Vintage racing bikes: The most important tips and gadgets

Basically, racing bikes are like a whiskey. The oller, the more Doller. With a small difference: the fine bourbon or single paints through the throat and at some point the noblest bottle is empty. At a steel racer from the cultivated facts of the 1970s and 80s – Colnago, Pinarello or Bianchi – to name just three, cycling fans with some penchant for nostalgia enjoy a whole life. Yes, the classic cars on two wheels weigh a few kilos more than the sinfully expensive model made of carbon fiber, the triathlon machine with the fancy 14-speed hub gear. Comfort is now also different. Nevertheless, the sometimes several decades -old bike – no longer just in big cities such as Hamburg, Berlin or Munich. And the replicas, the so-called vintage racing bikes, are mostly impressive.

Instead of the tour legends Eddy Merckx and Bernard Hinault, who struggled through the Alps on their two-wheelers, pedaled young and old to work with the cutting oldies today, to work, or cycle through nature for fun. The racing bikes in the vintage style are not entirely comparable to the steel pies of the 1970s-and yet they are always an eye-catcher.

A good portion of luck is part of finding such a piece of jewelry on the Internet or even at the flea market. This is also why some cycling manufacturers have specialized in vintage racing bikes in recent years. The Berlin two -wheeler Chrisson has several of them in its range. The retro bikes weigh sporty eleven kilograms. That is still a few kilos less than the classics of that time brought to the streets. Instead of the classic (and rather uncomfortable) frame circuit, which Merckx and Co. used, the brake levers are switched here. With their urban bikes like that The Berlin inventors have also dispensed with the classic racing driver. Speed ​​junkies that like to pull vigorously on the lower driver also find models with the racing variant.

Happiness guys who want to get a bargain in the basement on a long -forgotten racing bike or want to beat a bargain on the net should at least be careful before the first test drive. The steel frames from back then are robust and durable, because when soldering the pipes was worked with sleeves and the pieces of jewelry are usually at least partially chrome -plated – but the time does not go away without a trace either. It becomes dangerous, especially when the frames are warped or dented. Wheels that have stood in the basement for 20 years or more can also rust from the inside. Here it helps to lift the wheel, turn over and to peak the ears. It trickles inside, it could indicate rust. Otherwise, it is sufficient to drive the pipes by hand to determine possible dents or dangerous cracks.

The saddle should be renewed for complete wheels. Among other things, the experienced saddle builders from Selle Italia have faced the wire rope act of comfort and retro look. Came out one . The classic from 1980 comes in the Nostalgic Braun and is supposed to commemorate the times of Miguel Indurain and Laurent Fignon.

Whether buying a new or network find-a vintage racing bike must also be safe. This also includes StVZO-certified lighting. Of course stylish, like this chrome -plated by Busch & Müller, which is operated via a hub dynamo and operated using a rotary knob. The illuminance should be 25 lux. A real eye -catcher is also this .

In the fight against dirty weather, only the shelter helps with vintage racing bikes. But instead of elaborate assembly with small nuts and screws, plug -in solutions are sufficient. They are now available in all shapes, colors and daring designs. They fit under all common saddle models and are attached in no time. Otherwise, take no space in the backpack. Rie: Sel Design from Dresden has next to In black and white and candy colors also designs for retro bikers who prefer understatement.

Now it makes little sense to swing on the vintage racing bike in the winter coat or summer dress. In the worst case, this is not only dangerous, but also a shame about the clothes. Above all, because there are also outfits to match the noble oldie racers that finally put the Radnostalgic back into the golden times of cycling. Simply, like with stripes in delicate pink, Celeste-green or the rainbow colors of the world champions and on the chest the nostalgic lettering of legendary brands and teams such as Bianchi Campagnolo, Molteni, Peugeot or others. Optionally short arm, as a long -arm jersey or jacket. The Frankfurt Rennrad Rock’n’Roller from the “Guilty 76 Racing Team” designed their own collection. The Is windproof, water -repellent and can be folded easily when the weather is nice and stowed away in the jersey pocket.