Hornsweep

Most recent activity

• A Riv ‘n’ tale

  in Current Projects • 1 month

  

  Ah, crow! Congratulations! A stunning bike indeed. Love the shape of the fork. With geometry like that and those wheels, it must be smooth, comfortable ride too.

• Surly Bike Owners

  in Bikes & Bits • 1 month

  

  Thanks for that! I've tried another brand with a similar 'Happy Stem' look from VO. It felt somehow a bit nervous to me.

  The Cigne stem appeared outlandish at first now, but the more I look at it, it be something to consider.

  (I have actually been in two minds about keeping the bike though.)

• Surly Bike Owners

  in Bikes & Bits • 1 month

  

  Hi and thanks for your quick help! You've just solved one of life's mysteries for me.

  Must admit, I don't really understand the sense of the ahead system. It's seems so unsustainable. But perhaps I am missing something. Anyway, like you said, perhaps I can sell the old one.

  Thanks again!

• Surly Bike Owners

  in Bikes & Bits • 1 month

  

  Hi there, I happen to have a (black) Cross Check myself and was hoping someone could help me.

  The previous owner cut the fork as low as one could go and it's been a real issue for my neck/back area.

  So my big question: is it safe to build the height up with spacers (assuming that's even possible...no experience with ahead parts)? Or would it be better for me to just buy a whole new fork?

• WTB: Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit

  in Wanted Adverts • 2 months, 3 weeks

  

  Hi, I thought I might just let you know that there have been tests here in Germany (Stiftung Warentest - independent testing and reviews for consumers - something like the UK Which? perhaps) on Kryptonite locks, and while the security comes out tops - there are disturbing levels of Phthalates / plasticisers / DEHP in the outer plastic cover. The models tested (in 2021) were Kryptonite New York Lock LS and (in 2017...and 2013?) Kryptonite Evolution 4 LS. I can only assume it would be the same for the rest of their range.

  In contrast, the brand ABUS had very low quantities and was rated highly.

  Personally, I owned a Fahgettaboudit and the weight is absurd. I can't believe I lugged that monster about for so long. I now have an ABUS U-Lock Granit XPlus Mini. It's their max. strength at 15 and I highly recommend it. I think the mini is no longer available, but you might be lucky on ebay, etc.

  To read the full tests it would cost a few €s at Stiftung Warentest, but the summaries can be found here (deepl might help translating..):
  https://www.oekotest.de/freizeit-technik­/12-Fahrradschloesser-im-Test_102928_1.h­tml
  https://utopia.de/ratgeber/fahrradschlos­s-sicher-fahrradschloesser-test/

  A Guardian article on Phthalates:
  https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle­/2015/feb/10/phthalates-plastics-chemica­ls-research-analysis

• Pre 1950s rides of LFGSS: old bikes, vintage rats, classic lightweights

  in Bikes & Bits • 3 months, 2 weeks

  

  Hi @RgrahamH, thank you for the thought! Sounds like a good idea.

  To be honest, I haven't given the bike much more thought since my last comment here. I've seen that it is still available though. I think I found the same model and how it would have looked before it was painted grey-blue somewhere else: https://steel-vintage.com/follis-classic­-650b-randonneur-1950s

  Anyway, I'll look into the Sturmey. I remember as a boy that my mother had an old Raleigh ladies bike from the 50s or 60s. It was a really beautiful bike in dark green with a wicker basket on the front. Anyway, what I've never forgotten about that bike were the wonderful slow rhythmical 'clicks' it made. It sounded so elegant and calm. I've always wondered if it came from the Sturmey Archer gears or somewhere in the wheel. Well, I have fond memories of those gears.

• Pre 1950s rides of LFGSS: old bikes, vintage rats, classic lightweights

  in Bikes & Bits • 3 months, 3 weeks

  

  Thank you for the link. Nice to have web translators these days.

  Anyway, before others join in: please understand I have taken Clubman's advice! I am almost sorry I asked this question. It is true, it wasn't a considered one, but so it is.

  I have written to the seller and told him I won't be buying it. He has another offer now too.

  My interest isn't French vs English, but I am just looking for a bike that can take at least 32cm wheels, with some lowish trail in the front and a vintage age. I love oldish things in general - the 60s furniture, the 1972 record player (though digital is wonderful thing too), and so on. So my interest in keeping things as original as possible is sincere. As Skülly knows, I came to this forum regarding a wonderful Bob Jackson offer I had and he was extremely generous with his help! I really appreciated that.

  In my readings I began to understand that the master craftspeople of the 40s, 50s, and 60s, probably understood more about geometry and load-bearing than many today. This is a strong statement based purely on subjective opinion. I am no framemaker myself, but I trust writers on the topic. So I imagine (could be wrong) I think that that Bob would have had 'wheel flop' in the front because the forks weren't shaped for any real baggage there. The high trail vs low/ish trail interests me.

  So, whether its French or British - I seek one I can afford and keep for the rest of my life. I am no collector.

• Pre 1950s rides of LFGSS: old bikes, vintage rats, classic lightweights

  in Bikes & Bits • 3 months, 3 weeks

  

  Ok, please know I'm taking Clubman's advice. Topic closed.

  I am all for originality myself. In fact, it should be said that the seller or someone else most likely resprayed the frame, which did actually disappoint me. I didn't think changing the gears (and keeping the old ones) would be such a serious or permanent intervention, but perhaps I hadn't considered the situation properly. Anyway, I came to get your inputs and I thank you all for that.

  And thank you Clubman for taking the time to explain the gearing to me. I have appreciated your expert and very helpful advice in the past on another frame.

• Pre 1950s rides of LFGSS: old bikes, vintage rats, classic lightweights

  in Bikes & Bits • 3 months, 3 weeks

  

  Hi baguette, thank you for your amazing posts. Had a good chuckle too, here and there : )

  Ask me how I now and I'll reply in Atom/Maillard/Normandy tinged
  curses

  Hah! Excellent. This may be the fastest way to learn French yet ; )

  Your considerations make it clear to me just how tricky this may be. I've seen one or two French bikes where the old cyclo derailleur was exchanged for a more 'modern' (still vintage) one. But there must be so many variables here: brand, frame, simple one or two speeds vs more, etc. The bike is a Follis, by the way. 650b, no less. Wonderful randonneur (or is it a randonneuse?!).

  Well, another day to think about it. Maybe a Gillott, Hobbs, or similar pops up down the line for sale, and then I don't have to concern myself with such uncertainties.

• Pre 1950s rides of LFGSS: old bikes, vintage rats, classic lightweights

  in Bikes & Bits • 3 months, 3 weeks

  

  Thank you! Personally, I would prefer to change the crank set to triple (possibly vintage Stronglight), and swap out the cassette and rear derailleur (to old Suntour Cyclone). I'd like to keep the vintage aesthetic somehow, and wouldn't change anything about the rest. Then it would be perfect for me. He wants me to make an offer, so I guess there's that question still too.