Carlton Grand Prix 1983 ish

statman

Hello, I am looking for some advice please. I am looking to get back on the road and wondered what the consensus is on whether I should try and re fit my very old Carlton Grand Prix (which I have had from new!), buy new or second hand.
I have taken the bottom bracket out because it was clunking but other than that I was using the Grand Prix wuthout too many issues about a year ago.
Any pointers gratefully received.

Thanks in advance.

Monty Dog

You're probably best asking this in the Special Interests section or over on the Retrobike forum

rolf_f

Monty Dog wrote:

You're probably best asking this in the Special Interests section or over on the Retrobike forum

+1. However, no reason not to refit the old bike. I did 6500 miles or so last year on my 1990 Dawes Horizon which I've had since new. It's very cheap to run. I stripped it down over the new year and, one issue aside, is now as good as new. The one issue are the wheels and cassette. The latter is worn on the two smallest sprockets after 8000 miles or so and the sprockets are hard to get so I'll be getting new handbuilt wheels with cassette for roughly what the bike is worth to sell! However, it will then be good for another 7000 miles more with minimal further spend.

If yours was fine a year ago, no reason to assume it needs anything more than a degrease and re-oiling and the tyres pumping up (unless you've been storing it at the bottom of a well).

Monty Dog

FWIW there's a healthy market in old bikes and parts for bikes of that vintage are readily available. In fact you should have less compatability issues with older bikes tha you have now. You should be able to find a replacement bottom bracket for £15-20 that'll be good for another 27 years. It really depends on what you plan to do with the bike - I rebuilt a 1983 Gios last year that I used for L'eroica - a great experience - but I'm not sure I'd want to ride it everyday.

statman

Thanks for the replies. When I took the bottom bracket off it was quite difficult so I will have to see what parts I can reuse and the from there exactly what I will have to replace.
I also have an entry level Claude Butler which I got a few years ago but that is a mountain bike (no suspension) but I don't find it anywhere near as nice to ride as the old racer!