Classic & Vintage - McReynolds - Diablo Cycles - by Boone

The Phil Wood hub on the front wheel caught my eye on the $100 lugged steel bike at a garage sale and nearly justified the purchase by itself. The bike turned out to be a "custom" built by Diablo Cycles, Concord California with decals labeling it as a McReynolds - by Boone. The bike was in great shape with good paint and a matching Silica frame pump. I'd guess it was built for touring with several features that suggest it having been built for a woman or a small framed male -- e.g. narrow dropped Cinelli 380 mm handlebars, 165 mm Avocet "road" cranks on a 54 cm frame; and a short extension stem (80 mm). The frame is an ornately lugged steel frame but there is no indication of what tubing might have been used. The frame has all braze-ons for fenders, front rack, and water bottles and a pump peg under the top tube. Even the screw holes for the water bottle on the down tube are reinforced with a luglike plate. The triple chain ring half-step drive train has probably been upgraded to allow indexed shifting with a 7 speed cassette. Componets include Suntour Superbe Brakes and Levers, Shimano STX RC Derailleur (rear); Shimano 105 Derailleur (front); Shimano 105 rear hub; 700 cc Araya RS-430 rims. If I'm correct that the indexed shifting and rear derailleur are newer upgrades, my best guess would be early to mid 80s for the bike's age. Any other perspectives would be welcome. I'd be curious to know more about bikes by Boone or Diablo Cycles or a probable age of the bike. Google does not help so the shop must not exist in its previous encarnation. The best of all worlds was when I discovered it is the most comfortable fit of any bike I have ever ridden including any of the 5 road bikes I currently own. I?ve now installed load rider front racks and am planning some long distance touring when weather permits.

McReynolds? Is that where you buy gas-pipe-quality Reynolds tubing?

(couldn't help myself)

-Kurt

I just recently purchased at a Garage sale a McReynolds bike for $10, it has Campagnolo cranks, modolo handle bars weights 19lbs and I'm new to cycling. But I know for a fact this was a quality built bike.

But are there any suggestions in terms of where I might be able to take it to get definitive information in terms of the tubing that was used in its construction, actual size, or bikes by Boone in general. And with such fine construction why isn't there any additional information on this builder.

Please no idiotic jokes if you can help yourself.:rolleyes:

Thanks.

Could you take larger pictures and more closeups of the components, lugs, seatpost collar, etc.? Tell us more about what is on the bike, and then there will be plenty of nice folks to help you out. Thanks for stopping by.

....I'd be curious to know more about bikes by Boone or Diablo Cycles or a probable age of the bike. Google does not help so the shop must not exist in its previous encarnation..

I live not too far away, and as far as I know Diablo Cycles doesn't exist except for as a motorcycle shop.

Just spit-balling here but Rivendell is in the very next town over, literally only a couple of miles away. Could there be a connection? I know that Rivendell was started by Grant after he left Bridgestone, but maybe he absorbed some local talent along the way or something.

Here is some information that I received via a private email that sheds some light on McReynolds bikes. since the PM option was used by its sender, I am cutting and pasting it without identifying its source.

Boone McReynolds lived in Concord, CA and his business was Diablo Cycles. Boone made about 100 frames or so. He used Henry James lugs I believe. At Cirque, Ed Litton mentioned that he painted the last batch of frames that McReynolds made and even had spare frame decals. Wish I would have known that. I had my McReynolds repainted by Steve Bilenky about 2 years ago and had to do it without the transfers. From what I understand, Boone lives in Willets, CA. I have attempted to contact him but I think his phone # is unlisted.
I have photos of lugs and framework on my bike but have not mastered the photobucket process, but can send them to you if you provide an email address.

Here is some information that I received via a private email that sheds some light on McReynolds bikes. since the PM option was used by its sender, I am cutting and pasting it without identifying its source.

Boone McReynolds lived in Concord, CA and his business was Diablo Cycles. Boone made about 100 frames or so. He used Henry James lugs I believe. At Cirque, Ed Litton mentioned that he painted the last batch of frames that McReynolds made and even had spare frame decals. Wish I would have known that. I had my McReynolds repainted by Steve Bilenky about 2 years ago and had to do it without the transfers. From what I understand, Boone lives in Willets, CA. I have attempted to contact him but I think his phone # is unlisted.
I have photos of lugs and framework on my bike but have not mastered the photobucket process, but can send them to you if you provide an email address.

Pictures are easy. Right click on the photo in photobucket, and click save picture location. Then in the post here, click on the symbol of the mountain with the sun and the yellow sky, and paste the location into the box that pops up for the address (Ctrl+V does the same thing with one less step).

Thank for the suggestion, Zorro, but I can't find anything that says save picture location in Photobucket. Copying a direct link works on other forums that I use so here goes.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj311/rababikes/McReynolds%20bike/mcreynolds/boone7.jpg
http://http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj311/rababikes/McReynolds%20bike/mcreynolds/boone7.jpg
Thats two attempts 1 just pasting the info copied from photobucket. and the second using the mountain logo above. I'm in new territory. tom

Abracadabra.....

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj311/rababikes/McReynolds%20bike/mcreynolds/boone7.jpg

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj311/rababikes/McReynolds%20bike/mcreynolds/boone6.jpg

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj311/rababikes/McReynolds%20bike/mcreynolds/boone5.jpg

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj311/rababikes/McReynolds%20bike/mcreynolds/boone2.jpg

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj311/rababikes/McReynolds%20bike/mcreynolds/boone8.jpg

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj311/rababikes/boone1.jpg

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj311/rababikes/boone3.jpg

I live not too far away, and as far as I know Diablo Cycles doesn't exist except for as a motorcycle shop.

