What do you think of this?

[AncientWyvern]

Hey all,

I have only recently got into cycling and have a Trek 1.5c which is my pride and joy, but as i didn't want to damage it through every day use i bought an old road bike from ebay (which i refer to as my work horse). below are the links.

I know its old but i really like it, is it a good one? I paid £72 for it

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ancient_photos/4540583513/sizes/l/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ancient_photos/4540583525/sizes/l/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ancient_photos/4540583543/sizes/l/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ancient_photos/4540583563/sizes/l/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ancient_photos/4540583583/sizes/l/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ancient_photos/4540583597/sizes/l/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ancient_photos/4541249882/sizes/l/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ancient_photos/4541249892/sizes/l/

It does have some rust on it, needs a good strip down but rides really nice

 

[Goldfang]

Hello Wyvern, not a bad buy at the price, but even better, the frame looks identical to one that I have with no name or identifying marks on it. Judging by the equipment on it, it would be a higher spec than the one that I have. You could have solved a mystery!! Is the frame Reynolds 531? I can't see from the photo.

 

[AncientWyvern]

Hey Goldfang, I really dont know what the frame is, i did get in touch with the Phil Corley shop but they said that the bike dates to mid 70's however couldn't give me more then that.

There are no names on the frame except Phil Corley and a sticker to say that the frame material is Cro-Mo.

 

[Helly79]

looks like a well looked after bike

 

[Goldfang]

Wyvern, this could be another part of the jigsaw, I have been told that my frame was possibly made by a firm called Marlborough, who in the 70's to 80's made 'mid' quality frames and bikes that were supplied to cycle shops and mail order 'club books' who then put their own name/brand on them.

 

[buggi]

you know, i have a nice carbon Scott PR1 pro... but i love my work horse, which is two bikes put together... the wheels and groupset off my old Halfords Carrera (frame snapped) and an old Giant frame and that a mate gave me that was gathering dust in his garage. He merged the two to tide me over until i got the Scott. Nothing wrong with work horses.

 

[Trumpettom001]

Snapped frame?? I've got a carrera also... how did you break it?

 

[buggi]

it was the Carrera Veangeance, it was a magnesium frame. i loved it, but it snapped where the seat post went in. on further inspection me and a cycle mate came to the conclusion that the design was naff... don't know how to describe this but the tube where the seat post goes in was the same thickness for about 2 cm's and then went thinner, i.e the tube inside became wider, and we think this allowed the seat post to rock forth and backwards inside the tube. We think the strain became to much. It was 4 years old. Shame really, coz i really miss that bike. i loved it and it was a lovely colour too. It was my first road bike RIP.

when it snapped, it just kind of bent! i thought the seat had just tilted backwards and nearly just sat on the front to put it right while i was riding. luckily i decided to get off and inspect it instead. even more lucky... i was only 20 metres from work.

 

[AncientWyvern]

Yeah Buggi, i hear you. I really like it, just dont have the smooth transmission or style of my weekender but its nice knowing that my work horse has all those nice components on

Goldfang, seems you are helping me quite a bit here! My trail dropped cold a few weeks ago when the shop said they knew nothing more of it. But if Marlborough were shipping to shops who put there own brand on I pretty much going to put 2 and 2 together. Do you have images of yours on here?

 

[Arch]

Very pretty!

Always worth having a workhorse. Or hack, if you want to use horsey terminology.

 

[TheDoctor]

Oh, that is good. Very nice indeed.
*approves*
and *wants*

 

[4F]

Very nice

 

[Zoiders]

It's rather plain lugs so it's most probably a repainted Raleigh, a lot of shop's bought frames in from TI/Raleigh and built them up to buyers spec, it's most probably 531 as it has all the right braze ons which is not something you find on gas pipe frames, a gas piper would have band-ons.

Nowt wrong with that though.

The old Campag Record bits and Shimano Dura-ace chainset and brakes/levers are probably worth twice as much on their own on the bay than you payed for the entire bike so it's a good buy.

I would look for some NOS rims for a rebuild and track down some Michelin World Tours in 27"(a lot of old LBS have them hidden away still) and ride it as is, what hubs has it got?

 

[Goldfang]

Hello Wyvern, no pics on here yet, as it is in the process of turning into a single speed, hopefully nearing completion. Should also say that my frame is not in as good a condition as your recent purchase. Regards Zoiders post above, my money was on it being a Raleigh frame, but as I said, not a single thing to identify it.

 

[AncientWyvern]

Zoiders your a wealth of knowledge thank you very much for that! I'll have a look at the hubs and let you know not quite sure at the moment; the wheels are Mavic but im not sure on the hubs them selves (unless thats the same thing!). I'm quite happy with it being a Raleigh frame

I have every intention of restoring it, but I just moved into a new house so money is a bit tight at the moment and i want my Trek to have some nice cleated pedals and computer before I move on to this one.