Cycle Thru

Land Shark - Time Trial bike

2013-10-30T12:44:00.000-07:00

Land Shark Time Trial bike

here's some history on Land Shark http://landsharkbicycles.com/who/

Hand built in USA,

High end Columbus tubing and dropouts, very lightweight

2 x 10 gearing with 53/39 chainrings, and 12-25 ten speed cassette.

Shimano Dura-Ace ten-speed indexing fingertip shifters on Profile Designs T2+ bar extensions.

Derailluers are Shimano Dura-Ace, front and rear.

Cinelli 1-A wrap-around stem

Cinelli L.A.84 bullhorn handlebars with new white cushion handlebar tape.

Campagnolo Nuovo Record front hub laced radial to Saavedra Turbo Aero rim
GommItalia Freccia 24 tire.

Rear Dura-Ace hub is laced 3 cross on drive side, radial on non-drive side to Mavic Special Service du Courses(S.S.C.) rim and Vittoria Corsa CX Pro-Team tire.

Both wheels are 28 spokes.

Brakes are Suntour grey-anodized GPX side-pulls with internal (hidden) return springs.

Crankset is Suntour GPX, upgraded with FSA 53 tooth outer ring,

Shimano Dura-Ace 39 tooth inner ring.

Saddle is Selle Italia ASPide Arrowhead with titanium rails

Carbon Fiber micro-adjust seat post.

smoothly filed brass fillet welds

Land Shark - Road Shark

2013-07-17T20:30:00.000-07:00

Follow the links for some history on LandShark Road bicycles

http://www.belgiumkneewarmers.com/2008/03/andy-hampstens-land-shark.html

http://www.opb.org/programs/artbeat/segments/view/629

Land Shark Road Shark Road Bike

Amazing original paint job with little sharks throughout, really a work of art

Made in USA

lugged high end steel,

62cm seat tube

Campagnolo Record shifters, rear derailleur, seat post

Dura Ace Brakes, front derailleur

700c Mavic Wheels, Mavic Hubs, Mavic Crank set, bottom bracket, headset

Cinelli Stem and Handle bars

Turbo Saddle

Trek cycle computer

Pennys Slight - Weight 3

2013-05-30T17:29:00.002-07:00

This is an early 70's bicycle sold at Pennys department stores. Not sure were they were made, but like many department store bike's of the 70's they were either made in Europe or in the USA. There is a BMA sticker that stands for the Bicycle Manufacturer Association of America. "BMA/6 certification" evolved from a Consumer Products Safety Commission's 1970s attempt to try to protect children from Dangerous Things". Reflectors were one of the items that began sprouting up on the newly certified bikes.

The bike came equipped with an early Shimano internal 3 speed that still functioned very well. 26x1-3/4" wheels. As with the many AMF, Huffy, Sears, Free Spirit, Schwinn 3 speed town bikes these are heavy "light weight" bicycles. The style is a copy of the popular roadster made popular in Europe. They make great around town bikes and usually respond well to being loaded with racks and baskets to carry items. The upright sitting position makes them comfortable providing a cruiser style ride, while the skinnier tires provide much quicker traveling speeds.

Huffy 512st road bike

2013-05-12T15:51:00.000-07:00

This is a 1980's Huffy road bike. Made in the USA. Most Huffy were affordable lower end bicycles. You could say they were built for the person than wanted to get into the sport for cheap, and would likely leave the sport and move on to something else. For that reason many of these bikes were seen as disposable. Luckily that distinction makes them good bikes to have in a neighborhood where you might be afraid of your bike getting stolen. The steel frame absorbs most road shock, as do the steel wheels. Like old Schwinn bikes they could last a fairly good while with maintenance. Usually the first thing to go are any plastic pieces such as plastic shifters. For that reason, single speed conversions are often a good choice for these old road bikes. They are simplified and made more efficient. This particular Huffy is a 10 speed equipped with 26"x1-3/8" wheels.

