BNA - Australian Cycling Forums

by **GaryF** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 1:37 am

These are 4 bikes that live inside the house. The others are in the shed. As you can see, this is the era that I prefer - probably because I could never afford this type of bike when I was young.

by **Forum Ads** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 7:23 am

by **mikesbytes** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 7:23 am

You have quite a collection Gary, all in excellent condition too

by **sogood** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 8:06 am

All nicely pampered on carpet. And each has its own frame pump!

by **europa** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 8:26 am

He's even got one of them funny blue ones

Great little collection there. Still growing I'm guessing.

Richard

by **cludence** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 8:50 am

Nice! They put mine to shame. It will be a while yet, but hopefully one day I will have a pic of several of mine lined up in a row all complete and shiny like that.

by **MichaelB** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 9:45 am

Do you ride many of them ?

I like the little saddle protctor for each of them, almost like their own little sweat towel !!

by **mikesbytes** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 10:02 am

MichaelB wrote:Do you ride many of them ?

I like the little saddle protctor for each of them, almost like their own little sweat towel !!

And risk getting them dirty ?????

by **GaryF** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 8:22 pm

Yep - only ridden on nice days - doesn't it make you sick!

I used to ride the blue one daily - I got it in 1985.
The green one was in average condition but I spent quite some time touching up the paint.
The red one is a re-paint.
And the white one - Its only been around the block a few times. I got the frame new around 1992 and built it up around 1998.

A photograph can hide the real condition of a frame from that distance.

I suppose these bikes are my 'best' bikes. I've tried to collect from a certain era (1960 - 1990) and display Campagnolo parts / groupsets from that era. Looking back, it has taken much time and a bit of money. Imagine what you could do if you collected stuff over a 30 year period. I have tried to buy individual parts when I have found them - then re-co or clean them up to an acceptable level. I would rather have a part with patina than a brand new part that might look out of place. I have also spent lots of time pouring over old magazines to help put together parts that reflect a similar timeframe.

If I showed what I do have, I'm sure I would P--- everyone off - so I'll try to refrain from doing that - but it is nice to be able to share your passion with other bike lovers.

Yes Karen, I do think what you have shown us is far more important than any shiny bike I might have.

Thanks everyone for your comments and I hope being able to see what interests another person will help you discover what interests you (if that hasn't happened yet). It may lie in a single bicycle that you put your passion into and know completely or, like me, your interest may cover an era or marque etc.

by **cludence** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 9:28 pm

Ahh, I was only at the velodrome tonight and mike was there and we were talking about your stunning bikes.

I can understand the cost factor. So far I have managed to simply use what I come across but having these old classics is another story..Not cheap, thats for sure.

Karen.

by **sogood** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 9:44 pm

Very nice. I'll just have to keep my present bikes for 30 years and I'll have the bragging right too. :wink:

by **cludence** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 10:32 pm

Or we could find you one for your next project?

Karen.

by **sogood** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 10:47 pm

Actually I do. I have an older MTB from more than 10 years ago. Wheel hubs and BB bearings have never been re-greased and recently I have found them to be quite gritty. I think a rebuild of that beast would be worthwhile, and possibly turn it into a commuter.

by **cludence** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 10:49 pm

Sounds cool to me. Then you can post pics in the retro section.

by **sogood** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 11:34 pm

That's an idea. Retro MTB. And it's even full CrMo steel, including the fork.

by **cludence** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 11:37 pm

So it is 'real' so fits in this section.

by **mikesbytes** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 12:31 am

sogood wrote:That's an idea. Retro MTB. And it's even full CrMo steel, including the fork.

\

MTB bikes didn't exist before the early 80's

by **europa** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 12:45 am

mikesbytes wrote:
sogood wrote:That's an idea. Retro MTB. And it's even full CrMo steel, including the fork.
\

MTB bikes didn't exist before the early 80's

Remember the excitement as they came in? Weird time.

Richard

by **sogood** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 2:13 pm

mikesbytes wrote:MTB bikes didn't exist before the early 80's

I think I bought it around 1992. Rode up Lilyfield Rd once in its life and it almost killed me.

by **mikesbytes** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 4:03 pm

In 1997 when I reached the lowest fitness point in my life, I brought a kmart mountain bike and on my third attempt, rode it all the way from Dulwich hill to Tempe and back.

by **europa** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 4:05 pm

mikesbytes wrote:In 1997 when I reached the lowest fitness point in my life, I brought a kmart mountain bike and on my third attempt, rode it all the way from Dulwich hill to Tempe and back.

Later that day, in Emergency, he met this lovely nurse who ...

Richard

by **AUbicycles** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 7:13 am

Late to the tread as usually but want to follow up on MichaelB's question about the nifty seat towls (as he called them). Are protecting the seats on the bikes or the beams? Really lovely looking bikes though.

Christopher

by **GaryF** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 10:10 am

AUbicycles wrote:Late to the tread as usually but want to follow up on MichaelB's question about the nifty seat towls (as he called them). Are protecting the seats on the bikes or the beams? Really lovely looking bikes though.

Christopher

OK - here's my secret - Its a piece of A4 paper folded in 4. The beams are a really rough sawn timber from NZ. The 'roughness' is really sharp, course and stiff which plays havoc with soft leather and skin alike. I am putting my trust in 2 thicknesses of paper.

Don't you just love the innovation of mountain bikes. Those guys are willing to try anything to improve the design of their bikes. They really think of the bike as being the link between the terrain and the rider.

MTB's are full of collecting variations that suit the individual.

by **senator52** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:28 pm

GaryF wrote:The green one was in average condition but I spent quite some time touching up the paint.

Gary did you just call the Bianchi green!?! :lol:

by **GaryF** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 10:44 pm

senator52 wrote:
GaryF wrote:The green one was in average condition but I spent quite some time touching up the paint.

Gary did you just call the Bianchi green!?!

Sorry - Celeste!

by **triode12** » Sat Aug 11, 2007 7:43 am

mikesbytes wrote:
sogood wrote:That's an idea. Retro MTB. And it's even full CrMo steel, including the fork.
\

MTB bikes didn't exist before the early 80's

And they weren't called MTBs too but ATBs(All Terrain Bikes) or Cruisers (Schwinn Cruiser type frames from which they were adapted from).

I remember these "new" bikes being featured in BMX magazines back in 1981/82. Being tested out by the top BMX riders of that time.

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