jdswitters

I found a '59 lugged frame 3 speed from Holland on craigslist and just started adding parts over the course of a few months. Decided to keep the patina of the original even though it is not black. A single speed weighing in at 28 pounds, not exactly a lightweight but 20 pounds lighter than the guvnor and 1/5th of the cost including a new wheel set, BB and crank. Have some fun and build up your own. In the two weeks since I have had it out and about it has received several compliments, which I find surprising since I was just looking to get a feel for the geometry before going any further.

Cheers,

David Newton

This is my "scorcher", it is supposed to look like an early 20th century club race bike. With its geometry, it has wheel flop like crazy, I can't take my hands off the bars.

Velognome 

Wheel flop is a killer on these builds....likewise, take your hands off this one and it face plant time!

David Newton

I wonder why they were deliberately designed like that?

Velognome 

Tracks better on grass and gravel I think.

surreal

I'd think it's b/c these were early bikes, and they didn't quite know what they were doing with the geometry yet.

Bicycle Addict

Still strikes me as funny that, as a lot of people know early MTB's were along this geometry, my mate cracked up laughing when I lined up a Raleigh Sport frame against a 88 Stump Jumper, he could not believe his eyes.
Early days of Mountain biking as a craze in NZ had a lot of people turning early Raleighs Phillips, etc into MTB's 5-6 speed cassettes off the expensive bikes a wheel set, cockpit setup, bang, off to the nearest hills, some people even ran Raleigh20 cranks for smaller chain ring,most just went with the original.
I want to build a Sport frame out that I have in this style, I will need to find some 26 x 1.75 skinnish tyres though any ideas?
A bit off topic but I am sure thats fine?

Bicycle Addict

Picked up the Carlton today, it is in pretty good shape apart from the wheels(rims gone savable Normandy hubs though) Simplex derailleur is pretty far gone too, I have put some wheels on for photo's,



Some pics with different wheels and a few different tyres. Black rear is CST 27 x 1 3/8 front whitish wall tyre is Conti tour ride 27 x 1 1/4, Gumwalls are CST 27 x 1 1/4


Let me know which you think is best. Thanks

Velognome 

Well, if your going for the Guv Nor look, you gonna have to scratch up some cream or white CST's off ebay... they're gonna cost ya.....maybe $35 bucks for the set



https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-CST-27-x-1...item35d009045a

rudypyatt

Just to raise the dead and go back to the original topic ...<br><br>I was having difficulty getting quotes and/or interest from various shops about converting my Windsor TimeLine into a 3-speed. Convinced that in the City three is enough, and wanting a Sturmey-Archer hub,&nbsp;I broke down and bought a Linus Gaston 3 a couple of weeks ago as a self-birthday present. I've put something like 70 miles on it since. Here are my impressions:<br> <br>It feels lighter than the listed 32 pounds, much, much lighter. Quick handling, a good thing in NYC traffic, and very fast, I'd call it a cafe racer or sportster. Apologies to those who have the motorcycles that go with those words, but that's what comes to mind: It is a sporty bike with lots of style. I've seen a few on the road, and the Gaston stands out when you see it.<br><br>The S-RF3 and downtube shifter combination works flawlessly - very positive shifting up and down the range.&nbsp;The gearing is ideal: drop down for stiff headwinds (a must in southeastern Brooklyn) and quick starts, roll along in second gear for most bits, and click into top for more speed. The Gil Hodges Bridge and laps of Prospect Park are great fun on this bike, and it's easy to maintain a comfortable cadence in all three gears. The brakes are excellent, as are the tires. I couldn't believe how quick rolling they are.<br><br>The saddle is okay. I have to fiddle with the fore and aft position I think (very slightly, the bike fits me well and it's a "Large", the 59cm model), but it's otherwise more comfortable than I expected. The leather wrapped bar grips are nice and comfortable, though a bit more comfortable with cycling gloves than without.<br><br>I expected to like this bike and I've not been disappointed, so know this: Sporting three speeds aren't dead. If you want a new one, give the Gaston 3 serious consideration. I'll post some snapshots of it soon.<br><br>I bought the bike at Adeline Adeline in Manhattan. As advertised, it is a very nice bicycle shop. The folks there say they can convert my Windsor with no problem. That conversion will be my self-Christmas present...&nbsp;<br><br>&nbsp;