Classic & Vintage - Woodrup Giro Touring - my first British bike

Woodrup of unknown vintage. Over BB cabling, no braze-on's for DT shifters, nutted brakes, 126mm rear.

More pics to follow. Just finished putting it together. Red label Reynolds 531 Professional, lots of chrome, TA crank with half step and granny. Brooks Pro with huge rivets.

Wheels are Normandy Luxe Competition to Weinmann concave rims in 700.

In pristine condition save a small dent on the top tube. No rust, no scratches. Flawless chrome.

Took it around the block around midnight in 15 degrees. Feels good, unlike my extremities.

http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx40/jan_nikolajsen/woodrup1-1.jpg

Is that Sakae Randonneuring bars?

Loving it! Especially that mother-in-law half-step granny ring.:D

oh wow.. that's a gorgeous bike!

Congratulations on the new addition!

It looks so much more nicely finished than mine, and I am really diggin' the color scheme. I look forward to hearing your ride report :)

Nice! I had a "Maurice Woodrup" get away from me once, and have had a jones for one ever since... FYI, we have the same Merckx....

Very nice... indeed. I am also interested in what bars those are. I am really digging those concave Weinmanns, got to find me some of those one day.

Looks like about a 62cm?

Spectacular, Jan! I need to come up with a project that demands a TA. Then, I need to come up with a TA. Well done!

thats a beauty, and a build and size i could see my self riding.

Pretty.

Thousands of fun miles ahead!

Gorgeous bike...love to hear how you got it if you're willing to share.

I posted the below on the other recent Woodrup thread.


I bidded unsuccessfully on a 753 Woodrup frame last year. But while considering it I came across the page of Kevin Sayles....Steve Woodrup's framebuilder from 77 to 99



http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevin_sayles_bikes/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevin_sayles_bikes/3163560420/

I have one that's a little older than yours and I love it. A very underrated bike. Hard to say, but it looks like it might have a replacement fork.

old_dreams, thanks for the links. That's a lot of images, looking forward to perusing them. It seems likely Kevin built this one.I got it on ebay, 4 bids - sold for $612. Ended on New Year's evening.

The bike came as shown except for Weinmann Carrera side pulls (actually a quite nice set, unbeknown to me), and a brand new hideous bar stem combo, threadless type but installed with one of those studs that convert quill to modern. Also had indexed Accushift 6 speed barcons which I replaced with friction.

Not done yet with the build. Might ditch the wheels and with them the awful Gatorskins. Plenty of room for 32mm rubber. Fenders? Would look the part, but hardly useful around here. Also will get an Acorn saddlebag and a small, yet to be determined, front bagggie.

I plan to use this as the bike to take when the point is not to go as fast as possible but rather adding on the miles. While it is called a 'touring' model I will not be touring on it.

http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx40/jan_nikolajsen/woodrup2-1.jpg

http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx40/jan_nikolajsen/woodrup3.jpg

http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx40/jan_nikolajsen/woodrup4.jpg

http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx40/jan_nikolajsen/woodrup5.jpg

http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx40/jan_nikolajsen/woodrup6.jpg

Stunning. That red & chrome is a nice contrast. Very functional and creative build. You must have a hard time each morning choosing amongst your fine bikes, but I suspect this one will get it's time and then some.

I have one that's a little older than yours and I love it. A very underrated bike. Hard to say, but it looks like it might have a replacement fork.

I was thinking that too, but the inside tang of the crown has the same club cut-out as found on the frame lugs, in addition to the rest of card deck suits. Which is the same as seen here on Sayles' Flick set:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevin_sayles_bikes/5187600625/

http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx40/jan_nikolajsen/woodrup7.jpg

I was thinking that too, but the inside tang of the crown has the same club cut-out as found on the frame lugs, in addition to the rest of card deck suits. Which is the same as seen here on Sayles' Flick set:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevin_sayles_bikes/5187600625/[/IMG]

Yep, that would likely be original. Mine have a sloping crown. How's the fit for you?

Very impressive Jan! Love those shiny seat stays!

PS - I can understand replacing the Gatorskins but why would you entertain "ditching" the Weinmann Concaves?

