the low-tech issueissue the low-tech
AS GOOD AS NEW
Commuters share the joys (and pains) of vintage bicycles story by ashley lauren walker
B
icycles continue to evolve — with carbon fiber frames and electric motors, among other newfangled components — but the machine’s design hasn’t fundamentally changed for generations: two wheels, handlebars and a diamond-shaped frame. Aaron Zucker, Leslie Lodwick and Alex Bomstein remind us that we can ride bikes made decades ago, that we needn’t buy the latest and greatest, that there’s still a place for durable, simple transportation in a fastpaced, urban environment. 26 GRID P H I L LY.CO M AUGUST 20 23
The following interview has been edited for length and clarity. What’s the model of your bike? How do you maintain it? Zucker: A 1972 Raleigh Super Course. Maintaining it has been easy, just some oil on the chain. I’ll usually attempt any repairs before taking it to the shop. Lodwick: A brown Ross Eurosport from the early 1980s — it was originally sold at Sears. I take it to Bell’s Bike Shop on Passyunk for maintenance once a year, since they’ve always made cost-effective but
quality recommendations. Bomstein: Mine is a Giant Boulder. I take care of the routine maintenance like pumping the tires, cleaning the chains and touching up nicks at home. The rest I leave to the professionals. How long have you been commuting via bike? Zucker: I’m in Center City and have been commuting on it for about a year, usually between 10 to 20 minutes. Lodwick: Since 2008. I currently take my bike up to University City a few times a week to write my Ph.D. dissertation at the libraries up there. That commute is about 30 minutes. Bomstein: Work is hybrid these days, but I’ve been commuting on Rosy since 2007. When traffic is light and my limbs are limber, my commute [from South Philadelphia] can be 15 minutes or less. What are the benefits and challenges of using an older bike? Zucker: Being a steel P HOTO G RAP HY BY CHRISTO P HE R BAKER EVENS