New bike thread.

[EddiePJ]

A bit of an odd one.

Back in Febuary of this year when the KTM was in having a full service at a friends bike shop, I happened to spot a steel framed road bike that he was rebuilding for someone to use as a winter hack. I fell in love with the bike, and was horrified that someone could go to the expense of having it rebuilt, to then use it on horrid salty roads. I was going to suggest that my friend asked the owner, to see if he would sell it, but given the cost of just the wheel build alone, I decided against it.

I haven't looked at pedal bikes on Ebay for a good year or so, but just happened to a few days ago, and there it was, the same bike. I couldn't resist having a bid for it with a second to spare, and was surprised that I actually won it.

I collected it this evening, and I'm thrilled to bits with it. Photos to follow, but this is the advert and bike. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercier-Special-Tour-de-France-59cm-REDUCED-Spares-or-Repair-/251970625912?_trkparms=ao=1&asc=20140212121249&meid=6ed9c46ee1b641f58d5399c59be1cd65&pid=100102&&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=LxyOJ5o835D7PlDk6dq1/+cE7b0=&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc



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[Emo Rider]

A real beauty bud. I had one years ago. This looks like it is great shape. Not the original brake levers are they?

 

[EddiePJ]

Possibly not, I know that the hoods were new, but Beyond that I'm afraid that I don't know. Certainly the shift levers, chainset and derailleurs aren't original.
It's actually in very good shape, and I suspect that the owner had spent fair bit of money on it in total.

I always need something to tinker with to keep my sanity, and this bike has just the right amount of detailing still left to carry out.

 

[RobF]

A real beauty bud. I had one years ago. This looks like it is great shape. Not the original brake levers are they?

I'm no expert, but the levers look similar to the ones I had on 'racing' bikes in the 70s.

If they are not original, I reckon they are at least of the correct period.

 

[flecc]

Congrats on your "new" bike Eddie. My brother was a roadie and in addition to his always current regular bike he had a treasured Peugeot road bike from the 1970s, a model based on one of their Tour de France winners.

When a knee crippled with age and arthritis forced him to give up riding, he gave that Peugeot to a young enthusiast who worked in his local LBS, since he'd always admired the bike when it was in for service.

I wonder how long these beautiful 1970s bikes will eventually live for, there's certainly no lack of enthusiasts to keep them going, even young ones it seems.
.

 

[Sherman]

'Congrats on your new purchase. You can never have too many bikes

I've got an 80s Nishiki Trim Master, when they were still made in Japan. The frame is 60cm, tall and short, perfect for cruising around. The photo is a bit old, the bike has now new wheels and saddle. Sweet bike, I really love the frame.

 

[EddiePJ]

One new toy. I might remove the bottle holder.