Univega GranTech 6400

2013-05-12T15:29:00.003-07:00

The Univega GranTech 6400 was near top of the line in the Univega line up when it came out. This particular bike is equipped with
A full Shimano 600 group (hubs, crank set, brake set, derailleurs, shifters, head set)
700c Mavic reflex sup rims
Phil Wood bottom bracket
Turbo Special saddle
CT Japan handle bars
The frame is constructed of Chromoly rear seat and chain stays with the top and down tube made of aluminum tubes bonded. The late 80's and early 90's saw a lot of experimentation with utilizing different materials to build frames. Trek came out with their 2300 carbon tubes bonded to aluminum lugs and Vitus was building full aluminum bonded bicycles. Often a problem with the Trek and Vitus bikes was a significant amount of flex in the frame as the bike became older or was heavily used. Some owners experienced the stays un-bonding. Univega and raleigh (Technium) on the other hand decided to keep the strength and comfort of chromoly where most of the forces are experienced on the bicycle frame and simply made the top and down tubes aluminum to reduce weight. Only Univega decided to go with the naked look. The bike was equipped with 14 speeds with indexed shifters. Some of the best down tube shifters before the switch to integrated brake / shifter lever combinations. There was little difference between Shimano 600 (first generation Ultegra) and Dura-ace in performance except in perhaps a few grams. Bicycles such as this were the choice of many amateur racers in the late 80's to early 90's.

1970's Free Spirit Three Speed

2013-05-12T14:56:00.002-07:00

This is a 1970's Free Spirit Three Speed step through frame. These frames are commonly women's bike frames because it is easier to mount the bike in a 'lady' like manner. Most of these bicycles were produced over seas for Sears & Roebuck Co. and sold at Sears department stores. They where equipped with 26"x1-3/8" wheels and Shimano 3-speed rear hub and shifter. They were built out of very tough tubing, making for a heavy lightweight bike. These bicycles often make great short distance commuters and cruisers due to the option of having gears and their relaxed upright riding position. The components are rudimentary but get the job done and will remain reliable with proper maintenance. The pictured bicycle is completely original.

Speedy Cycle 3 speed

2013-01-23T20:32:00.004-08:00

This Is a Speedy Cycle women's 3 speed bicycle. The bicycle was made in Japan, judging from the components it places it somewhere in the 1950's-60's. The bicycle is equipped with 26 x 1 - 1/4" wheels and an internal 3 speed hub shifted through a grip shifter mounted on the handlebars. I could not find any information on Speed Cycle, but it appears this bike was registered in Los Angeles some time after it was purchased. The bicycle appears to be all original with exception of the rear tire. The bicycle rode and shifted without any issues in it's current condition which is amazing considering it's age and rough looks.

1970's PAAOT 10 speed

2013-01-21T10:52:00.000-08:00

There isn't much information on these 10 speed road bicycles, It weights above 30lbs, but the ride is very smooth. Shifting is not very smooth in the low gears for climbing due to a skiptooth type of design on the gears in the rear wide ratio freewheel. The bicycle is lugged steel and equipped with dia compe brakes, a Shimano Lark SS derailleur which was introduced in 1971, putting this bike's manufacture in the early 70's.
According to a response to someone wondering where these bike are from in a bike forum comes this story about PAAOT's origin.
"Don't know if this is the same one, but several years ago a guy that I worked for told us he ran into a guy (don't really know where) who was a bicycle manufacturer's rep. Story goes that he had sold a bunch of bicycles to some bicycle shop that went out of business before the shipment was ready to go. The guy I worked for said he would purchase the lot (at a discounted price) if he could name the bicycles. Because they were still in the process of being built, the salesman agreed and the sale was completed.

The name my boss chose was, you guessed it, PAAOT. An acronym for "Peddle A** All Over Town."
The bicycle was likely made in Japan

1981 Schwinn Sports Tourer

2013-01-21T10:09:00.000-08:00

This made in Taiwan for Schwinn 10 speed bike is quipped with SunTour Maeda 7 derailleurs and stem mounted shifters, Femco chrome plated wheels, schwinn hubs, and SR stem and bars. The 1020 carbon steel weights it in at roughly 30lbs. The bike pictured has seen better days, the paint is heavily faded (it is suppose to be black with red panels) however it appears all original except for the seat and tires. These bikes can be reliable and long lasting with proper maintenance. They make great comfortable commuters due to the vibration absorption properties of the steel frame.

Click here for page from Schwinn Catalog

1970's Centurion Sport

2013-01-19T17:20:00.000-08:00

"The Centurion story starts in 1969, when Raleigh Industries of America was looking at a Japanese source for the Grand Prix. An order was placed for 2,000 bicycles, but TI-Raleigh in England killed the project, leaving the sales agent, Mitchel Weiner, with 2,000 bicycles painted in Grand Prix colours. He placed Centurion decals on them, sold them for a huge profit and shortly thereafter formed Western State Imports."

