Vintage bike recommendation

bluedoggy
Posts: 285
Looking to buy a winter bike for less than £200.
Have read that a vintage bike would be good - Peugeot for example.
Any ideas on what's a good vintage bike on a budget? Looking on eBay at the moment.
Have read that a vintage bike would be good - Peugeot for example.
Any ideas on what's a good vintage bike on a budget? Looking on eBay at the moment.
Wilier cento uno.
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Comments
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Pugs are usually over-priced cos everyones heard of them, plus the majority of them on sale are pretty bogo spec i.e. gas pipe. Same story goes for Raleigh. Italian brands are expensive too as they are sought after. IMHO the real bargains are un-fashionable or not well known UK makes where they were operating out of one shop for "local people". . I got a lovely Graham Weigh mid-80s bike, 531 with Shimano 600/Campag/Cinelli mix for £60 which was a real bargain.0
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Hetchins0
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Bob Jackson.0
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You have to be a skilled mechanic, as most if not all shops will refuse to do anything on your bike. If you are a skilled mechanic, then buy cheap, don't get something in near new conditions as you will pay premium for that... often you get bargains on bikes which have been a bit neglected and a few hours of DIY can save you a lot of money. Frame make is unimportant, if they have survived 30 years chances are the quality is there...
Some "gas pipe special" can ride very well, once you sort out the wheels with a set of light double butted spokes and some responsive rims and fast tyres... so there is no need for fancy steel eitherleft the forum March 20230 -
I wouldn't go vintage - for a winter training/commuting i would keep an eye out for something like a dolan prefissio or ribble winter trainer or a kenesis if you can drop on one.
the older you go, the less compatibility with replacement bits so if you do get something, make sure that you can get spares, try to avoid 126mm rear spacings (9speed will avoid this) and the like"I get paid to make other people suffer on my wheel, how good is that"
--Jens Voight0 -
edhornby wrote:I wouldn't go vintage - for a winter training/commuting i would keep an eye out for something like a dolan prefissio or ribble winter trainer or a kenesis if you can drop on one.
the older you go, the less compatibility with replacement bits so if you do get something, make sure that you can get spares, try to avoid 126mm rear spacings (9speed will avoid this) and the like
Spares are still available, just you need to resort to other sites than Wiggle. There are hundreds of freewheels always available... there are still compatible chains, which cost 7 pounds instead of 30... Kool stop makes brake blocks compatible with old pads holders... cables are the same... the only thing I would avoid is to go for wheels of awkward size, as replacement tyres will be scarce and of a crap quality... other than that, there is no reason not to go period... for a 200 pounds budget one can get something 1980s with mid-high end (Ultegra equivalent) components or can get something low end at Halfords... it's a no brainer.
I understand the concerns of those who rely on LBS and Wiggle for their supplies, but with a bit of mechanical knowledge and being open minded about where to source components, going period can be extremely rewarding... I come from Carbon, moved to steeel and then moved to vintage steel without any significant drop in performance and more importantly with a significant increase in funleft the forum March 20230 -
ugo.santalucia wrote:edhornby wrote:I wouldn't go vintage - for a winter training/commuting i would keep an eye out for something like a dolan prefissio or ribble winter trainer or a kenesis if you can drop on one.
the older you go, the less compatibility with replacement bits so if you do get something, make sure that you can get spares, try to avoid 126mm rear spacings (9speed will avoid this) and the like
Spares are still available, just you need to resort to other sites than Wiggle. There are hundreds of freewheels always available... there are still compatible chains, which cost 7 pounds instead of 30... Kool stop makes brake blocks compatible with old pads holders... cables are the same... the only thing I would avoid is to go for wheels of awkward size, as replacement tyres will be scarce and of a crap quality... other than that, there is no reason not to go period... for a 200 pounds budget one can get something 1980s with mid-high end (Ultegra equivalent) components or can get something low end at Halfords... it's a no brainer.
I understand the concerns of those who rely on LBS and Wiggle for their supplies, but with a bit of mechanical knowledge and being open minded about where to source components, going period can be extremely rewarding... I come from Carbon, moved to steeel and then moved to vintage steel without any significant drop in performance and more importantly with a significant increase in fun
And by the way I like your retro bike...0 -
juankerr wrote:Pugs are usually over-priced cos everyones heard of them, plus the majority of them on sale are pretty bogo spec i.e. gas pipe. Same story goes for Raleigh. Italian brands are expensive too as they are sought after. IMHO the real bargains are un-fashionable or not well known UK makes where they were operating out of one shop for "local people". . I got a lovely Graham Weigh mid-80s bike, 531 with Shimano 600/Campag/Cinelli mix for £60 which was a real bargain.
Puch are generally pretty decent too - were well built but somehow Austrian isn't as fashionable as Italian, can't think why.Bianchi Infinito CV
Bianchi Via Nirone 7 Ultegra
Brompton S Type
Carrera Vengeance Ultimate Ltd
Gary Fisher Aquila '98
Front half of a Viking Saratoga Tandem0 -
What about a second hand Harry Hall frame if you can find one. Alternatively, a 70's Mercian. Either would be good.0