An old racers old racer

micmax

I have a Barry Hoban road bike that I bought new in 1983 only rode it 100 miles or so before I moved abroad and it has been dry stored ever since. It’s a metallic purple with chrome forks. I realise the bike isn’t a classic.The spec is:

Frame: Reynolds SMS
Chainset: Stronglight 99 BIS 52/42t
Front and rear mechs: Campag 980
Pedals: Kyokuto Pro Vic II
Block: Regina 6 speed 13-18t
Hubs: front and rear SR 36h QR
Stem: Biba engraved
Headset: Gipiemme
Seatpost: SR Laprade fluted
Saddle: Iscaselle
Gear shifters: Campag
Rims: Rigida 700c silver
Spokes: stainless
Tyres: Michelin elan 700x23c
Brakes and levers: Universal side pull alloy with QR modle 125
Weight: 9.5 kg

Bars engraved GB and a map of UK either side of stem.

Theres a little light rust inside toe clips and on some screw heads and v. light pitting on the chrome forks. The red Rigida labels are still on the rims. I think with a couple of hours polishing it would come up to 90% “showroom” condition. Even though the tyres are practically unworn I don’t fancy riding on them and I’m considering fitting new ones.

Can anyone tell me is the bike worth the price of new tyres and a service or is it too outdated? Are the parts of any value? Seems a shame to brake.
I now ride a hybrid for pleasure & fitness.

Would appreciate advice. Thanks

Monty Dog

Early 80s bikes are becomingly increasingly sought-after and whilst yours is high-spec, it should still be eminently rideable and serviceable - however, with shops charging as much as a £100 for a full-service, suggest it might be worthwhile taking the DIY route. Older bikes are far less-complex too.

lae

If you don't fancy riding it, sticking it on ebay will almost certainly get you a decent return (as long as you're able to post it to London!)

Do you have any photos of it? Sounds like a handsome machine, I'd be interested myself if I didn't already have several old bikes in various stages of dismantlement (although if you've got a price in mind....)

micmax

A few pictures I took this morning.
[img][/img]

micmax

Could anyone suggest suitable repacement tyres if the bikes worth it. Cheers......

lae

It is worth it!

Gumwall tyres can be hard to find in modern sizes.

Panaracer Pasela and Veloflex are two off the top of my head. The Veloflex are very nice looking and ride great, but they're a racing tyre and don't last too long. The Paselas are probably a better choice for weekend riding but they've got an ugly tread on them.

Schwalbe also make gumwall 700c tyres which I have on one of my bikes, but they're not great quality.

LeighB

The bike you have looks superb and I would not have any qualms about putting new tyres and tubes on and using it. I have a 1978 Harry Quinn; its light, handles ok and is very comfortable; the main difference with my modern bikes are the gears. The down tube shifters are fine but non indexing makes the changes a little slower. The five speed freewheel (or block) doesn’t have the range of a modern bike but I still find it very usable; mine is a 14-24T; with a 18 tooth bottom gear I would avoid steep hills. I have a pair of wheels with what look like the same Rigida rims as yours and they take modern 700 x 23C tyres ok.
I think it would be a real shame to break up this excellent looking period bike as it looks to be in very good authentic and original condition. As a schoolboy I drooled over bikes like this and 30 years later I still think they are works of art (only much more useful than a painting).

micmax

Thanks for the advice and positive comments. I'll fit some new tyres and tubes, spend a bit of time giving it a good going over and keep away from expensive servicing. Regards to all.

bagpusscp

A lovely 1980's road bike.Fit new tyre and enjoy riding it.It will get far more attention at a cafe stop than a new machine.You may find the 52/42 chain set hard going on hills{well I know I do}>There is nothing like a classic machine to get other cyclists yapping,
Proof here.
Picture of one of my old Carltons here.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/74418119@N00/4555014701/

flyfifer

frinkmakesyouthink wrote:

It is worth it!

Gumwall tyres can be hard to find in modern sizes.

Panaracer Pasela and Veloflex are two off the top of my head. The Veloflex are very nice looking and ride great, but they're a racing tyre and don't last too long. The Paselas are probably a better choice for weekend riding but they've got an ugly tread on them.

Schwalbe also make gumwall 700c tyres which I have on one of my bikes, but they're not great quality.

i got 700cx28 amberwall tyres from dereks cycles and they were £9.99 the pair not regular brand but they look like michelin worlld tours from a distance also try y frame discounts i got tyres from them though 27 inch for £5.99 each they were supposed to be world tour but werent but look okay as above world tour lookalikes
these cheaper tyres are just as good as regular brands i bought a pair of 7oocx23 tyres in my lbs and was charged £21 the pair and they are ok and ride well

rolf_f

flyfifer wrote:

from dereks cycles and they were £9.99 the pair not regular brand but they look like michelin worlld tours from a distance also try y frame discounts i got tyres from them though 27 inch for £5.99 each they were supposed to be world tour but werent but look okay as above world tour lookalikes
these cheaper tyres are just as good as regular brands i bought a pair of 7oocx23 tyres in my lbs and was charged £21 the pair and they are ok and ride well

You can get Michelin Dynamics with gumwalls for that sort of price in 700c though I think I only found 20s in my local shop. Schwalbe do quite a few low price gumwall tyres as well.

Salsamander

That is a lovely bike, my girlfriend recently bought herself a barry hoban mixte that she is going to restore.

If you are inclined to I am sure they bike wouldn't require too much work to make it perfectly road worthy, and something of it's age will certainly attraction attention!

If of course you don't want to do it up yourself I am sure you will find someone who will be willing to give you a good price for it (myself included)

skellator3

i got michelin erillium 2's in stock black centre tread with a red band then the gum wall side walls, sure they would look the bizz on the that bike, 700 x 23 size

samson77

From the pics this looks to be a cracking 80’s road bike. Definitely worth the price of new tyres. Not top spec but well worth hanging on to.

Ray magini

Lovely bike, takes me back a decade or two. Bikes like yours are hard to find in such good condition. hope you're back on the road and getting some miles in!