Why can't I find a new Bicycle that I like?

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gbb

Squire
Location
Peterborough
If you look at your Record Sprint front forks scaramoosh, you'll see the fork curves quite a bit as it nears the axle of the wheel. This is the fork rake and older bikes had this a lot. Look at a modern 'racing' bike and you won't see anything like that rake, they're much straighter.
That large rake has two effects, it dampens buzz from the road, a positive, but it also makes steering less responsive, a negative.
I have a Renolds 531 framed bike from the same era, same style forks (i assume) and its supremely smooth....but steers like a battleship.
Modern bikes tend to have much less rake, straighter forks, this gives you far more responsive steering....but less, or virtually no buzz is absorbed by the straight fork.


The 501 frame is modest quality, certainly not too bad. My 1970s/80s 531 frame is very nearly as light as my old Bianchi Via Nirone frame, i know, i had them both stripped at the same time (for unconnected reasons) and weighed them, its surprising how light old frames are, its the old components that were heavy.


Carbon forks on modern bikes have given us responsive steering and comfort, some alloy and steel forks are horrible, some not so.
 

SteCenturion

I am your Father
I reckon you could get a made to measure bike in a decent grade steel like 531 from Brian Rourke, painted to your own choice with a decent carbon fork & a decent modern gear spec like 11 speed 105 for less than you imagine.

I am also sure that they occasionally have off the peg steel stuff too, having visited the web site a few times.

Genesis do nice quality bikes & have some very reasonably priced variants of steel road models.

Ribble do a steel frame & fork set in Reynolds 525 for buttons & you can choose your own spec to build up.a nice bike.

Modern geometries allow the seat post to sit higher in the tube than the old stuff & it is in no way detrimental to the ride comfort or characteristics. I am quite sure that if you had a properly fitted steel bike you would be very comfortable with the modern set up of more seat post showing.

Steve.
 
Colnago Master frame and build it up to your own spec, might cost as much as your car did, but will also last longer.
 

rebelpeter

Well-Known Member
I've never been into biking, I only started because I got a new job that was close, I found an old 80s Bicycle in my Aunts garage and I decided to save money by selling the car. Turns out that I'm only 15 mins slower on the Bicycle than I was the car, I'm getting exercise and I'm saving thousands. So I've decided to fully commit, I need a new Bicycle as this old one has seen better days, but I cannot find one I like.

I really like this old Bicycle, it feels as light as all the modern Bicycles (I've tried Carbon and Aluminium frames) and in fact it feels lighter than the aluminium ones I've tried. The frame is a lot bigger than modern bicycles, the thing feels so good on the road, it's so comfortable, where as the aluminum ones I've tried are so horrible, THE WORST! Even the Carbon ones didn't feel as good as the one I have now. I felt guilty at the shop because I tried loads and none felt as good as the one I have today.

The problem is no one sells Steel Bicycles any more, the only ones I can find are online and cost thousands, I wouldn't be able to try them any ways. I need to change this Bicycle since it's literally falling apart...

I just feel stuck, I cannot find anything I like as much as this one.
Ive got quiteca few old racers down tube shifters etc i love these old racers ive got a 60s BSA Tour of britain rides lovely, phillips. Elswicks, etc.
 

Fab Foodie

hanging-on in quiet desperation ...
Location
Kirton, Devon.
I reckon you could get a made to measure bike in a decent grade steel like 531 from Brian Rourke, painted to your own choice with a decent carbon fork & a decent modern gear spec like 11 speed 105 for less than you imagine.

I am also sure that they occasionally have off the peg steel stuff too, having visited the web site a few times.

Genesis do nice quality bikes & have some very reasonably priced variants of steel road models.

Ribble do a steel frame & fork set in Reynolds 525 for buttons & you can choose your own spec to build up.a nice bike.

Modern geometries allow the seat post to sit higher in the tube than the old stuff & it is in no way detrimental to the ride comfort or characteristics. I am quite sure that if you had a properly fitted steel bike you would be very comfortable with the modern set up of more seat post showing.

Steve.
A new Rourke 653 custom Audax starts at less than £900 for Frame and carbon forks. Not bad for a comfortable bike for life. How you then build it up is up to you, I'd rather have 8speed and decent wheels on a good frame than 11 speed 105 on cheap wheels and a second rate or poorly fitting frame ....
 

biggs682

Itching to get back on my bike's
Location
Northamptonshire
Thanks @shouldbeinbed and @scaramoosh I always have a selection of bikes
 

al-fresco

Growing older but not up...
Location
Shropshire
or how about trying out surly bikes, they build pretty good bikes that lasts forever :okay:

Indeed they do - I've done several thousand happy miles on my Surly Crosscheck but I have to admit that it's much heavier (and more expensive) than it should be. If I was in the market for something similar I'd look at a Genesis Equilibrium.
 
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