Recent content by Ian J

Immediately spotted two more Asian bikes after I last replied…but they are indeed pretty rare over here. Planning a trip to a local vintage bike specialist in a few weeks but in the meantime have shortlisted a restored Roy Thame and a mystery chromed European bike for a closer look when back...

Many thanks for your thoughts on this, very helpful! Interesting what you say about Asian/Japanese manufactured bikes. I am far more familiar with vintage typewriters at the moment and the same observation can be made about the manufacture of smaller portable typewriters of this era - Silver...

Spotted at a local antique yard, Raleigh Richmond with pannier, saddle bag, lights etc. Reynolds 531, Suntour derailleurs. Appears to be in very good condition. 24” frame (too big for me). Owner is asking £175 but is open to offers. Viewing on Sharrowvale Road, Sheffield (rear of Gilbert and...

Will park this one for the moment but may come back to you at some point - may become one of my n+1 options (!) but many thanks for your help!

Ah, I understand. Despite my age I‘m okay with race geometry, my main summer ride is a Planet X Spitfire and also have a Fuji Feather single speed. I would probably prefer originality over being able to accommodate a modern cluster/brakes as I guess I am looking for the vintage experience, given...

I understand they are fine and indeed rare, with Columbus tubing mostly?

Sounds like a good option but unfortunately it will be too large. I was once 5ft 10” but now struggle to hit 5ft 8” so I probably need a 20” frame (could maybe stretch to 21”, literally). Many thanks for the offer though! (Long term supporter of the charity too)

I had a 5 speed Carlton back in the late 70s and rode it from Warrington to South Wales and back (remember struggling on the hills in central Wales…). I think I paid £15 for it, secondhand, so maybe not cheaper now.…!?

That’s the problem, not sure what bike I should be looking for: reputable brand or bespoke model, lightweight, reliable, 10+ speed - but that still leaves a dazzling list of options. Maybe I should let fate/heart play its part and see what comes up? Just been looking at a Raleigh Quadra - seems...

Excellent! Planning to have a ride over.

Many thanks, really helpful. Would you exclude Reynolds 501 from consideration? Appreciate that it’s slightly heavier than 531 and more of a mid-range spec?

Many thanks - the two I’ve shortlisted are on Facebook marketplace but I’ll look into bike jumbles too. I’m struggling to spot the hidden treasures from the mass produced ‘tribute’ models (e.g. Raleigh Bananas)…but getting to know what Reynolds numbers to look for.

Hi all, I’ve been cycling for 60+ years and have a number of bikes covering all needs but now want to venture into the field of retro (I had a Carlton as a teenager/student but it wouldn‘t have been retro in those days…!). I’m seeking advice on what bike to get, for starters. From the little...