30
votes
Accepted
Is it worth buying a high end light bike (8.5 kg) from 80' vs recent mid range bike (10kg)
Although I support keeping older bikes in circulation in general, this particular bike comes with some caveats. One of my riding buddies had a very similar bike.
The Vitus 979 is a bonded aluminum ...
- 30k
24
votes
What is this device attached to the seat-tube?
It appears to be a clamp-on pump peg that got moved down out of the way either intentionally or from coming loose.
- 85.2k
19
votes
Is it worth buying a high end light bike (8.5 kg) from 80' vs recent mid range bike (10kg)
Depends what is your goal, but personally, I'd go for the modern one. Maybe for this budget, you can find something second hand with Shimano 105, that would be also an option.
The reasons are:
weight ...
- 20.2k
14
votes
Accepted
What is this device attached to the seat-tube?
Are you sure the upper part has not been sliding down such that we can really take a clue from the distance between the two parts? I suspect that the two parts of the fixture are meant to hold an air ...
- 1,959
12
votes
Accepted
tubular tire replacement
No, as offered by @NoCo, is the correct answer. This merely offers some additional information.
When you're talking about "normal tires," you mean clincher tires with tubes. These will ...
- 31.5k
12
votes
Vintage Armstrong Bike - Garden fixure?
It's a rather nice looking functional bike with probably a 3-speed hub. It seems rather a shame to turn something that's quite attractive and functional into a piece to survive the weather/seasons in ...
- 13.9k
12
votes
Trying to match up a new seat for my bicycle and having difficulty finding one that will work
Its a Giant Sedona, probably from the 2000's.
But that information is not very useful for replacing the saddle. If you look up underneath the saddle, there will be two parallel rails, and the ...
- 124k
12
votes
Trying to match up a new seat for my bicycle and having difficulty finding one that will work
The stickers tell you it's a Giant Sedona. To me it looks like a fairly old model (they still make a similar hybrid under that name, but with suspension).
But you don't need the model details to ...
- 58.9k
12
votes
Accepted
Can anyone identify this elderly tandem from the badge (pictured)
That's the remnants of a Raleigh headbadge.
- 4,102
11
votes
Accepted
Why are post ~'80s bike finishes so "dull"?
This is not a complete answer, but one factor certainly is that nowadays bikes often use powder coating as their finish, rather than liquid paint.
Powder coating has signifcant advantages over paint (...
- 2,319
11
votes
Is it worth buying a high end light bike (8.5 kg) from 80' vs recent mid range bike (10kg)
I'll weigh in as the single person in this thread who actually seems to have ridden, and owned, multiple Vituses. I love them, always have, mainly for their history, their gorgeous looks, their light ...
- 111
11
votes
Accepted
Removing and re-using a Shimano Tourney deraileur hanger - vintage road bike
The claw adapter piece of the Tourney you have isn't designed to be removable in any way. All you need is one of these, called a claw adapter:
- 85.2k
10
votes
75-year old new rider needs advice
There are three common causes for erratic steering at low speed.
A possible cause, but the least likely, is that the head stem is too tight. When not on the bike try turning the handlebars. If the ...
- 17.3k
10
votes
Accepted
Judging a bicycle show
Some things i would consider, some could possibly be grouped together. Perhaps others can add on with more answers.
Custom Class
Originality/Creativity
Function
*Can you actually ride it semi ...
- 9,262
10
votes
Accepted
Do forged alloy crank arms suffer from age-related fatigue?
Aluminum has no fatigue limit and thus it is impossible to make an aluminum bike part that won't fail with enough use.
Fatigue accumulates with load, not time.
Good forged cranks with designs that ...
- 85.2k
10
votes
Trying to identify vintage English bike maker
I think this answers your question.
Your headbadge is slightly different, probably older.
See also https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunbeam_Cycles
Also http://historywebsite.co.uk/Museum/Transport/...
- 13.9k
10
votes
Vintage road bike with scratched-up bird logo
Thanks to Criggie's sharp eyes spotting the word "Coventry"
From a forum thread here is a match on the head badge
The decals on the bike look similar but the lug work looks different.
Here ...
- 21.3k
10
votes
Accepted
Two ill-repair bikes into one?
It is probably possible. It is the kind of thing where going through it as a beginner is likely going to take a long time and present some unexpected hurdles. It would be a good thing to do for ...
- 85.2k
9
votes
Carbon frame that is designed for strength and durability rather than lightness?
Why produce a heavy but durable carbon frame if one can have a heavy and durable steel frame that is cheaper? Apparently there are no (mass) buyers for such technology.
The bicycle industry is mainly ...
- 14.3k
9
votes
What is the “clip ring” part on my hubs?
Is there a small hole that was covered by the ring? If so it covers a lubrication port. Many old Raleigh, and other utility type hubs came with such a port.
- 18.6k
9
votes
How to improve/restore vintage Peugeot bike, or is it even worth it?
This is often called "the slippery slope of knock-on upgrades" which can get expensive quickly.
There are two simple and relatively cheap upgrades to try.
Replace the brake pad inserts with modern ...
- 124k
9
votes
How to improve/restore vintage Peugeot bike, or is it even worth it?
If you are planning to ride the bike, replace the handlebar stem
- 22k
9
votes
Accepted
Vintage bike, new chain
The derailleur in the second picture does not look over extended. If the derailleur has some movement left in that position then it's OK. If it's up against the limits and is being bent then you will ...
- 75.7k
9
votes
Replacing vintage bike tyres
No, that person was confused and you have it right. A new 700x25 tire will fit the same as what you have. Often 40 year old wheels will need new rim strips while you're at it.
- 85.2k
9
votes
Why have MTB tyres with strong front / back design disappeared?
They haven't
https://www.schwalbe.com/en/mtb-reader/eddy-current-rear
"FRONT:
• Reliable cornering grip paired with high braking traction.
• Excellent transmission of steering corrections ...
- 4,230
9
votes
Is it worth buying a high end light bike (8.5 kg) from 80' vs recent mid range bike (10kg)
If I were buying a vintage frame (and assuming that it fits), I would generally be more inclined to buy a steel one. I'm not a vintage expert, but the Vitus 979 appears to be an early aluminum frame.
...
- 31.5k
9
votes
Removing and re-using a Shimano Tourney deraileur hanger - vintage road bike
Your plan won't work sorry. I did exactly the same, removing a claw adapter from a slogged-out tourney derailleur.
It was a press-fit, not a threadded fit, and the hole is too big to take the thread ...
- 124k
9
votes
Dropout damage mystery, how to fix it? [Photos and videos]
Looks likely the main problem you have is caused by the left side axle protruding too far, meaning the QR would not have clamped the dropout. You need to center the axle.
The other answers go into ...
- 50.5k
9
votes
Can anyone tell me anything about "The James" bicycles?
If "The James" means The James Cycle Co Ltd, of England;
From Wikipedia
The James Cycle Co Ltd., Greet, Birmingham, England, was one of many British cycle and motorcycle makers based in the ...
- 21.3k
8
votes
75-year old new rider needs advice
I'm 68 - a few years younger. I picked up cycling 6 months ago after a near 50 year break.
I have mild MS and a balance problem.
As Andy and others have mentioned - practice, practice. The balance ...
- 75
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible