Is it worth spending money on my classic road bike?
Discussion
I am considering returning to cycling and buying a new road bike, like the Giant Defy 2, which now it's at the end of the season, the prices have dropped.
Now, the thing is; I have an old racing bike (probably) dating from around 1970. I bought it second-hand when a teenager, but have not ridden it for quite a few years.
It has Campagnolo gears and brakes, Weinmann alloy 27" quick-release wheels and the derailleur gear-shift is located on the end of the handlebar (right side) which is operated with the 'pinky', with the chain shifter lever on the downtube.
It seems a bit 'special', so I assume that the frame is good quality.
I'm wondering whether to convert it to 700c wheels, and upgrade the brakes to something more up-to-date (a longer drop will probably be required for the new wheels), and perhaps change the cassette....or whether I'd be wasting my time, and to go for a new bike (a Giant Defy as mentioned previously).
Planned use: General road use, modest distances.
My head says, upgrade the classic bike and save the money, but I'm wondering if that's really sensible?
Suggestions and/or advice welcome
Now, the thing is; I have an old racing bike (probably) dating from around 1970. I bought it second-hand when a teenager, but have not ridden it for quite a few years.
It has Campagnolo gears and brakes, Weinmann alloy 27" quick-release wheels and the derailleur gear-shift is located on the end of the handlebar (right side) which is operated with the 'pinky', with the chain shifter lever on the downtube.
It seems a bit 'special', so I assume that the frame is good quality.
I'm wondering whether to convert it to 700c wheels, and upgrade the brakes to something more up-to-date (a longer drop will probably be required for the new wheels), and perhaps change the cassette....or whether I'd be wasting my time, and to go for a new bike (a Giant Defy as mentioned previously).
Planned use: General road use, modest distances.
My head says, upgrade the classic bike and save the money, but I'm wondering if that's really sensible?
Suggestions and/or advice welcome
Edited by chim666 on Monday 19th September 17:57
For what it's worth I think you would ruin the classic bike but fitting modern equipment to it. Better keeping it as is and buying a new bike. If you'll not ride the 70s bike again sell it. I have a 1990s Terry dolan Cougar frame with Shimano all round and I think it would be difficult to alter it with different size wheels.
Have a look on retrobike.co.uk
They have a classic road section.
Worth posting a pic on there and asking about for a few reasons:
1. The knowledge over there is amazing, so someone may be able to identify it.
2. They might be able t otell you what the parts are worth if you decided to strip it.
3. There's an amazing 'flea market' of period correct parts (some NOS) so you could probably get it up and running with original stuff.
They have a classic road section.
Worth posting a pic on there and asking about for a few reasons:
1. The knowledge over there is amazing, so someone may be able to identify it.
2. They might be able t otell you what the parts are worth if you decided to strip it.
3. There's an amazing 'flea market' of period correct parts (some NOS) so you could probably get it up and running with original stuff.
It kind of depends on what you find out hte frame is.
There was a guy on the retrobike forum with an old Orange Dynamo - rare frame from Orange as they don't (normally) make road bikes.
He modernised it, and it looked amazing, but kept a rarity value because of the frame.
From this:
To this:
One of the other guys kept his classic looking, but added a modern groupset...
There was a guy on the retrobike forum with an old Orange Dynamo - rare frame from Orange as they don't (normally) make road bikes.
He modernised it, and it looked amazing, but kept a rarity value because of the frame.
From this:
To this:
One of the other guys kept his classic looking, but added a modern groupset...
Damn it. This thread has got me trawling eBay for old Shimano Exage bits to fix my mid 90s steel beast. I was going to go 'modern' and replace old bits with new stuff, but now I think I'm going to keep it "period correct" and buy a modern frame for my proposed 'winter bike' build. The 90s Falcon can donate it's modern mudguards and long drop brakes to the modern frame and go back to it's fully original state to be brought out only for high days and holidays. Maybe?
OK, I've taken some images of the bike's lugs etc in my shed (sorry about the dirtyness of the frame), and too dark at the moment to take the shots outside!
This was the first time that I've ever had a good close look at the frame. One thing that I think might be very significant is the stamp on the bottom bracket '3604 LE' which a quick online search tells me that it might be an Ephgrave frame. A quick bit of online research points out that the 'lollipop' in the first image was a bit of an Ephgrave trademark.
