Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - New Clyde Ride

Finished up my little project and took it for a spin around the block. Rides ok. Still not sure how much I will want to ride a road type bike over an MTB but I have a second ride now for very little dinero and I got an eye sore out of the garage. lol

Biggest 'get used to' aspect will absolutely be the friction, down tube shifters. :eek:


http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1089/822204930_2a2048b378.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stujoe/822204930/)

I actually prefer the DT shifters. Once you get used to them, they're pretty cool.....and very retro!

They are also simple and easy to repair!

I suspect once I get used to them, they will be ok. The last bike with drop bars I was on for any length of time was about 25 years ago and it was a single speed. So, I am a little...unstable, shall we say...with a hand off the handlebar. Drops aren't as bad as I remember them, though. Dare I say that it was not an uncomfortable position in the least? lol I do wish I had brake levers on the top too, however.

I went out for a 5 mile spin on it this evening and it was a neat change of pace. The gearing will take some getting used to as it is quite different than the MTB and non-indexed leaves me hunting sometimes for the next gear on the freewheel.

It is probably about an inch too big in standover but that didn't seem to be much of an issue as it does fit well for riding and is adjusted well for my legs and reach. That (original) seat isn't the most comfortable thing in the world, though.

At the least, it was fun to tear it down to the frame and build it back up and it is a very cheap way for me to decide if I want to eventually get a nicer road/touring type bike down the line.

Yep, and time and practice will address those issues!:D

That is a sweet looking ride. While I prefer the brifters functionality, the look of a DT Shift bike completely restored and in prime condition can't be beat. It's very sexy.

Its like an old sports car with a standard...........................................

That's a pretty huge frame. Are those wheels 650 or 700?

Looks great though. Very nice restoration.

Nice looking bike! I know where you're coming from- I also "spiffed" up an oldie (attached). I thinks it's a 70's vintage specialized, bought for $3 (yes, as in three dollars) at a garage sale. I replaced the handlebars, added dual brake levers (from an old Schwinn), brought the downtubes up to the stem (my gut will not allow me to bend over that far safely while riding), and added the original seat from my Trek 7300 (hanging in the background). I tore it down, cleaned it (that's original paint) and a new set of cables and 27" rubber, this back-up bike rides like a dream. It's almost identical to one I rode as a kid in the 70's, and every time I ride it, it's like going back in time. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine.

Finished up my little project and took it for a spin around the block. Biggest 'get used to' aspect will absolutely be the friction, down tube shifters. GREAT looking bike!!
I'm just the oposite. I had never riden a bike with "click" shifters and when I started riding again this is the one thing that just bugged me. So much so that I took the friction shifters off a old Murray MTB parts bike and put them on my Specialized. I guess I'm weird that way... I hate cars with auto transmissions also.

Stujoe.

Nice Job!

Just a thought. You might be able to get stem mounted shifters if reaching down to the down tube gets bothersome. Might need some other little bits to do it along with new inner wires. Just a thought!

Chris

That's a pretty huge frame. Are those wheels 650 or 700?

Looks great though. Very nice restoration.

Thanks! It has 27" wheels. It is a tall bike - I'd never buy a new with that tall a standover. But it is not real long - I have the seat all the way back for the length to feel right. I don't know whether the geometry thinking was not quite the same or not as advanced as today or what.


Nice looking bike! I know where you're coming from- I also "spiffed" up an oldie (attached). I thinks it's a 70's vintage specialized, bought for $3 (yes, as in three dollars) at a garage sale.

Nice ride! If I found an old Specialized in need of a little love, I'd be all over it!


GREAT looking bike!!
I'm just the oposite. I had never riden a bike with "click" shifters and when I started riding again this is the one thing that just bugged me. So much so that I took the friction shifters off a old Murray MTB parts bike and put them on my Specialized. I guess I'm weird that way... I hate cars with auto transmissions also.

Thanks! I think when I get used to them, I will probably shift ok with them. I have the dual problem of not being used to them and not being used to drop bars. lol



Nice Job!

Just a thought. You might be able to get stem mounted shifters if reaching down to the down tube gets bothersome. Might need some other little bits to do it along with new inner wires. Just a thought!


Thanks! I thought about stem shifters but wasn't sure if it would work. I know I would have to add some kind of a bracket to the down tube for the cabling and do new cables again. That was the least fun of the whole project - cutting new cables and housing. There is probably a trick I don't know to it but it was a pain!