In Praise of Older Bikes!

     During the splendid cycling weather in late summer and early fall, I was pedalling my carbon fibre Trek 5000 (below) along Ontario's Oak Ridges Moraine, when it occurred to me that among my current inventory of ten bikes this was the only "new" one. Then with something of a shock, I realized that in this case "new" meant 8 years old! Upon further reflection I came to the realization  and with an even greater shock that my second newest bike is 22 years old. I therefore decided to go through my bike inventory and give a brief description and provenance of each. 

1). 2005 Carbon Fibre Trek 5000.

Trek 5000 18 speed road race bicycle; purchased new in 2005. It features the same frame as that used by Lance Armstrong and others in the 1999 Tour de France. 

Extremely light -about 17 pounds. Note hollow pedal shaft.

2). 1991 Shogun Prairie Breaker.

 21 speed Shogun Prairie Breaker "Team Issue" mountain bike was bought new in 1991. At the time this model was top of the Shogun line and used by their factory race team. I used it for several years thrashing around the rugged trails and hills in the region. Having miraculously survived the appalling abuse it has now been somewhat tamed. 

Now "civilised' with new bars, gear-shifters and road tyres it used for local trail riding, shopping and everyday transport .

Also used for local tours and general transport as part of my camping ensemble.

3). 1987 Bianchi Vittoria.

Purchased new in 1987, this Bianchi Vittoria was my first real racing bike. In 2000 the original 12 speed Campagnolo Victory was updated with an 18 speed Campagnolo Veloce group. Always a favorite it has been ridden further than any of my other bikes. The precise total is not known but well over 30000km.  

As can be seen, the original Bianchi Celeste colour has withstood the rigours remarkably well

The Veloce chainwheel and front derailleur.

4). 1975 Dawes Kingpin.

Purchased new in England in 1975, was originally configured as a no-nonsense heavy shopping bike. Modified in 2000 to "hot rod" status with alloy rims, seat post, stem, bullhorn handlebars plus Profile TT bars, high performance tyres, Pantour suspension front hub. Complete Campagnolo Victory 6-speed rear derailleur transmission removed from the Bianchi (above), . Modifications saved 10 lb over the original! Over several years used on occasions on club rides with conventional bicycles.   

2012 shot showing revised water bottle cage and pump mount. Front wheel with Shimano 105 hub.


In addition to normal road riding used as back up for towing a WIKE shopping trailer

Current configuration in December 2013 with upright bars, Primo Comet tyres and a Shimano 105 rear derailleur . 

5). 1987 Norco Monterey

 12-speed Norco Monterey bought for the good reputation of the frame and fork. Rebuilt from ground up as a lightweight "credit card" tourer with new wheels including 8-speed Shimano internal hub, Axiom mudguards and rear rack, "recycled" 1980 Campagnolo brakes, chainwheel and cranks.

   

With Cannondale panniers fitted.


Shimano Nexus 8-speed hub installation


6). 1980 Nishiki Ultimate.

 1980 12 speed Nishiki Ultimate featuring race frame and forks acquired locally for conversion into a high performance "fixie".


Fixed gear Nishiki. Ridden extensively for 8 years in this configuration.

2013 conversion into an early 20th century "Scorcher" lookalike. Glossy black powder-coated frame and forks and Schwalbe Cream Delta Cruiser tyres

Three quarter view showing brass bell -plus period handlebars.


7). 1973 Raleigh Twenty.

One of two 1973 Raleigh Twenty folders purchased from "Africycle", an humanitarian charity which supports cycling initiatives in Malawi.  This one has been restored to original specification except for tyres.

Now in daily use as "exective transport" for my daughter who is CEO of a therapeutic farm which caters to people with various mental and physical challenges.

She sometimes picks up hitch hikers too!


8). 1973 Raleigh Twenty.

Second Raleigh Twenty folder which has been modified with new lighter wheels, seatpost, stem and handlebars. mudguards removed and gearing lowered. Total weight saving 6lb. Excellent for local riding and towing WIKE trailer (behind). See also previous description of Dawes Kingpin.

Manufacturing date of the Sturmey Archer hub on hub shell (73:1)


Schwalbe tyres are fitted to both Raleigh Twenties


9). & 10). 1973 Mens & 1979 Ladies Raleigh Sports.

Two Raleigh Sports were acquired at no charge!! They had been stored in a saw mill for about 30 years and were about to be scrapped! Underneath all the sawdust and surface detritus two very restorable bikes appeared.

1973 men's Raleigh Sports after restoration


The chrome is nearly as it was when new.


1979 ladies Raleigh Sports after restoration.


Chrome work and paint restored to nearly new condition.



A,amazing what a bit of TLC can accomplish

The ladies Raleigh Sports was manufactured in Canada (see sticker on bottom of seat tube).

Both bicycles are now in virtually as-new condition and ready for another 40 years of service!

My daughter and me riding the two Raleigh Sports in the Toronto Tweed Ride.

That concludes my current  inventory. However to conclude, here are several additional bicycles that have recently formed part of it but have now moved on; 

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11). 1990-ish Universal Folder

1990 or thereabouts Polish built Universal folder. When received it was non-operational, but a few hours of maintenance returned it to riding condition. Lacks the build quality and durability of the Raleigh folders. Since it was of little use to me, it was donated to Africycle.  

Quite a compact fold but the hinge could be better.

12). 2003 Urbanite Tourer

2003 Urbanite Tourer was purchased new from Urbane Cycles in Toronto. It was custom built to my specification as a full-on touring bicycle. However, as I am not likely to carry out any more loaded touring I disposed of it when I had built up the lighter and simpler Norco Monterey described above. The purchaser has a very fine machine that if looked after will last indefinitely.

It is also a fine all-season bicycle!

13). 1991 Miele Lupa.

My first attempt at a "fixie" Built up using my daughter's Miele Lupa frame and forks.

Very successful but a bit small for me.

14). 1991 Concorde Squadra.

Vintage Concorde Squadra frame and forks.  Amazingly acquired free of charge!! This design was used by the Dutch PDM national team between 1986 and 1992 including winning 1991 World Road Race Championship. Same frame size as Miele. Built up as a "fixie" using components transferred from the Miele Lupa above and given to my daughter. A beautiful machine!  

15). 1987-ish Velosport Courier 12.

!987 era Velosport Courier 12 speed. Overhauled and used initially as a single-speed shopping bike.

After purchase of trailer and fitting trailer attachment to Raleigh Twenty and Dawes Kingpin, this bike became redundant. Given to Africycle with derailleurs and panniers fitted. In excellent condition and perfect for use in Malawi.  

WIKE trailer rendered baskets redundant. High top tube and rear basket make mounting and dismounting difficult. The small wheeled folders with a step through frame are much more suited to the shopping role 

16). Brike recumbent tricycle. 

Last but not least a bizarre recumbent front wheel drive lean-steer tricycle called the Brike. Very cheaply constructed and aimed mainly at the younger set at campgrounds etc. Equipped as a single-speed and with an ineffective coaster brake. Much time spent in an attempt to make it roadworthy, including fitting of three speed Sturmey Archer internal gear, caliper front brake, new rear wheel with internal "roller brake", prototype of new seat. Many efforts made to improve the steering.  

View showing new rear wheel with roller brake and rear view of my revised seat concept. Design scheme to straighten the rear wheels was drawn up

Eventually ridden on roads but poor handling at speeds over 20 kph plus overall mediocre design and materials eventually caused me to lose interest. After deciding to part with it, a purchaser showed up immediately!