather crappy BSO, a used “universal” or “challenger” branded women’s MTB that was probably £100 or so new half a dozen years ago. We went for a toodle round, and that’s literally all she wants to do with it. It all works, in its limited way, and she’ll never wear it out. The previous owner has given it similar usage, it the thing has covered 100 miles in the 6 years that’s all it’s done. I honestly don’t think that a £400 bike would have done a better job. For 99% of users a bike is a toy, to be used a few times a year, wobbling around on canal towpaths and byways for an hour at a time.

 

[andrewhockley]

I ride "old" bikes and I keep up OK. There really is no problem with parts unless you are looking for something like a Chater Lea headclip! Spa Cycles are good, there are also loads of repro components out there that can keep your classic looking right but offering better tolerances and construction. Its not true you can't get good quality 27" wheels - just find a local wheelbuilder and ask. Loads of fantastic hubs available now as well.

I've got no problem with new bikes, but the old ones go just as well as they used to - in fact better with modern tyres.

 

[onlyconnect]

Well I have spent £30 so far (new bearings and freewheel remover) and it's working pretty well. I intend to service the BB and after that leave it alone for a bit. Shopping is a factor, I have a lovely Jim Blackburn rear rack and not sure if that would fit on a new bike.

Tim

 

[markt]

A fan of old and new, not just nostalgia, fun element too.

There are some great deals out there on Genesis bikes right now. Well thought of Volare range of road bikes in certain models and sizes and the CDF multi purpose bikes, some nice bikes and frames going for 20, 30 or 40% off retail, trade must be incredibly tough at the moment, such nice equipment too. A Tiagra/FSA/Fulcrum equipped Volare 10 for £499 http://www.wheelies.co.uk/p72821/Ge...ad-Bike.aspx?gclid=CPC-itm12sYCFWWWtAodDIgNSQ A 2015 Volare 20 with Reynolds 725/Campag Veloce http://www.londonbicycleworkshop.com/95036/products/genesis-volare-20-2015-powder-blue.aspx

It's because of competition with Halfords and Decathalon but these Genesis have really good new generation steel frames for the money in their favour, even the beautiful race oriented stainless 931/Ultegra 2014 Volare 20 can be had half price in 54cm size.

Heart breaking: http://www.sprocketscycles.com/genesis-volare-20-2014?gclid=CPjmqvuc2sYCFcNZ2wodwX0B7Q#.VaTLU6SD-Tp



Mark

 

[onlyconnect]

Tim,

IMHO the answer to that question lies in your legs and your intentions.

Except I asked "how much do I need to spend to get a bike as good as my old one" not "how much do I need to spend on a bike"

Tim