What Makes A Good Bike And Are Retro Bikes Worth it? - Build, restoration and ride video

[@wileycoyote9201]

Old vintage steel bikes are so much fun to work on and ride

[@tanner4828]

As I'm get older, I'm staring to appreciate old crap more. It's fun to bring things back to life and it makes one really appreciate them. I'm glad I found your channel. Great work and great video.

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

Hey Tanner, I really appreciate your comment and thank you for subscribing!! I have a bunch of “old crap” ready to fix up so plenty of videos coming!!!

[@markmoffett6813]

YES , fun is the reason . Thanks again for another great video Mark from Maryland

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

Glad you enjoyed it Mark!

[@Akibatai00]

You rescued an old bike and gave it a second life. Awesome job.

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

Thanks dude!! 🙌🏼

[@gooniez8490]

Great view of the ocean! Great philosophy on what makes a great bike.

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

Yes indeed!

[@breathestrongcycling3672]

In Jan 2019 I picked up an 1985 Trek 560 road bike. After 2 weeks I sold all my carbon and have been on the Trek almost daily ever since.....and now I'm after an MTB from the same era....there's a classic asthetic that I just love. It's not about "performance" because a good bike is one you just simply want to ride, new or old.

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

I couldn’t agree with you more!! I have a couple of high end bikes that always come second best to me these days, there’s something about the connection you make with an older bike. Especially if you have to restore it first!!!

[@tmayberry7559]

Since that true. That's why I have N+1. I'm not a fan so much of road bikes or drops.

[@ryanhegarty8524]

My most favorite video to date.

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

Thanks! I think it’s my favourite as well! 🙌🏼

[@ryanhegarty8524]

@@2NDLIFEBIKES I actually bought an Emmelle lynx not long ago, it's got some wear and tear and the head stem was quite a mission to get out also I found a spider in it. Didn't realise until I sprayed it with WD40 😅

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

God I hate finding spiders in bikes!!! 😳 The Emmelle is genuinely one of my favourite frames I have! Good luck with the build! ✌🏼

[@btbike_24]

Do you have a video on the minimal tools you think you need for doing a resto? If not would be interested in your thoughts!

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

That’s a great idea! I’ll get one done asap!

[@phililpb]

for alot of people the fun in a bike is getting the latest and greatest brand new shiny bike from the shop. I cant deny the pleasure from that it is somewhat fleeting ad with the price of good new bike going through the roof it a pleasure I can no longer afford.

[@darrellandrew5605]

I'd take an old bike over a new one any day and yeah save old bikes 😀

[@DIY-DaddyO]

I used to have an Emmelle Cortina. My first mountain bike and I raced it until I did one to many bunny hops over a stream in Scotland ( Carlsberg Classic) and learned two lessons. 1) I can’t bunny hop as far as I thought 2) cowshit tastes a lot worst than it smells. Landed so hard I ovalised the head tube. Good times. Used the components on another 531 hand built frame. So yeah, old bikes are great for evolving into something different, something fun.

[@eucalyptusregnans7741]

Nice video! I love seeing old bikes being used and enjoyed instead of being discarded. 👍

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

Literally my mission in life!!! Thanks for watching! 🙏🏼🖤

[@yardsalecycles]

I have an old park pre I've rebuild a few times from single speed to full out Sram red ...... retro bike are just fun to ride and work on

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

100% I don’t think I’ll ever go back!! Retro is the way forward with cycling! 🙌🏼

[@王喆-d4t]

A bike that you always love to ride is a good bike！

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

Hell yes!! 🙌🏼

[@trapdeath99]

man such a nice place to ride with this awsm 🚲 bike

[@dazzasp3]

Still use my 92 diamondback topanga 1x7 now and its great

[@ColbyRidesBikes]

The colors are great. It reminds me of a can of 7up (not sure if they have that in the UK). Well done!

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

Yeah we do! Never thought of that before haha

[@johnnysings4194]

I love this video of yours because it gave me ideas.I was planning to build a classic bike so that may father will have one when he got home because rides were better when families are together

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

Butch I couldn’t agree with you more!! Everything I do with or on bikes is because of my Dad!! 🤙🏼 thanks for the comment. 🙌🏼

[@karoltakisobie6638]

I like retro bikes because they have much more comfortable geometry for me. I have one from 70s that's just awesome. Most of the time swapping old components turns old bike into super great commuter and only rarely quality of steel tubing is a problem. Even old steel rimmed mtb wheels last a whole lot longer than new ones.I wish I could get steel rims for my 700c wheels.

[@burrito_bobby]

Great video 🤙🏼

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

Thank you!! 🙌🏼

[@felixr126]

Pro tip: always buy tires drunk and have a funny surprise when they are delivered ;) I really enjoyed the variety of this one.

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

Hahaha it’s probably my best tip!! Cheers 🍻

[@mecacabillon9715]

Currently binge watching all your videos! Enjoying every single one if it

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

Thanks dude!! 🤙🏼

[@leecherone7601]

What a cool video. Your best yet! Definitely keen for some decals

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

Thanks mate means a lot!!

[@OliverWallaceStories]

Aw this is nice! Hey are you going to get the save old bikes decals back in? I like 'em!

[@JonByrne]

Just found your channel tonight, you have a similar philosophy to me. I have just picked up an Emmelle a few days ago for £15 and that my latest project. I think I'll pickup some of your stickers for my gravel bike build I have just completed, just need to decide on the best colour. Keep up the videos

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

Hey Jon! Thanks for subscribing. I genuinely love my Emmelle!! I’m thinking of doing some more colours for the decals so if you have any suggestions let me know!

