There are a lot of websites about vintage bicycles but not all of them are so interesting. I also regularly use different websites to find the necessary information such as:
- From which year is this rear derailleur?
- Which Campagnolo group is this? Nuovo Record or Super Record
- What components were on the competition frame that I just purchased?
- From which year is this frame?
- And so on
In the Lowlands there are not that many Dutch websites or blogs about vintage steel racing bicycles. Most are in English and come from abroad.
In addition, not every enthusiast, collector or restorer just wants to share his secrets and knowledge with everyone, or maybe he just doesn't have the time and/or is not very handy at making a blog.
In this article I try to give an overview of the most interesting websites and blogs about vintage bicycles, components, and so on. It goes without saying that not all sites and blogs will be listed here and I hope I don't step on anyone's toes if they weren't on this list. Send me an email and maybe your website or blog will be featured.
Suggestions are always welcome
Dutch websites
Klassieke racefiets: Interesting website of 2 cycling enthusiasts: Thomas and Bart where you will find a lot of useful information about brands, how to date a bicycle (Dutch brands), etc. > klassiekeracefiets.info
DCI Steel Vintage Racing Bicycles: very interesting and extensive website about vintage racing bicycles with a section about collectors' bicycles, vintage bicycle tools, vintage parts and much more > dcisite.be
De wielersite: Here you will find all information about old cycling teams, ex-pro riders, bicycle brands that the pros rode on. Very useful complete site > dewielersite.net
Koersmuseum: this is the website of the Koers museum in Roeselare that you should definitely visit. There is a blog on the website where you can read interesting stories about cyclists, cycling races but also occasionally about a bicycle brand > koersmuseum.be
Velofilie: Interesting website with lots of information about gears, steel in frame construction. So mainly a lot of technical information, but with many links to other interesting (usually foreign) websites. You can also download a number of catalogs there. > fietssite.jouwweb.nl
Cycling passions: a lot of scanned magazines about the Tour de France in particular, but also about bicycles and cyclists > cyclingpassions.eu
Retrokoers: Website over alle retrokoersen in België en Nederland > retrokoers.nl
Wielersport.slogblog.nl: site with a lot of information about former cyclists > wielersport.slogblog.nl
English-language websites
Velobase: Founded in 2007 and grown into the largest database of vintage bicycle parts. For me the number 1 among the informative sites and in addition to information about frames, parts you will also find a wide range of catalogs > velobase.com
Velo-pages: Wide range of parts and bicycle catalogs. You will find really all brands there: Colnago, Huret, Gipiemme, etc. > velo-pages.com
Sheldon Brown: A very technical site about frames, parts, bicycle repairs, tools, and so on with unfortunately a lot of text and few photos. Not so pleasant to read but very useful and informative > sheldonbrown.com
Bulgier.net: A rather strange looking homepage but if you look closely there is also a link to classic vintage bicycles on which you will find very valuable information > bulgier.net/pics
Velo retro: Wide range of scanned catalogs (download for a fee) but especially many links to other interesting websites about vintage bicycles > velo-retro.com
The Bicycle Info Project: here too a wide range of scanned catalogues, free to download > equusbicycle.com
Disraeli Gears: If you need information about a derailleur or group, you will find it on this very complete website with numerous photos and catalogs > disraeligears.co.uk
Bike Boom Peugeot: For lovers and collectors of vintage Peugeot bicycles > bikeboompeugeot.com
Cycles Rétro Peugeot: wide range of Peugeot catalogs > peugeotshow.com
Tears for gears: Blog with nice articles about frames, parts, groups, etc. > tearsforgears.com
Vintage Shimano: useful site about Shimano parts and components > vintageshimano.com
Campy only: the site for Campagnolo collectors campyonly.com
Classic Rendezvous: very informative blog about all bicycle brands up to 1983 with photos, descriptions, catalogs > www.classicrendezvous.com
Bertin Classic Cycles: Very complete website for enthusiasts and collectors of French Bertin bicycles > bertinclassiccycles.wordpress.com
Le Cycleur: This informative Belgian website about vintage racing bikes, tools and parts is owned by Stefan Van Ouytsel (also known from Contour.cc) and Bart Suykerbuyk. Although Belgian, the site is only in English > lecycleur.com
Vintage trek: for the enthusiasts and collectors of Trek bicycles. A very complete site with articles, photos, catalogs and a section on how to date your vintage Trek bike > vintage-trek.com
