Show us your C&V Gravel Grinders
10-28-12, 10:41 PM
#201
Steel is real, baby!
Latest version of my 1990 Trek 790 Multi-Track:
Just need a front rack for it. For fun. LOL
I've had this bike for close to two years now. She was a rescue from a trach heap. When I got her, she was in VERY rough shape. But a LOT of elbow grease and some part I had laying around, 3 cockpit revisions and with the last cockpit revision (as shown), I changed her from a 7 spd drive train to a 9 speed drivetrain. Since I got her, she's turned out to be a very fine & useful bike. I ride her more than any of my other bikes. Plus I have very little money invested in her.
700x35 tires work quite well on just about any surface (except for loose gravel).
Just need a front rack for it. For fun. LOL
I've had this bike for close to two years now. She was a rescue from a trach heap. When I got her, she was in VERY rough shape. But a LOT of elbow grease and some part I had laying around, 3 cockpit revisions and with the last cockpit revision (as shown), I changed her from a 7 spd drive train to a 9 speed drivetrain. Since I got her, she's turned out to be a very fine & useful bike. I ride her more than any of my other bikes. Plus I have very little money invested in her.
700x35 tires work quite well on just about any surface (except for loose gravel).
10-29-12, 10:18 AM
#202
Senior Member
Justin,
I think I usually catch all your build descriptions, but I missed this one.
Lovely frame, that was either an amazing garage queen find, or you've refinished it with a period perfect transfer set. Black TdFs were very, very unusual in that vintage. The Mafac brakes, although the correct model, appear to be from a later time period (not that I am a stickler for period correct - as I'm totally not!). What are those gravel grinder tires, too?
As to be expected from you, a fabulous build. That is a stunning looking bike. Surely you've done a thread on this bike, yes? Repost the link, eh?
And, last question: How do you find the ride in comparison with other bikes in your fleet?
Cheers.
I think I usually catch all your build descriptions, but I missed this one.
Lovely frame, that was either an amazing garage queen find, or you've refinished it with a period perfect transfer set. Black TdFs were very, very unusual in that vintage. The Mafac brakes, although the correct model, appear to be from a later time period (not that I am a stickler for period correct - as I'm totally not!). What are those gravel grinder tires, too?
As to be expected from you, a fabulous build. That is a stunning looking bike. Surely you've done a thread on this bike, yes? Repost the link, eh?
And, last question: How do you find the ride in comparison with other bikes in your fleet?
Cheers.
A prior owner refinished it, not I. It's not a particularly good job, but it'll do. I haven't put many miles on it yet, but aside from the tires (700x30 Kenda Kwick) it rides very similar to other like bikes. That's why I went with the 1x5 drivetrain and these tires; to shake it up a little. The headtube angle is much steeper than my other vintage bikes, but I can't say I've noticed that it handles all that differently. It does track well.
I'm digging the Trek above!
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10-29-12, 10:36 AM
#203
Senior Member
Justin,
The cell phone photos make it look pretty darn good.
So what are the dropouts? Did you or previous owner modify the Simplex d.o. to accept the Campy RD?
If it actually has Campy dropouts, it would make the frame a Super Corsa. An SC with the rear brake bridge would bring it back to 1970 to '71 at the latest.
Anyway, I have a certain weakness for Gitane frames of the 69-73 window. The front steering is very responsive, which is why I asked about handling as a gravel grinder.
Great thread, folks.
The cell phone photos make it look pretty darn good.
So what are the dropouts? Did you or previous owner modify the Simplex d.o. to accept the Campy RD?
If it actually has Campy dropouts, it would make the frame a Super Corsa. An SC with the rear brake bridge would bring it back to 1970 to '71 at the latest.
Anyway, I have a certain weakness for Gitane frames of the 69-73 window. The front steering is very responsive, which is why I asked about handling as a gravel grinder.
Great thread, folks.
__________________
1959 Hilton Wrigley Connoisseur (my favorite!)
1963 Hetchins Mountain King
1971 Gitane Tour de France (original owner)
* 1971 Gitane Super Corsa (crashed)
* rebuilt as upright cruiser
1971 Gitane Super Corsa #2 (sweet replacement)
1980 Ritchey Road Touring (The Grail Bike)
1982 Tom Ritchey Everest
(replacing stolen 1981 TR Everest custom)
1982 Tom Ritchey McKinley (touring pickup truck)
1985 ALAN Record (Glued & Screwed. A gift.)
1959 Hilton Wrigley Connoisseur (my favorite!)
1963 Hetchins Mountain King
1971 Gitane Tour de France (original owner)
* 1971 Gitane Super Corsa (crashed)
* rebuilt as upright cruiser
1971 Gitane Super Corsa #2 (sweet replacement)
1980 Ritchey Road Touring (The Grail Bike)
1982 Tom Ritchey Everest
(replacing stolen 1981 TR Everest custom)
1982 Tom Ritchey McKinley (touring pickup truck)
1985 ALAN Record (Glued & Screwed. A gift.)
10-29-12, 10:45 AM
#204
Senior Member
Justin,
The cell phone photos make it look pretty darn good.
