So, after acquiring this frame a couple of months ago as described in a previous post, I have finally decided to get started putting it together. The lingering question was just what to do with it? It’s not a high dollar classic or a particularly sought after brand, and not really very collectible so it had to be a good rider. It should also be reasonably light and a bike that is nice to look at, so my main goal for this Raleigh is just that, for it be a nice looking bike that is fun to ride.
(more…)March 9, 2024
1980 Raleigh Competition G.S.
Posted by Oldairhead under Bike Builds | Tags: bicycle, bikes, cycling, raleigh, retro, vintage |Leave a Comment
March 13, 2022
Mid 60’s Girardengo, completed
Posted by Oldairhead under Bike Builds, Classic Bikes | Tags: eroica, retro, vintage |[2] Comments
Bicicletta classica per tutte le strade
I’m trying to find the right category to classify this bike as and I haven’t quite got it yet. Retro Italian gravel bike, vintage all roads rider, old school adventure bike, Strada Bianca speciale? All of these come close but in the end it is probably just a Franken-bike.
(more…)December 28, 2021
1954 Urago Debutante
Posted by Oldairhead under Bike Builds | Tags: eroica, retro, urago, vintage |[3] Comments
Urago Bicycles was a French manufacturer which was founded in 1935 in Nice by brothers Joseph and Francois. They were known for the high quality of their handmade frames, many of which were built by artisan frame builder Anicet Cattanéo who continued working through the early 70’s. Francois Urago was a track racer in the 1920s -1930s and his likeness was on the head badge for many years. Outside of these scant few details there is limited information readily available on the Urago marque other than the few bikes that are out there to observe.
(more…)July 13, 2021
1986 Nishiki Prestige
Posted by Oldairhead under Bike Builds | Tags: century bike, nishiki, prestige, retro |[2] Comments
Here is a recent acquisition from Ebay, a 1986 Nishiki Prestige road bike. This one was the same model and year of bike that I once rode back in the 80’s and it was my first “real road bike.” I sold it more than 30 years ago so when I saw this one come up I thought it would be a fun trip down memory lane. It was pretty much just missing the wheels to be complete so I pulled the trigger!
(more…)February 15, 2020
Mystery bike has a name!
Posted by Oldairhead under Classic Bikes | Tags: 1950's, gravel roads, Ivrea, Piemontese, R.Daniele, randonneur, restoration, retro, vintage |[2] Comments
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Piemontese
After a fruitless effort to identify the marque of this bicycle I have decided that it should not remain a no-name bike. Lacking its true identity I can at least give it an alias, or perhaps a stage name. Bicycles have personalities of sorts and any name should reflect that. To give it a signature to display on the down-tube seems only proper. A few of the naming criteria for me are as follows: First, that it be Italian, offers a complimentary image, and should reflect something about the character of the machine. Italians bikes are often unique to the region in which they are manufactured, in the case this bike the Piedmont region of northern Italy. That makes this bike Piemontese in origin and would also make a fine label for this bike. Hey, I think I just invented a bike brand! (more…)
October 26, 2017
The Mystery bike is finished!
Posted by Oldairhead under Bike Builds, Classic Bikes | Tags: 1950's, Campagnolo, eroica, girardengo, Ivrea, Piedmont, Piemontese, R.Daniele, randonneur, retro, vintage |[4] Comments
April 16, 2017
Eroica California 2017, ride day
Posted by Oldairhead under Eroica California | Tags: bianchi, brevet, Cass Winery, Eroica California, gravel roads, Kiler Canyon Road, Paso Robles, retro, vintage |Leave a Comment
This is the third year for this event…….
In all of my previous Eroica events I have always ridden the longest available route. I wanted to get the full “Heroic” experience out of each location, Italy, England, Spain as well as California. This year however I chose one of the shorter distance options which may have marked a turning point in my cycling.
April 1, 2016
Bianchi L’Eroica bike
Posted by Oldairhead under Bike Builds, Classic Bikes | Tags: bianchi, eroica, Eroica California, Paso Robles, retro, vintage |[3] Comments
My 2015 Bianchi L’Eroica
I originally discussed this bike in a post last year after I first heard about it, Preview of the Bianchi L’Eroica. I determined that I wanted to get one as soon as they became available and put my local bike shop onto the job of tracking one down. After a few months of phone calls and inquiries my Bianchi arrived in January of 2016. It appears to be the 17th bike in production based on the serial number, and is certainly among the first to arrive in the US.
October 30, 2015
1980 Motobecane Nomade II, winter project
Posted by Oldairhead under Bike Builds | Tags: mixte, motobecane, restoration, retro, townie, vintage |Leave a Comment
Here is a bike that I really didn’t need, though that could be said about most of them. It came to me like so many others “as a good deal!” At just $38 for the frame and fork it seemed like a no brainer, especially since I had most of the needed parts just lying around.