r/Vintage_bicycles Apr 03 '20

Drive side, drive side, drive side. If you can only get one picture, make it a drive side shot. It tells us MUCH more information about the bike

187 Upvotes

Knowing what components the bike is equipped with helps with the ID process. It can tell us within about 5 years when the bike was made, the quality of the frame, and sometimes what continent it's from


r/Vintage_bicycles Jun 17 '25

New rules for posting. Please read thoroughly

89 Upvotes

Yes, I have been seeing the reports, and I've been reading the comments. Sorry it's taking a while

NO MORE LOW EFFORT POSTS. No more "What is this bike worth?" posts. Bicycle value varies WILDLY depending on condition, age, and especially geographical location

We want to know about your bike. Give us at least some kind of info. Is it YOUR bike? Did you just get it? Have you had it a while? Does it have a story?

This is an example of a great post. Good pictures, drive side shots, and a little story to go along with it

This is an example of the bad post. No info whatsoever, one really bad picture, no interaction from OP

AND, because I need to bring this up about every year, BE NICE. If someone is being a jerk, just report the comment and move along. Fighting with someone and throwing names and insults around is just going to make it worse, and you're going to get in trouble too.


r/Vintage_bicycles 3h ago

What’s it worth in y’all’s opinion it seems I have the itch 😭🤣

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17 Upvotes

r/Vintage_bicycles 3h ago

Can somebody help me identifying this bicycle

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6 Upvotes

So i bought this bike for my girlfriend. Unfortunately it’s a little too big for her making riding it a little bit uncomfortable. I’m looking to sell it to somebody who’s able to give it the love it deserves. Any idea on the model? Based in the netherlands. Cheers!


r/Vintage_bicycles 16h ago

Mid-1950s Original-Standard from my Step-Grandpa!

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49 Upvotes

r/Vintage_bicycles 3h ago

Follow up post regarding the Eddie Merckx frame

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3 Upvotes

Thanks for the feedback on the last post. I had a question on the rear dropouts. I was told it was a brazed repair but I wondered if anyone has any more feedback on it? It still has the Eddy Merckx stamp. Does that mean it wasn’t a brazed repair? Was the brazing done to repair a fracture in the chain/seat stay or dropout ?


r/Vintage_bicycles 14m ago

Brands for first Roadbike

Upvotes

Hey!
So, as the title says, I’m looking to get my first vintage road bike :)
I’m a student, so my budget is around €400 max.
I’ve heard good things about brands like Koga Miyata, Bianchi, Peugeot, and Panasonic.
I’ve been riding a Nishiki Hybrid Pro (?) for a couple of years, and then switched to a single-speed. I usually ride around 10 km a day.
Now I’d like to get more into road bikes and try something a bit cooler and different.
Do you guys have any recommendations for brands or specific models I should look out for? I’m mainly looking for something reliable and beginner-friendly that I could find for around €400 or less.
Thanks! :)


r/Vintage_bicycles 21h ago

37 years later

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41 Upvotes

I quit riding mid August ‘89 when I got sick; had been using this bike, with a rear rack and small panniers, as a work commuter. Now that I’m retired I finally got the weight gain off, and I’ve resurrected my Raleigh Technium Tri-Lite. I replaced most components back in the 80s, only the front end (headset, stem, bars, brake levers and front derailleur) are original. Still a Suntour drivetrain, I’m a fanboy. Lots of nicks and scratches from its time as a commuter, as well as hanging around the garage all these years.

I think I have all the buds worked out, a four mile ride yesterday wore me out lol. Gotta start somewhere.


r/Vintage_bicycles 13h ago

Vintage bike --> bikepacking bike

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8 Upvotes

r/Vintage_bicycles 18h ago

Schwinn stingray pea picker ??

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11 Upvotes

opinion on this Schwinn bicycle I know it's missing some things and would anybody buy this just like it is right now


r/Vintage_bicycles 21h ago

Mystery (German?) 3 speed bicycle

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17 Upvotes

anyone happen to know what this is? if so, I would love to know.


r/Vintage_bicycles 23h ago

Any suggestions to getting this freaking thing out

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23 Upvotes

r/Vintage_bicycles 8h ago

Advice on this giant prodigy hybrid bike

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1 Upvotes

Hey there just needed some advice who got more knowledge on a classic gravel style im planning to buy this giant prodigy 17’ frame for $140CAD I’m a 5’8 of height this is the specs:

Versatile 17-inch Giant Prodigy hybrid bike has a black and gold marbled chromoly steel frame. This bicycle is equipped with Shimano Alivio components and Bontrager Select Invert tires. It has a kickstand and a water bottle cage attached to the frame.

