So until recently I hadn’t ridden in a LONG time. For some reason I decided to pull my old Giant Alias (2007ish) out of the shed and take it for a run. I became addicted almost instantly. Got it serviced and had new tyres fitted and started riding it more.
Then the idea of a road bike started appealing to me as we’ve got loads of great cycling paths around here and you can go nearly anywhere following the paths. So I started the hunt, and on ebay I scored this old (mid 00’s?) Gitane Mach 1800. Light alloy frame, carbon fork, Shimano 105 equipped. Got it for $200AUD which is cheap on its own, but it also came with a full tool kit, cleat shoes, panniers, lights, helmet, floor pump, spare tubes and loads of other stuff. It’s been well used so I’ve recently replaced the chain, big chainring and wheels, as all were fairly worn out. It rides great now.
So then I decided I needed a bike to leave at work for riding at lunchtime/after work (commuting is not an option for me due to shift times and distance), for the days that I didn’t have time for a ride at home. So I started the online hunt again, and found this 2011ish Schwinn Le Tour Legacy. It’s from the good Schwinn range, not the cheap shit range. Reynolds 520 tubing, Shimano 105, etc. I scored it for $150AUD with a set of Shimano cleat shoes, the bike and shoes look literally brand new. The owner hardly used it as he decided biking wasn’t for him. It’s a heavy bike but rides beautifully. Smooth and responsive, and the gears and brakes are lovely.
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So until recently I hadn’t ridden in a LONG time. For some reason I decided to pull my old Giant Alias (2007ish) out of the shed and take it for a run. I became addicted almost instantly. Got it serviced and had new tyres fitted and started riding it more.
Then the idea of a road bike started appealing to me as we’ve got loads of great cycling paths around here and you can go nearly anywhere following the paths. So I started the hunt, and on ebay I scored this old (mid 00’s?) Gitane Mach 1800. Light alloy frame, carbon fork, Shimano 105 equipped. Got it for $200AUD which is cheap on its own, but it also came with a full tool kit, cleat shoes, panniers, lights, helmet, floor pump, spare tubes and loads of other stuff. It’s been well used so I’ve recently replaced the chain, big chainring and wheels, as all were fairly worn out. It rides great now.
So then I decided I needed a bike to leave at work for riding at lunchtime/after work (commuting is not an option for me due to shift times and distance), for the days that I didn’t have time for a ride at home. So I started the online hunt again, and found this 2011ish Schwinn Le Tour Legacy. It’s from the good Schwinn range, not the cheap shit range. Reynolds 520 tubing, Shimano 105, etc. I scored it for $150AUD with a set of Shimano cleat shoes, the bike and shoes look literally brand new. The owner hardly used it as he decided biking wasn’t for him. It’s a heavy bike but rides beautifully. Smooth and responsive, and the gears and brakes are lovely.