Every morning when I wake up, I hope that in some small way, the OTSG will help someone to realize they should let their old crappy 10-speed live as God intended. For sometime now this has been a exercise in futility with derailers, stem shifters and spoke mounted reflectors being cast from their once proud stations atop a mid-70s lightweight every second. But all is not lost, every now and then someone will say, “Hey, I like being able to coast, and I like being able to shift into a more comfortable gear. I don’t mind the extra weight and besides, I like the little extra bling a nicely polished shifter or derailer brings to the equation. I’m going to leave this bike the way it is!” This is what this site is all about–au naturale. Here is one such example of someone who has seen the light:
This is my Centurion, its an early 80’s model. It saw some action as a fixed gear this winter, but old ten speeds are where its at, thus I put all the original parts back on to restore its former glory.
Finding a good yet affordable 10-Speed these days is no easy task. With the popularity of online classifieds continually on the rise, anyone with a camera and computer can pawn off their ugly ill-maintained bikes(10-speed or other) to whomever is willing to pay the — three times what would be reasonable — asking price.
Hugh — veteran and friend of the OTSG — is one such bike selling guy. What sets Hugh apart, however, is that his bikes are actually very nice. Clearly, he has a knack for finding bikes in exceptional condition(which is key), he then disassembles and completes a thorough inspection and reconditioning process on all of them — kind of like a Lexus. When you buy an old bike from Hugh, it’s not used, it’s Certified Pre-Owned.
Some of his offerings:
Schwinn Sprint - SOLD
Schwinn Continental - $180
USFreeAds & Kijiji
C.C.M. Formula One - $185
USFreeAds & Kijiji
Univega Viva Sport - $220
USFreeAds & Kijiji
We’re finishing the week in fine fashion with this Peugeot Triathlon. Dru’s let the cat out of the bag by openly admitting this is a 12-speed. As I have said before, we have a strict don’t ask don’t tell policy with regards to gear count. I don’t want all these 14-speeders coming around saying how they should get to be in the gallery too. This is a slippery slope folks, so if you are sporting 12 keep it on the DL.
Does a 12-speed count? This is my 1987 French-made (as opposed to Canadian) Peugeot Triathlon, completely rebuilt and restored. Shimano 105 group.
Thanks Dru
In case you haven’t noticed, today’s bicycle market is experiencing a unprecedented boom. The reasons for the current boom are many, and I’m not about to delve in to topics I am most unqualified to discuss — I do that enough already. What I would like to do instead, is give you a peek at the old crappy bikes of tomorrow. Just browse over to walmart.com or amazon.com and you will find a wide array of road bikes ranging from $129-$1598. The craigslist market value (CMV) for OTS is continuing to climb well in to the $100s thanks, I like to think, to the relentless proselytizing by yours truly. So if you would rather own a new crappy bike instead of someone else’s old crappy bike there is a plethora from which to choose.
Women’s Kent GMC Denali $129 or $149
At 29lbs, this Denali bike is sure to burn as many calories as the Denali SUV burns gas.
Men’s Kent GMC Denali $129 or $149
Creative handlebar/brake configuations are encouraged!
GMC Envoy Road Bike $136
This Envoy sports a popular brake lever mis-placement as well as open air brake cables.
Schwinn Varsity $198
Schwinn offers this new take on the classic Varsity for about $50 more than you’ll pay for a 1970s vintage Varsity on craigslist. However, this new version appears to be sans the much needed chrome pie plate.
Lamborghini Rapido Road Bike $199
Like many other luxury car manufacturers, Lamborghini now makes a bike version of their exotic sports cars. Just like it’s car cousins, this bike looks like its going fast even when it’s sitting still!
Cadillac Elite Road Series RLE1.8 $800
If you’ve got an extra $650 laying around, you would be silly not to snap up this limited edition Caddy road bike. If this seems too pricey, remember, Cadillac offers one year of free OnStar with the purchase. Still need more convincing? Just ask this happy customer about his new Caddy!
Annalise, a Melbournian Bike Lover, offers her Australian built Repco Continental for our enjoyment. Annie’s Repco bares a similar style and class evident in Anne’s Morrison Concorde and Alice’s ‘77 Sportabout. After a string of Schwinns this month, it’s nice to have two straight OIOTS.
OTS picked up from Salvation Army store in Melbourne. $20 AUD…
…You might be interested to know that this is a Repco Continental, made
in Huntingdale, Victoria (Australia) in the mid-late 80s. It has
Shimano Tourney gears, and I believe truly qualifies as an OTS.
Thanks Annalise
