Just returned from the (Nova) Eroica California, and there are a LOT of vintage bikes that come into town. My two favorites spotted while in Cambria this past weekend…
one of only 11 made or remaining (not sure which), this tandem was made for the 1980 Olympics and wasn’t used because of the boycott. Thats what I was told, the owner says he is challenged that the bike and his story are real.
Thinking of buying a vintage bike someday, and doing the “real” Eroica on Sunday. Last two years I did the Nova Eroica on Saturday, with a modern bike.
Our group had a bring your oldest bike day a few weeks back. Mine’s an alloy kinesis, which you couldn’t really call vintage (circa 2015), but there was some beauties on show.
‘87 Nishiki Linear (frame and what original parts are on it are from ‘86). I managed to do over 1100 miles in the Florida heat this past summer; capped the end of my high mileage season with a 70 mile (about my limit on that frame) Thanksgiving ride on it.
Without seeing more details of the bike I cannot determine its approximate year, but assuming the frame was made sometime in 1979 or very early in 1980 (allowing for training time), it is doubtful due to the “COLNAGO” stamped chainstay being introduced post-1980. It was definitely used in 1982, and quite probably appeared on frames built in 1981 for the 1982 model year. Some other features might provide more clues, but given the one detail I would be very dubious of it having been built for the ‘80 Olympics or any event pre-dating 1981. I have many Colnagos made around the time frame: c.’78-’79 Super, c. ‘79-’80 Super, c. ‘80-’81 Super, c. ‘83 Super or Mexico.
It may be that it was made for the ‘84 games since that chain stay feature would have already been used on many frames by that time.
An image of the bottom bracket drain would help immensely.
Below a couple drains that existed in the early to mid ‘80s. Notice also the difference of chain stay bridges used in the examples shown. Not sure if tandems necessarily matched frame features of the road or track bikes, but the stamping was an aesthetic feature not related to actual construction so I am 100% positive about it not being used in the ‘70s and highly certain it did not appear in 1980 either.
Bottom bracket c. 1980 and earlier (possibly as late as 1981)
My back is much better than my hip and knee. I have been injured from head to heel so my pain spreads fairly evenly. Fused vertebra, uclerated disc, broken clavicle, torn rotator cuff, torn knee ligaments, etc., etc.
I chuckled a bit seeing the “bring your oldest” bike photos. I have one bike from the ‘00s; 2001 Colnago Asso. Got a couple ‘90s bikes; but my main riders range from the ‘50s to the ‘80s. Always working on something, and this winter has me elbow deep in some 1920s-’30s bikes.
I’ll try to post a couple as I get more entrenched here.
I do understand that this is a more modern bike community and I have no issues with new bikes, though I doubt I will ever ride one.
My only carbon frame is a round tubed alloy lugged Colnago Carbitubo (frame only right now as I review build options) from the early ‘90s.
Not my bikes, but I’ve always had a soft spot for the chrome Schwinn Paramounts from the late 60’s/early 70’s. Back when Schwinn not only made great family bikes, but the Paramount was a world class race bike in it’s prime.
I always wanted a Paramount when I was a kid, but ended up with a crappy Schwinn Varsity 10 speed until I finally got a Peugeot “proper” road bike. I never liked the Varsity, but I had a Schwinn Fastback before that. Probably my favorite bike I’ve ever owned (so many good memories). I’d probably still have it, but my grandmother gave it away when I was away at college. Mine was red, but it was this model with the thumb shifter (5 speed). They are pretty collectable these days, go for more than a decent Paramount.
Those Vitus 979 frames were pretty darn light. I still have one, but a bit scared to use it after knowing glue is about 40 years old.
I do like the early Athena rear mech; still use a 1st generation one on the green Colnago I posted. It shifts better than the Nuovo, Super, and C Record models by far from the same era at a fraction of the cost (still Sun Tour and Shimano were the best of that time).
I do ride ALAN frame bikes still, a little better design will tubes being screwed into the lugs and also secured with glue. I also know the history of the frames since I have owned them from new.
Sold this Tommaso (c. ‘86) to a friend a few years back. Like Vitus, ALAN had many companies badge their frames.
Yes the frame was very light - and had stunning colour coating - but as a student I ran out of money after the frame and groupset and had heavy Mavic wheels.
My ‘71-’72 Crescent Pepita (entry level racer; but still uses the same Reynolds 531 double butted frame with Nervex Pro lugs as the top level Pro m/Dpecial model). Mix of components as stock: Campagnolo (Valentino mechs and shifters), Weinmann brakes (Vainqueur centerpulls), AVA stem, Nisi rims (not in photo; using my daily riders mounted, Shimano and Campagnolo), Ideale saddle, Simplex rings, Stronglight cranks, Lyotard pedals with Christophe clips).
Pretty much original except the aforementioned rims, Campagnolo post (swapped out the steel post), and REG lever boots.
Har. A Schwinn Varsity was my first non-kids bike. I got mine in 1970 and having saved up paid something under $100 brand spanking new. Steel was real as the frame, wheel rims, handlebar, cranks, seat post were steel. According to the internet, it weighed 38 lb.
Yep, they literally sold tons and tons of those heavy ass bikes. The Varsity and the Sting Ray went from being Schwinn’s cash cows to basically nails in their coffin. Impressive how quick that killed that company, they just got arrogant and lazy and thought they defined the market.
The Paramount production shop in Waterford, WI was separate from the rest of Schwinn and a member of the Schwinn family bought it in the early 90’s (after Schwinn went bankrupt). They continued making high end artisan steel frames (and restoring the old Paramounts) under the Waterford brand until shutting down a few years ago. That was basically the end of the Schwinn legacy in my opinion. Waterford does exist again as a brand, but I don’t think there is any tie back to the location in Waterford and no Schwinn family ties.
I did a modified build up of a similar Schwinn and dropped over 10 pounds of weight by replacing all steel components with aluminium parts (down to 28 pounds before adding a clamp-on alloy rear rack). Made it into 1 x 7 with 700c 25mm tires. It was actually quite fast in that configuration. Then added a rack, 38mm tires, and a Cloud 9 comfort saddle to fine tune to my friend’s needs. It can now go nearly everywhere it needs go in casual comfort. Certainly well above any Schwinn performance wise, and possibly weight also except the Paramount.
Here my “all-rounder”. A Raleigh 1970 “Sports Deluxe”; very stock (except pedals, grips, and saddle; but have the originals). Essentially everything is steel except the rubber that hits the road. About 48 pounds of English durability. I have used this as an off-road bike, commuter/general use, bike polo (not too good for that), and even raced in an informal criterium (as a lark to challenge those on race bikes; used Look pedals and DID NOT finish last).
Utilizes a 3 speed Sturmey-Archer internally geared hub.
Mods: Brookes B.72 wide saddle (w/loop springs) swapped for much narrower Brooks Flyer (essentially a B.17 Standard with “mattress” springs) for off-road use. Custom made leather bar grips with brass end caps, custom leather pump grip, custom leather rear reflecter “boot”, and Look PP66 pedals for improved speed and climbing.
A fun bike for more casual riding. I have gone over 30 miles on it without issue, but definitely shines on flatter terrain and gravel paths without big hills. Rails trails paved or not are the most fun. I have a couple more of these bikes that are going through more radical mods with drop bar and smaller front wheel and replacing many steel parts with alloy to reduce weight (rims, bar, stem, post, brakset, crankset); while removing fenders and chainguard.