So what are the dropouts? Did you or previous owner modify the Simplex d.o. to accept the Campy RD?
If it actually has Campy dropouts, it would make the frame a Super Corsa. An SC with the rear brake bridge would bring it back to 1970 to '71 at the latest.
Anyway, I have a certain weakness for Gitane frames of the 69-73 window. The front steering is very responsive, which is why I asked about handling as a gravel grinder.
Great thread, folks.
The cell phone photos make it look pretty darn good.
So what are the dropouts? Did you or previous owner modify the Simplex d.o. to accept the Campy RD?
If it actually has Campy dropouts, it would make the frame a Super Corsa. An SC with the rear brake bridge would bring it back to 1970 to '71 at the latest.
Anyway, I have a certain weakness for Gitane frames of the 69-73 window. The front steering is very responsive, which is why I asked about handling as a gravel grinder.
Great thread, folks.
__________________
Bikes on Flickr
I prefer email to private messages. You can contact me at justinhughes@me.com
Bikes on Flickr
I prefer email to private messages. You can contact me at justinhughes@me.com
10-29-12, 12:24 PM
#205
Senior Member
Sigh. So I did. My excuse is that I chimed in from Uganda after a proverbial flight-from-hell. I sure remember that flight, but not much else!
Not to mention exacerbation from my general absent mindedness. . .
Anyway, great to see it again. Hope you're putting some mileage on it. Tough to do when you keep building up so many fine bikes, eh?
Cheers!
Not to mention exacerbation from my general absent mindedness. . .
Anyway, great to see it again. Hope you're putting some mileage on it. Tough to do when you keep building up so many fine bikes, eh?
Cheers!
__________________
1959 Hilton Wrigley Connoisseur (my favorite!)
1963 Hetchins Mountain King
1971 Gitane Tour de France (original owner)
* 1971 Gitane Super Corsa (crashed)
* rebuilt as upright cruiser
1971 Gitane Super Corsa #2 (sweet replacement)
1980 Ritchey Road Touring (The Grail Bike)
1982 Tom Ritchey Everest
(replacing stolen 1981 TR Everest custom)
1982 Tom Ritchey McKinley (touring pickup truck)
1985 ALAN Record (Glued & Screwed. A gift.)
1959 Hilton Wrigley Connoisseur (my favorite!)
1963 Hetchins Mountain King
1971 Gitane Tour de France (original owner)
* 1971 Gitane Super Corsa (crashed)
* rebuilt as upright cruiser
1971 Gitane Super Corsa #2 (sweet replacement)
1980 Ritchey Road Touring (The Grail Bike)
1982 Tom Ritchey Everest
(replacing stolen 1981 TR Everest custom)
1982 Tom Ritchey McKinley (touring pickup truck)
1985 ALAN Record (Glued & Screwed. A gift.)
11-16-12, 12:17 AM
#207
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
11-26-12, 01:44 PM
#208
Senior Member
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Here's mine, a 1980s Sekai Bigfoot:
Bought the bike off of Craigslist for $80, then went to town on parts and restoring her. Things I added:
Velo Orange leather saddle
SunTour barcons
Soma 3 speed bar
Crank Brothers Eggbeaters
Vintage XT wheels
Rear rack
Nitto Dynamic stem
Cyclocross levers
Kool Stop dual compound brake pads
Vintage Suntour RD
KMC chain
All cables/housing
Bought the bike off of Craigslist for $80, then went to town on parts and restoring her. Things I added:
Velo Orange leather saddle
SunTour barcons
Soma 3 speed bar
Crank Brothers Eggbeaters
Vintage XT wheels
Rear rack
Nitto Dynamic stem
Cyclocross levers
Kool Stop dual compound brake pads
Vintage Suntour RD
KMC chain
All cables/housing
11-26-12, 01:58 PM
#209
Have bike, will travel
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Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
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Nice! It looks like the 700x30 Challenge Eroica with a file tread from the 700x32 Challenge Grifo XS. It should be fast.
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
11-26-12, 04:18 PM
#210
Shifting is fun!
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01-23-13, 09:08 PM
#211
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I have one of the VO Campeurs. Just built it up recently and I've been loving it ever since. I'm running 40mm Schwalbe Mondials with fenders right now, but could probably squeeze in 45mm tires without the fenders. Bike has a great feel to it--prefer it a lot to the Surly Cross Check and Jamis Aroura Elite I owned before. It has a real smooth ride and does a good job with and without a load. Highly recommended.
Last edited by dvald001; 01-23-13 at 09:14 PM. Reason: Forgot the name
01-23-13, 09:17 PM
#212
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Our ride yesterday in the misty rain took us into south central Minnesota.
...and onto some of the most beautiful gravel routes I have seen in Minnesota.
Rolling hills, nice vistas, farm after farm, and the obligatory scary farm dog or two.
All of us had converted mtbs, modded Treks or Surlys.
We were talking about new road frames with some off road capabilities for wide tires and fenders.
