Classic & Vintage - Miele work in progress - almost there! Pics and questions

This was my first ever project and here it is, still in progress. I still need: bartape, hoods (if I can find them), new pedals, new brake pads (old ones a bit hard I think), recover saddle/new saddle.

So here is the Miele as I found it:
http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo249/leilakelleher/006-1.jpg
http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo249/leilakelleher/007-2.jpg

And here is is now - I cleaned everything thoroughly, took of the cranks, opened up and cleaned the bottom bracket, new rubber etc. The grime was so caked on that it required the use of a screwdriver. The seatpost had to be dry iced out (lost the old one in the process). Mechanically it's going well now. I had to keep the old chain because everything's a bit worn and I was told a new one might not fit. Despite some pretty good soaks in degreaser, there is still some grime up inside the chain, hence the new grime on the cassette (which was sparkly-clean before I re-installed the chain!).

http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo249/leilakelleher/017-3.jpg
http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo249/leilakelleher/018-2.jpg

I sent my husband out for a spin on it and his impression wasn't exactly glowing which is frustrating me. He says it rides unbelieveably well and loves the fast pickup etc, BUT he thinks it's too small for him and says he feels like he is going to pitch over the bars. He used to have some Raleigh Grand Prix which he loved and nothing is the same, size wise. It was a bigger frame (this one is 58cm; he is 6'2" with long legs). I thought that he maybe wasn't used to a more responsive bike. He says he wants a longer stem (it's at max and doesn't look that short to me). He also isn't used to riding in the hoods. He's always ridden in the drops. Could it be him? Is the placement of the brakes strange? He says they feel like they are in a weird spot, esp in the drops.

I'm thinking white bartape and white saddle - not at all practical, but niiiice.

Thanks for all your help so far.


...and here's a pic of my oldest on her bike:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5181/5639031812_324c2510b8_z.jpg

I think white saddle tape would look great. I might even suggest using white cable housing as well.

As for the size. I think 58 might be a bit small for 6'2"

I'm 6' and I ride 58.

Very nice bike though.

These (http://cgi.ebay.com/105SC-RX100-Black-Aero-Brake-Hoods-/250833555144?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a66d84ec8)are the hoods you need. That's a great price, too.

Your husband is right (it's what he feels; can't really be wrong). For what it's worth, I'm about 6' with long legs and a relatively short torso. I ride 62cm frames and like a 58cm top tube with a short reach stem. I'd say that the Miele is indeed too small for him.

Nice work on the bike. Keep it up!

Oooh, thanks for the hood info! I'll have to source them elsewhere though - they wan $38 to ship to canada!

That is an absolutely beautiful job and I appreciate the effort to remove petrified grim. You can build bikes for me any day.

Oooh, thanks for the hood info! I'll have to source them elsewhere though - they wan $38 to ship to canada!

Wha!? I had my LBS order two pair for me from QBP. Just ask your LBS to order you some the next time they place an order.

argh! just called LBS and he doesn't have an account with QBP.

QBP part # BR5104

You're awesome. Thanks.

great job!!

maybe the Col. and get the hoods and forward them to you

Impressive effort and results! The seat looks pitched too forward and low. With a higher and longer stem, and the seat set back some, maybe he can find it to fit better. The levers don't look to be off. Perhaps it's just the current fit.

that's a precious shot of your little one. So cute!

Miele bikes are among my favorite and it is my good fortune to have one of the top Miele dogs (http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/Feature_Bicycles/Feature_Bicycles_Canada/Miele_LTD_Mine/MIELE_17_1_Start.htm). The OP's bike is a nice model and cleaned up just great. Enjoy the bike. They are very well made.

One word of advice, take great care with your handlebars when not taped. If the forks swing, the handlebar can and will impact the top tube, risking denting the thin tubing. I always protect the top tube with a pad of some kind, such as this handlebar pad that I got on an old something or other a long time ago...
http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/Bicycles_Table/Italian_Bicycles/Bottecchia_Bicycles/Bottecchia_Professional/Bott_Pro_CampTest/BoPro_CTest_Full_TQF_1.jpg

Miele bikes are among my favorite and it is my good fortune to have one of the top Miele dogs (http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/Feature_Bicycles/Feature_Bicycles_Canada/Miele_LTD_Mine/MIELE_17_1_Start.htm). The OP's bike is a nice model and cleaned up just great. Enjoy the bike. They are very well made.

One word of advice, take great care with your handlebars when not taped. If the forks swing, the handlebar can and will impact the top tube, risking denting the thin tubing. I always protect the top tube with a pad of some kind, such as this handlebar pad that I got on an old something or other a long time ago...
http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/Bicycles_Table/Italian_Bicycles/Bottecchia_Bicycles/Bottecchia_Professional/Bott_Pro_CampTest/BoPro_CTest_Full_TQF_1.jpg

Ah, thanks for that!


