Novice seeks advice on 1980s racing bike
rustyjusty
Posts: 35
in Workshop
Yesterday i bought a racing bike, its the first one ive ever owned, im 47 and have previously had mountain bikes etc. Im keen to have a bike that offers a bit more speed on the roads.
I paid £35 off Gumtree for it, see photos attached, its fairly light, around 10kg or so and not sure what the frame is, possibly a 105 or 531, or maybe neither of those. The bike needs work doing, the guy said its been in his shed for 5 years and hed bought it to do up but never got round to it.
Questions: i want to put flat handlebars on it and get rid of the drop handlebars, is that eays to do and what gears should i buy, would a shimano combination brake and gear thumb shifter be suitable? The rear gears are the simplex make, its a ten speed in total.
Front derailleur looks like its seen better days though may work with a bit of work and new gear cables. Im a novice at repairs though keen to learn.
Also, id like to put slightly wider tyres on it, at present its got 700x25, what is the next size up and would they fit the rims i have ? The rims say something like 'Plizer France' though im unsure of what the swirly writing says exactly. Im going to replace the seat to something newer/smaller, will it be a standard seat i need ? The rear wheel has very slight buckling or not quite true and some loosish spokes.
Im guessing bike is from the 1980s
If anyone can advise and or post links to items i can buy off ebay at a good price used or new or decathlon etc or elsewhere for things such as suitable bars and gear shifters, tyres etc it would be much appreciated. Im out of work and funds are fairly limited though i can buy parts as i go, ideally reconditioned second hand parts would be good though maybe not for the tyres.
I paid £35 off Gumtree for it, see photos attached, its fairly light, around 10kg or so and not sure what the frame is, possibly a 105 or 531, or maybe neither of those. The bike needs work doing, the guy said its been in his shed for 5 years and hed bought it to do up but never got round to it.
Questions: i want to put flat handlebars on it and get rid of the drop handlebars, is that eays to do and what gears should i buy, would a shimano combination brake and gear thumb shifter be suitable? The rear gears are the simplex make, its a ten speed in total.
Front derailleur looks like its seen better days though may work with a bit of work and new gear cables. Im a novice at repairs though keen to learn.
Also, id like to put slightly wider tyres on it, at present its got 700x25, what is the next size up and would they fit the rims i have ? The rims say something like 'Plizer France' though im unsure of what the swirly writing says exactly. Im going to replace the seat to something newer/smaller, will it be a standard seat i need ? The rear wheel has very slight buckling or not quite true and some loosish spokes.
Im guessing bike is from the 1980s
If anyone can advise and or post links to items i can buy off ebay at a good price used or new or decathlon etc or elsewhere for things such as suitable bars and gear shifters, tyres etc it would be much appreciated. Im out of work and funds are fairly limited though i can buy parts as i go, ideally reconditioned second hand parts would be good though maybe not for the tyres.
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Marin Nail Trail
Cotic Solaris
TBH, you might not want to hear this, but I would not be spending money upgrading that bike - you are likely to encounter compatibility issues with whatever you buy for it. Assuming it is rideable, I would just ride it as it is..
https://www.facebook.com/halecivic/posts/pictured-here-is-doug-hartley-in-1985-outside-his-specialist-cycle-shop-which-wa/2467279666725243/
Make sure its safe, ride it. Good luck with job situ.
I have seen people put flat handlebars on racing bikes. I dont like the drop handlbars, id like not only flat handlebars but also higher up, so would i need a longer riser bar ?
As for the gears i could leave them in place. If i was to replace them with thumbshift gears would i need to replace the front and back deraiileur too ?
In the meantime how much would i be looking at for a second hand flat bar off ebay and maybe longer riser bar that the flats attach too ?
Recycling place as well. Gumtree/Craig's List/charity shops. Even ask at the LBS if they know of anything.
Keep your eye out and you may pick up a whole bike, strip what you want off it, dump/pass on whats left.
To fit flat bars, take off drops and cables, slide in flat bars and "new" shifters and brake levers, set up, ride off.
Again, as above.
EBay is a tad iffy now tbh. Not all the bargaintastic it was.
Instagramme
Ive not owned a racing bike before so i want to see if its faster for getting around on the roads
Mechs may not need to changed if you get friction shifters.
If the GT is ashitter then take what you want off it, pass on the rest?
Or fit skinny slicks to the GT for best of both worlds at minimal cost?