This is a 10 speed Centurion sport, from the mid to late 1970's. The bicycle features an alloy SR crank as well as Shimano Tourney center pull brakes, Shimano derailleurs and made of high tensile steel (hi-ten). Coupled with the steel wheels it's a road bike close to 30 lbs. This particular bike appeared to be completely original with exception of possibly newer tires.

for more info on centurion bicycles check out http://www.sheldonbrown.com/centurion/

Tiger Cycle Super Model Deluxe

2012-12-15T10:45:00.001-08:00

The Tiger Cycle MFG. Super Model Deluxe 10 speed road bike is likely a bicycle from the Japanese import bicycle boom during the 1970's here in the United states. The bicycle is throughly Japanese. The wheels are steel araya 27x1-1/4, the brake set is centerpull Shimano Tourney with Shimano brake levers. Front derailleur is Shimano Thunderbird. Rear Derailleur is Shimano Skylark. Levers are also Shimano branded. It is not clear what brand the Crank is but there is a Japan mark on both Crank arms. The bicycle is in fairly good shape for it's age and rides extremely smooth. Bumps are comfortably absorbed by the steel tubing and the handling is fairly responsive as were many Japanese bicycles. It is by far a lightweight, but certainly lighter and of better quality than the Schwinn Varsity and Continentals of the time. The tires are Sekai branded (also Japanese) and appear to be of the period if not original. If they are then they've held up very well. I found the engraving on the handlebar amusing with the picture of the road champion cyclist and the 'Alps industrial company' writing. Perhaps the Japanese manufacturers were attempting to fit in with the big bicycle companies from Europe before taking pride in their own geography and history (ei. Mt. Fuji). The original owner Equipped it with a brake lever mounted rear view mirror.

1985 Trek 420

2012-10-13T08:20:00.000-07:00

"A sport touring bicycle designed for fast day tripping!"
with the largest chainring up front being a 50t it certainly feels quick. You'll reach top speed in no time. I used this bike for a short while after I got it and put brand new tires on it. The frame on this particular bike had a 49cm seat tube (the smallest frame size available), and as is with many Trek bikes, the top tube was longer near 53cm. The sport touring geometry makes for a great quick responsive commuter although the dried out brake pads on the Dia compe 500 calipers on the this one were not the best to ride around town in. The bicycle is equipped with Shimano's Z-series derailleurs. The have a similar feel to Shimano's arrow or early 105 components, precise friction shifting. Most bikes in the Trek line and from other manufacturers were already running 6 speed rear freewheels, so it came as a small surprise that this bike was equipped with a 5 speed rear freewheel. This is attributed to being a Maillard heliomatic unit, which were regarded as the freewheel to have on a touring bike due to easy maintenance and ability to quickly and "easily" changing out cogs on the road.
The bike was equipped with a triple chain ring front crank set making it ideal for hilly areas. This era of Trek Bicycle are my personal favorite simply for the attention to detail and ornate design that Trek built into their frames. The tubing on this bike is True Temper chromoly double butted joined with Trek investment cast lugs.

for more information on this trek check out the 1985 catalog HERE

1994 Trek 5200 OCVL

2012-08-31T20:36:00.003-07:00

These are the bikes that pioneered carbon fiber bikes for the masses. The 5200 was second to top of the line in Trek's line up in 1992. Built by Trek in the USA utilizing carbon lugs, main tubes and tapered stays, the fork was also carbon. The bicycle was fully equipped with Shimano 600 Ultegra STI group riding on Matrix rims. The color of this bike was Ice Green and weighed in at 19.90 lbs. The bike in the pictures is a 56cm Frame. The ride quality is very similar to aluminum Cannondales of the period. The carbon on these bikes is much thicker and sturdier than that of newer road bikes.

