RobE30

This is my answer to your question. https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...g-surgery.html
I took a sad and abused 74 International and made it into what I envisioned to be the perfect "Rando" bike.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...ndo-build.html

After all that work and time, I barely ride the damn thing. There's something wrong with one of the freewheel cogs and I put a triple fd on it thinking I would need the triple fd to shift the 50-32 front rings but it doesn't play nicely. Sunday I am finally going to fix what is wrong with it and put a different freewheel on it and a proper Cyclone fd. I had a completely original 74 International that I loved BUT for some reason I sold it. I took that bike everywhere, single track, gravel, road whatever I threw at it, it handled. The ONLY thing I changed on it was I switched the cranks to TA Cyclotourists b/c I am not a strong climber and I wanted a better climbing gear.

crank_addict

Took the image above and flared the ends. Take some old bars and experiment but I like the feel for off-road. You lose aero efficiency but who's counting anyways? Have some heavier SR rando versions on some other bikes but thinking of doing the flare on all of them.



Close up of the modified road drop bar / flared ends. No decaleur needed. Snap clips are secured to the bars with stainless steel zip ties (as used with automotive CV joint boots). Less weight and where I set them allows plenty of thicker wearing gloves / hand room.



Then for my modern ride, flat bar with road drop ends. Use ATB paddle shifts and levers. Favorite off-road / combo set up.



Have Axiom mudguards for the above but waste of purchase. Wet leaves and debris catchers.

Pic is not of its current set-up, but shows the modified drop bar ends. Now a sub 19lbs., swift climber but nothing like the comfort of the old steel Motobecane. The Giant is RARELY used in the warm season. Good one trash in the Winter though.

jgcycle

Vintage Ride, what's that doohickey rack holding up your saddle bag? And where can I get one?
My bag sags like a sack

justin10054

Wow! That's quite the transformation. I'm shocked that somebody would have done that gnarly red and yellow paint job on an International. It's totally the wrong bike for that. I like how it turned out.

If there's something wrong with the freewheel, swap it out and put some miles on that thing. Don't give up now.

justin10054

I have a Duluth Pack backpack and I love it. Their level of quality is above and beyond what I ever would have expected.

Some of those Frost River bags look pretty cool, too. Do you have any experience with their stuff?

justin10054

That's such a cool-looking bike. What bag is that?

fender1

Thanks! Its an Acorn medium(?) bag I think...

gugie 

Thanks for the hint, went back and found your older posts.

toavii

I don't personally outside of being through their shop. They make some nice stuff as well.

justin10054

UPDATE:

So after a considerable amount of waffling over the various canvas saddlebag offerings, I finally settled on a Guu Watanabe May saddlebag. One of the pricier options to be sure, but I like the idea of ordering a (possibly custom) handlebar bag from them in the future and having it match. And, hey, it's still cheaper than the Duluth Pack Banana Bag.

I was hesitant about sending so much money to Japan without having seen one of these bags in person, but everything turned out alright. Guu Watanabe were very pleasant to deal with, it only took 2 days to arrive, and the quality of the bag easily exceeds every possible expectation I had. Seriously, this is one nice bag.




Unfortunately, it's way to nice to risk using without first installing fenders. Which brings me to my next order of business. I know that traditionally, English bikes should have plastic mudguards, but I really don't like the look of them. I'm much more interested in "hammered" aluminum fenders and am currently trying to decide between Velo Orange and Honjo.

I like the Honjo fenders, but they seem to be rather involved to install. Ordinarily I wouldn't have a problem with this, as I have quite a bit of metal-working experience, but I don't currently have access to a shop and tools and will have to do the installation in my apartment. Which is why the Velo Orange are currently looking more appealing, as they seem to be more or less "ready to go".

The biggest snag right now is the fact that the chainstay bridge isn't drilled for fenders. I don't really like the idea of drilling a hole in the frame if I don't have to (not to mention the fact that I don't currently own a drill), so I'm thinking maybe a p-clamp will work. Does anyone have experience with this?


Concurrently with all this fender nonsense, I'm in the process of putting together a tool kit specifically geared for this bike. This is what I've got so far:




I'm still waiting on a 10mm wrench I ordered for saddle adjustments and am trying to decide if I really need 5/16-1/4 Whitworth spanner. At any rate, I would like to try my hand at making a tool roll to keep the tools organized and tidy. I was given this decidedly retro "Good Housekeeper" sewing machine a while back. I haven't the slightest idea how to use this thing, but I'm determined to figure it out.




Also, I decided the original 14-24 Regina freewheel was too worn out to continue using, so I ordered a 13-21 Regina CX from Boulder Bicycle which will be no help at all when I go up to the mountains next month, but is currently serving me well here in the flatlands. Of course, even being NOS the old grease had all dried up, so I had to rebuild it. I'm beginning to think I may have gone off the deep end with this bike hobby.

Bandera

My Internat'l was fitted w/ British Blumel mudguards for winter/wet duty "back when" that came w/ a spring steel clip that perfectly snapped into place on the chain stay bridge.
Fast forwarding some decades it's now fitted w/ plastic Planet Bike fenders secured by a zip-tie on the chain stay bridge.
The Period Correct police will be horrified but there is no way I was going to drill any holes for fender mounting, and a simple zip-tie works perfectly well.
A modified p-clamp may do just fine, never had to fab one.