Just spit-balling here but Rivendell is in the very next town over, literally only a couple of miles away. Could there be a connection? I know that Rivendell was started by Grant after he left Bridgestone, but maybe he absorbed some local talent along the way or something.

There used to be a bike shop in Walnut Creek called Diablo Cycles (or something very similar to that). It was on Olympic Blvd and they went out of business (maybe 1991?) it was in the building that later housed The Sports Rack, and then a billiard shop, now something else I think.

I don't think there's a connection between Diablo Cycles the shop and Diablo Cycle the bike built by Boone but could be. I just don't remember that they had a house brand or anything, but they were a high-end mostly roadie shop. "Diablo" is a pretty common thing to name stuff around here. ;)

I'm pretty sure there's no Rivendell connection either.

Thanks, I think I get the picture now. Maybe I'm ready for the present century now. tom

Looks like you got a great deal! I've never heard of the company, but I can tell you that Shimano STX components are mtb parts and debuted in 1994.

Not really relevant I guess, but that paint looks to be Imron. I can spot those huge metallic flakes and candy like gloss from thirty feet away.,,,,BD

Here's a link to an identically branded bike owned/sold by/for sale by Lou Deeter:

http://www.serotta.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38057



See 3 pictures at above link. This is a 55cm c-c seattube and 55cm toptube McReynolds, made in the early 80s in Concord, CA by Boone McReynolds out of Diablo Cycles. It is in excellent condition. Nice thinning of lugs. Eyelets for rear rack on dropouts and seatstays. Under the dt water bottle mount. Matching Silca framepump. Currently built with a mix of Campagnolo triple crankset, shifters, brakes, and non-Campy derailleurs. Cinelli bar/stem. Different tires on it now. Note the blue covers on the brake levers and the shifters. Really pimps it out! This is a nice riding bike too, rides more like a stage road bike, but would serve well for touring. Offered complete less saddle and pedals for $625 shipped. I can include a Brooks Swift saddle for $50 more. Email: loudeeter@aol.com (loudeeter@aol.com)

So it appears that one Boone McReynolds did work at Diablo Cycles, and also did some framebuilding while there.

Here is some information that I received via a private email that sheds some light on McReynolds bikes. since the PM option was used by its sender, I am cutting and pasting it without identifying its source.

Boone McReynolds lived in Concord, CA and his business was Diablo Cycles. Boone made about 100 frames or so. He used Henry James lugs I believe. At Cirque, Ed Litton mentioned that he painted the last batch of frames that McReynolds made and even had spare frame decals. Wish I would have known that. I had my McReynolds repainted by Steve Bilenky about 2 years ago and had to do it without the transfers. From what I understand, Boone lives in Willets, CA. I have attempted to contact him but I think his phone # is unlisted.
I have photos of lugs and framework on my bike but have not mastered the photobucket process, but can send them to you if you provide an email address.

Thank you Tom,

My camera isn't that good but I've included some pics of the bike.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y298/HUMOR00/S6300149.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y298/HUMOR00/S6300148.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y298/HUMOR00/S6300156.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y298/HUMOR00/S6300165.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y298/HUMOR00/S6300166.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y298/HUMOR00/S6300170.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y298/HUMOR00/S6300171.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y298/HUMOR00/S6300177.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y298/HUMOR00/S6300168-1.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y298/HUMOR00/S6300169.jpg


I guess my final question is.......... is the McReynolds considered a classic/vintage road bike or just a certain novelty by a local bike builder in Concord. I'm trying to ascertain its value and if I did find a rare bike/find attempt to restore it, though I think its in realitively sound condition considering it was probably made in the early 80's. It has a Cinelli stem, Campy brakes, cranks I'm what you might consider a very very ill informed novice in the cyclying world. But this purchase has sort of gotten me interested in cycling and I think I'm going to invest in a new hobby. So everyones comments are very much appreciated. I'm a middleaged guy who's just looking for some help with regard to the history of this builders cycling lineage if you will to determine this bikes worth.

That looks like a fine bicycle to me. But I can't help but notice that the fork crown is the spitting image of that on my Nishiki. Perhaps the builder simply bought a premade fork like many do now?

I'm not sure lamplight, but I don't think the fork was premade. Any and all other opinions would be greatly appreciated.

I think you're right, because the fork ends match the chainstay and seatstay ends perfectly. Darned if the crown doesn't look the same though! :D

you made out light a bandit, that is a beautiful bike! if its your size you should never think of selling it

Maybe I misinterpreted the comment about forkends, but a quick check of my McReynolds (the charcoal one above) disclosed that the dropouts on the fork are marked Shimano SF (with an fa on the inside surface). The rear dropouts are marked Shimano SFR. They match and might not have if the fork was one purchased instead of being custom built (?). Cheers. tom

Maybe I misinterpreted the comment about forkends, but a quick check of my McReynolds (the charcoal one above) disclosed that the dropouts on the fork are marked Shimano SF (with an fa on the inside surface). The rear dropouts are marked Shimano SFR. They match and might not have if the fork was one purchased instead of being custom built (?). Cheers. tom

Actually I meant that where the tubes meet the dropouts are the same front and rear, so no, it's not the same fork. But the crown is very similar.