Weighing the Matter of Frame Weight - Vintage Utility Bikes

 Road and performance bike enthusiasts love to obsess over weight. But what about vintage steel bikes from the 1970s and earlier? What about the overall weight of a utility bike, such as an old three speed? The point of this short article is to remind utility and three enthusiasts not to take frame weight too seriously.

Let's take a quick look at two, common 1970s-era steel bike frames: a Raleigh Grand Prix ("2030" steel) and a Raleigh Super Course (Reynolds "531" steel for the main tubes). The frame geometries are essentially the same on these frames. The Grand Prix weighs in at 2648 grams or 93.4 ounces. The Super Course is 2538 grams or 89.5 ounces. That is a difference of about four ounces - not a whole lot. The tube walls on the 531 frame are a bit thinner than the 2030 frame, hence the weight difference. (More discussion for those interested - HERE)

Now let's broaden the picture and look at the whole bike. Looking at the Raleigh catalogue comparison chart (see HERE ), we find about a 16 ounce (453.6 grams) difference for the whole bike Grand Prix versus Super Course. Most of that 16 ounce difference (12 of the 16 ounces or so) comes from the lighter components (alloy versus steel) on the Super Course.

Taking those results into account, we find the following:

• The whole bike weight difference is somewhat substantial.
• However most of the whole bike difference is not attributable to frame weight.
• The frame weight difference is actually fairly small. 
• As each bike gets heavier, the frame weight difference becomes less and less significant because it remains just about four ounces versus the much greater weight of the whole bike.

As three speed enthusiasts, our bikes are (usually) even heavier than these 1970s-era road bikes. Three speeds often have more steel components and accessories. Looking again at the last bullet point above, we find that as each bike gets heavier, that difference of a few ounces in the frame tubes becomes less and less significant from the perspective of how the bike handles and feels (e.g., a four ounce difference between two very light weight objects will feel substantial, but a four ounce difference in two heavy objects feels less substantial even if the objective number is still four ounces).

The bottom line is that frame tube "hype" plays much more of a role in lightweight performance bikes than it does for classic three speed utility bikes. Other factors are more important:

• Durability
• Frame geometry
• Accessories added
• Alloy versus steel parts, such as rims, handlebars, etc.

Don't write-off that old 2030 steel Raleigh Sports, and don't immediately jump for a Reynolds 531 frame, because you have to keep in mind the overall picture of bike weight. Perhaps some alloy component upgrades on your 2030 frame will more than make up the difference.

 Certainly, if you like the feel of Reynolds 531, by all means build up and ride that frame. But if you like 2030 steel, and if you can't feel any difference between that and the 531 frame as you ride down the road, don't obsess over "why" you can't feel it. On a thirty-five pound bike, a few ounces isn't a whole lot. Ride what you enjoy and what works for your circumstances.

Enjoying Some Dry, Fall Weather

 We have had quite a streak of dry weather the past couple of weeks. We had a very damp August, but September has been very dry. Normally the opposite is true around here, but at least there has been some good riding weather in September.

 

I recently changed the saddle on my 1940s Raleigh Model 35 from a Wright's triple spring to a Brooks B66. The triple is a good saddle, but perhaps it is more suited to a rod brake type roadster. I'm thinking of using it on the recently-acquired Raleigh DL-1 project.

 

I also have had my 1958 Raleigh Sports four-speed out on the road. I've owned it for quite a few years now, and it always is a comfortable rider.

 

Bike Philosophy: Considering Biking, Health, and Individualism

My Philosophy

Bicycling is one of the most individual of sports. Like walking, running, or golf, it can be done in a group, or entirely alone. How to participate varies greatly from person to person. The cornerstone of my philosophy is this: ride your bike; ride it your own way; and enjoy every minute of it. Don't be worried if your style of riding is different from what is popular or what is recommended by the local retail shop. Ride your way, get exercise, get out into the world, and free your mind up from worry while you ride.

 

Flexibility and Resilience as a Strength of the Hobby

Bicycling is a not the most popular sport or hobby in the USA, but it is one of the most resilient and one of the most flexible. It has been through several booms and busts since the high-wheel bike and the first safety bikes in the 1880s and 1890s. Each time bicycling seemed to be "dead" in the U.S., it eventually came back. This resilience is largely due to how flexible and individual it can be.

In the vintage bike sphere, we have just as much flexibility and individuality as anywhere else in the sport, perhaps even more so. Some enthusiasts ride 130-year-old high wheel bikes, and some ride bikes they purchased themselves in the 1980s, and everything in between. Some ride for speed or faster times, but many ride simply for fun and to be outdoors. Some riders combine vintage bikes with new technology, such as smart phone applications and performance spreadsheets, while others ride without any newer aids.

Tried and True Advice

I particularly like advice that President Eisenhower's doctor, Paul Dudley White, gave many years ago. Dr. White reminded people that bicycle riding and similar forms of exercise were physically beneficial and provided a sort of psychological therapy as well. A bike ride is good for both the body and the mind. He famously prescribed bicycling as a form of exercise that would benefit President Dwight Eisenhower after the President had a heart attack while in office, in September 1955. 

