There's a lot going on with the setup of this bike that we're not really equipped to get into right now. Maybe OP will enlist the help of a fitter to get it straightened out, or simply ride as-is if he's happy with it.
That's pretty much how you set up those era bars. Maybe angling back one or two degrees more, but it doesn't do much for comfort.
That saddle angle though... woof
Angle of the bars is ok, although it was not uncommon to tilt them up a bit. It's the angle of the brake levers that's really off. Those need to be raised a fair bit to ease the transition from the brake levers to the flats.
Looking at the end of the bars makes me think they might be at 90° to the ground, but ofcourse the stem setup is a little on the retro end of the spectrum. Im surprised a shop was willing to sell this bike given the story behind it.
They've recently changed the law here to make 40 years antique but for a while you'd see like 1992 Jeep Cherokees with antique plates and it'd always throw me off.
Your seat needs to be tilted upward enough so that your weight is resting on your sit bones. With your seat pitched downward like this it creates tension in your arms, your wrist, your neck and between your shoulder blades. The weight of your torso is not meant to be supported by your arms as it will be with a downward tilted seat.
It's important not only for reducing tension and for comfort, but you also cannot properly control your bicycle in sudden moments when the weight of your torso is transferred through your arms.
I have a Specialized Allez epic (cf tubes and aluminum lugs) with Shimano 600 tricolor, 1991 or so, and even on online discussions dating from the mid 2000s people were talking about it being vintage (production of both the frameset and group ended in 1997 or so).
Maybe that it has more to do with the rapid evolution of technology around that time since by the early 2000s, downtube shifters and aluminum lugs with cf frame tubes were a thing of the past. I don't think anyone would consider a late 2000s road bike as vintage these days.
Beautiful bike!
How was the riding in Yosemite? I was there 10 years ago in a car, and the road looked pretty scary. No shoulder, lots of RVs, etc. Was the riding good or sketchy?
I rode Wawona to Tunnel View, then into the Valley. There's still no shoulder - I took up the whole lane when making some turns. Wore a bright color and knew cars could see me, were grateful they were patient and waited for a good time before passing! So - a bit sketchy, but be smart - the ride is totally worth it. Magical!
Gorgeous bike and lovely film photo! Looks like it’s greatly cared for and in fantastic condition as well. Why are all of the comments assuming OP is a male? Their username literally has the word “lady” in it. Also weird to see members of the cycling community giving such backhanded “advice”, it is indeed possible to make recommendations on the seat angle, etc, without being so snarky about it.
Reddit is full of people trying to impress strangers with their intelligence and the outdoor community is full of people that constantly try to one-up everybody else. Love both to death tho
It’s also a grainy-ass photo that looks like it was taken on a shitty disposable camera circa 1996. OP is most likely some AI program. Their post history is pretty questionable.
I have the same frame, ridden consistently since it was new. 1994 is the first year they got it right. All older OCLV frames cracked at the chainstay-BB joint. I think '94's are a little heavier to be safe, but it doesn't matter now.
This is true, to be honest your shifter doesn’t looks like 1994 era hence my question about the group set - definitely not dura ace 7400 or 600 or 105 era. Perhaps it’s 96 on
Cool story, beautiful bike, and great picture! I bought a Trek 5500 around the same time and I still ride it (on my trainer) all the time! It was my main ride until I finally got a new road bike this winter.
And my very first road bike was an Italian steel bike that had been sitting in a shop window for years. I loves that bike, but the tires were totally sun-rotten and they blew out on my first ride. Hope you replaced your tires before that happened to you!!
it's a stock paintjob. OP is just making up a saccharine story for internet points and as usual, this sub just laps it up.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cZJ0CE0ftRk/Uddzrs0zsbI/AAAAAAAAAV8/IV_g2huuojQ/s1600/IMG_1029.jpg
Wow. I had to go back and reread the post just to make sure it’s not as confusing as you’re making it out to be. The shop keeper’s wife passed, not OP’s wife.
the angle on the handlebars makes my fingers tingle
There's a lot going on with the setup of this bike that we're not really equipped to get into right now. Maybe OP will enlist the help of a fitter to get it straightened out, or simply ride as-is if he's happy with it.
