Any advice for a beginner buying an old Racer?
- Thread starter admarlow
- Start date
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) I have decided to buy an old racer/road bike from 
accountantpete
OAP
As a basis you should look for 531 steel for the frame (prob Raleigh!)- this stands for Reynolds 531 which was originally developed before the War and was the mainstay of cycles until Aluminium etc came along in the late 80's.
Make sure you know your correct size and ask as to the condition. If they have been stood unused then it may be a matter of a little TLC to get them rolling - the bikes back then were generally made of heavy but hard wearing components.
This is something like - although as you can see it is in demand because of the make and Campag components.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DAWES-ECHELON...K_Bikes_GL?hash=item45f11b96ee#ht_1049wt_1165
Make sure you know your correct size and ask as to the condition. If they have been stood unused then it may be a matter of a little TLC to get them rolling - the bikes back then were generally made of heavy but hard wearing components.
This is something like - although as you can see it is in demand because of the make and Campag components.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DAWES-ECHELON...K_Bikes_GL?hash=item45f11b96ee#ht_1049wt_1165
accountantpete
OAP
Nice bike in For Sale if you are tall and in the Midlands!
ha ha ha
accountantpete
OAP
You need a bike with a 54 or 56cm measurement from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the seat tube (for bikes with a horizontal top tube)
Like this one - may be worth a bid of £100 for an early aluminium frame or search eBay for 531
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GIANT-CR-MO-4...UK_Bikes_GL?hash=item3a58059dc1#ht_550wt_1165
Like this one - may be worth a bid of £100 for an early aluminium frame or search eBay for 531
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GIANT-CR-MO-4...UK_Bikes_GL?hash=item3a58059dc1#ht_550wt_1165
gbb
Legendary Member
- Location
- Peterborough
If you're buying off ebay you have to rely almost soley on the photos supplied, which wont tell you much.
If i were buying one locally i'd want to look at the chainset and cassette particually for wear. If they're worn, you face some reasonable expense sooner rather than later.
If i were to buy off ebay, i'd ask the seller some detailed questions...
What size wheels ? Older racers can have 27 inch wheels, the newer 700's are easier to replace.
Is there any corrosion on the frame, particually near or on the lugs/bosses.
Are the wheels true.
Do the gears work correctly and smoothly.
I'd try to get detailed photos of the chainset and cassette...look for sharks teeth that'd indicate wear. To be fair, older racers tend to be 5,6 or 7 speed...whose geartrains tend to go on forever.
Is the seatpost free ?...if its siezed, you may have a world of pain just getting the seat adjusted so you can ride it.
And so on....but i'd work on the principle if you asked those questions then got a bummer, you'd have a good case with ebay.
If you're lucky admarlow, you can pick up a good stong machine for £80.
Have you tried Friday Ads in your area ?
Open the link, refine it to your town then look in the bicycles section
http://www.friday-ad.co.uk/?gclid=CLKYlcCiiaACFR-Y2Aod0Dt5mA
Ive seen some good bikes locally to me once in a while...no reason it shouldnt be the same in your area.
If i were buying one locally i'd want to look at the chainset and cassette particually for wear. If they're worn, you face some reasonable expense sooner rather than later.
If i were to buy off ebay, i'd ask the seller some detailed questions...
What size wheels ? Older racers can have 27 inch wheels, the newer 700's are easier to replace.
Is there any corrosion on the frame, particually near or on the lugs/bosses.
Are the wheels true.
Do the gears work correctly and smoothly.
I'd try to get detailed photos of the chainset and cassette...look for sharks teeth that'd indicate wear. To be fair, older racers tend to be 5,6 or 7 speed...whose geartrains tend to go on forever.
Is the seatpost free ?...if its siezed, you may have a world of pain just getting the seat adjusted so you can ride it.
And so on....but i'd work on the principle if you asked those questions then got a bummer, you'd have a good case with ebay.
If you're lucky admarlow, you can pick up a good stong machine for £80.
Have you tried Friday Ads in your area ?
Open the link, refine it to your town then look in the bicycles section
http://www.friday-ad.co.uk/?gclid=CLKYlcCiiaACFR-Y2Aod0Dt5mA
Ive seen some good bikes locally to me once in a while...no reason it shouldnt be the same in your area.
gbb
Legendary Member
- Location
- Peterborough
accountantpetes right, if you can get a 531 framed bike, so much the better. Renolds 501 is fine but not quite as good...
Even some chromo frames are 'ok'. I had a Raleigh chimera chromo framed racer, 8 speed Sora...it was a fine bike for the money, virtually indestrucable.
Even some chromo frames are 'ok'. I had a Raleigh chimera chromo framed racer, 8 speed Sora...it was a fine bike for the money, virtually indestrucable.
