Dissapointment with retro bike performance RESOLVED!!!!

[retrojohm65]

as an ebay buyer collector of retro bikes I've often found that the look style and history of a bike often has been far more exhilarating than the performance!

after 25 years i worked it out... Answer... 1.75" tyres with a smallish tread an most importantly 75+ psi

i aint joking when i say ive tried almost every tyre and pressure from Tioga city slicker 1.25" to Panaracer Megablater 2.silly

all i can tell you is that for road use you feel like the wind is at your back even when it isn't!
and i went to my local shops in top gear only something i'd have no chance with a fatter offroad tyre at any pressure!

can't wait to try with my 1987 raleigh with biopace

 

[ishaw]

I thought this was going to be a post about this website

 

[doctor-bond]

I'd agree with your first point (that many retro bikes are sluggish); but not your cure.

If you are a collector of retro bikes rather than someone with one all-rounder, the secret is to use the right bike for the job: for road riding use a road bike; for off-road riding use a mountain bike.

After that, I'd say the best way to banish sluggishness is by reducing unsprung weight, closely followed by increasing the quality of frame material.

Tyre pressure is a bit like clothing: choose the right level for your bike and the conditions.

 

[merckx]

not much chop for off road riding though. try a road bike, 700c and 25mm tyres.....then you will feel fast

 

[videojetman]

i can honestly say this is the fastest retro bike i have ridden, and with the continental tyres it goes like a bullet.
and its used daily.

 

[Raging_Bulls]

The key isn't tyre pressure, it's painstaking attention to detail during maintenance and overhauls. My old bikes roll just as easily as my modern.

Such high pressures on the tyres may decrease rolling resistance, but the resistance from badly maintained wheel bearings is far greater, nevermind a bad BB or a chain that needs to be lubricated.
The high pressure also has a side-effect : reduced grip, both longitudinal and lateral. Not really a problem on small tyres, but on wider ones the difference is huge.

 

[LesterOfPuppets]

Country Rocks do rock!

I like taking them out on the trails too. You do slide out on most corners if you roll same speed as with knobblies but that's part of the fun!

I have full blown slicks in 1.25" on my grocery getter:


Black Baron Day 8 by Lester Of Puppets, on Flickr

 

[WD Pro]

85 psi :

WD

 

[legrandefromage]

'Road' Zaskars are great bikes too...

 

[retrojohm65]

love all the response

this is a debate for me thats gone on for years i posted a you tube on comparing performance with different frames etc, so as far as the maintainance side all is pretty much consistent, i've researched the "tyre sweet spot" etc but the fact remains with these tyres at these pressures I can ride all day long in the very highest gears, and fast and with any of the other combos ive never been able to! and across the board from my old carbon 8700 trek, various marins, speccies, kona, rocky mountains (ive never owned a cannondale, unfortunately)

honestly try a set of these or similar you will see the light!

my next question is does anyone have any secret tips on bearing grease or products