Pre 1950s rides of LFGSS: old bikes, vintage rats, classic lightweights

Will need to weight, but it feels about that or more.

Went for a ride years ago and there was a downhill section that scared the hell out of me. Used the brakes all the way down. Didn't give the bike any chances to pick up speed 😅

Yep same here although it does help having empty road ahead to let it go. I’m actually not sure if rims are steel as the magnet test is iffy - small one hangs on the side of the rim but larger and heavier one doesn’t 🧐

Really like this, postage is high though.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Old-racer-mercier-years-30-40-old-race-bike-mercier-30-40s-/255058477838?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=709-127639-2357-0

Steel Rims

Millions of miles were done on steel rims, so it is possible to manage with them.

Actually the problem is not the steel, it's the chromium. Once you've worn it off (20k miles, or a lot of heavy braking ) you will find the brakes work fine !

As far as weight is concerned, although many steel rims are unacceptably heavy I think you will find that 'Dunlop Special Lightweight' steel rims are about the same weight as most ali high pressure rims. Some people say they are fragile, but I've got some high mileage examples which have survived unscathed into old age. Of course, if the rims are ordinary Endricks, you can forget about liveliness even if by some miracle you've found light tyres.

These Dunlops are not rare on old bikes where the 26" rims have survived.

As mentioned many times already, if we're talking about 26's the problem is not so much the weight of the rims as the tyres.

Wow, really nice and looks tottaly original too.

Yes agree. The wheels may be either alloy, but more likely stainless steel Van Schothorst/Rigida ones. They are 16x622 so useful and easy to find tyres to fit on. Anyhow, I will leave it to the new owner as have put it up for sale on here.

Cheers

Sorry been away for a while, vintage bike fancying on the back-burner for a bit. I have finally finished my ROH. Sort of. More to do - the Airlites probably aren’t the final wheels, hopefully I’ll build a set with LF Blumfields. The all alloy build (apart from Airlite barrels 🙃) means < 20 lbs which is nice. Up and down our road felt good ealier!

https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/333588/

1910 Rudge whitworth.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Old-bike-rudge-whitworth-1910-/234101110505?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=709-127639-2357-0

Must be pretty heavy, with the mess it made of that tortoise. “Très belle velo” indeed

1958 Johnny Berry(?) 22" with 80s bits:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-road-bike-Shimano-Wolber-spares-repair-cycle-bicycle-Johnny-Berry-/294282504825?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m2548.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

Axe head lugs makes me think this is an early 50s Butler. 21" with an interesting lugged stem:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Blue-Road-Racing-Bike-21-Frame-/203532600672?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m2548.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

Sadly not a Johnny Berry, frame no. would be under the fork crown.

http://www.ipernity.com/doc/1010389/40188440//in/album/838194

If any one wants to sell a 23-24inch Johnny Berry please get in touch !

22" any good?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265242433894?hash=item3dc1ae5966:g:no8AAOSwhKpg~c2V

Cheers Crispy,22" would just about work,
But 1k is very ambitious and out of my price range.
One will turn up.

Am I right to assume these are Accles & Pollock, all I can think of for AP !? I can't find nuffink on the web about them ... any thoughts on value ? asking for a friend !

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Who is it on here that commutes on a linseed oiled Gillott Fixed? Nice chatting to you this evening next to Trafalgar Square- (i was on the Fillet brazed blue Mercian). - You've inspired me to try and find some 27" or suitable 700c clinchers on old hubs so I can commute more on my Paragon track without the fear of puncturing tubulars (and all the hassle that involves!)

Ha.!. Nice to meet you @jeff80
You have a Lovely brazed Mercian, makes me wish I had never sold my 653 frame.

you too, good to put a face to a name.

I thought it might not be a Claud when it was on eBay previously, but Granby or Selbach?

https://tinyurl.com/Granby-frame

Hope someone can confirm. Granby brings back memories of waiting outside The Marquis Of Granby pub (glass bottle Pepsi with a straw), while the old man was inside and Weird Fantasy.

Stunning paintwork, lug lining and patina on this tamdam.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-HARRY-RENSCH-PARIS-CYCLES-TANDEM-1940s-Era-Galibier-30-4-/124779574436?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

Love this. Size 58.5 too big for me …

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133843159359

Very nice and there's that canary yellow again.
Not sure it was built for sprint's though as it looks very happy.?

Yep not sure about the equipment. Seller said it was his dad’s so maybe put together to sell. The decals are mid to late 50s afaik (that downtube decal 😍) and wood sprints would be earlier wouldn’t they?

Edit: checking the ebay post again, maybe early 50s as seller writes, I don’t know with any certainty to say otherwise. But I have been told that set are good for late 50s by Mercian.

And I’m guessing you mean gappy 🙃

Anyway long story short, if that was 22” I’d be bidding. Slightly relieved it’s too big!

Holdsworth aids 1955 still had wood sprints for sale.

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https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Holdsworth-Whirlwind-Mk-1-Bike-Frame-c-1951-/294332359793?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

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