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sorry @clubman yes i did see your post i was just procrastinating over my response. Its as usual a thorough and poignant write up. Its also very inspiring and makes me think that we are well due a vintage group ride soon.
ive updated my post above with photos now.
It's crimson flamboyant and very difficult to replicate so I'm just going to leave it for now.
The frame looked stunning when it was delivered from Argos cycles i have since ruined the paint work, i guess that's the trouble with actually using the bike.
My friend rode it to cambridge and destroyed the paint work around the rear dropout. I have chipped the paintwork around the rear brake caliper and in general it has taken a real beating over the last six years. The fork crown has just added insult to injury.
I have added some old tyres and the alloy mudguards which unlike their plastic counterparts are not very forgiving to fit.Ive taken off the flash gearing mechs and made it fixed and off course you are right the new gearing is low which is great for shorter local journeys.
I'm actually much happier with the look than its previous incarnation. -
I have had this frame repaired it took long enough after getting the toilet roll wedged between the forks and wheel.
The repair looks great Unfortunately Argos havent got the original paint so i have rattle canned it in red. It doesn't look the best. Ive been playing around with parts and have just fitted the alloy mudguards and very scruffy saddle.
I kinda regret requesting gear cable lugs being fitted before the respray as i have also gone for single speed, 19/46 ratio. I need to sort out the front hub as it doesnt match the rear, its a baylis Wiley with straight gauge spokes. The rear is an Airlite small flange with double butted spokes both are laced to Dunlop Special Lightweights.
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Superb bike that, i love the pump. Dunlop rims look to be in good condition too.
I have a set of wheels with alloy rims they are lovely however i can not fit old tyres to them, they keep falling out of the rim so im building up a set of 27.1.1/4 dunlops instead, i like the way they look to be honest and they are not much heavier than the alloys. -
yes i wouldn't recommend a handlebar mounted cage they just get in the way and clutter up the cockpit.
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Ha.. nice questions
Dieppe to Dreux.
Duex to Blois.
blois to chateaureax.
The roads were superb, quiet well maintained and the vilages and towns were picturesque. But lacking supplies so i carried food for the day with me like a baguette, ham and cheese.I was carrying one change of clothes, food, some tools and a spare tyre, all kept in the carridice.
Incidentally i was wearing most of my clothes as it was biterly cold.
I stayed in Airbnb's each night where it was possible to hand wash clothing for the next day.
The Airbnb's were very cheap (£25) as i guess it was out of season. I ate out in the evening which again wasnt expensive.You are spot on about fixed wheel it garnered very little interest. A couple of years ago i rode from Paris to london on a Gillott with simplex gears and the french were very appreciative.
Ive just weighed everything now and it came in at 8 pounds.
The route was fairly flat to be honest especially as i am used to cycling in the North downs so the weight wasnt much of an issue.
What was your route to Cirencester and do you have any photos of the bike fully laden. -
Cannot see a brand name. Its a strange design it came with brackets to strap to the handlebars but they would have been in the way of my grip.
I have had to strap them to the bars using the bar tape and string. I then lacquered it all to keep it water proof.. -
Ive just returned from a trip to Chateaureax in France. 270 miles over three days.
Note the Continental tubs which did a fine job throughout. -
i always buy second hand tubs on ebay.
tubs dont seem to be that popular so you tend to get some great bargains as long as you're happy to wait.
condition and practicality are my priority when looking for tubs over looks and aesthetics.
i like continental tubs (gatorskins) they are durable and last.
vittoria tyres definitely have a timeless look about them and will look good on any vintage machine however i do find them quite sensitive especially on uk roads.
whichever tyre i have i always fill them with a good latex sealant for added protection.
the cheaper tubs like continental giros or vittoria rally are a waste of time and in my experience just disintegrate before they ware out.
I have the same view that you should only use the bicycle when touring, however im not very strict or im just lazy with this concept as i did use the train to Newhaven, to pick up the ferry.
I love the fact that this hobby is so accessible and can be appreciated just by leaving the front door and hopping on your bike.
The bike looks great with the sloping downtubes giving that relaxed geometry. Would this bike have been built for touring.
Thats a lot of luggage, not that im criticizing because i didnt have enough, it was fine while riding but once i had reached my over night stop i had very little to wear, the stand out night was Blois by the river Loire which was below freezing once the sun went down.
If a rear hub has double sided threads i always like to fit the bike out with double cogs of differing sizes. Useful and it looks smart to me, similar to having pump pegs but no pump fitted. (I'm guilty of doing that though).
My ride in France was surprisingly flat particularly the second day between Chartres and Blois which was dead flat. My gearing was far too low for this 46/17 as i had set the gearing up for Kent's gradients.
It hadnt even occurred to me until i had read the account of your trip and you had explained your sturmey gearing set up that i could have flipped the rear wheel around and used the smaller cog 46/16.