Impressive effort and results! The seat looks pitched too forward and low. With a higher and longer stem, and the seat set back some, maybe he can find it to fit better. The levers don't look to be off. Perhaps it's just the current fit.

that's a precious shot of your little one. So cute!

We came to this very same conclusion last night - that perhaps we need a taller stem. Do you think we also need a longer one? What's the best source for these?

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5181/5639031812_324c2510b8_z.jpg

How adorable is that!? Looks like one of those fancy pancy carbon fiber bikes we've been hearing so much about :D

sloping TT, aero wheels, not really a C&V start of a long cycling career :).

Great job!
You might try Outspokin cycles on Huron St for QBP products.
They are the only one in town that sell Surly products so they most likely have an account.
You shouldn't have a problem finding a chain either.
I use those plastic tooth flossers to get the bad crap out of the hard to get spots on the smaller parts.
They work great and don't scratch because they are plastic.
207655

Bob

A taller stem will technically only make him even more cramped because of the headtube angle, as it goes higher up, it goes closer to him. Try to find something with a long length to stretch him out more, like a 130. The bike probably wont ever be perfect for him, but its still a solution to get it at least close for the time being.

A taller stem will technically only make him even more cramped because of the headtube angle, as it goes higher up, it goes closer to him. Try to find something with a long length to stretch him out more, like a 130. The bike probably wont ever be perfect for him, but its still a solution to get it at least close for the time being.

Hmmm, so I should try something both taller and longer? This is supposed to just be a 'fun' bike as his main ride is a 2009 Specialized Hybrid!!!

I recommended a taller stem because he's used to riding the drops, thus raising the bar to a familiar fit. But definitely longer. 135-150mm.
Since this is not going to be a period correct racer, but a fun bike, try a 90 degree stem or slight rise offset stem. Bianchigirl uses a number of them on her builds for comfort reasons. She's the one to ask.
Traditional styled road stem: Nitto Technomic.

Personally. I don't believe it has anything to do with the stem.

She is running race / track bars with a deep drop. Replace them with new 42 or even 44 if he's big, set them more even on the top, and adjust the brakes to a comfortable position. Then he won't be leaning over the stem, just to ride the hoods.

Personally. I don't believe it has anything to do with the stem.

She is running race / track bars with a deep drop. Replace them with new 42 or even 44 if he's big, set them more even on the top, and adjust the brakes to a comfortable position. Then he won't be leaning over the stem, just to ride the hoods.

Sorry, I don't know if I quite understand. Are you saying that the lower part of the handlebar is quite low - lower than on a different bar?

I tried raising the stem today (to above the min insertion point) just to try (slowly and carefully!) and he said it was a vast improvement. So I think we are now on the lookout for a new, taller, longer stem. How are they measured? From min insertion point to the top, this one is 9cm and the length/reach is 11cm from end to end.

Sorry, I don't know if I quite understand. Are you saying that the lower part of the handlebar is quite low - lower than on a different bar?

I tried raising the stem today (to above the min insertion point) just to try (slowly and carefully!) and he said it was a vast improvement. So I think we are now on the lookout for a new, taller, longer stem. How are they measured? From min insertion point to the top, this one is 9cm and the length/reach is 11cm from end to end.

Yes, and also the angle is more for track or racing in the drops than in casual/fun riding. You have to raise the stem, because even on the hoods, his hands sit well below the stem's top.

Just for grins and giggles, even out the top of the bar and reposition the brakes such that, when on the hoods, his hands are nearly even with the stem top. Obviously, with your track bars, the drops will be kicked way out, but its just to temporarily prove a point. I bet he'll no longer feel like he's about to do a handstand. Then you can replace the bar with a nice 42 or 44 road bar such as this:

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product2_10053_10052_147478_-1

Or find a nice chrome equivalent.

wow I can't believe you guys haven't mentioned this but the reason he feels like he's falling forward is because he IS. Make the saddle level and move it all the way back then have him ride it.

wow I can't believe you guys haven't mentioned this but the reason he feels like he's falling forward is because he IS. Make the saddle level and move it all the way back then have him ride it.


LOL, we did that this morning and it did help, but so did raising the stem to an unsafe (for this stem) height. We're now on the lookout for a taller stem.

measurements:
Yes, height is from min. insertion line to top of stem. Extension is center point of the quill hex bolt to the center line of the handlebar opening.

The main culprit is the frame geometry itself.

Mine measures 59cm from bb centre to top of top tube, but the top tube length is 56cm, which is cramped for anyone who would otherwise fit the frame. Even after I installed the longest quill stem I could find at 130mm it feels that way.