I've decided after a lot of procrastination to sell my 1885 56" Columbia Expert.
My new rider is the 1888 57" Columbia Light Roadster purchased at Copake last year.
I'll be taking it to the Saline (Michigan) swap meet this coming weekend.
I bought it in 2013 and fixed several items to make it a very good rider. Here are the miles I put on it over the years:
- 2014 – 1,367 miles (incl. 350 miles, Huron, OH to Waukesha, WI)
- 2015 – 1,049 miles (incl. century in eastern Maryland)
- 2016 – 619 miles (half year)
- 2017 – 739 miles (incl. round trip Valley Forge to Philadelphia)
- 2018 – 30 miles (in March)
MOSTLY ORIGINAL except for:
- Grips (2014)
- Saddle leather (2014)
- Victory repro rear wheel (2016)
- Wheel rubber (2016)
- Front wheel spokes (ca 1985)
- Saddle coil spring (ca 1985)
- Cranks and pedals (installed ca 1985)
The caveat: The front wheel needs to be re-built before riding on the road, or trail, or driveway, or ......
I suffered three front-tire wire breaks over the span of a couple years. Those three tire wires had been installed by three different (and quite capable) installers. The first lasted about 3,000 miles over two years of riding.
I suspect the problem is the spoking system that was done back in ca 1985 when the bicycle was put together as a display bicycle. Over the first few years, I replaced a few parts that were incorrect but didn't suspect a wheel problem.
The original rear wheel rim broke back in 2015 at the start of a local century ride. I bought a new Victory wheel from Diane at a meet and it has been super!
The first photo here shows it packed up in 2014 (different bars and original rear wheel) before leaving for 350 miles to the Waukesha, Wisconsin National Meet. Four days (106, 91, 70, 70 miles) then a ferry across Lake Michigan.
I have to dig out some other photos from my other computer.
The second photo is the plain bike before Victory back wheel. Also shown are repro handlebars I used until one broke. The original drop bars are on the bike now (third photo).
Send me an e-mail for questions. ohiowheelmencapt@gmailcom
$3,200.
Dick DeLombard
Ohio Captain
Membership Chairman