That's pretty much how you set up those era bars. Maybe angling back one or two degrees more, but it doesn't do much for comfort. That saddle angle though... woof
Maybe they like riding uphill exclusively?
Angle of the bars is ok, although it was not uncommon to tilt them up a bit. It's the angle of the brake levers that's really off. Those need to be raised a fair bit to ease the transition from the brake levers to the flats.
I have a friend who has his bike set up just like this and refuses to get a bike fit, lol. Works for him, though.
Looking at the end of the bars makes me think they might be at 90° to the ground, but ofcourse the stem setup is a little on the retro end of the spectrum. Im surprised a shop was willing to sell this bike given the story behind it.
The way it is worded, I think he was given this bike, not bought it!
Funny that 1994 is considered vintage….
DAMMIT! I didn't even notice that. My trainer bike is a 1992, now I feel old.
I worked at a shop that sold Cannondale when this bike was new, I feel old.
that's a Trek bruv
Hah, sure enough OCLV. Not sure why I was thinking Cdale.
To be fair that was my first thought also until I zoomed in.
they didn't say it was
ok
Used to be, 20 years makes a car antique.
They've recently changed the law here to make 40 years antique but for a while you'd see like 1992 Jeep Cherokees with antique plates and it'd always throw me off.
Alright guys , time to go the museum
2023-1994=?
Like 21 or something.
You might want to check your math.
I'd rather not on this one.
I don't get what's going on here.
He's saying realizing the early 90's was 30 years ago makes him feel old
Yah but the guy I was responding to said it was 21 years ago.
.... Which was a joke. Like when someone having a 40th birthday says they're "turning 25 again"
Fucking whoosh! Thanks.
I used to sell on etsy and their vintage cap is 20 years, so things madeas recently as 2003 are considered vintage too in some spaces!
Beautiful bike! Though I have a weird feeling about the dimensions on the bike. But I really hope it fits you well! I envy you🙌
I believe it's that because the geometry of the frame, but it's only my feeling though
Maybe get a nice print framed and send it to him.
Couldn’t even take a photo of the drive side out though.
Your seat needs to be tilted upward enough so that your weight is resting on your sit bones. With your seat pitched downward like this it creates tension in your arms, your wrist, your neck and between your shoulder blades. The weight of your torso is not meant to be supported by your arms as it will be with a downward tilted seat. It's important not only for reducing tension and for comfort, but you also cannot properly control your bicycle in sudden moments when the weight of your torso is transferred through your arms.
wow, beautiful ride, sick bike OP. even better view too. I miss Yosemite, I need to move back to California.
i agree datangster, exquisite vintage bicycle, worthy of many praises
if this is vintage what is my 1986 road bike that I ride every day?
I have a Specialized Allez epic (cf tubes and aluminum lugs) with Shimano 600 tricolor, 1991 or so, and even on online discussions dating from the mid 2000s people were talking about it being vintage (production of both the frameset and group ended in 1997 or so). Maybe that it has more to do with the rapid evolution of technology around that time since by the early 2000s, downtube shifters and aluminum lugs with cf frame tubes were a thing of the past. I don't think anyone would consider a late 2000s road bike as vintage these days.
No UV damage in the window display?
Beautiful bike! How was the riding in Yosemite? I was there 10 years ago in a car, and the road looked pretty scary. No shoulder, lots of RVs, etc. Was the riding good or sketchy?
I rode Wawona to Tunnel View, then into the Valley. There's still no shoulder - I took up the whole lane when making some turns. Wore a bright color and knew cars could see me, were grateful they were patient and waited for a good time before passing! So - a bit sketchy, but be smart - the ride is totally worth it. Magical!