Click here for the 1994 Trek Catalog

1996 Cannondale 2.8 Series Road Race

2012-08-31T19:48:00.001-07:00

This Cannondale 2.8 Series likely started life at as an R900 and was quickly upgraded with a Dura ace Crank set, shifters/brake levers, rear derailleur. The front derailleur is a Shimano 600 along with the headset. The stem is a Syncros and the handlebar is Cinelli. The wheels are Shimano 600/Ultegra hubs laced to 700c mavic rims stopped by front and rear Shimano SRL brakes. These frames were handmade and assembled in the USA. This particular frame is a 60cm

For more information on Vintage Cannondales check out http://www.vintagecannondale.com/

Torelli Corsa Strada

2012-08-23T14:31:00.000-07:00

Torelli is/was a very reputable distributor/importer who cruised small Italian builders for unique products and brought small lots for sale in the states. This particular bike was the low end of Torelli's great bikes back in the mid-80's. Torelli sold four different bike models that year, the Corsa Strada, the Super Strada, the Tre Tubi and an aluminum bike. This particular bike is made from Oria Tubi tubing. The crank is an Ofmega Mistral, derailleurs are Campagnolo 980, Brake set is Modolo Corsa, and the wheels are Ambrosio 19 Extra 700c with a 6 speed freewheel. The ride is very smooth and similar to that of many mid range bicycles from reputable bicycle manufactures. This particular bike has a 49cm seat tube and 51.5 top tube.

1978 Schwinn Le Tour III

2012-08-19T20:19:00.000-07:00

The 1978 Schwinn Le Tour III made In Japan by Panasonic. The bicycle is equipped with components all 'le tour' branded with Schwinn approved marks. The derailleurs were actually made by Shimano for Schwinn (you can read more about this here ). For more information and specifics from the Schwinn Catalog click here . The bicycle in the pictures is Pearl Orange 57cm

Murray Citation

2012-08-19T15:39:00.002-07:00

The Murray Citation was a low cost department store bicycle. To learn more about the company click here. This particular bike was made in Korea. Equipped with bottom of the line derailleurs, the shifting is a bit sluggish. The ride is as supple as a steel road bike can be. The heavy steel tubing and steel rims add to that ride quality. The bicycle in the pictures has a 52cm seat tube and rides on 26x 1-3/8'' tires. Although heavy, these bikes can be maintained and last a fair amout of time if taken care of properly. It is common to see these bicycles stripped down and converted to single speeds and beater commuters for their lack of flair and down right simple nature.

1992 Cannondale R600

2012-08-02T23:51:00.000-07:00

This 1992 Cannondale most resembles the 1995 Cannondale R800 from the color scheme, down to the listed components (click here for catalog) It appears the original owner upgraded the bike to first generation Shimano 105 STI shifters, Shimano 600 front derailleur, Shimano 600 hubs and an 8 speed Ultegra rear derailleur to shift through the 8 speed rear cassette. The rims are Mavic. (click here for the 1992 cannondale Catalog) In typical aluminum Cannondale fashion, the ride is plush and comfortable. It is recommended to maintain these older integrated shifters lubricated with a very light oil or even something close to carburetor cleaner to prevent the factory grease from seizing the mechanism.

1987 Cannondale SR400

2012-07-27T18:29:00.001-07:00

1987 Cannondale SR400. Equipped with suntour alpha 3000 shifting components. For full specifics on the original bike check out the original catalog Click here I was able to take this bike out for a 50 mile ride earlier to see what these vintage Cannondales were all about. The ride is soft yet the frame is stiffer than various vintage steel bikes that I've ridden. The oversized aluminum tubing provides a rather comfortable ride. It appears the previous owner had swapped parts out over the years. The head set is a newer shimano deore xt. The wheels are Mavic hoops laced to a sealed bearing Shimano 600 front hub and Sansin rear sealed bearing hub. The stem had been upgraded to Cinelli and the drop bars are Scott. The bike sports a Laser San Marco Saddle of the era. Besides these changes the bicycle appears to be completely original Made in the USA Cannondale. The bicycle could easily be upgraded with modern components to bring it to the integrated shifter/brake lever age. The bicycle in the pictures is a mint green 50cm.

1997 Bianchi Trofeo

2012-07-15T11:31:00.002-07:00

There is nothing like the ride quality of steel. This late 90's lugged steel Bianchi is no exception with it's Dedacciai chromoly double-butted tubing. The fork is not lugged yet it doesn't necessarily detract from the rest of the bike. The bicycle is set up with an 8 speed integrated shifting/ braking system. A mix of mirage and avanti Campagnolo components. They shift fine and easily, the real difference with "higher end" Campagnolo of the period is in the weight of the components. The rear derailleur and even the front derailleur are rather overbuilt to be reliable and long lasting. Campagnolo Nouvo record components from the 80's weight less than this derailleur group. Every component on the bike is utterly Italian, The Dedacciai frame tubing, Miche and Campagnolo components. Hand built in Italy unlike most of Bianchi's new frames and bicycles. The bicycle in the pictures is a marino blue 59cm frame.

