Is it worth buying an old style racer road bike?

theymademedoit
theymademedoit Posts: 34
edited September 2012 in Road buying advice
Hi,
I the moment I have a Giant MTB and I recently bought a cheap Carerra Subway which I bought second hand with new slicks on it….the plan was to use the Subway to commute on, however it was advertised as being 20’’ and arrived 18’’!
It’s just that little bit too small.
Unfortunately it will cost me too much to return it so I will sell it on.
I have been thinking more along the lines of an old but reliable racer/road bike but my budget is limited as I will need the money from the Subway to buy it.
Can anyone let me know if it’s worth buying an old steel frame racer and if so what make would be better off with?
I have to lock it up out in the work car park so that’s another reason why I don’t want to spend too much.
Cheers,
Al

Comments

  • Hi Al,

    Your request is a little vague, given there are 1000's of bikes which could come under the umbrella you detail.

    All I know is that I see dozens of people riding steel framed (old Reynolds 501 usualy) racers from the 80's and 90's around Cambridge and they seem to be enjoying themselves.

    I myself own a 1980's Raleigh Kellogs Tour, and thats more than comfortable for a commute of c10 miles each way.

    When you say low budget what does that mean?

    Thanks

    Dean
    Forme Vision 2011
    MBK Tourer c2000 (Bombproof)
    Raleigh Kellogs Pro Tour 1989

    http://www.cyclecommunity.co.uk
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    Yes - but if you want it to be a cheap bike it has to be one that doesn't need any work doing on it. For the most part, unless you source an honest one from eg Retrobike forums, the price of a cheap bike that needs lots of work and money spending on it will be much the same as one that doesn't.
    Faster than a tent.......
  • Nowt wrong with many old racers, if you check for wear and tear before buying, they last far far longer than modern bikes.
    Check locally, Friday Ads online, Gumtree etc etc, there's still plenty around.
    Try for Renolds 501, preferably 531, but people often realise they're better and price accordingly, but you may be lucky.
  • MichaelW
    MichaelW Posts: 2,164
    Many old steel racers are fine bikes, even the cheaper ones.
    Be aware that the standard for rear dropout width has changed and is now 130mm.
    Check any old frame for frontal collision, usually shown by rippling where the tubes join the head tube.
    Many older frames use 27" wheels instead of the smaller modern standard 700c.
    French bikes like Peugot may use funny headset and bottom bracket sizes.

    You dont always get stickers and labels on old bikes but a good sign of quality is that the rear dropouts are cast rather than stamped (thicker with 3D moulding). Cast lugs were only used on higher grade bikes, usually made with butted steel. Stamped dropouts can still be OK. My old Falcon uses plain guage chronoly and stamped dropouts but rides very nicely.