-Bandera

justin10054

To be honest, I'd much rather drill a hole than succumb to zip-ties. Of course, I'd rather do neither if I can manage it.

nlerner

You can mount a front fender to the fork crown with a daruma bolt.

justin10054

Is the daruma a better choice than this type of bracket?

Also, would a p-clamp like this work for mounting to the chainstay bridge?

AZORCH

I love Internationals, and my 1971 is definitely a favored rider. Just to throw in my two cents:

As has been mentioned already, there's quite a bit of variability from one frame to the next. Here's a data point for you: With fenders in place (Longboards), I can fit 700 x 38 tires and still have plenty of room. A friend has a '71 and cannot fit 32's. Go figure.

A lot has been said about originality vs. experimentation with a more customized bike. The International is literally made for customizing - just look at how much was done to them by all the riders who turned them into darned nice touring bikes.

Rando bars have been mentioned. As with anything else, your riding style and orientation affect all points of contact. That said, are rando bars for you? I'd say give 'em a try. In terms of looks, they have a nice aesthetic (in my opinion), but it is in terms of practicality/functionality that I feel they excel. I appreciate the variety of hand positions, especially if one plans to spend long hours in the saddle. I may never buy another type of handlebar again.

Luggage: I rode with a vintage Carradice saddle bag for quite a while, but it required a Bagman for stability (big bag.) I picked up an Acorn bag somewhere along the way and replaced the Carradice. I've never looked back.

Saddle: YMMV, but my money is on the well worn Brooks Pro I have on my bike. It fits my bum well. More modern saddles just don't look right on this era of bike either.

Someone mentioned a possible re-rake of the fork for using a front rack and bag. While I am a big fan of front bags and the appropriate low trail geometry, I have never wanted for a change on my International. I have a Blackburn front rack in place and sometimes run a front bag if I need the extra capacity. I don't think I notice any difference in handling at all on this bike. It has a plush ride, like a Cadillac. (Just incidentally, I converted mine to a three speed a few years ago and really enjoy the configuration of a lightweight drop bar IGH bike.)

justin10054

I'm keeping my eye on Ebay for a nice set of GB randonneur bars.

The Golden Boy 

That's awesome!

I've been so tempted by the Guu Watanabe bags- just beautiful, beautiful stuff.

Congratulations so far!


Regarding fenders... I have a set of SKS Chromoplastics on my Trek 720. I like them. I got a set of Velo Orange Zeppelin and Facette fenders. I haven't gotten them quite put on to my Voyageur SP yet.

I like the SKS fenders.

justin10054

I highly recommend getting one next time you're in the market for a bag. The quality of the construction is better than any I've seen and the materials they use are top-notch. The leather is soft and supple, not stiff like you see on cheaper bags with leather trim.

They were also very easy to deal with and Tomoko's english is very good. And shipping with EMS is super fast.

MZilliox

the bike and that rear bag look very good. coming along very nicely, thanks so much for sharing.

nlerner

Sorry, I wasn't reading carefully and thought it was your fork that wasn't drilled. As far as the chain stay bridge, I use a cheap electrical plastic p-clamp for attaching the fender. It should be available in the electrical section of a hardware store and looks like this:



On my Int'l, I have to use some sort of spacer to get a decent fender line (I often use a piece of cork from a wine bottle).

justin10054

SMALL UPDATE:


I figured out (sort of) how to use my sewing machine, so I made this makeshift tool roll from an old pair of pants. I know it looks pretty shoddy, but it was my first time sewing anything and I put it together in about 20 minutes. It's really more of a prototype anyway. I'm actually thinking that a separate zipper pouch would be a better choice for the wider tools like the Campy hex wrenches.




I'm also still trying to decide between Honjo and Velo Orange fenders.

Bandera

Nice job, however most of what you have in your tool roll would best be left back on your workbench, unless you do routine maintenance on the side of the road or wish to carry needleless weight.
I carry a Campag "peanut butter wrench" on my FG to remove a rear wheel not to keep my crank arms firmly in place.

A properly maintained Internat'l should carry a well equipped flats kit, 4/5mm Allen keys and a frame pump for self supported rides w/ useful tools.
Keep working on it.

-Bandera

justin10054

The tools in the roll were selected to perform any emergency adjustments to brakes, drivetrain, saddle, and stem. Many of which I have had to do in the field at one time or another. I keep my bikes well-maintained, but you never know what might happen when you're miles from home. I have had crank arms fall off before. Granted, it hasn't happened since I learned to be more fearless about tightening them down in the first place, but I'm still rather paranoid about it. I have had to hitchhike home due to not having the proper tool before.

And, yes, I do have a patch kit and frame pump.

USAZorro

If the bicycle has clinchers, I suggest a speedlever in that kit as well.

Bandera

We should all know our limitations as mechanics and prepare for long self supported rides accordingly.
What works for me, obviously will not work for you.

PS: Carry two spare tubes, ID, Heath Care Card, Cash and Emergency Contact Info.

Have at it.

-Bandera