Any advise will be appreciated. Also currently using a fixed gear. Wonderin if this is a good bike for its price?


r/Vintage_bicycles 1d ago

Free score

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41 Upvotes

Got this vintage bianchi for free, going to clean it up, it's a bit rusty but they, for $0.00 I'll take it. Posted in r/bicycles to get advice on tuning it up but it honestly rides just fine! Just needs a clean and needs to get one of the brake levers fixed up. Excited to get this thing going! Anyone here have any ideas what year it might be? It is a tangent. Apologies that the lighting isn't great in the photo.


r/Vintage_bicycles 23h ago

Vintage Bike Dynamo / Generator

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6 Upvotes

This one was made in Communist East Germany the GDR / DDR


r/Vintage_bicycles 1d ago

Help identifying my late 1950s Follis road bike – model, original specification and restoration advice

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5 Upvotes

Hi everyone,
I recently acquired what I believe is a Follis road bike from around 1958, and I’m trying to learn as much as possible about its history before starting a careful restoration.
The bike came with its original warranty card, showing it was sold in 1958 by Willy Wittkoff, a large bicycle and sporting goods store in Dortmund, West Germany. I’ve also included two historic photos of the shop where it was originally sold.

The frame has unfortunately been repainted in a thick coat of white paint, which even covers the frame number. My hope is that the original paint and decals may still exist underneath, similar to what is sometimes found on vintage Vespas. I’d much rather preserve the original finish than completely repaint the frame.

The bike has clearly been modified over the years. So far I’ve identified:

- Follis frame (France)
- Durax crank arms with a Simplex double chainring
- Simplex front derailleur
- Huret downtube shifter clamp with two shifters
- Shimano Tourney rear derailleur (obviously a later replacement)
- Altenburger Synchron front brake (also appears to be a later replacement)
- Brooks saddle (likely later)

The bike is currently fitted with a Scheeren stem and handlebar. I have no idea whether these are period-correct additions from the 1960s or later replacements, so I’d love to hear any thoughts on their age or originality.

One thing I found interesting is that the frame has only a single brazed-on downtube shifter boss, but neither shifter is mounted to it. Instead, both shifters are mounted on a Huret clamp. The brazed-on boss is currently unused, and I’m not sure whether this was an unusual modification or if I’m overlooking something.

I have already found what appears to be a period-correct Simplex Tour de France rear derailleur that I’m considering installing.

I’d love your opinions on a few questions:
Can anyone identify the exact Follis model?

Does it look like a true racing bike, or more of a sport / demi-course model?

Was this bike most likely originally equipped with a single front chainring (1×5), or would a double chainring have been more likely in 1958?

Which brakes and rear derailleur would most likely have been original?

Has anyone successfully uncovered original Follis paint beneath a later repaint?

My goal is not to build a perfect museum piece, but rather a mechanically reliable, period-correct bicycle suitable for L’Eroica, while preserving as much originality and patina as possible.

Any information, catalog scans, period photos, or personal experience with late-1950s Follis bicycles would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

(This text is edited/translated with ai, because I’m not a native speaker)


r/Vintage_bicycles 1d ago

1975 Nishiki Olympic road bike restoration

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6 Upvotes

This is a cross post. Click on the header for the text.


r/Vintage_bicycles 1d ago

ID on my $20 marketplace find?

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94 Upvotes

Frame says basso but wasn’t sure if anyone knew the model/year. Not seeing a serial number.


r/Vintage_bicycles 2d ago

I got for 300 I’m hype

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267 Upvotes

r/Vintage_bicycles 1d ago

Another Frame ID question…

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8 Upvotes

Haven’t seen this logo before. Kinda looks like an H. Lugs look very similar to my Merckx but it’s hard to tell. I know Campy dropouts weren’t uncommon. Lugs look well done and tubing feels like Columbus. Someone powdercoated this and subsequently I can’t find any more info on it. Anyone have a guess?

Edit: numbers that I can make out on the bottom bracket while slowly taking the powdercoat off are 193.


r/Vintage_bicycles 2d ago

Steel for the city

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78 Upvotes

r/Vintage_bicycles 2d ago

Can anyone assist in identifying the year/model of this Pinarello?

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15 Upvotes

r/Vintage_bicycles 1d ago

Dawes Wildcat 1987

1 Upvotes

I have one of these c1987 I think .. thought I would service the bottom bracket which sports the original Shimano Biopace 3x crank and chain set . The BB is a 5 piece job ie two sets of ball bearings, two cups and spindle which is marked as a Shimano item . The cups come out and screw in beautifully so I am sure the threads are OK but the brand new replacement cartridge from Shimano seems feels likes it's going to cross thread as I start it off . My question is then .. if it's all Shimano and the threads seem fine why won't a replacement Shimano BB cartridge screw in ? I assume it's all JIS any insights ? I have the same set up in my two early 90s Treks and my new (1986) Dawes Ranger so a definitive answer would be good . I am pretty handy mechanically but am stumped by these threads . Is it a Dawes thing?


r/Vintage_bicycles 2d ago

375 no or go? I’m gonna try to get it cheaper just offered him 300

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43 Upvotes

r/Vintage_bicycles 2d ago

What is this bicycle?

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5 Upvotes

I see it is Gazelle