2nd hand / refurbished racers

[kennyc]

Returning to cycling after many years away. Looking for a 5,10 or 12 speed racer, drop bar handelbar. A second hand refurbished bike I think is what I need.

Anyone any ideas where I might get one in uk.

Kenny Campbell

 

[RedBike]

Looking for a 5,10 or 12 speed racer

As far as I know they don't exist anymore so it will have to be second-hand.

Most racers now have either an 8,9 or 10 sprocket cassette. In the case of the 10 sprocket cassette the bike will be either 20 or 30 speed depending on if you have a double or triple chainset.

 

[4F]

I got my 12 speed on e bay for less than £ 40. Reynolds 531 and rides like a dream

 

[beanzontoast]

Obvously, in any situation where you can't try the bike physically before buying, watch out. There can be all sorts of things wrong with a second-hand bike from the trivial to the downright dangerous and it's unlikely you'll spot a problem from a photograph.

 

[John the Monkey]

A local LBS that you trust, or the local free ads, maybe? There are companies that specialise in doing up old bikes;

eg;
http://www.specialbike.co.uk/

but you'll pay more.

 

[gbb]

http://www.friday-ad.co.uk/ is a good local source of second hand bikes. You can refine your search locally or a little further afield if you wish.
Some good bargains in there occasionally.

 

[Hilldodger]

Where are you? We're in sunny Leicester

We've got loads of them either refurbished or awaiting refurbishment.

www.cyclemagic.org.uk

 

[Ludwig]

Loads of really good used classic lightweight racers about. I got a s/h Italian classic with Columbus tubing from a bike shop for £40 and have done about 2,000 miles without having to touch it. The lightweight steel bikes from the 70's and 80's are far better than the cheap bland aluminium offerings of today. All you may have to do is replace the rear freewheel hub with a cassette hub and donk an 8 or 9 speed on it which can be done very cheaply.
Check newsagents windows, charity shops, car boots and even try a "gents racer wanted" ad in your local freesheet.

 

[Over The Hill]

Returning to cycling after many years away. Looking for a 5,10 or 12 speed racer, drop bar handelbar. A second hand refurbished bike I think is what I need.

Anyone any ideas where I might get one in uk.

Kenny Campbell

If you are returning to cycling then you are certainly in need of more than 12 gears unless you live in Holland.
MOVE WITH THE TIMES
Returning to cycling onto a road bike you really would be best getting three cogs on the front and older bikes will have seven (ish) on the back. If you end up using only five of the 21 you have then great. The bike with 21 gears can be yours for the cost of a tank of fuel so go with it.

You will see very few (keen) cyclists with a 5 gear bike because they are shite compared to a modern bike. Get alloy too by the way - I am guessing you were thinking of something made out of old railway lines.

Have you still got a casette player in your car?

 

[RedBike]

If you are returning to cycling then you are certainly in need of more than 12 gears unless you live in Holland.
MOVE WITH THE TIMES
Returning to cycling onto a road bike you really would be best getting three cogs on the front and older bikes will have seven (ish) on the back. If you end up using only five of the 21 you have then great. The bike with 21 gears can be yours for the cost of a tank of fuel so go with it.

You will see very few (keen) cyclists with a 5 gear bike because they are shite compared to a modern bike. Get alloy too by the way - I am guessing you were thinking of something made out of old railway lines.

Have you still got a casette player in your car?

I'm not sure I agree with most of that. Mind you I do have a cassette player in the car.

I would rather have a quality old 12 speed steel road bike instead of a new 21 speed Al bike any day.

 

[4F]

If you are returning to cycling then you are certainly in need of more than 12 gears unless you live in Holland.
MOVE WITH THE TIMES
Returning to cycling onto a road bike you really would be best getting three cogs on the front and older bikes will have seven (ish) on the back. If you end up using only five of the 21 you have then great. The bike with 21 gears can be yours for the cost of a tank of fuel so go with it.

You will see very few (keen) cyclists with a 5 gear bike because they are shite compared to a modern bike. Get alloy too by the way - I am guessing you were thinking of something made out of old railway lines.

Have you still got a casette player in your car?

So your suggestion is to purchase a bike with possibly more gears just in case because it must be better because it is newer ? what tosh

I have a 1970's six speed double steel reynolds 531 and it rides like a dream. There are plenty of great older bikes which can be picked up for a snip.

 

[swee'pea99]

So your suggestion is to purchase a bike with possibly more gears just in case because it must be better because it is newer ? what tosh

I have a 1970's six speed double steel reynolds 531 and it rides like a dream. There are plenty of great older bikes which can be picked up for a snip.

Absolutely. Ebay is awash with excellent old bikes that old guys have finally been bullied into getting rid of by their long-suffering wives. ("It's been cluttering up the shed for 20 years, and you're never going to ride it again.") Most have ten gears, which is enough for 99% of riding, and a good 20 year old steel frame will beat all but really pricey modern frames every time. I've had a Dawes, a Carlton, a Raleigh and a Benotto - every one a joy to ride, and they probably averaged out at about £35.

 

[Globalti]

I would NEVER buy an aluminium frame, I believe that it's an unsuitable material for a bicycle frame. It's dull and unresponsive and it has a limited life and it makes ugly clumpy looking frames. Somewhere along the way the industry has foisted it on cyclists as the best thing to have. AFAIK aluminium has never been used as the basis for a ski, although it is widely used to face the tops.

I recently bought a 1990 steel framed bike in Columbus SLX tubing and I am thoroughly enjoying it. I have been riding it with the original 7 speed block and am now going to a modern wheel with freehub and 8 speed. It handles beautifully, corners like its on rails and is comfortable. It cost me £150. See the picture here: http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=16499

 

[Tim Bennet.]

AFAIK aluminium has never been used as the basis for a ski,

I still have my Hart Skis from the 70's that are aluminium. Still get them out from time to time. They had Look N17 bindings and were just the mut's nuts. Happy days skiing mogul fields on 215cm jobs. We were either good or knew no better!

 

[Globalti]

I went around the Dynastar factory in 1980, before everything went monocoque. It was impressive to see the way the skis were skilfully assembled in moulds out of strips of steel and spruce, all fitted in a bit like the lettering in a stick of rock then baked under pressure with resin to hold it all together. I understand that wood is still used and makes skis with good rebound.

I have just regretfully ditched my old 197cm Salomon Force 9s and transferred my touring bindings over to a set of Rossignol Bandits, which by comparison feel incredibly light and short!