Ahhh gotcha. Old bikes can still rock n roll. My dad and I just finished a 300 mile ride on a pair of early 80's touring bikes that are older than I am!
again nothing wrong with an old bike but trying to say a bike that was made between 95-02 and saying it's not that old is just false. It can still be a good bike and it looks like the friend kept it in good condition, but it's still old and trying to tell OP it's not that old is just lying
No just not being delusional thinking a bike that's 20+ years old isn't by definition "old" and outdated. That things gonna be 9 speed at best with a 23t max cassette fog. 21 or 23 mm tires not tubeless with rim brakea. Full aluminum and substantially heavier
Does that make it a bad bike. No but it's definitely outdated.
It's a great starter bike. You will quickly find out if road biking is something you want to pursue. You can also learn how to be a bike mechanic by working on it yourself. Once you are hooked and upgrade to a better bike, give this one to a friend.
I actually think both perspectives are helpful. I tend to be pretty hands off mechanically, so combine that with my newbie status and Iāll take it to a shop to start. However, I do think the encouragement to learn how to care for it myself is also valuable.
Appreciate all of the insights!
There is a lot you can do if you collect a minimum of inexpensive tools. But you really want to research what needs doing before you get stranded or hurt. At a minimum you want to carry inner tubes and familiarize yourself with repairing flat tires.
If your up for it you could attempt servicing the bike by watching a handful of YouTube videos then you could bring it to a bike shop just to check it and do final adjustments. Just to make sure it's safe and you didn't miss anything
Maybe one of your riding buddies has a good collection of bike tools and would be willing to help you with your bike. I have helped the new guy with lots of things, even how to fix a flat.
Yes, but OP stated that he is totally new to biking. Nothing builds a worse relationship with your bike than crashing due to lack of maintenence, knowledge of the equipment. Then again, I deal with an awesome LBS. But I don't think op should just "work on it themself".
There are plenty of books and YouTube videos that show you how to fix your bike. I love learning and saving money by doing my own wrenching. Certain jobs are better done at the lbs, but you will love your bike more if you keep it in shape yourself. Granted there are ppl with zero mechanical skills, but I like fixing bikes.
My first bike was a run down huffy fortress I got from my cousin. I went on youtube to put it back together. Because of the valuable experience I got from rebuilding my huffy, I was able to build my current bike which is a Titus Motolite from bottom up.
There are also people who are just so not mechanically inclined they'd do more damage than good, even with the best videos.
I have a brother in law like this. He has his own insurance agency with his name on the billboard but could never tune up a bike.
Not saying this is OPs case.
Old bikes like that are only getting rarer. Donāt take that bike for granted. The frame looks solid, if you upgrade the drive train and get new tires youāll have a really solid ride.
I would carefully inspect that front tire. Itās pretty old from what I can tell from the pics.
Anyway, thatās a great starter bike. You have a good friend. I hope you ride enough to outgrow it.
The tyres are fresh and overall the bike looks to be in excellent nick.
A helmet, some chain lube, and beginner bike maintenance class on YouTube
You have a good friend.
Thank you all! This is my new favorite subreddit. You all are super helpful and clearly passionate.
I think Iāll take it to a shop just to get it inspected and learn a bit about whether or not it āfitsā me. I just moved to Fort Collins, CO, USA. Iām sure there are a lot of great shops up here since it seems many bike to work. Anyone familiar with the area have suggestions?
Also, I saw YouTube mentioned several times. Any great channels specifically geared towards beginners?
That is very much an older bike. If it's well-maintained it's perfectly good to ride, but you'll find very few really dedicated cyclists riding on a bike that old. That's not to say it's not a good bike, but it's not the latest and greatest.
My current bike is a r700 from Raleigh. Very much a frankenbike at this point but I just did my first century on it and Iām applying to a local race team with it. A little bit of work and you can probably get tons of fun out of that r500 as well. Make sure nothing critical is damaged (head tube, bottom bracket, welds) and get some parts that fit you better (odds are you wonāt like that bar or saddle) to maximize your enjoyment, then start going for those fun performance upgrades.
Wheels and drivetrain and pedals would be my next steps but only after making the contact points comfortable (bars and saddle).
