Racing old vintage road bikes

[marc2131]

Hi guys,

Some of us bike collectors (aka hoarders) not only cram our homes with redundant bike technology but also use them in race competitions against the dark side i.e.. carbon fibre, electronic shifters etc.

The Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club (based in Sydney's inner west) does exactly that. And might I say we do quite well, in many cases beating other rival teams using aero CF stuff. We entered 3 teams of 4 people, all using steel framed bicycles.

Here are some photos:

The bikes used are are from top back to front: 1980 7spd Blom, 1990s Jim Bundy, 1985 6spd Raleigh Team Panasonic and a 2012 Jim Bundy. This team did the Nowra course in 1 hour, 14 mins or approx 32.3kmph. They came in 36th beating approx 10 other teams.


Same team doing the last 3 kilometres of race. Left to right: John M and his 1980 Blom, Marc R and his 1985 Raleigh Team Panasonic and Peter B with his 2012 Jim Bundy.


The bikes used are from left to right: 2010 Giant Defy (but alu, so not so bad), 1980s 6 spd Omega, early 1990s Clamount TT bike, early 90s Colnago with Trispoke wheels. Time was approx 1 hr and 21 mins.

[The 2nd Womble]

So good to see this. THANKYOU

[GaryF]

Go Team Steel....Go!!!!

Alumin. too.

[familyguy]

I'm pretty sure there was at least one other team down there on OLDER stuff! Nice to see you getting out on them.

Jim

[marc2131]

I'm pretty sure there was at least one other team down there on OLDER stuff! Nice to see you getting out on them.

Jim

Doubt it Jim. Was there for several hours and had a good look around (Sat 20 July). The Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club was the only one to field steel bike teams (x4). There was a race to Sassafras on Sunday, but was on my way back to Sydney then.
More photos:

Getting ready on the morning of the race


With our trademark clip on moustaches. Prior to 2012, Cycling NSW commissaries refused to let us race with these on. I think they have given up now.

[jonbays]

Great to see them old steel racing bikes still out there and racing. I too ride my 74 Hillman every weekend. Not racing it but it is up for it.

[PANZR]

Fantastic!

[Ph billet]

Well done , but it's in the legs not the bike.

[rogerrabbit]

It was a great day had by all. I was there on my 62 Mercian, which rode just fine. There was another 60's bike in my team as well)

Roger

[marc2131]

It was a great day had by all. I was there on my 62 Mercian, which rode just fine. There was another 60's bike in my team as well) Roger

Roger and his '62 Mercian

[ldrcycles]

Nice work! I did a flat crit once on my 1981 Mercier and went very well. 5 speed friction shifters on a wide 14-28 cassette so I only used top and 4th the whole race! I'd love to find a light frame to take 27" wheels and put some Shimano integrated shifters on it.

[spirito]

Coolest thread here for a long, long time - good to see !!

[razon]

Thanks for the thread. Love the photos. Have used my steel bike in local crits and get good results. Although it's a modern steel but the experience and feeling of using steel bikes in a race, especially after you win was just awesome.. Kudos to men of steels!!

[rogerrabbit]

I took the Mercian out on Sunday around Akuna Bay, with it's mudguards back on. The young fellows on the carbon bikes I passed on the climb out might have been wondering what was up..... With a decent set of tyres I think it is just as fast

[dayne]

Nice bike Roger, just needs a nice handle bar mount bidon,
Probably easier to reach than the bottom of a 62cm frame too haha.
But seriously nice job on the build

[spirito]

With a decent set of tyres I think it is just as fast

Well, it is. Perhaps they're wheels are a little more aero but the rider position is the biggest aero factor by 10 fold. As far as mechanical efficiency, rolling resistance, drag etc there's very little given away (if any) by top class older bikes. Only when it comes to shifting (time taken), range & number of gears and braking effectiveness does the modern stuff offer an advantage. But if you're rolling along there's nothing in it (I'm sure we all acknowledge that).

[vaeske]

what group did that rider on the raleigh panasonic have? modern sti?

[singlespeedscott]

Nice to see old steel in action. Top effort.

[marc2131]

what group did that rider on the raleigh panasonic have? modern sti?

Mishmash of Shimano.
Shimano 600 brake levers (believe they are the 1st gen with internal cable routing) - original with bike
Shimano 105 brakes - original
Shimano 105 indexed 6 spd shifters - ditto
Shimano 105 front and rear derailleur - ditto
Shimano 600 chainring and cranks - ditto
Unknown bars - ditto
Raleigh? quill stem - ditto

Only new parts are:
Reproduction Selle Italia 'Turbo' seat
unknown 27.2 seat post
Modern Shimano 105 pedals
Cheap but heavy and tough Velocity V-hollow wheels and rims. Unknown hubs.
Asked for the original tubular wheels but I think they are lost.

Bike was bought in 1985 by my brother in law. He used it till 1993. He gave it to me last year.

[Classiciron]

Good to see some more steel bikes still being used for competition. I race my steel bikes twice weekly in the summer season and once in the road season. Keep it up.

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[freshpatents]

Hi
On this topic, last month I raced the Australian Masters Nationals Road Championship (50 to 55 division) and the guy who came third in the road race did so on his more than 10 year old custom steel Llewellyn. He was third in a sprint finish against none other then Stephen Fairless (if you don't know of him he has now won 34 Australian titles...) so a top effort and good to see a steel bike up there..

[dayne]

Blue Llewellyn in a blue white red qsm upperlimb kit?
If so he has three one road one race one track, Good guy and rides well.

[Guzziracer]

Hi all, I’ve been racing an 80s colnago and 90s goi Contini steeley with southern cross cycle club and Waratah masters club for around 6 months with a few successes.
Southern cross club are not averse to running a vintage class as part of D grade if there is enough interest. Even if only a few are interested the criterium track at Waratah park Sutherland is a fantastic place to spend a few hours on a Sunday morning with other enthusiasts, fanging around this beautiful bushland circuit. Let’s be part of bringing regular, weekly vintage cycle racing to Sydney.

[Roisin79]

Living in Ballarat and riding 'round on my Kenevans I get a few double-takes from (older) pro team managers when the Nats are on but based on my experience with LBS and other riders, it is almost total apathy re. older steel frames. This year I was going to go to the Shimano tent to show them what Dura Ace was like in the mid-'80s but again, predicted they wouldn't be historically-minded and embarrassment would ensue.

[Guzziracer]

Yes, I’ve been somewhat taken aback at the lack of interest a massive cohort of cyclists show towards vintage bikes at race events. I suppose it’s reciprocated to a degree on my part, spotting the difference between many modern”high end”carbon race bikes other than colour and branding can require a forensic attention to detail” got it in black, got it any blacker” ?