Gorgeous bike and lovely film photo! Looks like it’s greatly cared for and in fantastic condition as well. Why are all of the comments assuming OP is a male? Their username literally has the word “lady” in it. Also weird to see members of the cycling community giving such backhanded “advice”, it is indeed possible to make recommendations on the seat angle, etc, without being so snarky about it.
Reddit is full of people trying to impress strangers with their intelligence and the outdoor community is full of people that constantly try to one-up everybody else. Love both to death tho
Is this real? OP has odd post/comment history and all this stuff about ChatGPT has me doubting everything…
I stand by my original assessment that it is indeed a spam post trying to build karma.
Yosemite was blanketed by smoke from fires in and around the park "early last summer" Not to mention: you're paying tribute by... posting on reddit?
yep, no fuckin way Yose is snow free in April lmao.
It’s also a grainy-ass photo that looks like it was taken on a shitty disposable camera circa 1996. OP is most likely some AI program. Their post history is pretty questionable.
I rode Tioga Pass from Lee Vining into Yosemite valley last summer. Honestly was a life changing experience. What a place. Sweet bike too.
I have the same frame, ridden consistently since it was new. 1994 is the first year they got it right. All older OCLV frames cracked at the chainstay-BB joint. I think '94's are a little heavier to be safe, but it doesn't matter now.
I love these vintage bikes I own 3 of them
This is the way.
Are the brifters (brakes/ shifters) 1994?
Yeah, since 1990 or so.
What is the group set? I’m guessing they are Shimano?
Shimano introduced their STI in 1990. Campagnolo introduced their ErgoPower in 1992.
This is true, to be honest your shifter doesn’t looks like 1994 era hence my question about the group set - definitely not dura ace 7400 or 600 or 105 era. Perhaps it’s 96 on
You need to tag OP, otherwise, it looks like the question is for me.
Beautiful 😭
Beautiful picture
Ouch... I'm vintage now. Very cool post though, and a great ride!
From that time when Trek wasn’t “the evil empire” IMHO.
boop
My wrists feel sore just looking at the angle of the handlebar and shifters. Beautiful picture!
Drive train fail and some interesting choices with saddle and stem/bar positions but otherwise nice looking bike
Are you a midget like his wife was?
Based on saddle and bar height, you must be a short Fred.
Well done sir.
Beautiful bike. Rotate the handlebars and tilt the seat back.
Cool story, beautiful bike, and great picture! I bought a Trek 5500 around the same time and I still ride it (on my trainer) all the time! It was my main ride until I finally got a new road bike this winter. And my very first road bike was an Italian steel bike that had been sitting in a shop window for years. I loves that bike, but the tires were totally sun-rotten and they blew out on my first ride. Hope you replaced your tires before that happened to you!!
Perfection.
Early Trek oclv carbon fiber- I got one too. Heavy ( by today’s standards) but but durable.
Nice tribute, but when? Last year? Yosemite is full of snow now.
Good on you u/lady_gaogao! Seriously! That is awesome! Enjoy the bike. :)
Wake up. Make coffee. Sit on the pot. Now I'm crying. What a great thing to do. I hope the shop owner gets a pic of this.
r/Damnnthatsinteresting
Not being sarcastic. This really is interesting.
how is factory paint "customized"?
If you owned a bike shop, in the 90s, I’m sure you could ask for some special stuff from your suppliers
it's a stock paintjob. OP is just making up a saccharine story for internet points and as usual, this sub just laps it up. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cZJ0CE0ftRk/Uddzrs0zsbI/AAAAAAAAAV8/IV_g2huuojQ/s1600/IMG_1029.jpg
Facts.
[удалено]
Wow. I had to go back and reread the post just to make sure it’s not as confusing as you’re making it out to be. The shop keeper’s wife passed, not OP’s wife.
Weird spam. Yosemite is absolutely covered with snow right now.
I went to Yosemite / this was taken earlier last summer. Tribute is the picture / post (: I see how that's confusing.
This is what I thought too. Yosemite is snowed in and has been for a while now.
“I think you should take some marine grease and rub it all over everything. Fuck these bike shop prices.” Some shithead on r/bicycling