Brand suggestions for Vintage steel frame

[Klierslc]

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/bik/3506217106.html


Anybody have any thoughts on the old Steyr Clubman? I read somewhere that it isn't a great quality bike, but haven't been able to confirm that...

If it is reasonable quality, I think this one fits the bill pretty well...

[Squatchout]

This bike didn't cost anywhere near the asking price when it was new and it's not collectable really. Probably $150 new. When a decent club racer was $300. Low end bike shop bike when new. Euro competition for a Schwinn Varsity/Continental. 3 spider cranks are pretty flexable/weak usually compared to 5. The plastic Simplex derailuers were on everything but weren't very good new and the shifters constantly slip. It's probably straight gauge seamed tubing. It has stamped sheet metal drop outs. I'd get something with a real drop out myself. This was a typical early bike boom bike from the 1st gas crisis through the mid '70s. Good part it's clean and probably has hardly ever been ridden. Can you have fun on it? Of course. But too much money for this bike. Worth about $100 IMO. It's a thrift store special in really good shape. This is the kind of bike a poor kid bike junkie like me rode in Jr High while dreaming of Raleighs and Masi's. For that kind of money I'd hold out for something from about '75 on with Suntour VX/VGT or especially Cyclone derailuers. Cheap, pretty and shifted well. 1 piece seatpost and no safety (SIC) brake levers. This is probably a pretty slow handling bike. In general bikes in this price range got better handling in the later '70s. In the last 3 months I've seen 2 clean Raleigh Super Courses for less money on Local CL. Big step up in quality. When I worked in a shop in the late '80s we called the Puchs(pukes). Ok bikes but that's all and pretty heavy for what they were. Not sure exactly what you are looking for. Your OP suggests more bike than this. I think patience will reward you with a better ride for that kind of money.

This is the kind of bike that always cracks me up on CL. Folks think that because it's old it's worth more than they paid for it 30 years ago. Asking good money for cheap bikes while others are selling good frames with real components for less because enthusiats want new stuff. Bikes have always had value issues with the general public non rider. If they are buying they think bikes all cost $100 new. But if they are selling and it's old it's vintage and $$$ Always been that way and getting worse.

Just my $.02

[Klierslc]

Thanks for the insight! Solid info on these bikes has been pretty slim (or blocked by gov computers) I'll definitely pass on this one. I have been keeping an eye out all over SoCal and have found 15 or so bikes that perfectly fit the bill--none in my size. No hurry though...

Thanks again!
Dan

[Flagster]

I picked up a Shogun prairie breaker ii...a couple years back when I was living up in Seattle...talk about CL bike heaven...
I have always been a fan of shoguns...it was my first road bike...had a 24" or 650 front wheel paired with a 700 rear...can't remember...I thought I was so cool

[Klierslc]

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/ssd/bik/3554017319.html

Any thoughts on this Bottecchia?

This is just about perfect but listed as a 58cm. My calibrated eyeball tells me that it is a 61cm. Am I off?

[Klierslc]

Paint scheme matches my 2000 Lemond as well...3G13m83N75Gf5E45J8d1i8babb4a44e6019c9.jpg3E13J83Na5N75I25F8d1i727669cff48a1526.jpg3I83J53N85N45E55Fdd1ie02b653b0ee416af.jpg3K93Lf3H95Nb5Ic5Fcd1i8a27e69ebb561692.jpglemond fram.jpg

[Klierslc]

Grrr....

Research shows it to be most likely not worth $300--straight gauge tubing, entry level group. I still like it though....

[Klierslc]

Decided to pass on the Bottecchia. I did find a 1978 Motobecane Grand Jubilee well within my price range. Research shows it to have Japanese components with standard/modern sizes and threading. Vitus double butted tubing. Any thoughts?

[Klierslc]

Well, it isn't really a touring bike, but this is what I ended up with. It doesn't have the rack eyelet or the chromed chainstays, but the Columbus tubing and shimano 600 group made the decision easy... By all appearances it is an 1987 Benotto Modelo 2500--2nd bike down in their hierarchy.3F83M13H85L95Nc5K3d2e54f402290a0214ae.jpg3Lb3I53Na5I95F35Jad2e374366ad51821106.jpg