Old Ten Speed Gallery

Since I haven’t done a Found on Flickr in a while, I thought Leap Year Day certainly called for one. Today on flickr, I found this hapless and unassuming Motobecane Nomad II. The owner, like so many others, was announcing his recent acquisition of the perfectly serviceable 10-speed and his further plans to emasculate it.

Unfortunately, I came upon this bike far too late to talk him out of it. As you can see from the picture below, the deal has been done. Worst of all, the 39×16 is going to really limit the potential of this once proud ten speed.

Why, after all the effort of conversion, does the owner choose to photograph his mobile spin class on the non drive side? Why does anyone, for that matter, ever photograph their bike on the non drive side? I can think of few less flattering poses.

Tuesday’s contributer, Kiki, also provided today’s inspiring 10-speed-of-my-dreams. I love the utilitarianism and general disregard for popular opinion that 10-speeds seem to inspire out of their owners. No image to maintain, no concern for social acceptance, just use what you have and do what you want. Thank God for Ten-speeds.

Here’s my second submission — an old Schwinn Varsity that’s almost all original. I hope you don’t find the handlebars too appalling. They’re kid-bike ape-hangers, and actually make for a really comfortable riding position.

I repacked the bearings and changed the brake cables & levers to fit the new bars, but apart from that haven’t done any more. Maybe one day I’ll get around to polishing up the chrome.

For something that weighs half a ton it can go pretty good.

This past weekend I started working on my Columbia Newport 10-speed. First, of course, I aired up the tires and took it for spin. Due to the 15 degree temps, the ride was shorter than I would have liked, but it was long enough to make it painfully apparent that this frame is way too small for me - I felt a bit like an ape on a tricycle.  After my short cold ride, I tore down the bike to a bare frame and evaluated the overall condition.  I only found a few glaring issues that will require a couple new parts. The rear wheel has a broken spoke, one of the stem shifters is broken and the rear brake is missing.  Not bad for a bike that has been sitting in a burn for 15 years.  My projected expenses for this project are as follows:

1. Shifters $10
2. Chain $8
3. Cables $10
4. Tires? $25
5. Spoke Repair $30

Total Investment $83!

Ok, the broken spoke in really screwing up my $50 budget!  I do have an additional rear wheel in inventory, but that will just require a new wheel for a future project. Stay tuned…

Here are some before and after shots of the derailers, a picture of my Sugino crank and my newly acquired shifters.

The light beige finish is complimented nicely by a wide array of chips and scratches.

This late 70s Takara Mixte, sent in by Kiki, ranks among my favorite to this point. I love that the duffel bag strapped to the back of her seat looks big enough to carry two pounds of chicken salad and a case of High Life (my favorite snacks for a long ride). I also like this Takara because it reminds me of my own favorite ride, a purple mens Takara of the same vintage. Thanks for the entry Kiki.

Hey — submitted for your viewing pleasure is an old Takara (late 70s?) that a friend passed on to me after being given it by a student.

All original, down to the Cannondale seat duffle. If the rust on the lugs isn’t too deep, this could turn out to be a bit better than crappy. It feels like a gas pipe frame, but it has a Sugino Maxy crank, Suntour derailleurs and Diacomp brakes. A lot of scratches and superficial rust.

It seems to be a pretty close copy of the Peugeot UO18s-19s.

Today on the Monday Market I am featuring mens 10-speed from anywhere but Craigslist.  I intended to show all the other good sources for old ten speeds available in the world, but as it turns out, it becomes pretty slim picking once you eliminate clist - especially in the U.S.   Here you go, a fine selection of vintage mens 10-speed most of which are anything but crappy.  Prices ranging from $50 USD to $350 CD.  The 1971 Bottecchia even has Campy components and some pretty chrome lugs.  Also note the JCPenny 10-speed with a rear disc brake!

Santa Barbara, CA
Sentinel $75 USD

Vancouver, BC
1971 Bottecchia $350 CD

Totowa, NJ
Schwinn Varsity $50 USD

Fredon, NJ
Fuji Touring $225 USD

Toledo, OH
JCPenny w/ Disc Brake $99 USD

Kelowna, BC
CCM Esprit $150 CD

Islington, London
De-Badged Vicroy $158 USD

Winnipeg, MB
Peugeot $140 CD