RETRO BIKES

daveclow
daveclow Posts: 164
edited October 2009 in Road buying advice
i fancy one. i think they are effortlessly cool!

theres quite a few going on ebay and probably a few bargains to be had.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vintage-retro-OBr ... _715wt_909

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RETRO-TRIUMPH-TEM ... 1694wt_909



has anyone got a rice retro example they could post a photo of?

Comments

  • ridieboy
    ridieboy Posts: 35
    Remember, the term 'retro' is pretty subjective
    theres quite a few going on ebay and probably a few bargains to be had.

    By that, I'm guessing you mean old, secondhand road bikes?

    Don't get me wrong, I like high-quality, vintage racing bikes just as much as the next bloke,
    but I'd rather chew my own arse than pay anything more than £30 each for those bikes.

    When I used to run my business on eBay, a couple of tell-tale signs that would rule a bke out staright away (for me, at least) would be seeing, a) reflectors, b) spoke guard (between spokes and cassette), c) those miniscule mudguards which attached above the brake calipers.

    They're probably good as a run-around, but they certainly don't have any of the quality that a collector would look for. If you're after a collectable bike, look out for old-skool Campag gear (watch out for all the imitation stuff on some cheaper old bikes), and always request detailed photos of the components.

    There are some lovely sites out there showcasing the best of the best. CampyOldy, CampyOnly, Classic Rendezvous, etc
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    That first one's not retro - it's just plain nasty - skip-ware to most. Retro-classics are typically European or a select number of British makers - Mercian, Jackson, Hetchins, Guillot, amongst others and probably contemporary Campagnolo parts or other high-end parts. A good quality restored retro bike is still going to cost upwards of a few hundred if you're looking at a decent quality frame and parts:
    http://www.rapha.cc/leroica-bike-auction
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    like Monty says, those bikes listed there are barely worth their scrap value....
  • daveclow
    daveclow Posts: 164
    your right, ill go for this then...


    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hetchins-Curly-St ... 2085wt_909
  • ridieboy
    ridieboy Posts: 35
    Nice frame and forks, but that's where it ends...

    Slightly misleading though. Those aren't 1930's rims (Mavic), hubs (that high-flange Campy model is SR i believe, and came out in early 70s). Those are some god-awful brake calipers - something off a £10 bike! To me, that head badge looks like it's been re-riveted.

    The complete bike certainly isn't original, and therefore, seriously *not* worth the very steep asking price, especially considering all the marks/scuffs and rust on the frame and forks.
  • daveclow
    daveclow Posts: 164
    there are some lovely pieces on campyoldy! awesome.

    the price tags are whopping. do you think there are any ways of getting the 'look' of a vintage bike but without actually paying for an original Guillot for example.

    after all, there is a scale for all things like this. if you drive your MG midget at the weekends, just because its not an original ford GT40, it doesn't mean its a piece of sh*t. you are still essentially driving, owning and enjoying a classic car.
    after all - we cant all afford to roll aound in gt40's :)

    do you think the same principles apply to bikes?
  • Stellite
    Stellite Posts: 544
    Hi folks

    Ive just finished this baby this afternoon. :D

    www.flickr.com/photos/36755331@N07/4016560331/

    Its all been stripped down, cleaned and greased.
    New Modolo hoods fitted and brakes and gears re-cabled.
    I do love the quality and robustness of the vintage components.

    Reynolds 531 tubing is reasonably light.

    May get it resprayed at some point.
  • daveclow
    daveclow Posts: 164
    hey stellite thanks for posting a photo. that is a lovely bike you've done a good job there.

    whats it like to ride compared to something more modern?
  • andy162
    andy162 Posts: 634
    I took the plunge into the retro world a few weeks ago. I bought a 753 Raleigh. It's a 1985 Services des Courses in Panasonic colours. Full SR groupset. I had been after one for ages & when this one came up for sale I asked the appropriate questions etc, got the right answers then went for it.

    It fits me perfectly and riding it isn't the total timewarp I was expecting. Other than downtube shifters that is. It's super smooth, lightish(19.5lbs) & quite stiff. The brakes have a great feel & there's a certain pleasure in using non indexed gears.

    I'm looking on it in the same way as owning a classic car. It's not an "everyday" machine but totally usable & great fun.

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