
Refurbishing an Older Terry Road Bicycle
I’m often contacted by the owner of an older Terry bicycle who’s interested in purchasing a new bicycle. Terry bicycle customers are incredibly loyal — they want to continue riding the brand because of its fit and feel, but may be ready for new components and a lighter frame. While I’m always happy to sell a new bike, sometimes it makes sense to refurbish the old one.
A good bike shop will know exactly what can be done for your bike, but it’s often tough to get them to spend the time explaining this. While covering every model in detail would take pages, in this article I can at least give you some basic ideas to consider.
Frame and Fork
This is the heart of the bicycle. If it’s structurally damaged (minor dings, nicks and scratches not included), then a new bike is probably the best option. While steel lends itself to repair, the cost often outweighs the value of production frames like Despatch, Prism, Trilogy, Symmetry, Classic and Madeleine, to name a few. This may not be the case for a hand-built frame like Isis Sport, Precision, Isis Pro or Valkyrie.
Wheels
Oh so easy to replace and a wonderful place to get an instant return on your investment. A lighter set of wheels is easier to accelerate than heavier wheels. Every size wheel we use, from 700c to 24″ is available from Velocity USA in Michigan. Their prices are very reasonable and the quality of the wheels they build is excellent. Your dealer can purchase wheels from Velocity or you can order directly from them on their website.
Handlebars and Stem
If your bike is older, chances are it uses a quill stem (threadless stems are the norm these days). Consider yourself lucky. This style provides you with the ability to fine tune the reach to and the height of the handlebars. Nitto makes a variety of quill stems. If you’re looking for a new handlebar, consider the Nitto “Randonneur” bar. This handlebar is fantastic if you have wrist issues. It allows your hands to rest in a natural position on the bars, stress-free. The bar has a 25.4 mm clamp diameter, which will be compatible with older stems. With a simple shim, it can fit 26.0 mm stems as well.
Shift Levers
Really early Terry bikes had their shift levers on the down tube. An inexpensive way to move them to the handlebars is to use Shimano bar end shifters. You may need a new rear derailleur for compatibility, but it’s well worth it for the ease of use of bar end shifters.
Drivetrain
This can get very pricey! The standard these days is 10-speed (the number of cogs on the cassette on the rear wheel) although 9-speed is still mainstream, especially for touring bicycles with their ultra-low gearing.
To move up to 10-speed, you’ll need not only the cassette, you’ll also need a rear derailleur, chain, front derailleur and integrated brake/shift levers (unless you use bar end shift levers). You’ll probably also need to change the chainrings on your crankset since front derailleurs are very particular about the number of teeth on the chainrings and the chainring has to be compatible with the rest of the drivetrain. Frankly, you should upgrade the entire crankset to ensure compatibility throughout the drivetrain.
As I said at the beginning of this article, this a large subject to cover, but I hope this has given you some food for thought. If you want to discuss the particulars of your bike, you’re welcome to contact me for more information.
Have fun!
Comments
Indexed rear derailleurs don’t care how many speeds you have. Assuming you are staying with the same manufacturer (“pull” varies between them), any rear derailleur is compatible with any number of speeds. Front derailleurs are even less picky (for doubles anyway). I currently use a 1981 Shimano Dura Ace EX front derailleur with my mostly Shimano 105-equipped double front 10 speed rear bike.
Just watch out for the new Shimano 10-speed Dyna-Sys rear derailleurs. They are not compatible with Shimano road shifters.
Hi i recently got a hold of an old terry symmetry frame from Kraynick’s bike shop in Pittsburgh. Its simmilar to the bike pictured above. Hoping you could tell me what wheels would be appropriate for this set up. The bike has a 49cm seat tube and a slack and long headtube. Jerry told me that you might be able to help me out.
Thanks in advance
Rocky
Hi Rocky — It sounds like it uses a 24″ front wheel and 700c rear, given the seat tube and the long headtube. Jerry should be able to verify this from the length of the forkblades.
I just saved a precision model from the landfill. Bike is in very good condition all orginal. At first I thought about upgrading bike, however everything is in such great condition I think I will leave it as is. Was this frame built in US? Can not find much on it, just has precision on frame.
Yes, the bike was built in Rochester, NY. A landfill — wow, pathetic. Replacing just the frame and fork would cost about $2500 in today’s market. A bike is meant to be ridden, not disposed of. Take care of it and find someone who wants to ride it.
Thanks for the info, plan on giving it to my daughter as soon as I tune it and replace the tires. It really is a great looking bike and I’m sure it will ride great.
Let me know if you need any help!
Just an update on my precision bike. Finished tune up plus new tires and chain. I must say this bike is a work of art, very smooth everything operates like new. Company should be proud to have put out this type of product. The serial number is 87105, does this mean bike was made in 1987?
Yep — 1987! I probably built the fork on that bike.
Hi Russell! Just wanted to say that if your daughter ever wants to sell it (and it’s a smaller size), let me know! I’d be very interested.
Andy,
It is a small. I will ask my daughter about it.
