Every once in a while I hear from a reader about how this blog was helpful in some way to his or her bicycle project. And I gotta tell you honestly "It really makes my day" After all, That is what this blog is all about. Also a sincere "Thanks" to those of you who have left comments and sent e-mails. I have learned a lot from your feedback.
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Above is Everett K`s classic road bike restoration. Everett`s dad purchased the frame in the 1970`s while stationed in Holland. After returning to the USA he rode it occasionally and eventually stored it for 10+ years.
Everett tells me originally the top tube decal read "Mondial Campagnolo" which would indicate it is a Gazelle.(A bike I know absolutely nothing about) Everett says it looks like a Raleigh, I tend to agree with that. After storing the bike for 10 years Everett`s dad gave it to him as a gift. Everett rode it "as is" for a year before he decided it was time for a major over-haul. And as you can see it came out quite nicely.
Above: I recognize that "Mothers" shine on the brake caliper. The paint, which I believe Everett had done professionally looks fantastic. Check-out those Schwinn Bar-cons (bar-end shifters) It may sound funny "Schwinn" shifters on a classic road bike. But it is actually very correct, As they were considered top-notch in their day.(because they were)
I see a few of my favorite upgrades there. A micro-adjust seat post is always a nice upgrade that doesn`t break the bank. And Aero levers. The Tek-Tro levers offer a wide hand rest which I find very comfortable. Nice choice there for sure.
Also very reasonably priced. Nice job routing that front brake cable too!
Here are some of the other components used. The pedals are Shimano 600`s. Sun-Tour
cassette. Campagnolo front derailleur, Zeus Criterium rear derailleur. The 54/45 Sugino crank set has been replaced with a 53/39 Campagnolo Veloce C.S. Campy Record Ace Hubs w Campy quick release skewer (Zeus Q.R. on rear) Nice job on the handlebar tape. There is a lot going on there with the levers, barcons and cable coming out of the handlebar. Also I like the modern brake shoes on the classic Weinmann center-pull brakes. Nice mix of the old and the new. (well newer anyway) Congratulations Everett on a job well done.And thanks for sharing it with us. Maybe one day you can pass this bike on to your son or daughter.
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And thanks for the guided tour. That tall head tube looks like it helped with the front brake routing. Is that correct. I routed my barcons to come out next to the brake cable. Advantages both ways.
ReplyDeleteHey Steve,
ReplyDeleteI can offer no opinion about barcons (pro or con) I must admit I have never used them. I guess I will give them a try at some point.
But I have never been too keen on the idea of
using them. No offense intended. They have always looked too restrictive to me. I`m sure they probably work fine. I just don`t see the appeal. After I try them, I will most likely have to eat some crow. That won`t be a first, that`s for sure. (:
P.S.
ReplyDeleteHey Steve,
You make a good point. A tall head-tube would would definitely be an advantage routing the cable for the front brake. Always easier to make a wide turn than a sharp one. That will be a good thing for me to remember on future restorations when making brake lever choices.(aerodynamic or normal)
Hi Steve,
ReplyDeleteThis bike is about as tall of a bike as it is possible for me to ride. (Given the choice, I would go to a frame that is shorter). The tall head tube probably does help a bit, but I've got a stop attached to the top of the headset that the cable runs through before heading to the cantis. I think a bigger help would be to raise the handlebars or have an otherwise taller stem to provide more room between the stop and the bars. Wider bars, or not wrapping the top quite as far might help a bit too. I wish I had thought to route the shifter cables along the brake cables to come out at the top; that's super smart. If you don't mind, I'd like to use that idea the next time I get new tape.
Hugh, as for the barcons, personally, I find them indispensable. I don't care for how the cable routing looks, but it sounds like Steve has found a solution for that. Being frictional and not indexed, they are super easy to maintain and adjust. Most of the time I ride, I'm in the drops, so the next gear is as easy as sliding my pinky down a bit. I haven't tried brifters yet, but most of my equipment is too old to make those work anyway.
Thanks Everett,
ReplyDeleteSteve, Can you send me some pics of that set-up?
Or a link to view them else where?
Thanks,Hugh
P.S. I actually like the old style down-tube shifters. I gotta work on this "embracing change" thing (:
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI love bar-cons, especially friction type. They are becoming hard to come by. Everett, you did a beautiful job on that ride. Might I ask, what are the "brifters" you mention in your reply to Steve's comment? I am not familiar with them. Thanx!
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ReplyDeleteJ. Thanks for the compliment. This set of Schwinn barcons is still working okay, but I think I will eventually replace them with the ones Paul Components or Rivendell is making if I can get them cheap enough.
ReplyDelete"Brifters" are road brake levers with integrated shifters. They look like stocky aero levers, but in addition to the normal front-back motion of brake levers, the levers also move sideways for shifting.
Hugh, thanks for deferring to me on this, but it's really not necessary. You had the same answer, and I take no offense. This is your blog after all! ;)
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