Jan, if you're interested there is also a chapter devoted to Woodrup in "The Custom Bicycle" by Michael J. Kolin and Denise M. de la Rosa.

Is that Sakae Randonneuring bars?


Very nice... indeed. I am also interested in what bars those are.


Sorry, overlooked your questions. The bars are unmarked, but fits me better than Nitto. They came from redxj in one of his huge purges a few years back..

And the frame is 60.5cm ctc with a 57cm TT and a wheelbase of 103cm. Chainstays are 42.5 ctc.

...why would you entertain "ditching" the Weinmann Concaves?

Maybe I won't. At least not right away. But the wheels are heavy and those hubs, Normandy Luxe Competition, have not the best of online reviews. The rims are single walled, my only of such, and the tape really doesn't do a great job of covering the spoke/nipple area. I suppose they look unique and probably are close to attaining iconic status. Anyway if they go it will be as a complete wheelset, including the gold Atom 77 freewheel, another French first for me.

I must say I have seen nothing negative about those hubs. I'd take them off your hands.

Maybe I won't....

^ Good idea! Stop right there! No need to go any further!

Jan - Sweet machine. Chromovelato finish? If so, they tend to be fragile.

My Raleigh SuperCourse (urban assault vehicle in it's current incarnation) has those same rims. They're not bad, durable, and can run up to at least 38's. In fact, higher volume, lower pressure tires might work out better with them because the opposite combination can work it's way off the rims, and is a bit prone to pinch flat (ask how I know this). Might want to look into a speed-lever, as the high sides can make tighter tires - like Conti's - a real pain to get on and off. Replace those tank treads with Paselas, or Grand Bois 28's or 32's and it will feel like you're riding a cloud.

old_dreams, thanks for the links. That's a lot of images, looking forward to perusing them. It seems likely Kevin built this one.I got it on ebay, 4 bids - sold for $612. Ended on New Year's evening.

Well I believe I was right behind you at $602. I kind of kicked myself for letting it go as it looked very cool and unique (except for that stem). And from your pictures it certainly is. Fantastic buy and beautiful bike. Glad it went to someone on the forum.

Well I believe I was right behind you at $602. I kind of kicked myself for letting it go as it looked very cool and unique (except for that stem).

Small community, indeed. I think the bad score of the seller put a damper on the bidding. In fact if you read the feedback page it's evident that he's just fine but with one miss.

The bar stem combo was truly hideous. So amazingly misplaced and out of context that I couldn't wait to rip them off. They are now on my friends indoor trainer.

Well done Sir! Very nice!!!
I still lament selling my Woodrup 25+ yrs ago...Your's looks to be a mid 80s model? The older giros had
a fully sloping fork crown, and didn't have the rack braze ons.

Cheers,
Chris

Rode the Woodrup in earnest for the first time today. We did a lonely stretch of road leading out to the Needles Overlook. All in all about 44 miles, 2400' gain and a grand total of 4 cars passing us. It was cold, but beautiful.


The bike rode comfortably, efficiently and left me with a desire to keep going. Which is good because that darn C&V 2011century/month is still looming...

http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx40/jan_nikolajsen/overlook6.jpg

http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx40/jan_nikolajsen/overlook2.jpg

http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx40/jan_nikolajsen/overlook3.jpg

Changed a few things, based on a riding experiences during a century and a couple of shorter outings.

VO 37mm fenders. Road grime is bad this time of year. These should help. The all important, yet completely insignificant fender line aesthetics worked sort of alright. Tried forever to do the spring loaded chainstay bolt arrangement, but rattle and tech logistics precluded that concept. Instead I now have to deflate the tire to remove.

Mavic 640 pedals. The pinnacle of quill pedal design, before the demise. Replacing the cheap MKS it came with. Also sold on the half clip idea for long rides, after riding SPD and road cleats for years. Reason? SPD shoes strip the screw threads at an alarming rate which is not something I want to mess with in the middle of a double century. And road cleats don't walk.

