Hetchins Duel
04-08-18 | 12:19 PM
#1
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From: Parker, Colorado
Bikes: 1974 Behringer Custom, 1975 Schwinn Paramount, 1975 Windsor Profesional, 1976 Gios Super Record, 1985 Schwinn Paramount, 1985 Trek 770, 1993 Holland Ti Custom, 2000 Tommasini Sintesi, 2001 Colnago C40, 2019 Canyon Grail AL 7.0
Hetchins Duel
Got back from my group ride yesterday and this was happening in the back parking lot. Not something you see everyday. Well, not unless you frequent Creekside Bikes in Parker, Colorado.
Both are modern frames ordered from Hetchins
Red Hetchins was just finished for a regular customer and is fitted with '74 Campagnolo NR group. Drillium beautifully done by Drillium Revival.
The green Hetchins belongs to the owner of Creekside and has a modern Veloce group. Small differences in headtube, fork crown and downtube decals.
Curly stays for days...
Both are modern frames ordered from Hetchins
Red Hetchins was just finished for a regular customer and is fitted with '74 Campagnolo NR group. Drillium beautifully done by Drillium Revival.
The green Hetchins belongs to the owner of Creekside and has a modern Veloce group. Small differences in headtube, fork crown and downtube decals.
Curly stays for days...
04-08-18 | 12:55 PM
#2
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From: Peoria, IL
hoo baby! That's about 6 regular bikes worth of lugs! 
I'm not sure where the "lugs and chrome" limit is, but these Hetchins M.O.'s are pretty close. Personally, I love it, especially with curly stays.
Any idea when these frames were built? There was some kerfufle (sp?) about who had the rights to the Hetchins name... about 10 or 15 years ago, I think.
Steve in Peoria
I'm not sure where the "lugs and chrome" limit is, but these Hetchins M.O.'s are pretty close. Personally, I love it, especially with curly stays.
Any idea when these frames were built? There was some kerfufle (sp?) about who had the rights to the Hetchins name... about 10 or 15 years ago, I think.
Steve in Peoria
04-08-18 | 12:59 PM
#3
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From: Carmichael, CA
@steelbikeguy
He said that the red one was just finished as a custom order, and the other one is also a new frame...
https://www.hetchins.com/
For my part, I love everything about these bikes and am grateful that you shared them. My already excellent Sunday just got surprisingly better by being able to admire them!
-Gregory
He said that the red one was just finished as a custom order, and the other one is also a new frame...
https://www.hetchins.com/
For my part, I love everything about these bikes and am grateful that you shared them. My already excellent Sunday just got surprisingly better by being able to admire them!
-Gregory
04-08-18 | 01:40 PM
#4
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From: Port Angeles, WA
Bikes: A green one, "Ragleigh," or something.
Excessive!
(And nothing exceeds like excess.)
(And nothing exceeds like excess.)
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
04-08-18 | 02:11 PM
#6
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From: PDX
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Holy crap, "to the death", fantastic duel! 
04-08-18 | 02:41 PM
#7
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Santa Barbara Calif.
Nice bikes, but I know all about "drillium" and those chainrings are not representative of the real thing. There was no decoration, it was pure unadulterated folly. If it is done perfectly, or with any degree of embellishment, it's not legit.
Don't get me wrong, it's nice. But it should be a little awkward and uneven. It was basically up to a guy in a garage with a drill press, and a supply of marijuana cigarettes.
Don't get me wrong, it's nice. But it should be a little awkward and uneven. It was basically up to a guy in a garage with a drill press, and a supply of marijuana cigarettes.
04-08-18 | 04:04 PM
#8
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From: Baltimore MD
Bikes: '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '72 Gitane tandem, '72 Raleigh Super Course, '73 Raleigh Gran Sport, '73 Colnago Super, '76 Fiorelli Coppi, '78 Raleigh SBDU Team Pro, '78 Trek 930, '81 Holdsworth Special 650B, '86 Masi GC, ’94 Bridgestone RB-T
Nice bling. I wonder what's up with the headset spacers?
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04-08-18 | 04:07 PM
#9
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From: PDX
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Well Drillium Revival represents the gold standard, not oldschool garage hack. He is highly revered for his excellent work and exceptional results. These are new builds and therefore not subject to the imperfect craftsmanship of back in the day. Suffice it to say this drillium is period for correct for the here and now.
RIP DR
RIP DR
Nice bikes, but I know all about "drillium" and those chainrings are not representative of the real thing. There was no decoration, it was pure unadulterated folly. If it is done perfectly, or with any degree of embellishment, it's not legit.
Don't get me wrong, it's nice. But it should be a little awkward and uneven. It was basically up to a guy in a garage with a drill press, and a supply of marijuana cigarettes.
Don't get me wrong, it's nice. But it should be a little awkward and uneven. It was basically up to a guy in a garage with a drill press, and a supply of marijuana cigarettes.
