A question of feel?
A question for all the roadies out there.
With the demise of my commuter I have finally got my mid 80's racer (with which I'm rapidly falling in love) on the road.
To my surprise, instead of shaking my teeth out on our rough nth est roads it's actually smoother than my commuter was on 700x40c's.
Can anyone explain to me how this works?
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Pursuit.jpg, 176 KB
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Lucas Pittaway on -
I alternate between my fixed bikes and 80's road bikes for the commute and have noticed what feels to be a slightly softer ride on the older, heavier, geared bikes. I suspect it has to do with the extra weight and the fact that the road doesn't seem to control the ride as much. It's also probably accounted to the pressure I run on the old bikes since most of them are rolling on low quality rubbers compared to the 130psi on the bikes I like.
I hope that ramble helps in some way.
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Permalink Reply by Gus K on -
I am guessing steel frame... Steel is often dismissed as old fashioned until it's ridden.
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Permalink Reply by Frank on
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Yep, steel can be very comfy, along with a bike that perhaps fits well, have the right gears and good tyres and pressure and riding is a joy all over!
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Permalink Reply by Simon Lownsborough on -
+1
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Permalink Reply by heather on -
Yes, steel and chro-moly kinder than aluminium bikes for backs injured through road trauma. Chro-moly unfashionable in Australian LBS, so one day I will have a chro-moly bike made to measure.
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Permalink Reply by Notthefirst Brett on -
Have a look at Surly heather, sweet Cr-Mo frames.
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Permalink Reply by Roger N on -
I collect old steel racing bikes from the 70s and 80s. While I enjoy going for a blast on my CF bike, overall I prefer the higher end older (531 etc) steel frames because they are much less fatiguing and absorb bumps much better (not to mention their longevity and repairability). That said, they do cost me a couple of kms per hour (or 20 minutes over a 100 km run) i.e. who cares?
I've got an old restored gentleman's touring bike from the late 70s which handles fantstically and is like riding on an arm chair sitting on a hovercraft - it soaks everything up. But... it's heavy.
As it turns out I've got a Pursuit much like yours in the collection. For some reason it punches well above its weight in terms of comfort and handling and I've never understood quite why. It's a Tange 900 chromo frame (ok but not high end) with Suntour Cyclone running gear (Suntour was the pick of the running gear from that era but Cyclone was middle range) araya 700 wheels and modern dual pivot brakes. Rides like a dream.
Enjoy your steely- sometimes progress in in the eye of the marketing team.
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Permalink Reply by Notthefirst Brett on
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Yay for steel. I've dug out my old Ricardo Elite which I bought new 25 years ago. Tange 900, shimano drivetrain and rides beautifully, although the 40/23 low gear isn't as friendly as I'd remembered! I know, I know HTFU.
My next bike will be steel for sure. My Al hardtail sure does feel hard, and carbon is a no go for me because I like to thrash and crash too often.
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Permalink Reply by Gus K on
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I have a copper Ricardo Elite with Shimano 600 (engraved ornate era). It is a beautifully made bike (here in Adelaide) but it is slightly too big for me.
My other everyday bike is a Sierra tourer and also made in Adelaide 30 years ago at Pultenay St Cycles, also steel (Tange 900), lugged. Now with 700C wheels and winter 700/28 CX tyres running at 45psi, Brooks saddle - it's all comfort but again perhaps at a loss of speed but I love riding it.
This is the pic of the Sierra when I got it. It's now got a new rac...
This is the pic of the Sierra when I got it. It's now got a new rac...-
Permalink Reply by Notthefirst Brett on
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I'd love to run a CX tyre, but the best I could fit is Randonneur Cross front and Randonneur rear in 700x28. Even if I could retro fit brake calipers I reckon the frame clearance would be too tight for much larger/knobbier rubber. Went for a Belgian up session yesterday.
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