The oldest kit you own...

rob_spedding

What's the oldest bit of cycling kit you're still using and why are you still using it? (And bits of you don't count!)

nax-ian

Still using an original Flite TT titanium (165grams) saddle bought in 2000, I think.
It started off on my MTB back then, now it's on my road bike.
Even though it's got minimal padding I find it really comfy.

bompington

Errr... my bike: the Rusty Raleigh is now over 15 years old. I'm still using it 'cos it's really hard to cycle without a bike.

Pep

First road bike. now turned turbo bike.
Bought spring 1996, >17yr old

Or tire leavers, must be >30yr old.

Cleat Eastwood

an old BSA Tour de France steel framer....from 1972. Still has original chain crankset (cottered cranks) and pedals and bartape and wheels and aluminium bike pump under the top tube (remember them). The BB has a slight squeak but then again so do I.

MattC59

I've still got, and use a 1993 Kona Kilauea. I rebuilt it in about 1997 and it now has some of the original (bought new), red single crown Rockshox Judy DH forks on it (50mm travel ?)

I've got the first pair of Shimano PD-M545 pedals that came into the country. They were on a pre-production Santa Cruz on Stif's stand at the Malvern's, back in the day. I managed to convince the guys to sell them to me. The Shimano support guys weren't happy, as they'd not seen them before !

I've also got a beautiful blue Ringle front hub, snowflake laced onto a Mavic rim. Again, same era and still running.

There's also a Flite Ti from about 1996 on the Kona. Still going strong !

Why am I still using it ? I love the ride of the Kona (last of the old school Konas !) and the other kit just works properly as it always has.

As for road kit.......... not a lot, as I only got into road biking a few years ago.

Pross

Still using my 1992 Ribble 653 road bike which has pretty much all it's original parts. It is now my winter / commuting bike. I also have a skin suit from about the same time that I still use but only as a back up set of bib shorts as the zip burst when I first put it back on after a 12 year break from riding - I can only assume the lycra deteriorated with age :oops:

garrynolan

I have a Histor jersey bought when Stephen Roche won the TdF. Still use it because it still fits. Also have a pair of boxer-style swimshorts from 1979 (knew they'd come back into fashion) but you can measure the thickness with a ruler! My Raleigh Recoed Sprint from '84/'85 still going strong and all original (except tyres).

McBain_v1

My 1983 Raleigh 531c Competition bike, with Shimano 600 running gear. It is my winter steed and very lovely. Second would be the 1997 Raleigh Reynolds 631 with the straight "power fork" also in 631. The comfiest bike for long-distance riding I have ever tried. Steelies - do they get better with age?

Redhog14

Cleat Eastwood wrote:

an old BSA Tour de France steel framer....from 1972. Still has original chain crankset (cottered cranks) and pedals and bartape and wheels and aluminium bike pump under the top tube (remember them). The BB has a slight squeak but then again so do I.

Cleat my man I knew you were a discerning soul, this was my first "proper bike" inherited from an uncle, was gutted when my mum ditched in a skip early 1990's..

Mine would be a 1994 Spesh Hardrock "R" still on original Headset, BB and hubs - like an old pet I can't put down!

edhornby

an old ss top that I had when I was about 12, it was way too big when I had it and now it's race fit :-) it is the most horrendous design which is perfect for scaring drivers

Pross

McBain_v1 wrote:

My 1983 Raleigh 531c Competition bike, with Shimano 600 running gear. It is my winter steed and very lovely. Second would be the 1997 Raleigh Reynolds 631 with the straight "power fork" also in 631. The comfiest bike for long-distance riding I have ever tried. Steelies - do they get better with age?

I took mine out a couple of weeks back for the first proper ride in two years having replaced the chain, rear cassette and jockey wheels in the rear mech. It felt so much smoother than my 2 year old carbon 'best' bike.

fossyant

Oh,

My Ribble 653 is about 20-25 years old - 3rd frame in a short time (2 others killed by cars) equipped with Shimano 600/Ultegra.

My best bike is 21 years old. Handbuilt Columbus SLX with Dura Ace 7402 8 speed - virtually all original - new rims built onto original hubs a couple of years back. Got it just as 8 speed and SIS came out (before STI) - "you don't need 8 speeds yadda yadda". Fantastic bike, perfect gear changes and still easily competes with modern carbon bling. Gets a lot of attention on rides/Sportives. Very stiff frame, but absorbs poor road surfaces well, and it's also dead stable at 60 mph !!! The Dura Ace kit has performed flawlessly over 21 years. I order spare sprockets (uniglide) from the US.

DF33

My Rolls saddle on my current best road bike, 20 years old and still like new.

Trek 7000 ali ex mountain bike circa 1995 being used as a hack bike, rides like new.

john_kline

On my turbo bike I still use a Campag nouvo record rear mech which I bought second hand in 1978 but dates to about 1973. It has never let me down and still looks like a work of art.

Pross

John Kline wrote:

On my turbo bike I still use a Campag nouvo record rear mech which I bought second hand in 1978 but dates to about 1973. It has never let me down and still looks like a work of art.