[@JonByrne]

@@2NDLIFEBIKES always orange 😊

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

Dude! Orange will be sick! 🤙🏼

[@ShortCycle.]

Just found your channel - like what I see. I'm going back to my 90's 26 roots. I forgot how lovely balloon tyres on a rigid steel frame can feel after a decade on unflexing alloy hardtails. Is it faster? Nope. Am I smiling more? Absolutely. That's what matters with bikes- I'd forgotten that.

[@Locojoe]

The best bikes! Enjoyed the video.

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

Cheers joe! I hope to have a collection like yours one day!!!

[@toddfoster975]

I have a carbon Specialized Tarmac road bike and also a carbon triathlon bike, but my favorite bike by far is my old steel SS/fixed gear that I paid $80 for.

[@markmoffett6813]

Can you send merch to the US ? I would love a shirt " save old bikes " Mark from Maryland

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

Yep! Everything available on saveoldbikes.com ships globally! 👍🏼

[@shaundawson5639]

Enjoying watching all the videos i,m new to your channel thanks mate

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

Welcome aboard! 🙌🏼

[@gianluigiubezio3012]

Amazing and inspiring video! Could you link me where to buy the key you use to remove bb? Thanks!

[@priyanshubhardwaj2382]

Really love your videos , hope you never stop uploading

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

I really appreciate the comment, thank you 🙌🏼

[@ArjanGroe]

AMEN!

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

🙌🏼

[@federicomaraschi4438]

i want to buy that stiker 😍

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

saveoldbikes.com ✌🏼

[@sparkybhp2238]

Mate, awesome video! Loved the footage of your family group ride. Good work, the emmelle looks sick. 😉👌

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

Thank you!! The Emmelle is an incredibly fun bike and I will probably never part with it!!

[@anielyantra1]

good video! This is exactly my formula. Take an 80's MTB and up grade it to a 1X. I even found an old Shimano mtb freewheel that is a 6spd 14-32t. That and a medium cage Shimano derailleur from the 80's, cleaned them up...they are good for another 30 years. Try this with carbon fiber/disc brake modern bike and it will end in disaster.

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

That’s a real good point, any time I work on a high end bike it nearly always becomes more stressful!! But on an old bike you can pretty much throw compounds at it and it will ride like a champ!! 😂

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

I’ve built a bunch of single speed MTBs and love them but every now and then I like a couple gears or in this case 5 haha 😂

[@e-bike-bys-vykken7422]

mate if ya want to get grime of real good the peatys degreaser is even better than muc-off i use both but peatys is the best one for grime removal

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

I’ll have to give it another go. In the past I always preferred the Muc-Off stuff! But always up for change.

[@greetb9330]

Great post, just found your channel so look forward to checking out your projects, saving an old bike, doing it up and riding it is a real joy, particularly when it has been discarded, great to see you doing the same. This one looks good on 700c wheels, minimalist old bikes are very cool. All best mate and thanks for sharing! Good luck.

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

Hey, thanks for the comment! I think more people should do it. It’s one of the most satisfying things in the world riding round on something you have brought back from the dead!

[@rangersmith4652]

For me, any bike that can be returned to service and provided to a person who needs it for under $100 in parts and my free labor is a good bike. Many toss-away bikes can be made usable and safe for way less.

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

Totally agree! 🙌🏼

[@johndef5075]

I rebuilt my early 2000s Giant hardtail thinking it would be fun to ride. Instead it was stiff as heck and downright scary at the speeds I currently ride on my newer bikes.I know I went fast on this back in the day but not sure how.😂Sold it a couple days later.

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

At least the bike lives on! I have a high end full suspension that gives me way more confidence to do bigger faster things but there’s definitely something for me with an old bike. But maybe it’s the sketchiness that I’m enjoying haha! 😂

[@joen3992]

I own and restore vintage GT and Specialized mountain bikes. And I take the opinion of 'what I like, doesn't mean someone else would.' I don't have to justify my actions or my tastes. I personally don't like 29ers. Find them awkward to ride on a trail. 700c vintage bikes turn me on!! You can ride like a boss cause STEEL IS REAL! lol

[@robertlund5694]

29ers suck !

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

🙌🏼

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

I couldn’t agree with you more!!!! Bikes are so personal but I’m quickly learning that the biking community can at least appreciate overs taste!! 🤙🏼

[@johndef5075]

Old 18" Gt hardtails are the coolest looking. Frame design makes them look fast standing still and super cool paint jobs in the 90s. Had a 91 Daktari White Avalanche with the U brakes. Coolest looking bike I ever owned but broke frame. Also had Rts Lts and various hardtails.

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

Love an old GT! I know a couple collectors who are on a hunt for a trashed one for me. So hopefully we will get one on the channel!!!

[@nickf1975]

Your Crocs?

[@e-bike-bys-vykken7422]

i restored mate's e-bike after he got hit by a police car of all things and bike needed serious tlc they pulled out on him with out looking first but he was fine just the bike that need care

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

Jesus! That is a bad one! Glad you was able to get it shop shape again! I’m hopeful gunna build an E-bike this year.

[@kyle8952]

It looks like a can of lilt. that's a complement.

[@2NDLIFEBIKES]

Oh I took it as a complement!! Probably the best comment I’ll ever get!!