04-08-18 | 04:12 PM
#10
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Joined: Oct 2015
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From: PDX
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
I would bet that is the workaround for "old man back" or "I just want to be more upright" syndrome. Looks pretty good to me without all that bare, skinny quill sticking out (like mine are). Also leaves options for headset and stems down the road.
04-08-18 | 05:15 PM
#11
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Yeah that makes me nervous.
If you're using extra fork threads to keep your stem's max height/min insert line buried, you might end up with the wedge/cone in the bottom of the threads, and that's a recipe for a busted steerer. That line was designed to keep the wedge/cone below the bottom of what could reasonably be expected to be the bottom of the threaded section. In other words, it is not to protect the stem as much as the steerer.
I'd recommend making good and sure by measuring that that stem's wedge is well and safely below the bottom of the fork threads. Sure would be a shame to have that fork crack open.
Really cool bikes, BTW!
If you're using extra fork threads to keep your stem's max height/min insert line buried, you might end up with the wedge/cone in the bottom of the threads, and that's a recipe for a busted steerer. That line was designed to keep the wedge/cone below the bottom of what could reasonably be expected to be the bottom of the threaded section. In other words, it is not to protect the stem as much as the steerer.
I'd recommend making good and sure by measuring that that stem's wedge is well and safely below the bottom of the fork threads. Sure would be a shame to have that fork crack open.
Really cool bikes, BTW!
04-08-18 | 05:56 PM
#12
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From: PDX
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
I think those are long Nitto stems with the min. insertion line well down in the steerer with spacers for aesthetic.
I doubt the shop owner and another premium build customer would commit such a faux pas.
Done safely I think its a good look for an unconventional workaround.
I doubt the shop owner and another premium build customer would commit such a faux pas.
Done safely I think its a good look for an unconventional workaround.
Yeah that makes me nervous.
If you're using extra fork threads to keep your stem's max height/min insert line buried, you might end up with the wedge/cone in the bottom of the threads, and that's a recipe for a busted steerer. That line was designed to keep the wedge/cone below the bottom of what could reasonably be expected to be the bottom of the threaded section. In other words, it is not to protect the stem as much as the steerer.
I'd recommend making good and sure by measuring that that stem's wedge is well and safely below the bottom of the fork threads. Sure would be a shame to have that fork crack open.
Really cool bikes, BTW!
If you're using extra fork threads to keep your stem's max height/min insert line buried, you might end up with the wedge/cone in the bottom of the threads, and that's a recipe for a busted steerer. That line was designed to keep the wedge/cone below the bottom of what could reasonably be expected to be the bottom of the threaded section. In other words, it is not to protect the stem as much as the steerer.
I'd recommend making good and sure by measuring that that stem's wedge is well and safely below the bottom of the fork threads. Sure would be a shame to have that fork crack open.
Really cool bikes, BTW!
04-08-18 | 05:59 PM
#13
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From: Waukesha WI
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
Nice bikes, but I know all about "drillium" and those chainrings are not representative of the real thing. There was no decoration, it was pure unadulterated folly. If it is done perfectly, or with any degree of embellishment, it's not legit.
Don't get me wrong, it's nice. But it should be a little awkward and uneven. It was basically up to a guy in a garage with a drill press, and a supply of marijuana cigarettes.
Don't get me wrong, it's nice. But it should be a little awkward and uneven. It was basically up to a guy in a garage with a drill press, and a supply of marijuana cigarettes.
Elden Sama. The Vietnamese cross-dressing stalker Nazi.
the drilling is done for function and weight reduction. if drilling is
slightly off a rider would never be ble to feel it. you ride a bike with
your legs, not your eyes.
noone has ever won a Tour De France using their
eyes. this is not for old men trying to create a museum type bike that they
always wanted.
this is for a person to need to reduce weight and to be
FAST!
slightly off a rider would never be ble to feel it. you ride a bike with
your legs, not your eyes.
noone has ever won a Tour De France using their
eyes. this is not for old men trying to create a museum type bike that they
always wanted.
this is for a person to need to reduce weight and to be
FAST!
This crankset is not for the older man who is trying to recreate something ORIGINAL that he always wanted and say "i finally got it after 4 decades!". this is for the person who is actually riding and getting a good deal on a very good crankset."DONT BE AFRAID TO STEP OUT OF THE BOX!" If you fall down and break your hip it just means your rode to the very end of your life! That is called passion!! and you have Obama care! THE WEIGHT IS VERY CLOSE TO SUPER RECORD 11. I KNOW MANY BABY BOOMERS MAY NOT HAVE NOT HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO OWN SUPER RECORD 11. BUT THE WEIGHT IS VERY CLOSE. AT ONLY 10% OF THE COST! THIS IS A DEAL! YOUR WHITE HAIRED WIFE WON'T GET ON YOU FOR SPENDING TOO MUCH! EVERYONE IS HAPPY! ask her for permission to bid. it's only starting at $49 and no reserve!
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
04-08-18 | 06:17 PM
#14
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Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Prior Lake
Bikes: 1989 Tommasini Super Prestige, 1985 Chris Kvale, 1977 Colnago Super, 1992 Serotta Colorado, 1984 Schwinn Cimarron
The red one sure is blinged out. Wow.