 

Dr. Paul Dudley White on an old style touring bike

Dr. White's advice reminds us that bicycling is beneficial to the individual, regardless of whether we ride in a group or solo. Dr. White rode a touring bike regularly and was one of bicycling's strongest advocates in the US, all without being competitive or trying to sell fancy products to the public. He reminded the public to get outdoors, keep moving, and enjoy life while you're doing all that.

 

Dr. White on an old style Schwinn tandem

Closing Thought

I wind up in the same camp. If you enjoy an ancient, 1920s era wood wheel bike for riding, go with it. If you prefer a 1950s three speed, use it. If you rather ride a 1980s road bike, then do that. If you prefer to ride alone every time and simply enjoy the outdoors, then great. If you prefer to ride with a group, then go with them. 

There is no, single "right" way to ride. Observe the rules of the road and stay safe. But do not feel compelled to buy something or ride a certain way simply because that is what is popular or what someone is trying to sell to you. . You don't have to spend a great deal of money and you don't have to buy all the various accessories and gadgets. Your money is better on bringing the bicycle up to par - good brake pads, good tires, a proper fitting saddle, etc. You can ride a simple, old single speed or three speed comfortably and enjoyably. It's good for the heart and good for the mind.

More Dry, Early Fall Weather

 Here are a couple recent pictures from the road - my black 1958 Raleigh Sports four speed, and my blue 1947 Schwinn Continental three speed. Both of these are high-quality bikes in outstanding condition. I'm enjoying the dry, pleasant weather we've had the past two weeks here in New England. Hopefully there is more to come before the ride season ends.

1970 Raleigh DL-1 - Recent Find

 

 

Here is another local Craigslist find - 1970 Raleigh DL-1. As you can probably notice, it's a pretty tall bike: 24-inch frame on 28-inch wheels. It's in pretty good shape. Even the pinstripes are in pretty good shape. They're often totally obliterated by age and use. 

This bike does have some light surface rust here and there, but it should clean up fairly well. This is a classic example of a "second generation" rod brake roadster in the US market.

 

In Britain, rod brake roadsters had a very long lifespan - from the early 1900s all the way up to the 1980s. 

In the US, the rod brake bikes came in two distinct generations. The first generation would be those from the 1940s and earlier. This includes the classic pre-war roadsters, and the somewhat more luxurious roadsters of the immediate post-war period.

 

During the course of the 1950s, and into the 1960s, rod brake bikes became less common in the USA. It was during the 1950s and 1960s that the cable brake Sports and Superbe had a "golden era" in the USA market. 

In the very late 1960s, the Raleigh DL-1 was re-introduced to the US market. Initially it was a as a bike "for tall people", but this later expanded with both 22 and 24 inch frame sizes. This second generation of bikes in the US market is much more common to find today. These bikes continued to come into the US into the early 1980s.

 

This 1970 Raleigh DL-1 is an early second generation rod brake bike for the US market. It has the usual US market features: hockey stick chain guard, early 1970s decals, wide "north road" style rod brake bars (as opposed to the old-style narrow bars), B72 saddle, and plastic cover gear shifter. It has galvanized wire fender stays rather than the old-style painted and threaded stays. It retains the old style white patch on the rear fender with black reflector. 

One thing I did notice is this bike has a dedicated, aluminum DL-1 kickstand. Kickstands for DL-1 bikes can be hard to find. Normally the Petscher/ESGE stands from the 1970s are the best bet for a regular kickstand on a Raleigh DL-1. However, this bike has an aluminum, Raleigh Industries older style DL-1 kickstand - a nice touch.

The plan is to disassemble, clean, and refurbish this bike. I plan to do a brief article on using an ultrasonic cleaner to deep clean a Sturmey Archer AW hub. This is not always necessary with an AW hub (often a more basic cleaning is sufficient), but it gives an opportunity to show those who want to go the "extra mile" how to get a deeply cleaned hub.

Interestingly, I've had fairly good luck with Craigslist bikes over the years. Last year, I bought a nice 1957 Schwinn Traveler off of Craigslist, and 20 years ago (2004), I bought a nice 1978 Raleigh DL-1 with a 22-inch frame. I like how 20 years after that first DL-1, I've got another DL-1 from Craigslist.

One More Shot From This Week

 One more shot of a ride this week - good weather. Better get out and ride before the season ends! October or very early November is the end of the riding season for me usually. September is the last "good" riding month when we have ample daylight and relatively warm weather. October can be OK, or can be cold and rainy. By November it's getting dark pretty early in the evening and then the clocks change to standard time, effectively ending my ride season.

1940s Raleigh Model 35 Sports:

 

 

Dry, Cool Weather

 So far, the weather has improved for the first week of September. We're have a dry, cool week with excellent riding conditions. A look back at August shows a very unsettled, wet month compared to what we usually have in the late summer. Hopefully September will be better. So far, it is.

I took my 1953 Raleigh Lenton touring bike out for a ride last evening. The days are starting to get noticeably shorter. I love the long days at the end of spring and into the summer - lots of daylight for riding and doing repairs. But as expected, the summer is ending and fall is approaching.