Campagnolo 8sp cassette hubs - Mavic CXP10 rims. Temporarily retired the ultra trad Normandy/Weinmann wheels to save a little weight and get the gearing I wanted. Still shifting friction.

Panaracer Pasala TG in 28mm (actual size 25mm). Researched the tire scene until I nearly collapsed in fatigue. I wanted something with higher thread count than the Pasela, but the only two choices that spoke to me, Challenge Parigi-Roubaix and Grand Bois Cypress apparently have their own set of issues: The Challenge tire is, yes, a challenge to get on and off the rim - again a PITA in middle of a ride. And the Cypress either lasts many miles or blow a side wall early. So for less money I got the Panaracer issues: undersized and kinda dead feeling....

The half step plus granny chainring set-up also got booted. Current do it all gearing for my style of riding is 50-40-28 / 12-26.

VO bottle cages. Funny how the Woodrup has 2 sets of bottle bosses on the down tube but none on the seat tube.

Acorn M/L saddle bag. These things are super high quality. Very, very impressed with fit, seaming and material choices.

http://www.fivenineclimber.com/images/cinelli/woodrup/full_feb11.jpg

Nice! (Looking even better imho).

Cheers,
Chris

VO bottle cages. Funny how the Woodrup has 2 sets of bottle bosses on the down tube but none on the seat tube.

My '82 Trek 720 has the same setup. The reason, I think, is that the seat tube was at that time the popular place to mount a pump, such as a zefal hp.

Looking great, Jan! The last few sets of 32mm Pasela TG I've installed (on relatively wide rims) measured just under 30mm at 80psi. There should be enough room for those if you find the 28mm model not quite big enough. I can attest to what you'vre read about the Parigi-Roubaix. I broke two tire levers trying to get them ON!


My '82 Trek 720 has the same setup. The reason, I think, is that the seat tube was at that time the popular place to mount a pump, such as a zefal hp.

+1. My '88 Voyageur has three sets, but I'm considering leaving the ST bottle cage off so I can carry the same Silca I have for my other bike of the same size.

Nice Jan. That bike is looking even better than before !

Nice, Jan!

I'm impressed that you would even think of doing a double-century without clipless pedals or straps. I always feel so hamstrung without them after years of riding only clipless pedals. Personally, I'd just as soon keep the clipless pedals and carry a pair of sandals/flip-flops in those beautiful acorn bags for any stops, but your system obviously works for you. And apparently your wife has no issues riding a hilly 44 miles in Uggs, so more power to you both!

And apparently your wife has no issues riding a hilly 44 miles in Uggs, so more power to you both!

+1 Impressive family that one.

Very nice... indeed. I am also interested in what bars those are. I am really digging those concave Weinmanns, got to find me some of those one day.

Looks like about a 62cm?

I just got a set of those concave Weinmann rims in the mail (from another C&Ver), very nice.....

Bravo! it looks super-fine, but more importantly it's working for you.
I also love those Mavic pedals...so much I have them squirreled away in deep storage. Someday I'll have a bike they'd go with.
So, what are you using for a pump? Don't tell us it's CO2 cartridges!:eek:

I just got a set of those concave Weinmann rims in the mail (from another C&Ver), very nice.....

I really like Weinmann Concaves - they seem to me to be excellent touring rims, strong and stable.
(I have them on three of my bikes currently)

So, what are you using for a pump? Don't tell us it's CO2 cartridges!:eek:

You're right, no CO2. A small presta pump fits in the saddle bag.


+1 Impressive family that one.

Please! Struggling to keep up with all the other uber-families in this (mountain) biking capital of the West.

Well I believe I was right behind you at $602. I kind of kicked myself for letting it go as it looked very cool and unique (except for that stem). And from your pictures it certainly is. Fantastic buy and beautiful bike. Glad it went to someone on the forum.

Sorry you lost out, BlueDevil, but I'm glad you got it, Jan. (Now I don't have to feel quite so bad about outbidding you on the De Rosa last year. :D)

Stunning bike. It looks wonderful. Glad to hear it rides as good as it looks. I've always liked the way Woodrups look, and a friend who has one loves his for loaded touring and general riding.

top notch. nicely done sir!