This one from Velo Orange popped into our conversation, the Campeur.
Does anyone have experience with this frameset yet?
Fairly inexpensive at $500.
...and onto some of the most beautiful gravel routes I have seen in Minnesota.
Rolling hills, nice vistas, farm after farm, and the obligatory scary farm dog or two.
All of us had converted mtbs, modded Treks or Surlys.
We were talking about new road frames with some off road capabilities for wide tires and fenders.
This one from Velo Orange popped into our conversation, the Campeur.
Does anyone have experience with this frameset yet?
Fairly inexpensive at $500.
I have one. It's awesome. Stable, versatile, and extremely comfortable. Commute with it during the week and on the weekends I've been taking it on roads and dirt trails and it's performed really well. Looks good too! Love the metal head badge and the frame color.
03-02-13, 08:12 PM
#214
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I have one of the VO Campeurs. Just built it up recently and I've been loving it ever since. I'm running 40mm Schwalbe Mondials with fenders right now, but could probably squeeze in 45mm tires without the fenders. Bike has a great feel to it--prefer it a lot to the Surly Cross Check and Jamis Aroura Elite I owned before. It has a real smooth ride and does a good job with and without a load. Highly recommended.
Very nice practical ride you built.
So well suited for varied conditions.
Thanks for posting!
Here's one I noticed today, the new Rawland Stag prototype.
Lots to like I think. Tons of potential.
I think a BB7 equipped model would be the cat's pjs.
https://rawlandcycles.blogspot.com/
03-05-13, 09:29 AM
#215
Carpe Velo
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"92 Schwinn Crosscut. A custom build (or frankenbike, depending on your perspective) put together from Craigslist, EBay and swap meet finds. Turns out the frame used to belong to another BF member, realestvin7
03-05-13, 10:08 AM
#216
Senior Member
03-05-13, 10:34 AM
#217
Senior Member
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One of my very favorite bikes on here. Very clean build!
03-05-13, 11:06 AM
#218
十人十色
It wasn't so long before that Mountain King was made that they used to compete in the Tour de France with a single gear, which was fixed.
03-05-13, 06:34 PM
#219
Ride, Wrench, Swap, Race
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I did a lot of various off-roading on this bike a few years back.
It cost me only $25 so I used it as a workhorse to spare the nicer bikes.
I even raced cyclocross on it once (using nicer tires), and did well with it.
This was the secong Miyata tourer that I heaped a lot of abuse on, and they can take it.
The Cinelli logo tape across each side of the top tube covers up the previous owner's 2600 miles of abuse quite well.
Mileage now just under 7k.
It cost me only $25 so I used it as a workhorse to spare the nicer bikes.
I even raced cyclocross on it once (using nicer tires), and did well with it.
This was the secong Miyata tourer that I heaped a lot of abuse on, and they can take it.
The Cinelli logo tape across each side of the top tube covers up the previous owner's 2600 miles of abuse quite well.
Mileage now just under 7k.
03-18-13, 11:05 AM
#220
Senior Member
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Just finished up the Surly CC and took it out for a little 40 mile grind yesterday.
03-18-13, 11:40 AM
#221
Spin Forest! Spin!
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^Nice shots with the over-sized river rock. Crazy proportions.
The CC/SS looks good.
The CC/SS looks good.
04-24-13, 07:00 AM
#224
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I just finished building up a frame I got in the frame doesn't fit thread from 3speedslow. It is a Mongoose Crossway 450 hybrid from the early 90's. It is rare to find the hybrids in a larger size, this one is a 23". It came in a little bit heavy at 29lbs., about 5lbs heavier that than Salsa Casseroll that it was built to replace. That is probably mostly due to the Deore wheel-set with 80 spokes.
I tried to build it with parts on hand but ended up buying the Tektro canti's and brake levers because I liked the look of the canti's better than the 3 or 4 pairs I already have. I am not too happy about the match of the Bike Ribbon bar tape, I should have stayed with Fizik's brown.
I tried to build it with parts on hand but ended up buying the Tektro canti's and brake levers because I liked the look of the canti's better than the 3 or 4 pairs I already have. I am not too happy about the match of the Bike Ribbon bar tape, I should have stayed with Fizik's brown.
04-24-13, 05:16 PM
#225
Senior Member
Kobe,
You got that from me?.... Man you made it stunning ! Nice choice of components. Are the tectros a good system ? I know the Brooks is a slam !
Glad to have sent it on to you, you have given a good frame a new life. Those early Mongoose ones had nice brazing and great Tange tubing !
I hope you have many gravel miles with the goose.
My Trek project has stalled as I await funds for a set of barend shifters. Then it will rejoin the build line up.
Really super job !
You got that from me?
.... Man you made it stunning ! Nice choice of components. Are the tectros a good system ? I know the Brooks is a slam !Glad to have sent it on to you, you have given a good frame a new life. Those early Mongoose ones had nice brazing and great Tange tubing !
I hope you have many gravel miles with the goose.
My Trek project has stalled as I await funds for a set of barend shifters. Then it will rejoin the build line up.
Really super job !