Help me find a Bargain
rubertoe
Posts: 3,994
Basically,
I am after a steel bike; Vintage/Retro and probably British.
I am not sure what and i don't want to break the bank. It has to be Reynolds 531 or above and it has to be cheap as chips. I think i am looking for something that i can Tour on and do long Audax type riding. So no single speeds.
I dont mind a frame that is a bit rough but it has to be straight with no dents or dings.
I ride a 53cm road bike and get confused by the sizing of imperial bikes.
i am handy with a spanner so will be happy to take on a project but ultimately it has to be cheap.
HELP ME
I am after a steel bike; Vintage/Retro and probably British.
I am not sure what and i don't want to break the bank. It has to be Reynolds 531 or above and it has to be cheap as chips. I think i am looking for something that i can Tour on and do long Audax type riding. So no single speeds.
I dont mind a frame that is a bit rough but it has to be straight with no dents or dings.
I ride a 53cm road bike and get confused by the sizing of imperial bikes.
i am handy with a spanner so will be happy to take on a project but ultimately it has to be cheap.
HELP ME
"If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."
PX Kaffenback 2 = Work Horse
B-Twin Alur 700 = Sundays and Hills
PX Kaffenback 2 = Work Horse
B-Twin Alur 700 = Sundays and Hills
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Comments
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something like this but £100<
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-1980s-RALEIGH-RECORD-ACE-ROAD-BIKE-TOURER-REYNOLDS-531-SHIMANO-600-/201417432928?hash=item2ee56a1f60"If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."
PX Kaffenback 2 = Work Horse
B-Twin Alur 700 = Sundays and Hills0 -
The touring issue needs to be thought about as it limits options a lot (ie braze ons etc).
For a good value British 531 I was once told to look for Raleigh Record Aces (older than the one you linked to) or the Carlton Pro Am which is really forgotten - eg this gatepost version that is attracting no interest at £100 - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Carlton-Pro-Am-531-framed-bicycle-/141763172979?hash=item2101be5a73
Here is a sold one that made a huge £40 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Carlton-Pro-am-12-Road-Bike-21inch-Frame-/221864164086?hash=item33a8227af6&nma=true&si=8XxQH7QdyWr3TZzsx9tBGxP1lWM%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
Nobody really remembers the Pro Am so they only make decent money if the advert is good.
I ended up with a 1980 RRA full of Suntour loveliness -
I rather love it - it lives at my parents and is hard work on the Sussex hills but always a nice thing to ride.
But if touring is wanted then you need a tourer. And then the common options are Dawes Galaxy, Raleigh Randonneur or Royal (and Touriste if you don't mind 531 main tubes only) or Claud Butler Dalesman. I bought a 1987 Randonneur and the brazing was vastly superior to that of my Dawes Horizon. These are rarer and better known so cost more on Ebay but the gearing is vastly kinder.Faster than a tent.......0 -
Try advertising locally and see what turns up. I put a note on our intranet at work about two mid '80s peugeots that were gently rusting away in the bike shed, and have ended up with those two, plus a 1990 peugeot kids racer, and a 1953 raleigh for the princely total of £15 and 3 bottles of beer. Not what you're looking for and they need a fair bit of work to restore but you might get lucky.0
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Also worth posting on Retrobike forums.Faster than a tent.......0
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That could end up a real bargain!Faster than a tent.......0 -
I'm in the same boat. Would love a 531 in 21 or 22 inch. Race preferably. I've been on Retrobike, some good stuff over there. eBay is hit and miss, need something local to me (Rotherham). Depending on the guitars I can sell (and maybe my Giant CRS Hybrid) I'd go to £150.0
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That could end up a real bargain!
I did bid....."If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."
PX Kaffenback 2 = Work Horse
B-Twin Alur 700 = Sundays and Hills0 -
Well I've managed to get a Carlton Grand Prix from about 1980 for £50. Fair condition. The guy threw in a nicer Suntour rear mech too. Need to give it the once over. Bar tape needed and it may get a Charge Spoon in white. It'll probably need new tyres and inners. Not getting a full refurb, I like its current patina. Will try and get some pics through the week.0
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Same as this but mine isn't in that kinda condition. That's from Retrobike. It has a World Champions 1979 sticker on it so has to be 80/81. Need t have a proper look at the frame for a serial. It looks like something is stamped under the BB but it's very faI think and I can only see 2 numbers.0 -
Serial is on the seat tube. August 1980! Nottingham built. Wanted a Worksop one!
I have just scored a Raleigh Team Cadet too...0 -
Serial is on the seat tube. August 1980! Nottingham built. Wanted a Worksop one!
I think you'd need one with a Reynolds frame for it to come from Worksop.Faster than a tent.......0 -
Yes, although having just got a 1985 Raleigh Team Corsa 12 with full 501 that might now be a moot point! I'd certainly like one of the more vintage 70's Worksop Carltons to use for more touring orientated stuff. They look great in full touring regalia.0
