Hi!
New forum member, and relatively new to Pittsburgh as well.
I am borrowing my Dad's c. 1978 Puch road bike and have been commuting with the thing for a month. I like the road bike, but I feel like the whole bike is going to fall apart as soon as I hit a bump in the road. My former commuter was a Trek 200, which by comparison feels like a tank.
Anyone with any experience with 70s era road bikes? Are these bikes reliable and sturdy enough for commuting or should I go back to the Trek?
Thanks
70s era road bikes are plenty sturdy if they were sturdy to begin with. The key thing is maintenance. If not much has been done for it over the years it may need some work. Kraynick's on Penn Ave might be a good place to go with a bike of this vintage for an opinion.
One thing to consider is where you are commuting in Pittsburgh. It can, as you know, be hilly and a newer road bike, or a hybrid or mountain bike, would have more gears.
Puch's were fine bikes, assuming it was a decent model. The frame should be a fine starting point to tweak into a good commuter with basic maintenance and probably some parts upgrades. Post a picture, I'd like to see it!
I second the above. I've been steadily upgrading a set of '70s road bikes on a shoestring budget. Beyond the obvious for commuting (lights, fenders), you might want to get a new drivetrain: triple crank, new chain, at least six in the back with not much difference between the ratios of the lowest (largest) two.
Crossing that valley at 58 Fahrenheit (the trip in) can feel a whole lot different at 81 Fahrenheit (the trip home).
You may have a crack in the frame, however. You should carefully examine all the points where two tubes come together and be sure there aren't any cracks.
I picked up a $20 Schwinn Continental at Freeride and converted it to a fixed gear as my commuter...love it!
I would personally recommend against upgrading an older road bike to a triple crankset, unless you really need it for hills or hauling. Shifting in my experience is cleaner with a compact crankset, assuming an equal-quality groupset.
If you do decide to upgrade from 2 to 3 in the front, remember that you will need to move from a short-cage to a long-cage rear derailleur as well.
Assuming the frame's not cracked/broken...
Pull apart the headset. Check bearings. Clean. Grease. Reassemble. Tighten properly.
Bottom bracket might be next. Fixes/replacements are available if it's toast, even if the threads are stripped or French or whatever.
I'd keep it if it fits you well and the frame is sound.
Ok picture by request:
[IMG SRC="http://www.flickr.com/photos/52077328@N06/4794932229/#preview"]
I commute from Mt Washington to Bloomfield and I think most of my anxiety about this bike comes from hitting the metal plates on Liberty Ave. in the road construction area. I unweight, slow down, hit the bump, and envision both of my tires twisting into pretzels. So far so good though
The frame looks intact to my untrained eye. I'll try Kraynick's, it's close to my work. This bike has never known a wrench, but OTOH was lightly used and kept in a garage. It definitely needs some maintenance and probably new brake cables, but it rolls really smoothly, better than my old mtn bike for sure.
@StuInMcCandless: How does having 2 gears at nearly the same ratio help?
Ok for real this time:
The Liberty Ave construction is a real pain. For an alternative, you could take Penn up the hill. I do that sometimes on the way home, and for you it'd be even better cause you have a reverse commute...
Oh heck yes, that's a keeper. That baby's just screaming for some fenders, rack, lights, maybe swap on some upright h'bars for more confidence through the potholes. Take care of the basic maintenance and you could do whatever you want with it.
The point is in not having a huge ratio jump from the lowest gear to the second-lowest.
+1 on close first and second gears.
Ride in Pittsburgh, you climb hills. A large jump from 1st to 2nd often means one gear is too low and the next gear is too high.
I went to Kraynick's over the weekend and the owner was extremely helpful and thought the frame was in good shape. I replaced the brake cables and guides and did a few other things. I'll definitely be back there a few times.
I bought fenders, a rack, and lights this weekend. I was commuting 3 days/wk but my goal is to get closer to 5. I'll probably hold off on messing with the drive train until I scrape more pennies together and have some time to tinker.
I do appreciate the advice on the gears. Yesterday I attempted Sycamore St. up the hill and had to hop off and walk to catch my breath. That didn't happen with the mtn bike...
Gerry's one boss dude. A little bit cantankerous and a lot bit helpful and generous.
i love that the only things gerry gets grouchy about are when you're trying to spend more than you need to.