Had one of those on my first proper racing bike which I bought second hand in 1990. My parents cleared out their garage and asked if they could get ride of my old bike. I told them they could get rid of one but not the other and they did the wrong one which had that beautiful mech on it

uneasyonwheels

I still use my old Flying Scot which I bought new from Rattrays in about 1955. The bottom bracket is original as it has a grease nipple which is used regularly tho' new ball bearings have been fitted.The stem and seatpost remain but everything else has been renewed. Comfortable bike which has been used for everything at one time or another including continental camping/touring way back in the days when you could go as a passenger on a cargo boat from Leith to Antwerp.Now that is another story!

founthill2010

A 1991 Fusion 0150 MTB. I had to replace the saddle last summer as the original had split!

fnb1

ah , a Flying Scot, still ride my own from time to time, but a youth of a machine by comparison, only dates to 1986, it is also a Rattrays build, custom of course, to my own specs and one of the last few built before they closed. All orignal, (although currently fitted with SPD SL pedals (but the campag record pedals and toeclips are in a box should they be needed).
Other than that still in semi regular use, but kept in fully serviceable condition is my 531 road bike dating from 1987, complete with Royce chainset and orginal Royce Bottom bracket, shimano Dura- Ace gears, 6 speed on the rear I tell you with good old fashioned 42/53 set up up front, again has SPD SL pedals and a Fizik saddle on currently but have the orginals pedals and saddle safe and well for whenI ever get round to entering the Eroica. Also have various sets of wheels for both of the above from the same period, different combos of Mavic Hubs/ Campag record hubs and Mavic CX18 or GP4 rims, all nice and smooth and true. Modern kit just does not seem to last as long. In fact might give the road bike a ride out this weekend if the weather is dry (she only goes out on dry days now, she feels the damp in her bones. :-)

Yossie

An original Z Peugeot top from when I was 15 or so - baggy on me then, due to lycra deterioration and my svelte climbers figure its still fits - squeeze over the shoulders but as the elastic has given up around the waist its hangs loose.

lfcquin

Im still using an original Turbo saddle from the late 80's on my commuting bike. Very comfy saddle, only reason its not on my race bike is the weight.

I also have a Port Sunlight Wheelers jersey that was given to me around 1988 and it was 2nd hand then! It predates the black, red and white jerseys they have used for as long as I remember. Its so old its pre lycra. It used to be long sleeved, but I cut the sleeves off and I have used it as a winter mid layer for around 20 years.

Feltup

1982 Peugeot Tourmalet - a few parts like the bars, stem, seat post, BB, frame are original whilst the rest keeps it running as my winter bike. It got me from Reading to Dunwich via S London last year in a day too so can't complain at it at all

balthazar

I have some winter tights I'm always "thinking about replacing" which, when I muse on it, I bought in... 1994. For those now going pale as you confront a worrying image in your mind — I assure you the 17 year old items are always worn over sturdy new shorts. And for those considering new winter wear — I can recommend PACE (if they still exist) Roubaix gear..!

My first quality road bike, bought new in 1989, is still perfectly serviceable. Everything but the frame has been replaced, of course, and the frame's been bent and straightened more than once. It was the first of three bikes which have covered me for over 20 years of regular, variously serious and committed, road bike riding. That would probably only have been two had the second not been stolen. I wonder sometimes at those on these forums who've been through as many bikes in a year or so, and their motives.

priory

This is still my most often ridden bike. It was a1979 peugeot PY10 when I got it in the early 90's but only the frame, forks and bars and seat post remain.

updated photo



I just realised that my brooks team professional saddle is circa 1960, having been given to me by a friend whose dad ran a cycle shop in ilkeston and paid him to ''test'' brooks saddles. It has been suggested that his dad was more interested in his son's leg muscles than the saddles!

Houllier

I have original La Vie Claire and Super-U kits (one bought about ten years ago on this forum!). The Super-U is a bit of a squeeze, the La Vie Claire... forget it (will listen to offers!!)

Houllier

And I forgot my commute bike, an early 1980's (I reckon) Cinelli Supercorsa Pista steel frame, now very old, battered and rusty sadly, but then it's seen many years use and abuse (also bought via this forum about ten years ago, for £150 if I recall).

DavidBelcher

A set of Modolo cantilever brakes from the mid-80s. Fitted out with modern V-brake pads and still in competitive use on my CX bike - unlike some more recent cantis they work really well with Ergopower levers.

Edit: brakes not easily visible but here's the machine in current guise -



David

napoleond

Still ride my 1986 Muddy Fox Courier.

Rides like a dream! Got it for Christmas when I was 11. It's a bit on the small side but I love it.

antikythera

I'm about the replace my (Keywin) cleats. The ones still on my shoes are now 10 years old and for the first time (at this years Exmoor Beast) I pulled my foot out of the pedal!

beverick

I carry a couple of steel tyre levers and a spanner that are probably 1930's vintage.

Bob

Jonninho

`91 Carrera jersey.
Found it in the loft over summer.
Remember looking at it a few years back wondering how I ever fit in the thing when I was 20, but could not bring myself to throw it out.
Started cycling again last year after a 15 year break, and now it fits once more.
Its my first choice everytime I go out if clean.

Also found an old Shimano top which I think is older by a year or 2.