The 4-digit stamp and the date of purchase, which from recollection was in the early 1970s, so the bike might have been built in the early to mid 60s would fit in with that theory.
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/tVFpXG3s.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/tVFpXG3s" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/tVFpXG3s.jpg)
This was the first time that I've ever had a good close look at the frame. One thing that I think might be very significant is the stamp on the bottom bracket '3604 LE' which a quick online search tells me that it might be an Ephgrave frame. A quick bit of online research points out that the 'lollipop' in the first image was a bit of an Ephgrave trademark.
The 4-digit stamp and the date of purchase, which from recollection was in the early 1970s, so the bike might have been built in the early to mid 60s would fit in with that theory.
Edited by chim666 on Tuesday 20th September 19:52
Edited by chim666 on Sunday 2nd October 19:20
It's definitely an Ephgrave http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/builders/ephg...
Another thing that could back that up is that Campag Gran Sport was the top of the range from the early 50s to mid 60s, this was then replaced by Record, so someone thought it warranted a high end component set.
The lugs are lovely and ornate, possible based on Nervex but he did also custom his own.
I would definitely say it is worth saving.
Another thing that could back that up is that Campag Gran Sport was the top of the range from the early 50s to mid 60s, this was then replaced by Record, so someone thought it warranted a high end component set.
The lugs are lovely and ornate, possible based on Nervex but he did also custom his own.
I would definitely say it is worth saving.
depends on yr riding and what you intend to do.
I have a Bob Jackson handbuilt bike. headset and front forks have snapped- it hasn't turned a wheel for 13 years. I can't throw it away, lots of memories- i.e doing LE JOG on it once.
I replaced it with the best handbuilt bike I could in 2002/3. absolute state of the art. I remember getting on it and been blown away with just how good it was. Been a wonderful bike, still perfect but obviously has needed new wheels, hubs, all the chain rings etc replacing over the years. In May I did the Yorkshire Dales cycle way- not a bother on it and it (or I was) far faster than the rest of the group on much better, lighter, faster bikes.
However, finally time for a new bike: bought a Giant Defy 0 through cycle to work. should be a £1000, sale price £800, actual price is about £600 with tax and NI off. Its like I've swapped my ford for a ferrari. I cannot believe just how much better the bike is and how much easier it is up hill and so on: eg I've done about 120 miles on it last week, I'm absolutely loving it. I'm returning from long rides feeling better, with more energy than I did before. Its very weird.
So IMO, it might be a good idea chucking money at an old bike, because of great memories, but everything has moved on so much: for very little money you can have a more enjoyable cycling experience.
I have a Bob Jackson handbuilt bike. headset and front forks have snapped- it hasn't turned a wheel for 13 years. I can't throw it away, lots of memories- i.e doing LE JOG on it once.
I replaced it with the best handbuilt bike I could in 2002/3. absolute state of the art. I remember getting on it and been blown away with just how good it was. Been a wonderful bike, still perfect but obviously has needed new wheels, hubs, all the chain rings etc replacing over the years. In May I did the Yorkshire Dales cycle way- not a bother on it and it (or I was) far faster than the rest of the group on much better, lighter, faster bikes.
However, finally time for a new bike: bought a Giant Defy 0 through cycle to work. should be a £1000, sale price £800, actual price is about £600 with tax and NI off. Its like I've swapped my ford for a ferrari. I cannot believe just how much better the bike is and how much easier it is up hill and so on: eg I've done about 120 miles on it last week, I'm absolutely loving it. I'm returning from long rides feeling better, with more energy than I did before. Its very weird.
So IMO, it might be a good idea chucking money at an old bike, because of great memories, but everything has moved on so much: for very little money you can have a more enjoyable cycling experience.
austinsmirk said:
So IMO, it might be a good idea chucking money at an old bike, because of great memories, but everything has moved on so much: for very little money you can have a more enjoyable cycling experience.
That is my thought on the issue. I've got some interest in the bike from people on a classic cycle forum, and am looking at getting a Specialized Diverge A1 through my company's cycle2work scheme.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff