PRESERVATION BICYCLE # 21: 1972 Steyr Clubman 10-Speed
Preservation Bikes Are Back!!!
*Quick preface before we jump into Preservation Bike #21…
70s 10-speeds (road bikes with 2 gears in the front and 5 in the back) have their own special place in bicycle history. Special because there are about a billion of them occupying space on our big blue planet, and most of them have plenty of good miles left to ride. Why are there so many? Because there was a massive bike boom back in the 70s, similar to the one we’re experiencing right now, albeit for different reasons, and nearly every bike was built with a lot of steel and minimal plastic. So they’re still here, and, with a little love, sometimes a lot, and a few modern upgrades, they can take you everywhere you need to go with plenty of 70s style!
1972-ish Steyr Clubman
10-speed
Steyr-Daimler-Puch bicycles come all the way from Austria and have a very long (since 1899), fascinating (from grassroots to massive factory), and beyond “complicated” (the company made weapons with forced labor during the world wars) history. All of their bicycles, including this hidden gem that’s protected by a thick layer of greasy dust, have beautiful paint jobs, beautiful decals, and beautiful lug work. This particular Clubman absolutely needs a lot of love but also has limitless potential. This could easily be your daily commuter, slow weekend randonneur, or showy Sunday brunch bike. Check out this article by Sheldon “Oldies But Goodies” Brown on restoring 70s road bikes, and get ready for a rewarding project.
PRESERVATION BICYCLE NUMBER #21
MAKE: Steyr (Puch-Daimler)
MODEL: Clubman
YEAR/AGE: Probably 1972 (The year of Watergate and the introduction of Ziggy Stardust)
SIZE: 54cm, but rides a little big. So long-legged 5’5ers to short-torsoed 5’8ers
ADOPTION FEE: $100 (and we’ll throw in a $30 BBP gift cert to help with used parts)
RECOMMENDED REPAIRS:
BASIC: Well, updated tires and tubes for sure. 2-3 hours of cleaning, degreasing, regreasing, and some bearing adjustments. Probably new cables, housing, and brake pads. And some used metal pedals. You can probably purchase all of that used with your $30 gift cert. That means $100 + some sweat equity will probably get you rolling strong.
BETTER: Same as above but invest in new tires, new brake pads, and maybe get rid of those cotter pin cranks for the square spindled variety (you can find them used at BBP). Now we’re talking the $100 bike purchase + $40 in new parts + $30 in used parts; with your $30 gift cert, you have a bike you could ride 30-50 miles a day for a total of $140/
BEST (because why not): Time to switch those 27” wheels out for a 700c set. This will allow you to fit much bigger and more comfortable tires. I think you could fit 700c x 38mm tires on this frame, and I’d recommend tan sidewalls to keep it classy. With the smaller wheel diameter, you might need some longer reaching dual-pivot side-pull brakes, which will give you some incredible stopping power. Pop in a new sealed bottom bracket (Velo Orange makes them for these old European bikes). Replace that drop bar with something upright and swoopy and sexy. Finish it off with a brown leather Brooks Saddle, and you’ll have one of the best looking, best riding bikes in town. All this will probably run you an extra $300, but you’ll likely be able to gift to grandkid when the time comes.
BICYCLE HISTORY:
Well, it was made in a big old factory in Austria. And then…your guess is as good as mine!