Actually Riding Your Classic or Antique Bike

[Ernbar]

I ride all my bikes and enjoy it very much. When I had my 55 Chevy I drove it around mostly on the weekends in good weather. To each their own if they don’t want to ride these old timers but I do.
They were made to be ridden not hidden like this one today, 12 relaxing miles on this Rollfast old timer.

 

[SirMike1983]

I ride my vintage bikes 3-4 nights per week during the good season for riding (early April - early November here, roughly speaking).

 

[Kickstand3]

This is Nuts. I ride vintage only. I believe there’s a Thread on bikes you don’t ride !

 

[Superman1984]

This is Nuts. I ride vintage only. I believe there’s a Thread on bikes you don’t ride !

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As Niiice as That Is % Would Ride It Often

I would take Verrry Good Care of It & Not let anyone potentially mess it up but more enjoyment than jus' staring at it

Hell my '64 Columbia Rat Rod makes me Nervous with silly heads following so close on my bicycle hitch rack BUT if they Hit It I'm getting full value replacement funds or their ass is mine

 

[Coalfield]

I only own bikes to ride. And wrench.
Big hills & mountains around here = east of Seattle.
Like the last 1.5 miles of every ride = 500 vertical feet to home.
Gears on every bike, and still not easy, but that's the point.
All 40-50 year old bikes (youngsters) pictured.
AustroDaimler, Mondia Super, Harding (Holdsworth), Bottecchia.
My oldest is only 60+ yo.

edit: thanks to Jeff R (not sure if he is affiliated) for rolling pics. Another Navy vet, tho I only did minimum 4+, vs his career.

Fenders 'n flaps help on those wet days ^^^

 

[jimbo53]

My big prewar single speeds are tough to ride with my bad knees and girth-ness (275 pounds of girth!) but have gotten some relief by changing the chain ring to one off a girls bike. Several teeth less on the chain ring really makes a difference! (Requires removing a link or two out of your chain, usually)

 

[Superman1984]

My big prewar single speeds are tough to ride with my bad knees and girth-ness (275 pounds of girth!) but have gotten some relief by changing the chain ring to one off a girls bike. Several teeth less on the chain ring really makes a difference! (Requires removing a link or two out of your chain, usually)

I haven't counted the teeth on the Columbia but I am kinda worried If I swap over to a 3 piece setup I'll lose that easy pedaling I have now. I want to maybe run 2 chain rings if I can; somewhere between 36-48 or as close to what's on it give or take jus' a few. Also don't wanna change the chain ring too drastically appearance wise either. Don't wanna pedal it & not get anywhere nor have to torque it & myself to exhaustion. I wanna start working on those 10+ mile rides 1 way without bein' beat down.

 

[49autocycledeluxe]

My big prewar single speeds are tough to ride with my bad knees and girth-ness (275 pounds of girth!) but have gotten some relief by changing the chain ring to one off a girls bike. Several teeth less on the chain ring really makes a difference! (Requires removing a link or two out of your chain, usually)

did that with my DX. smaller in the front and bigger in the back. I don't know what Schwinn and others were thinking. 50 pound bikes with hard gears for 100 pound kids.

 

[Freqman1]

did that with my DX. smaller in the front and bigger in the back. I don't know what Schwinn and others were thinking. 50 pound bikes with hard gears for 100 pound kids.

Builds character (and calf muscles)! V/r Shawn

 

[Ernbar]

My Columbia has 47 teeth up front and 20 in the back. Is this a common setup? I have the bike apart servicing things so I can’t comment yet how easy or hard it peddles.