vatdim

What do you mean by trashed? It's steel, should be mendable, right? The geometry looked great in those pics you shared.

As for the OP, I like it that you are trying to keep the bike true to the period. However, don't you think a set of v-brakes would be a justified exception (if the bosses will accept them and routing the cable is possible)? Easier to setup, easier to service and find replacements, as well as generally safer (Sheldon Brown even recommended having fenders on whenever using canti's) and providing greater stopping power.

exmechanic89

Corwin: Very sorry to hear about your frame, that's a bummer.

Vatdim, I ordered the usedTektro cantis for now - they were cheap and I think will work well. I also ordered an inexpensive set of levers from the late 80's. I plan on eventually installing what originally came with the bike, I just havent figured out exactly what that is yet, and want the bike on the road by next weekend so i can ride it.

As far as cantis being less safe I disagree, I have them on 2 of my bikes they're brutally strong and stop well. Nothing wrong with v breaks either, i have those on one of my bikes too and they work work great, but I think both designs work well.

exmechanic89

Just wanted to update my thread real quick. On the brakes I installed those Tektros I bought. Front one installed fine, but the rear wasnt long enough - the pads would hit the tire partially. So I threw an old set Shimano Altus cantis on the rear, which do the job for now. I also threw on a spare set of wheels I had with street tires on it.

Everything looked good so yesterday I took it out for it's maiden voyage, and since the weather was nice I rode it around 45 miles. So far I'm very pleased with it, it rides beautifully. The long wheel base works well on the old forgotten highway I use for many of my rides, absorbing the ruts and pot holes. I was also really surprised at how responsive the bike is. With it's (very) wide riser bars I didnt know what to expect, as I've always ridden on flat bars before, but it felt really good on climbs and descents. Oh and I also like the bike has a large chain ring up front, more like a road bike. I've found on the typical mtb set-up I run out of harder gears once I really get going if I'm riding on roads.

I've also been thinking about a comment one of the posters in this thread wrote, saying he wouldnt use inferior parts just to return something to 100% stock. I'm now thinking that since the bike has a full chromoly frame I might just remove the cheaper parts and equip it with the best vintage Deore components I can get. As great as the bike rides now, I think it'll really shine with top of the line components.

Anyway thanks to all who posted and helped me along with this awesome project.