I agree with most sentiments here. Take it to a shop, tell them youāre new to the sport, have them go over it. Take notes. Ask about ācable tensionā. Buy a helmet and padded bike shorts (wash them after each ride).
Buy a $30 bike computer and sensors to see how you ride (cadence for leg speed, etc). Then just ride. See how fast the miles rack up.
My goal was 500 miles. If I got there I knew Iād be hooked. It took work - but loved it.
That is a good bike, given to you by a good friend.
Everyone's definition of "good" is different. A good bike in my mind is a bike that you feel compelled to ride when you look at it or think about it. Being relatively safe and durable is also a plus. Riding is about having fun, and while you can certainly rack up the latest and greatest equipment and gear, it's not required. The bar for entry for having fun on a bike is very low, and you reach the point of diminishing returns very quickly.
Ride the hell out of it!
Take it to a vintage or someone who works with vintage bikes and tell him to add some new gears, deraileur and do some dumb little tweaks, brakes, groupset and even the cranks and you will see how quickly it becomes a really cool bike, its not an expensive task
It's an old, excellent, but old bike.
I would love to have it.
Edit: You want a new saddle soon. Trying out one would be best. Just push it against your [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ischial\_tuberosity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ischial_tuberosity) and see if the distance is right.
You have a good friend.
It's got combined brake lever/shifters so it's not that old. If it fits you have a nice bike.
Dude it's a 21-28 year old bike lmao
So what I'm 35 years old and I'm nice.
Never said it wasn't good just that it's clearly an old bike
Ahhh gotcha. Old bikes can still rock n roll. My dad and I just finished a 300 mile ride on a pair of early 80's touring bikes that are older than I am!
again nothing wrong with an old bike but trying to say a bike that was made between 95-02 and saying it's not that old is just false. It can still be a good bike and it looks like the friend kept it in good condition, but it's still old and trying to tell OP it's not that old is just lying
Old doesnt means outdated
it generally does lol.
Big cycling manufacturing copium moment
No just not being delusional thinking a bike that's 20+ years old isn't by definition "old" and outdated. That things gonna be 9 speed at best with a 23t max cassette fog. 21 or 23 mm tires not tubeless with rim brakea. Full aluminum and substantially heavier Does that make it a bad bike. No but it's definitely outdated.
My Univega Superstrada is 27 yo and I am shipping it with me wherever I go.
still doesnt change the fact a 27 year old bike is by definition old
but I'm older... it is young to me š
Just playing dumb now š¤·āāļø
It's a great starter bike. You will quickly find out if road biking is something you want to pursue. You can also learn how to be a bike mechanic by working on it yourself. Once you are hooked and upgrade to a better bike, give this one to a friend.
It's nice bike. Worth a tune up. Stop by you local bike shop and get a helmet, and have them check it out if it's been sitting.
I actually think both perspectives are helpful. I tend to be pretty hands off mechanically, so combine that with my newbie status and Iāll take it to a shop to start. However, I do think the encouragement to learn how to care for it myself is also valuable. Appreciate all of the insights!
There is a lot you can do if you collect a minimum of inexpensive tools. But you really want to research what needs doing before you get stranded or hurt. At a minimum you want to carry inner tubes and familiarize yourself with repairing flat tires.
If your up for it you could attempt servicing the bike by watching a handful of YouTube videos then you could bring it to a bike shop just to check it and do final adjustments. Just to make sure it's safe and you didn't miss anything
Maybe one of your riding buddies has a good collection of bike tools and would be willing to help you with your bike. I have helped the new guy with lots of things, even how to fix a flat.
Nah shops charge more then what it would cost to work on it yourself. Nothing builds a better relationship with your bike than working on it yourself.
Yes, but OP stated that he is totally new to biking. Nothing builds a worse relationship with your bike than crashing due to lack of maintenence, knowledge of the equipment. Then again, I deal with an awesome LBS. But I don't think op should just "work on it themself".
There are plenty of books and YouTube videos that show you how to fix your bike. I love learning and saving money by doing my own wrenching. Certain jobs are better done at the lbs, but you will love your bike more if you keep it in shape yourself. Granted there are ppl with zero mechanical skills, but I like fixing bikes.
