Originally Posted by
southpawboston
The picture I posted after your comment (post #20) is of my 650B conversion, for which I used Velocity Synergies with Ultegra rear hub (130mm) and Shimano dynamo hub, shod with 41mm Hetres. I also was concerned about ruining the "vintage" look but I am pleased with the overall outcome, and I've also since that photo updated some of the comps to more modern ones. After a while, one comes to appreciate better technology over vintage aesthetic, and every once in a while the two can come together harmoniously.
Indeed. When properly thought out and executed, as with
my PX-8, a full-on modernization can really add legs to a bike that would otherwise end up unused. BTW, I'm not implying this was a 650b or 650a conversion, I'm just trying to show what kinds of results can be had with an old bike, a little planning and some attention to detail.
P1010517 by
Sallad Rialb, on Flickr
P1010514 by
Sallad Rialb, on Flickr