Here is a list of some of the very best (most expensive) road bikes that were made during the 70s and 80s. I’m sticking to the best 2 or 3 models from each brand by time period that were super bikes for the time. These bikes are all lightweight for their time and use greatContinue reading “List of the best vintage road bikes from the 70s and 80s”
Category Archives: Vintage Bicycles
Raleigh Sports Bicycle Guide and History
The Raleigh Sports is one of the most iconic bicycle models ever made. These were made in their legendary manufacturing facility in Nottingham England. It was made for a very long time, so long I’ve not yet been able to determine for sure when they started making them. The earliest reference I have found soContinue reading “Raleigh Sports Bicycle Guide and History”
1987 Trek 400T Elance Road Bike Dark Blue Metallic
This is a really nice example of an 80s Trek road bike. Frame is made with legendary Reynolds 531 tubing with Trek investment castings and Dark Blue Metallic paint. Shifting is done with Shimano Deore derailleurs and SIS shifting. Drivetrain has 18 speeds with a triple in the front and 6 speeds in the back. Continue reading “1987 Trek 400T Elance Road Bike Dark Blue Metallic”
Vintage Univega bicycles history and facts
Univega was the creation of Ben Lawee in the 1970s. He had a long history as an importer of bikes like Motobecane and Bianchi. The first brand he created was Italvega and these bikes were made in Italy. In the mid 70s he moved production to Miyata in Japan and the brand changed to Univega. Continue reading “Vintage Univega bicycles history and facts”
1954 Raleigh Sports 3-speed Bicycle Black
This is a classic vintage Raleigh cruiser, the Sports! If you have never ridden a Sports, you should, they have so much charm and a smooth ride. It has a lugged steel frame with 26” tires. Raleigh’s were known as the all-steel bike, and this one is all steel with cottered steel cranks and rims. Continue reading “1954 Raleigh Sports 3-speed Bicycle Black”
Guide to vintage road bike steel frame tube manufacturers and types
Steel types are often mentioned when discussing quality vintage bikes and sometimes modern bikes. The big names in steel are Reynolds out of the UK, True Temper from the USA, Tange from Japan, and Columbus from Italy. Each brand has many different grades of steel. Reynolds Reynolds is one of the biggest names in bicycleContinue reading “Guide to vintage road bike steel frame tube manufacturers and types”
Vintage Motobecane Bicycles History and Facts
Motobecane was founded in 1923 in France and was a manufacturer of bicycles, mopeds, and motorcycles. I believe the name is ment to mean motorbike by combining two slang terms. They were one of the biggest French bicycle manufacturers and are often compared to Gitane and Peugeot. Most of their bikes were road bikes fromContinue reading “Vintage Motobecane Bicycles History and Facts”
Schwinn Sting-Ray guide and history
The Sting-Ray is the best-selling bike that Schwinn has ever offered. The style of bike started in California with kids modifying their bikes to look like motorcycles with 20-inch wheels, long seats, and ape hanger handlebars. It didn’t make the 1963 catalog, but it started with a sales ad in 1963 and is referred toContinue reading “Schwinn Sting-Ray guide and history”
1973 Schwinn Lil’ Chik Sting-Ray Bicycle Kool Lemon
This is the young girl version of the Sting-Ray in Kool Lemon color. Steel frame is a step through design with chrome fenders, medium-rise handlebars, floral print banana seat, coaster brakes, and 20” tires. Was also available in opaque blue color this year. The 73 catalog lists this kid’s bike at 35lbs! A really neatContinue reading “1973 Schwinn Lil’ Chik Sting-Ray Bicycle Kool Lemon”
1984 Bianchi Grizzly Mountain Bike Red
This is a really cool example of an early mountain bike. I believe these were the first mountain bikes that Bianchi ever made and one of the first mountain bikes made by a major bicycle brand. Nice, lugged manganese steel tube frame in a red color. The one-piece bullmoose handlebars are quite different than whatContinue reading “1984 Bianchi Grizzly Mountain Bike Red”