A few aesthetic things I would have done differently, namely spacers as mentioned and saddle/bar tape color choices, but that’s quite the build.
A few aesthetic things I would have done differently, namely spacers as mentioned and saddle/bar tape color choices, but that’s quite the build.
04-08-18 | 09:13 PM
#16
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From: Carmichael, CA
@jeirvine @merziac @Ghrumpy @toavii
I think the spacers are a unique attempt to recreate the tall headsets so common on Hetchins frames in the 1930s and '40s, using modern components.
1947 Curly Hetchins Vibrant Frame | The Online Bicycle Museum
I think the spacers are a unique attempt to recreate the tall headsets so common on Hetchins frames in the 1930s and '40s, using modern components.
1947 Curly Hetchins Vibrant Frame | The Online Bicycle Museum
04-08-18 | 09:54 PM
#17
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(Those Chater Lea headsets of course only need about a quarer inch of thread, and the headclip secures the stem in the steerer, no expander required.)
04-09-18 | 02:08 PM
#18
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From: Parker, Colorado
Bikes: 1974 Behringer Custom, 1975 Schwinn Paramount, 1975 Windsor Profesional, 1976 Gios Super Record, 1985 Schwinn Paramount, 1985 Trek 770, 1993 Holland Ti Custom, 2000 Tommasini Sintesi, 2001 Colnago C40, 2019 Canyon Grail AL 7.0
Not sure to the exact reason behind the spacers but I can assure you they are safe and done correctly. This is THE premiere shop in Colorado and like someone mentioned above there is no way the owner would be using anything that wasn't safe and done exceptionally well.
With that being said, it is also worth noting that a lot of the bikes they sell do have numerous spacers albeit they're used with threadless stems. I've included some examples you can find in their shop at the moment. I want me a Pegoretti real bad
I know they pride themselves on bike fit and my assumption is that this is providing a slightly more upright and comfortable fit for the rider. Not really sure? I'd also say a fair number of their clients are getting up there in age. So I guess that would make sense in that regard.
Either way, enjoy the modern eye candy!
With that being said, it is also worth noting that a lot of the bikes they sell do have numerous spacers albeit they're used with threadless stems. I've included some examples you can find in their shop at the moment. I want me a Pegoretti real bad
I know they pride themselves on bike fit and my assumption is that this is providing a slightly more upright and comfortable fit for the rider. Not really sure? I'd also say a fair number of their clients are getting up there in age. So I guess that would make sense in that regard.
Either way, enjoy the modern eye candy!
Last edited by rideandgoseek; 04-09-18 at 02:21 PM.
04-09-18 | 03:38 PM
#19
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Not sure to the exact reason behind the spacers but I can assure you they are safe and done correctly. This is THE premiere shop in Colorado and like someone mentioned above there is no way the owner would be using anything that wasn't safe and done exceptionally well.
...
I know they pride themselves on bike fit and my assumption is that this is providing a slightly more upright and comfortable fit for the rider. Not really sure? I'd also say a fair number of their clients are getting up there in age. So I guess that would make sense in that regard.
...
I know they pride themselves on bike fit and my assumption is that this is providing a slightly more upright and comfortable fit for the rider. Not really sure? I'd also say a fair number of their clients are getting up there in age. So I guess that would make sense in that regard.
04-09-18 | 04:33 PM
#20
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From: Carmichael, CA
-Gregory
04-09-18 | 06:20 PM
#21
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From: PDX
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Those Nitto Technomic stems are 225mm long with a minimum insertion of 125mm, there is plenty of stem safely in the steerer on these. As I also said early on, this was a calculated fitting move, smartly done, looks good imho.
04-10-18 | 11:18 AM
#22
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From: Parker, Colorado
Bikes: 1974 Behringer Custom, 1975 Schwinn Paramount, 1975 Windsor Profesional, 1976 Gios Super Record, 1985 Schwinn Paramount, 1985 Trek 770, 1993 Holland Ti Custom, 2000 Tommasini Sintesi, 2001 Colnago C40, 2019 Canyon Grail AL 7.0
Thanks to everyone for contributing comments. You've definitely spiked my interest around these spacers. I'll be sure to ask about them the next time I'm in and will report back!
04-14-18 | 03:25 PM
#23
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From: PDX
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Nothing like a good debate to get us thinking. Here's an example from one of the best in the business, if he thinks it's ok, then it is ok.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mapcyc...7627949086330/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mapcyc...7627949086330/
Last edited by merziac; 04-15-18 at 12:28 AM.
04-14-18 | 03:41 PM
#24
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Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Peoria, IL
Nothing like a good debate to get us thinking. Here's an example from one of the best in the business, if he thinks it's ok, then it is ok.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mapcyc...n/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mapcyc...n/photostream/
those Curtis Odom hubs are just crazy! They make a Hetchins M.O. look pretty tame.
Steve in Peoria
04-15-18 | 12:31 AM
#25
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 16,083
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From: PDX
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
