What's what with road bikes?

AR-CoolC

Retrobike Rider
So, sinse getting back on my bike propperly this year I keep getting drawn towards road bikes, but not having a raod bike sinse I was a teenager (late 80's) I know the sqaure root of sweet FA about them.

So could you lot in the know go over the what's what please?

I'm thinking more along the lines of late 90's bikes, I'd really like a Bianchi like I had in the 80's but I guess that will be out of my price range nowadays.

What sort of money does a half decent 90's bike (that was a top amature bike when new) cost now? there seems to be so much on here and Ebay it is getting me more confused the more I read. :roll:

Should I be looking at aluminium or steel? what group sets? what wheels?

Anyway, that's enough for now, I'm sure the replies will generate more questions.
 
your asking a tough question , expect to pay up to £500 for a good quality bike , unless you are happy on a cheep retro , and spending your money on keeping that going .

if ever you wanted to try a couple of old retro racers and are passing near by give me a shout always got a couple kicking around
 
You can spend what ever you want on a retro. Also do not discount modern bikes there are some built to a classic design and are not carbon everything.
 
Steel is luckily making something of a comeback, thanks mainly to the fixie crowd, which is nice because I personally can't stand the looks of carbon fibre.

If you're just dipping your toes so to speak I'd set a budget of say £150 and try and get something in good nick with something like 531 and get a feel for it, if you like it you then can either upgrade or trade in.
 
Garuf":2i8h6jh4 said:
Steel is luckily making something of a comeback, thanks mainly to the fixie crowd, which is nice because I personally can't stand the looks of carbon fibre.

If you're just dipping your toes so to speak I'd set a budget of say £150 and try and get something in good nick with something like 531 and get a feel for it, if you like it you then can either upgrade or trade in.

+1. Keep an eye out for something half-decent in a full (frame & forks) 531 tube set, should give good value for money and heaps of fun into the bargain.

David
 
Thanks for the replies so far chaps, it gives me a few things to think about.

What did Carlton do in this area? they were more 70's and 80's weren't they? My sirname is Carlton, so it feels apt to look at them too :LOL:
 
AR-CoolC":1w0mroi5 said:
Thanks for the replies so far chaps, it gives me a few things to think about.

What did Carlton do in this area? they were more 70's and 80's weren't they? My sirname is Carlton, so it feels apt to look at them too :LOL:

Carlton disappeared in the early 80s with the closure of the Worksop site and transfer of production to the Lightweight Unit at Raleigh's main Lenton site. A model such as the Carlton Pro-Am might well fit the bill. Things to watch for on bikes of this age are a lack of some of the braze-ons (water bottle & lever mounts) that we take for granted on more modern frames, nutted rather than allen key brake fittings, and rear triangles spaced for narrower rear axles than the modern 130mm standard. Go further back still and your frame may be built for 27-inch diameter wheels rather than the current 700c road bike sizing.

David
 
I keep seeing nice road Peugeots selling for affordable prices (sub £150) on ebay. I'd try for one of them if I was in the market for something. Still possible to get a 90s Bianchi for maybe double that figure depending on condition and equipment :D

I'm likely to be selling a 24" Dave Yates built bike (made for Flying Scot) soon if that's of any interest :D
 
Hi AR :) In a nut shell buddy your problem will come down to this, " If you buy a cheap bike, are not very bike / road bike savvy, your chances on hitting the jackpot of a real good 1 are going to be slim. Lets say you had already bought such a bike, rode it a few times and hated it because basically it was crap. What then my friend ?

I suspect it'll put you off buying again ?

Ultimately buddy, there as some excellent trustworthy people on here, who, upon knowing your budget can source you something / sell you 1 of theirs. I did this for a chap I met on here not so long ago, sold him 1 of mine I had just finished building. He got the bargain of a lifetime, but I don't mind, he just wanted a bike ... to ride :) If he ever sells it, he'll get back double what he paid. Just happy to have helped the guy out :)

I have 4 bikes here ready to be offloaded because I keep seeing others that I like. Do you see what I mean re: buy a crap 1 get put off ? I can build bikes from scratch, but even I get it wrong sometimes, thats why your question is a toughie.

I'd recommend you buy betwen £250 - £350, this I guarantee will buy you a seriously good bike. Above that price you are heading into rarity / specials. For £350 a good 531 can be built kitted with Campagnolo. Hope this helps some, yours Laz.

Edit: I have a 1982 Bonavia coming through my rebuild shop right now. It is a 57cm - 58cm frame (for someone 5'10" -6' 2") Campagnolo SR Fmech/Rmech, Campy Chorus BB, Campagnolo 3arm chrome 53-42, All top quality parts. Basically Campagnolo throughout. Not even been re-sprayed yet so you can pick your colours. This is the kind of bike to expect for £350... £450 (if it gets chromed rear stays & forks). yours Laz
 
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