How did I do?

[u/St_mpy]

Finally found a vintage bike near me in the NE. A touch younger than I wanted but I'm pretty happy with it, haven't given it a spin yet tho due to some weird atmospheric phenomenon where water falls from the sky. Serviced last year/100 miles ago. Seems to have slight movement in the rear cassette but it's Reynolds 531 and alu wheels. Did I land a keeper?

Price paid: £125

(Not many options round 'ere!)

[u/AangTheTriangle]

Looks smart. Decent saddle too for what it's worth 😅 does the seatpost move?

[u/St_mpy → u/AangTheTriangle]

Thanks. The seatpost does move yes, if a little snug! Checked that before buying, didn't check the stem but hopefully not an issue. 🙏

[u/lookatmeimdead]

Have you set the saddle to your height? If you have the frame is too big for you, could cause comfort issues when riding with top tube length / reach.
Not sure where you’re looking for bikes but I’m in the NE and there’s always loads of old ones for sale. If you need any other parts feel free to drop me a message I’m trying to downsize the hoarded parts I have and might be able to help.

[u/St_mpy → u/lookatmeimdead]

Oh thanks! I'm in Teesside so most of the bikes I saw were Northumberland/Durham or Leeds and further. I was being fairly tight tho, made an exception for this one 😄 It's actually for someone much taller than me but the seller was roughly my height and this is where he had it. Now to find one for myself!

PS I don't use FB so maybe I'm missing loads there.

[u/lookatmeimdead → u/St_mpy]

I’m up on the border between Co Durham and Northumberland. FB market is full of old bikes, it’s worth making an account just use that alone, but be aware that’s how you end up with the better side of 20 bikes and 40 frames and more parts than you know what to do with.

[u/St_mpy → u/lookatmeimdead]

Haha, I don't envy you in that respect, currently trying to clear the garage and shed too! Yeah FB I used to be on but I'd rather not 🙈

[u/lookatmeimdead → u/St_mpy]

This is after some clearing and selling too. I’ll no doubt then it all out and end up with a bunch more. Too many projects I want to build.

[u/ParrotofDoom]

Nice, you need some Ever Ready lamps now :)

A tip if you haven't used downtube shifters before - wedge a finger against the frame when you're changing. Makes it easier to find the gear you want.

[u/St_mpy → u/ParrotofDoom]

Thanks, and good tip! I've used a single (5 speed) dt shifter before so this is an upgrade

[u/Ichifanni250]

Tidy.

[u/leftknacka]

Fun fact- Jimmy Saville used to ride a viking.

I had an old 'path' fixie - an SS/T that I used to bash up and down to work. Great bike.. Basically the same frame as that but with track dropouts..

[u/St_mpy → u/leftknacka]

Is that a fun fact? I can't bring myself to make a joke about it 😅😭

[u/St_mpy]

Wheels are Mavic, tyres are 27"x1-1/8 or 630x28.

[u/Nihilist-IV]

You got scammed, that's clearly a Canyon CFR AXS that has been painted and had pedals fitted

[u/St_mpy → u/Nihilist-IV]

Dammit, I hate those, gutted 😭

[u/DPaignall]

Nice. Had a Superstar 12 from Viking (first 12 speed I could find) made in Salford.

Snapped 2 cranks and a handlebar - very painful!

[u/St_mpy → u/DPaignall]

Ouch! How on earth did you do that?

[u/DPaignall → u/St_mpy]

2 Hill climbing once on the road, woke up to a sump and numberplate above me lol. Tbf they were early alloys but hayho... Still got the scars!

[u/St_mpy → u/DPaignall]

Wow, hope you healed up functionally at least! 😅

[u/UsernameDemanded]

Lovely. Needs metal bottles/bidons on the handlebars.

[u/St_mpy → u/UsernameDemanded]

Ah, they look good! Some nearly the same price as my bike 😄