For full specifics of this 1997 Bianchi Trofeo click HERE

1984 Nishiki Tri-A

2012-07-03T17:20:00.001-07:00

Nishiki Tri-A Triathlon road bike, with Shimano 600 ex derailleurs, crank, brake set, head set. Super Turbo Saddle. Internal gear and brake cable routing. Tange 1 tubing. 3ttt stem and handlebars. SR seat post . Quite responsive and nice details throughout the bike. A Classic Gem from Japan

Eddy Merckx 10th Anniversary

2012-07-03T16:43:00.000-07:00

Eddy Merckx 10th Anniversary Road bike, B date code, which indicates it was built in 1988/89. Likely late 1989 since it was available for the 1990 model year. Hand made in Belgium. Columbus TSX Tubing Shimano 600 rear derailleur, Hubs, brake calipers and levers. Dura ace headset, front derailleur. The bicycle in the pictures has an 51cm seat tube.

Page from the Catalogue http://www.cadre.org/Merckx/catalog/Eddy%20Merckx%201990/CCF25022008_00002.jpg

1983 Motobecane Mirage Sport

2012-06-23T19:25:00.000-07:00

1983 Motobecane Mirage sport made in france. The bicycle came equipped with a Sachs Huret 12-speed drive train, Weinmann brakes and rims (27"x1-1/4") Motobecane branded seat post and handle bars. Motobecane was modernizing and moving towards lugless construction which they called "Inexternal" brazing process. The seat post is held in place by a bolt pushing up against it instead of the traditional binder bolt. This can be seen in the picture above, located behind the seat tube metal decal near the seat post cluster there is a small allen bolt that screws in and out of the seat post.

The brand name was changed to MBK after the firm went bankrupt somewhere around 1986 as there is no 86' bicycle catalog. Motobecane USA (brand by Kinesis, taiwanese exported bicycle frames) is not affiliated with the old made in france bicycle company.
The bicycle in the pictures has a 58cm seat tube.

Internal rear brake cable routing

Hand stitched handlebar wrap for Motobecane by Hutchinson

1973 Schwinn World Voyageur

2012-06-21T14:54:00.001-07:00

The 1973 Schwinn World Voyageur was a historic moment for Schwinn, it was the first bike that Schwinn manufactured in another country. Handmade in Japan, the frame is 4130 Chrome Molybdenum with Suntour dropouts. A counterpart in quality to the USA built Paramount. The entire frame is Chromed underneath the original paint. The bicycle is equipped with a Shimano Dura-Ace crankset, and derailleurs which would evolve into what is known as Dura-Ace today, the Shimano Crane GS rear derailleur, Shimano Titleist Front derailleur. The bicycle rides on a quick release set of Araya 27"x1-1/4" wheel set. It appears to be completely original with the exception of missing the orange bar tape. The seat tube is approximately 58cm.

Weinnman brakes

This is the only decal on the bike giving it away as a Schwinn, besides small Schwinn Approved parts.

Schwinn Bikes made over seas began to be given the "World" moniker with this bike to differentiate them
from the similarly USA built Paramount.

Gran Compe Stem

Schwinn approved bar end thumb shifters

1984 Guerciotti GLX 84

2012-06-15T15:42:00.000-07:00

1984 Guerciotti GLX 84 Frame with complete Campagnolo Super Record of the same Era.
Columbus SLX Tubing with Campagnolo Drop outs. The frames of these bike's were hand made near Milan Italy, then shipped raw to the USA where Ten Speed Drive Imports finished the frame's paint and other bits to put them together with the finest Italian Components. This particular bike was ordered as just a frame (54cm) and built up by the original owner with a complete Campagnolo Super Record group.
Selle Italia Super Turbo Saddle, Guerciotti branded water bottles, 3ttt stem and bars. The Columbus SLX tubing makes for a super light weight steel top of the line bicycle.

Page from the 1984 Catalog
http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/guerciotti84(tsd)/7.jpg