New girl, green as the grass

[ZoneFive]

Thanks for the welcome, everyone -- I'm glad to be here!

Muirenn, yes there are handgrips, but they're probably almost as old as the bike. They feel fairly hard but not brittle. Not sure what they're supposed to feel like -- how soft or squooshy should they be?

[ZoneFive]

Wow -- thank you, this is wonderful! What a lot of great links to investigate!

I realized I'm wrong about Holly's age -- she's a 1962 vintage, not '64. I found the serial number and did a little checking around. There an awful lot of serial number databases online, imagine that. Now I have to figure out what size the frame is.

A Brooks saddle, you say? . . . has anyone told you you're a professional bad influence? I thought I'd use the old saddle for a couple of weeks to get used to riding daily before I changed it out. The Brooks look very elegant -- I think one is going on my wish list.

[rebeccaC]

If it’s in reasonable shape keep that original blue/white seat if you decide to change to a different seat. People like original parts!! For a Brooks you'll need to change your seatpost to a 13/16 with a 7/8 top…..and again, if you change keep the original. Talk to your LBS about seatpost options if you do decide to go with a different saddle. Perhaps think about saving the money for your next bike instead of spending what a Brooks will cost for the Hollywood.....well unless you really want to bling it out

[ZoneFive]

What I said about putting the Brooks on my wishlist was more a reminder to myself not to go all nuts and buy the expensive toys -- all the bling -- before I've ridden ten miles yet. I do keep a bike wishlist at Amazon and while I'm aiming for the sensible/essential stuff first, there are a few high-end fripperies that are on there just so I can think about them a while.

I'm going past my LBS today so I think I'll drop by and check out their handgrips. And I have to ask -- what does your custom inscription read?

rebeccaC, thank you for the reminder about keeping the original equipment. The tires were shot and I doubt they were original so I didn't keep those, but the saddle and post will definitely be put aside when/if I replace them.

[rebeccaC]

muiren...i agree on a comfortable saddle, but a Brooks on a Hollywood is bling to the frugal me ….and like I wrote I’d suggest spending that money towards a better overall bike when Ann-Marie is ready for one….but then that’s just me, others can spend their money any way they want.

I know older Schwinn’s and changing parts problems. When I first moved to California I joined a group of women that would get old bikes, I liked older Schwinn’s, we'd completely go through them, single speed them if not already, spray paint them bright yellow, put red lettered decals that said ‘this is a free bike…ride and then leave for someone else’ on them and set them out in different areas of the city. I still see some of them every now and then.

[ZoneFive]

You're right, I shouldn't have used the word bling. I have a lot to learn, and thank you for all the help.

[ZoneFive]

Didn't take it that way, honest. All is well.