Second hand bikes from 1970s
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Second hand bikes from 1970s
Postby recurring » Tue Jan 26, 2010 1:03 am
What are your thoughts on buying a second hand bike where the frame is about 30 years old, but all parts newish and in great condition? Bike been rebuilt basically. Is that risky considering it's hard to know the history of the frame?
I'm looking for a new flat bar road bike. Should I consider spending $700 on a second hand one, or up my budget to $1000 for a new one? I was thinking Scott Sub 20 (2009).
Thanks, first post, appreciate any comments.
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Re: Second hand bikes from 1970s
Postby Colin_T » Tue Jan 26, 2010 2:33 am
old frames can be full of rust and you don't know until you hit something and it breaks. If the bike has been kept indoors all its life, and never ridden in the rain, it might be ok. Personally I would get a newer bike with nmore gears.
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Re: Second hand bikes from 1970s
Postby HappyHumber » Tue Jan 26, 2010 3:16 am
Unless you know what you're looking at in detail $700 is a lot for an older bike. If you're keen to get riding on something reliable, and with some sort of warantee, set aside your spondoolies for something new. The $1K figure you're suggesting is reasonable enough.
Hit me up via the BNA dm; I'll get an alert. If y'know, you know.
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Re: Second hand bikes from 1970s
Postby hartleymartin » Tue Jan 26, 2010 11:43 am
If you are going to part with $700 get something new.
http://raleightwenty.webs.com - the top web resource for the Raleigh Twenty
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Re: Second hand bikes from 1970s
Postby recurring » Tue Jan 26, 2010 1:59 pm
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Re: Second hand bikes from 1970s
Postby rkelsen » Tue Jan 26, 2010 2:08 pm
Depends upon what it is. Is there a link to a photo or ad somewhere that you could post here?recurring wrote:What are your thoughts on buying a second hand bike where the frame is about 30 years old, but all parts newish and in great condition?
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Re: Second hand bikes from 1970s
Postby recurring » Tue Jan 26, 2010 2:10 pm
http://melbourne.gumtree.com.au/c-Stuff ... Z181641220
The specs seem pretty great.
I think I'm going to end up with the Scott Sub 20.
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Re: Second hand bikes from 1970s
Postby rkelsen » Tue Jan 26, 2010 2:23 pm
Don't forget that as an older bike, it will require more maintenance and probably won't be as comfortable as something newer.
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Re: Second hand bikes from 1970s
Postby nickobec » Tue Jan 26, 2010 6:04 pm
I agree depending on the frame material and condition of frame and components (which sound good), it is not bad for the money. If I was in Melbourne and still looking for a classic Australian steel frame I would be tempted.rkelsen wrote:If that's a genuine Hillman, then it doesn't look too bad for the money.
I disagree with the comfort bit, but totally agree about more maintenance and care. You will need to take much more time and care keeping 30+ years old parts in smooth running order than new components.rkelsen wrote:Don't forget that as an older bike, it will require more maintenance and probably won't be as comfortable as something newer.
Plus there is performance, technology has improved in leaps and bounds brakes, gears, etc are far better now than 30 years ago.
It is like buying a classic 30 year old sports car and expecting it be as good as a current hot hatch. (on or off the track)
For a 1st bike (or only bike) steer clear of the classics. Buy a new or recently used model, more reliable, better performance, less maintenance and easy to get parts.
However, if you already had a bike or three, the Hillman could make a great addition to your (or my) stable. Well maintained and polished, ridden only on dry days with non hard charging friends, frequenting the cafe strips, this is the life a classic Australian bike like the Hillman deserves.
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Re: Second hand bikes from 1970s
Postby kukamunga » Tue Jan 26, 2010 11:59 pm
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Re: Second hand bikes from 1970s
Postby il padrone » Wed Jan 27, 2010 12:50 am
"An unjustified and unethical imposition on a healthy activity."
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Re: Second hand bikes from 1970s
Postby ColinOldnCranky » Wed Jan 27, 2010 11:18 am
I recall a fellow engeering students project at my Uni where they had recovered some old bike frames in a couple of locations (salty coastal and farm/bush) for cutting up and testing and checking the welding/brazing - and the results were as expected.
(Yeah, I know,there will be some old clanker somewhere that was made in Korea before they had cracked industrial materials processing, but if you are silly enough to pay $700 for something that only ever retailed in the first place for $100 then you wouldn't be bright enough to have asked for advice here anyway.)
That being said, $700 for a bike will buy you a pretty decent new machine, even as others on their $12,000 Pinarellos etc idle past you on the daily commute. Then of course if you got a decent price on an up-market model you are familiar with, well...
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Re: Second hand bikes from 1970s
Postby hartleymartin » Wed Jan 27, 2010 3:15 pm
http://raleightwenty.webs.com - the top web resource for the Raleigh Twenty
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Re: Second hand bikes from 1970s
Postby Zynster » Wed Jan 27, 2010 3:37 pm
If you really like the old steely look, this would be a better buy too.
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