Pre 1999?

[MarioMalc]

A question from a hobby snob.
Has that bike ever been ridden? It looks brand new. There is no noticeable wear on chain, cassette, tyres, saddle. No visible marks on ds chainstay or round the dropouts. Even the jockey wheels look pristine.
No sign of ankle scuffing on the cranks. Pedals look new.
Not the merest hint of cosmetic wear on the paintwork - I wish my bikes were this good.
To my uncultured eye this has either been in storage for a very long time or is a new modern copy.

A few marks, but looks as new

 

[sjcprojects]

@MarioMalc Hopefully this bike will be enough to make you want to stick with road cycling and get an upgrade. As others have said, this is very much a budget 'retro-style' modern bike, and the difference between that and a decent ('retro' or otherwise) bike will be very noticeable, so I hope this one won't put you off!

 

[Sir Neil d'Menture]

At the risk of being shot down, something like this will be a major improvement and is well within the previously mentioned parameters where rubbish resides.
https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/peugeot-athena-653-campagnolo-mavic.468643/

 

[trailstar82]

@MarioMalc welcome to retrobike, I really do hope you stay a while. You will find there is lots of useful information and help on these discussion boards when you need it. Hope this bike gets you out and pedalling far and wide…and when the time comes to upgrade well, there’s no shortage of advice on that front here too ;-)

Modern imitation or period build retro, it doesn’t really matter, if you’re on two wheels having fun who cares

 

[Imlach]

Hey Mario, I see you've riled up the purists within no time at all. Kudos. Think it's a nice looking bike. Ride it and enjoy it, but don't spend money on any upgrades. Most of the stuff on there will work decently and is somewhat serviceable, albeit a lot of lower end stuff. That isn't necessarily a bad thing though, a lot of lower end modern day tat is very good for what it is, alu lumps sold over here are draped in it and many of those bikes see more miles than the patina sniffers garage queen's. If you like riding it, and you start doing servicing of it here and there, perhaps it'll spark more of an interest and before you know it, you will be as crippled with addiction as the majority on here.

*twitches*

Welcome to RB

 

[Imlach]

Also, nothing wrong with modern hi ten frames. They're fine.

 

[grantoury]

Ive just purchased a Viking Clubman which to me looks like a beautiful retro bike. Problem is, I have no idea how to find out it's pedigree, eg, year of manufacture.
Any help gratefully accepted.
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Hi MarioMalc and welcome. That looks like a very honest and unused bicycle, perfect entry level and great value for money. I like the saddle, I have the same one on one of my bikes. It looks like Avocet sports has changed names, but you could send the new outfit a mail with your serial number and see if they can tell you when it was made.

 

[greencat]

Haven't ridden it yet so now looking forward to it with trepidation

It'll be perfectly fine. Just check brakes etc are working properly before you head off. This is by no means a bottom of the barrel bike as some are implying.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

It'll be perfectly fine. Just check brakes etc are working properly before you head off. This is by no means a bottom of the barrel bike as some are implying.

Agreed, in excellent condition too.

 

[novocaine]

whilst it looks vintage it isn't I'm afraid. it's a modern bike, was still being sold last year but stock now appears to have dried up. Avocet own the name, they import acceptable quality bikes (one of mine is from them) and sell them through a parkers of bolton and local bike shops. or did. they've had some money issues and cut back their line up after gaining support another company (Want to say a Swedish company) they own a number of brands, this include insync, viking, coyote, Riddick and a few others.

they are located in Salford.

As to this bike. it's a 400 quid bike that was reduced almost everywhere to 200, the gear shifters are nasty but function, the wheels are heavy and it's a freewheel hub which is a bit pants. is it a top of the line racing bike? nope, is it enough to get out on and just enjoy? yer it is, it's functional. replace bits as they wear out, keep on top of maintenance and you'll be fine. I'd be really tempted to chuck a Chinese produced group set on it and enjoy.

(side note, my avocet is a Coyote and it's done many many happy miles and a few unhappy ones too).

https://ctbikes.co.uk/the-shop/road...ubmaster-gents-road-bike-59cm-frame-700c-red/