Russ
[…] frameset, though the staggered TT wheelset almost makes it look like a Terry […]
Hi,
A friend recently gave me a Terry Classic. Serial number S8B5639 Can you tell me what year it was made and what its current value might be?
Its in very good condition. A little cleaning and tuning and it will be ready for many more years of riding.
Thanks,
Can you send a photo of the bike?
I just traded a welder for a Terry Georgina Classic ser # s8b5237 could you tell me when it was made and value it the bike, I’m wanting to clean it up and fix it for my girlfriend
Can you post a photo of the bike? That will help me identify it. Thanks!
Sorry, spell correction on my phone is annoying, it’s a Terry Georgena Classic
Actually, it’s a Georgena Terry Classic. Georgena is my first name.
I’m not sure how to post pictures on this site, any help?
Looks like you’ll have to email the photos: gt@georgenaterry.com
I sent the email, I have not cleaned the bike yet, just got it today, going to clean it up, put a new rim and tires on and tune it up and give it to my girlfriend to see if I can get her to cycle with me
Sorry about the mess up on the name, it’s a nice bike, didn’t come with the front wheel but everything else is there, I’m having trouble trying to figure out how to post a picture
Just sent them by email, thx for the help, greatly appreciated Georgena
I’m refurbishing an already pristine Classic for my girlfriend, and While looking for a new front tire the Panaracer Pasela 24×1″ is the one that comes up. Is this the preferred tire for the 24″ wheel? Other than tires/tubes I think it just needs new cables/housings, break pads, and bar tape.
Yes, you can use this tire or the Schwalbe 23-520 Durano tire. Have fun!
I fell in love with my 87 Terry Gambit bike, I’m a 5 foot tall woman and it is absolutely perfect. Super light weight and gets great speed! It’s like the bike was built specifically for me.
Just wanted to say “WELL DONE!” and Thank you!!!!
Thanks for the good words. I’m glad you’re enjoying the bike!
Hi. I have a Symmetry serial number N9S5565 which I would love but don’t ride as much as I use to. Is it possible to replace the drop handlebars with upright? Thanks
Yes, you can covert the Symmetry. It may be a little contorted (i.e., expensive) depending on the current components on the bike. Your local dealer should be able to advise you about the conversion.
Thanks!
I’ve always wanted a Terry bike and saw a 16inch Classic w flat handbars for sale on ebay.. I won the auction and it was shipped across the country.
the bike is a beauty and I appreciate the lightness of the bike compared to my Trek Skye Hybrid..but after riding the Classic a couple of rides I have noticed some issues. I’m 60 inches and can straddle the toptube but I feel cramped up on the saddle. I have the seat adjusted as far back as it goes the distance from end of handbar to end of seat is an inch shorter than my other bikes.. with the geometry of this bike, it has given me severe shoulder and palm pain..otherwise it rides like a dream.. but I cant figure out how to adjust this bike so I think I’m going to have to put this back on the market..
If you feel too cramped up, take the bike to your shop and have a longer stem installed. This will move the handlebars farther away from the saddle. Adjusting the stem is done commonly. No need to give up on the bike for something so simple!
Ive recently “comeby” an old Terry bike that has tires 24 1.25 tires on front and back…since the tires need replaced, can you suggest where I can find/buy replacements..
Hi — that tire is no longer made. The best substitute is the Schwalbe Kojak tire in a 24 x 1.5. Wears like iron and rides beautifully!
I have an older (years) Terry Symmetry. I am getting back into biking. I understand getting a 24″ tire is very difficult. Thinking ahead what companies carry this size tires and where to buy them. It would be great if you carried that size tire on your website. Do you make the Terry bike with a smaller wheel in the front? I looked up the tire Schwalbe Kojak and could not see a 24″ tire. And what about tubes? I would not want to update my bike if tires and tubes cannot be found.
Terry carries this size on their website:
http://www.terrybicycles.com/accessories/tires-tubes-1/Presta-Valve-Road-Tubes
You should select the 520 size. The Kojak you refer to is designed for 24″ mountain bike wheels. So far, there’s no indication that the 24″ size used on your Symmetry will become obsolete!
My daughter is looking for a small frame and I ran across a couple of your old Symmetry bikes on eBay recently. She will be using the bike on flat gravel trails and would need to install wider tires. Can one of these frames accommodate a 35 or 38mm tire, front and rear? From the photos I’ve seen, the front fork appears to be able to handle the wider tires, but can’t tell about the spacing of the chainstays.
The real issue is not whether the frame can accommodate the wider tires — it’s whether the brakes can. Unfortunately, there’s not enough room under the brake arches for tires much wider than 25 mm. Sorry!
Hi Georgena,
Sorry for the duplicate post (and for the name mis-spelling)
I had the pleasure of seeing a Symmetry for the first time, ridden by a female co-worker.
The rear derailleur broke while we were riding so I am looking for used parts, but this bike would make an awesome restoration project. It is Serial No S9B5232, if you can tell me anything about the bike, components, possible upgrades, etc.
Thanks, Dan Collins, Orlando
Hi Dan,
If you email me some photos of the bike, I would be glad to help. gt@georgenaterry.com
Thanks!