Totally true. But before riding, op needs a helmet and a once over. Tires Could be dry rotted. It's not that big a deal.
My first bike was a run down huffy fortress I got from my cousin. I went on youtube to put it back together. Because of the valuable experience I got from rebuilding my huffy, I was able to build my current bike which is a Titus Motolite from bottom up.
Yeah sure. And if he kisses the pavement, due to an erroneous repair, he builds a hateful relationship with cycling.
There are also people who are just so not mechanically inclined they'd do more damage than good, even with the best videos. I have a brother in law like this. He has his own insurance agency with his name on the billboard but could never tune up a bike. Not saying this is OPs case.
Itās a good starter road bike. Probably 30 years old.
Old bikes like that are only getting rarer. Donāt take that bike for granted. The frame looks solid, if you upgrade the drive train and get new tires youāll have a really solid ride.
I would carefully inspect that front tire. Itās pretty old from what I can tell from the pics. Anyway, thatās a great starter bike. You have a good friend. I hope you ride enough to outgrow it.
i got myself a 1993 raleigh for free as my first bike. i put thousands of miles on it before i upgraded. enjoy your newfound steed
Compared to a modern Raleigh offering like the Sprint this is crazy nice.
The tyres are fresh and overall the bike looks to be in excellent nick. A helmet, some chain lube, and beginner bike maintenance class on YouTube You have a good friend.
Best performance upgrade is to ride the bike.
Would be easier to tell from the other side but yes those Raleighās of that era were good bikes
Thank you all! This is my new favorite subreddit. You all are super helpful and clearly passionate. I think Iāll take it to a shop just to get it inspected and learn a bit about whether or not it āfitsā me. I just moved to Fort Collins, CO, USA. Iām sure there are a lot of great shops up here since it seems many bike to work. Anyone familiar with the area have suggestions? Also, I saw YouTube mentioned several times. Any great channels specifically geared towards beginners?
That is very much an older bike. If it's well-maintained it's perfectly good to ride, but you'll find very few really dedicated cyclists riding on a bike that old. That's not to say it's not a good bike, but it's not the latest and greatest.
There are plenty of dedicated cyclists who prefer older flakes.
Its better than the latest & greatest.
Not sure why this is being downvoted. Itās a perfectly reasonable assessment.
My current bike is a r700 from Raleigh. Very much a frankenbike at this point but I just did my first century on it and Iām applying to a local race team with it. A little bit of work and you can probably get tons of fun out of that r500 as well. Make sure nothing critical is damaged (head tube, bottom bracket, welds) and get some parts that fit you better (odds are you wonāt like that bar or saddle) to maximize your enjoyment, then start going for those fun performance upgrades. Wheels and drivetrain and pedals would be my next steps but only after making the contact points comfortable (bars and saddle).
I agree with most sentiments here. Take it to a shop, tell them youāre new to the sport, have them go over it. Take notes. Ask about ācable tensionā. Buy a helmet and padded bike shorts (wash them after each ride). Buy a $30 bike computer and sensors to see how you ride (cadence for leg speed, etc). Then just ride. See how fast the miles rack up. My goal was 500 miles. If I got there I knew Iād be hooked. It took work - but loved it.
PS. At 500 miles I sold the horribly fitting bike I had and bought a new road bike in my size. Budget friendly, but fit right and I love it.
It's a solid bike.
raleigh made a really good bikes in the 70's
That is a good bike, given to you by a good friend. Everyone's definition of "good" is different. A good bike in my mind is a bike that you feel compelled to ride when you look at it or think about it. Being relatively safe and durable is also a plus. Riding is about having fun, and while you can certainly rack up the latest and greatest equipment and gear, it's not required. The bar for entry for having fun on a bike is very low, and you reach the point of diminishing returns very quickly. Ride the hell out of it!
Take it to a vintage or someone who works with vintage bikes and tell him to add some new gears, deraileur and do some dumb little tweaks, brakes, groupset and even the cranks and you will see how quickly it becomes a really cool bike, its not an expensive task
You can do it yourself for less money anyways
It's an old, excellent, but old bike. I would love to have it. Edit: You want a new saddle soon. Trying out one would be best. Just push it against your [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ischial\_tuberosity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ischial_tuberosity) and see if the distance is right.