Which bike for my first project

[CamdenFC]

Looking for my first bike project and want a good-looking (colour is important) steel framed bike to turn into a road/tourer.

I'm currently looking at the following on ebay.

Any thoughts on which to go for?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/126666698606?ul_noapp=true

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/156404329971?_trksid=p4375194.c101952.m162921

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/375559171793

Any tips appreciated!

 

[bikeworkshop]

The Pearson.
The other 2 are low low quality.
A historic paint scheme or an iconic typeface do not make a nice riding bike.

Additionally the Pearson will have decent tyre/guard clearance, will be hand-built 531 and the canti bosses allow you to fit brakes that might actually stop a loaded bike by the bottom of Porlock Hill

The other 2 ought to be recycled

 

[CTK]

Pearson looks great.

 

[sam_white]

Actually that Holdsworth is an Equipe. I've had mine for around 20 years and it's covered thousands of miles, including a century or two. Looks a bit expensive at £110.
Mine has always been a fixed gear, built with mudguards. Has made a great winter bike. Used to commute 30 miles a day on it during the Winter.

 

[novocaine]

The Pearson.
The other 2 are low low quality.
A historic paint scheme or an iconic typeface do not make a nice riding bike.

Additionally the Pearson will have decent tyre/guard clearance, will be hand-built 531 and the canti bosses allow you to fit brakes that might actually stop a loaded bike by the bottom of Porlock Hill

The other 2 ought to be recycled

the Holdsworth's alright but rather steep (as is the fork rake, I suspect it's been in a little bump).

the pearson though is the clear winner.

 

[CamdenFC]

Thanks very much! Appreciate the help

For future - what alerted you to the low quality of the other bikes?

 

[Woz]

Personally I would stay clear from all of them and hang on for something else or put a wanted ad here.

The Pearson looks the most promising in the first round of nice legs, but:
- no bottle cage bosses
- extensive rust (internal at the BB)
- I suspect those canti-lever bosses are for much older original Mafac style canti-lever brakes;



- Your brake choice will be limited and pretty sure you wouldn't be able to try MTB canti-levers or V-brakes if you so wanted.
- Rear derailleur hanger thread and stop will need properly checking.

For £120 pretty sure you can get better in better condition for a first project.

A complete bike to restore is always economically best if you are starting from zero / an empty parts box.

It's a buyer's market too at the moment.

 

[CamdenFC]

Hmmm... I don't suppose anyone has seen something better for a project for a 5'9 rider?

 

[winjohn]

Not your size but this was available on here last week

https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/mercian-reynolds-531-competition-58cm-c-to-t-seat-tube-cantilever-vgc-with-headset-and-mercian-stem-£125-00.486626/

I bought it and it is a 1994 bike frame with no rust from one of the premier British bike firms. Wait around and something will turn up or place a wanted ad here on the appropriate forum. You can do better than those three.

First bike clearly been in a heavy smash, second bike was from the US so high postage costs for a cheap bike and the Pearson was the pick of the bunch but for your first project something a little newer 90s or perhaps mid 80s onwards would probably be easier in terms of components and condition.

 

[bikeworkshop]

what alerted you to the low quality of the other bikes?

As a rule, stamped dropouts
Indicate low quality, as opposed to cast:

Crimped seatstay ends

likewise, as opposed to brazed caps: