1976 Eisentraut Limited Touring
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 1,326
Mentioned: 64 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 535 Post(s)
Liked 346 Times
in
196 Posts
1976 Eisentraut Limited Touring
And here it is finally! My first effort at a bike build, and a bike that I’m fortunate to have only because of the help of BF C&V members.
Purchased January 2019 from eBay as a frame, and fork, it’s taken 8 months to plan this build, gather its parts, and put it together. The goal has always been a fun bike that would serve equally well on city streets for daily affairs as it would miles out of town for occasional camping, and scenic riding.
Just as BF members helped me to procure the frame, and fork, members have also provided a number of the components that went into the build. And the build itself was also made possible by the sharing of members’ knowledge, and experience. You’ve all brought a killer bike to fruition, and you’ve have made a better mechanic out of me for it. Much gratitude.
— — —
Do note that I built this bike with limited tools. I used a chair with straps as a stand. The frame, and zip ties allowed for wheel truing. Three soup cans on table top served as a dishing tool. And the headset press, as well as the dropout alignment gauges were homemade. This might have made the process a little more difficult, but no less enjoyable.
— — —
Serial # identifies this frame as a Limited model with a 1976 build date. Eisentraut was known to mix tube sets, and while the steerer tube here is stamped for Reynolds 531, the remaining tubes are yet to be identified. Nervex lugs with spade cutouts. Campagnolo dropouts, and fork tips.
5 lbs 13 oz.
55 seat tube c-c
54 cm top tube c-c
27.0 mm seat post
44 cm chainstays
120 mm rear spread
Paint has its fair share of road scars, and the lone decal has suffered a scrape, but no dents among the tubes, and all is rust free.
Purchased January 2019 from eBay as a frame, and fork, it’s taken 8 months to plan this build, gather its parts, and put it together. The goal has always been a fun bike that would serve equally well on city streets for daily affairs as it would miles out of town for occasional camping, and scenic riding.
Just as BF members helped me to procure the frame, and fork, members have also provided a number of the components that went into the build. And the build itself was also made possible by the sharing of members’ knowledge, and experience. You’ve all brought a killer bike to fruition, and you’ve have made a better mechanic out of me for it. Much gratitude.
— — —
Do note that I built this bike with limited tools. I used a chair with straps as a stand. The frame, and zip ties allowed for wheel truing. Three soup cans on table top served as a dishing tool. And the headset press, as well as the dropout alignment gauges were homemade. This might have made the process a little more difficult, but no less enjoyable.
— — —
Serial # identifies this frame as a Limited model with a 1976 build date. Eisentraut was known to mix tube sets, and while the steerer tube here is stamped for Reynolds 531, the remaining tubes are yet to be identified. Nervex lugs with spade cutouts. Campagnolo dropouts, and fork tips.
5 lbs 13 oz.
55 seat tube c-c
54 cm top tube c-c
27.0 mm seat post
44 cm chainstays
120 mm rear spread
Paint has its fair share of road scars, and the lone decal has suffered a scrape, but no dents among the tubes, and all is rust free.
Last edited by deux jambes; 09-10-19 at 05:43 AM.
Likes For deux jambes:
#2
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 1,326
Mentioned: 64 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 535 Post(s)
Liked 346 Times
in
196 Posts
The bottom bracket was chased, and faced, and prior to installing any components I a shot a dose of Frame Saver into each of the tubes.
Tange Levin headset & TA bottom bracket assembly were both Co-Op finds. Sta-Lube marine grease for both applications & grade 25 loose balls all around. Decaluer is from Velo Orange.
Tange Levin headset & TA bottom bracket assembly were both Co-Op finds. Sta-Lube marine grease for both applications & grade 25 loose balls all around. Decaluer is from Velo Orange.
Likes For deux jambes:
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 1,326
Mentioned: 64 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 535 Post(s)
Liked 346 Times
in
196 Posts
Wheelset was a Craigslist find. Mavic MA40 700c 36h rims, DT double butted spokes, and 1984 Record hubs. Record skewers were found on eBay.
Wheels received full overhaul starting with new bearings, and Mobil 1 grease for the hubs. The rear was also respaced, or “restored” from a 127mm configuration to its original 120mm width. This latter work was due to the discovery of a poor chainline later in the bikes assembly.
Wheels were completely loosened, nipples lubed, spokes brought back up to even tension, dished, and trued within 0.55 mm radially, and 0.25 mm laterally.
Wheels received full overhaul starting with new bearings, and Mobil 1 grease for the hubs. The rear was also respaced, or “restored” from a 127mm configuration to its original 120mm width. This latter work was due to the discovery of a poor chainline later in the bikes assembly.
Wheels were completely loosened, nipples lubed, spokes brought back up to even tension, dished, and trued within 0.55 mm radially, and 0.25 mm laterally.
Likes For deux jambes:
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 1,326
Mentioned: 64 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 535 Post(s)
Liked 346 Times
in
196 Posts
Selecting tires was one of the more difficult decisions for this build given the many options out there. But for considering the variety of riding I plan to cover, economy, and aesthetics, I settled on 32c Gravelking slicks to cover all needs. They’re mounted with Velox cotton tape, and Sunlite tubes.
The SunTour New Winner is an Ultra 6 that came with the wheelset. It was given a double bath of mineral spirits & Marvel Mystery Oil prior to a slow trickle of Phil’s Tenacious Oil. Cogs are 14-16-18-21-25-30 which look to offer a sensible, and usable range in conjunction with the triple up front.
Stem came from the Co-Op, and I believe it’s an SR Royal, or at least nice knock off. Belleri bars came from an ‘84 Trek 520 I’d once planned to build up, but instead parted out. Gran Compe slotted lever, and NOS Dia Compe gum hoods from eBay.
Brooks B17 Champion was found on Craigslist, while the two bolt Record seat post came from BF member @3speedslow (thank you friend, and I have not forgotten about you, and that Raleigh Apex).
TA Cyclotouriste crankset was pieced together. Drive side crank came off of a Craigslist parts bike. It was mismatched with a Nevar left side are. The missing arm was found on eBay. Of course, I was also short one dust cap, but @cudak888 took care of that (many thanks, and I still have eyes out for your list). The 48/38/28 chainset came BF member @hazetguy (thank you sir).
The SunTour New Winner is an Ultra 6 that came with the wheelset. It was given a double bath of mineral spirits & Marvel Mystery Oil prior to a slow trickle of Phil’s Tenacious Oil. Cogs are 14-16-18-21-25-30 which look to offer a sensible, and usable range in conjunction with the triple up front.
Stem came from the Co-Op, and I believe it’s an SR Royal, or at least nice knock off. Belleri bars came from an ‘84 Trek 520 I’d once planned to build up, but instead parted out. Gran Compe slotted lever, and NOS Dia Compe gum hoods from eBay.
Brooks B17 Champion was found on Craigslist, while the two bolt Record seat post came from BF member @3speedslow (thank you friend, and I have not forgotten about you, and that Raleigh Apex).
TA Cyclotouriste crankset was pieced together. Drive side crank came off of a Craigslist parts bike. It was mismatched with a Nevar left side are. The missing arm was found on eBay. Of course, I was also short one dust cap, but @cudak888 took care of that (many thanks, and I still have eyes out for your list). The 48/38/28 chainset came BF member @hazetguy (thank you sir).
Last edited by deux jambes; 09-10-19 at 05:46 AM.
Likes For deux jambes:
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 1,326
Mentioned: 64 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 535 Post(s)
Liked 346 Times
in
196 Posts
Gran Compe calipers we’re found on eBay. The rear was already assembled with a Campy drop bolt which was a necessity in order to convert this frame to take a 700c wheelset. Both units were in need of rebuild, and that was made possible with an extra set of Gran Compes pulled from the legendary C&V Box ‘O Crap (thank you to who ever put those in there)! “SunTour Superbe” pads were ordered from Kool Stop to fit the original holders.
Jim Blackburn front rack was sourced from Craigslist.
Jim Blackburn front rack was sourced from Craigslist.
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 1,326
Mentioned: 64 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 535 Post(s)
Liked 346 Times
in
196 Posts
It was mentioned earlier that I ran into an issue with the chainline during assembly. Due to the rear hub being previously spaced at 127 mm, using of it with the Ultra 6 in between dropouts spaced at 120 mm, put the chain out of line by 3 mm. The bb spindle, and crankset were right on, so rebuild the rear wheel for proper spacing, and dish was in order. The hub was restored to its nominal 120 mm, and the chainline was brought to within 0.50 mm of effectiveness. I also took this as an opportunity to align the rear dropouts, and derailleur hanger.
Likes For deux jambes:
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 1,326
Mentioned: 64 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 535 Post(s)
Liked 346 Times
in
196 Posts
While purchasing the wheelset from its previous owner, I mentioned that I was looking for a set of SunTour barcons. He turned around, dug through a box, and presented a pair of the levers. They were taken apart, cleaned, and lubed prior to installation.
While I’m a pretty big SunTour fan, I wanted to be sure that whatever derailleurs would be used for this build could handle a 20t chain drop, a tall rear cog, and a large chain capacity. Shimano Deore XT was the east choice, and a beautiful set was provided by BF member @Nemosengineer (thanks again for your generosity). A spare rear for parts should I ever need them was provided by @nlerner (much appreciated sir).
While I’m a pretty big SunTour fan, I wanted to be sure that whatever derailleurs would be used for this build could handle a 20t chain drop, a tall rear cog, and a large chain capacity. Shimano Deore XT was the east choice, and a beautiful set was provided by BF member @Nemosengineer (thanks again for your generosity). A spare rear for parts should I ever need them was provided by @nlerner (much appreciated sir).
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 1,326
Mentioned: 64 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 535 Post(s)
Liked 346 Times
in
196 Posts
Wanting to maintain the vintage aesthetics, both brake cable, and housing had to come from Porkchop BMX. And for the same reason, shift cable housing came from an overseas eBayer by the recommendation of @merziac (thank you friend).
Top tube cable clamps were saved from a mid 70’s Fuji Dynamic 10 that had been parted out, while the SunTour cable stop was found at the Co-Op. MKS AR-1 pedals with matching cages were also found at the Co-Op, while the NOS MKS straps came from the LBS.
Chain is a Sram PC 850 from the parts stash.
Top tube cable clamps were saved from a mid 70’s Fuji Dynamic 10 that had been parted out, while the SunTour cable stop was found at the Co-Op. MKS AR-1 pedals with matching cages were also found at the Co-Op, while the NOS MKS straps came from the LBS.
Chain is a Sram PC 850 from the parts stash.
Likes For deux jambes:
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 1,326
Mentioned: 64 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 535 Post(s)
Liked 346 Times
in
196 Posts
And with the mechanicals all hooked up, pedals installed, and the saddle, and cockpit roughly dialed into fit, it was time to take it for a spin. First ride was at night, and it was a thrill!
Second ride was two days later, and after a bit of tuning since the last ride. It was raining so I was hesitant, but out into the wet I rode, and rode, and rode...
Stopped briefly to snap a few shots of it show n’ tell:
I’m happy with the cable routing, and the lever fit up front, which means that I’ll wrap the bars this week (updates soon)! But until then, one more for the road...
Second ride was two days later, and after a bit of tuning since the last ride. It was raining so I was hesitant, but out into the wet I rode, and rode, and rode...
Stopped briefly to snap a few shots of it show n’ tell:
I’m happy with the cable routing, and the lever fit up front, which means that I’ll wrap the bars this week (updates soon)! But until then, one more for the road...
Last edited by deux jambes; 09-10-19 at 01:33 AM.
Likes For deux jambes:
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 3,265
Bikes: '82 Univega Competizione, '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '83 Mercian KOM Touring, '85 Univega Alpina Uno, '76 Eisentraut Limited
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 1,205 Times
in
701 Posts
Gorgeous bike, love how it is turning out. Protect that Brooks!
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Near Pottstown, PA: 30 miles NW of Philadelphia
Posts: 2,186
Bikes: 2 Trek Mtn, Cannondale R600 road, 6 vintage road bikes
Mentioned: 83 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 472 Post(s)
Liked 1,028 Times
in
404 Posts
Great work. Lovely bike. Two thoughts:
Now that you have a few miles on the bike, check the true on the wheels again. If you find they are still "bang on" then you feel great about it. But you may find the need a whisker of turning. Not unusual if you want to maintain those tolerances. You may have heard a tick or two on the first ride. Again, not unusual as the spokes 'settle a bit'. I had that yesterday on a customer's bike. Came in with two broken spokes on the rear. Dialed in the new ones and heard the couple of faint ticks on the test ride. Normal.
Pedal straps - I'm a big fan. I have them on my 7 road bikes, no clipless pedals, only toe cages and straps. However I'm also convinced that only leather straps will do. They hold open and round nicely which makes sliding your shoes in and out easy. Web straps are too flexible, would flop around, not stay rounded and may inhibit toe entry. I keep my straps adjusted 'just so': loose enough that I can pick up or drop the pedal easily but tight enough that my foot is held well and I can use the whole pedal stroke.
Oh, yes, I know. I'm the only one who ever pulls up on the back stroke. It's so lonely out here.
Now that you have a few miles on the bike, check the true on the wheels again. If you find they are still "bang on" then you feel great about it. But you may find the need a whisker of turning. Not unusual if you want to maintain those tolerances. You may have heard a tick or two on the first ride. Again, not unusual as the spokes 'settle a bit'. I had that yesterday on a customer's bike. Came in with two broken spokes on the rear. Dialed in the new ones and heard the couple of faint ticks on the test ride. Normal.
Pedal straps - I'm a big fan. I have them on my 7 road bikes, no clipless pedals, only toe cages and straps. However I'm also convinced that only leather straps will do. They hold open and round nicely which makes sliding your shoes in and out easy. Web straps are too flexible, would flop around, not stay rounded and may inhibit toe entry. I keep my straps adjusted 'just so': loose enough that I can pick up or drop the pedal easily but tight enough that my foot is held well and I can use the whole pedal stroke.
Oh, yes, I know. I'm the only one who ever pulls up on the back stroke. It's so lonely out here.
Likes For Prowler:
#12
Full Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Oshkosh, WI
Posts: 230
Bikes: Trek Farley, Giant Trance X, Salsa Vaya
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 89 Post(s)
Liked 77 Times
in
31 Posts
Excellent build thread, thank you very much! How do you like the touring geometry compared to other rides?
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,156
Mentioned: 481 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3810 Post(s)
Liked 6,690 Times
in
2,610 Posts
Lovely! My only functional nit to pick is that I have found the headset mount VO devaleur has a tendency to move around under load. That might not be a problem with a bag also attached to your front rack, but I suggest you consider a slick @gugie made unit.
Likes For nlerner:
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,435
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 178 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5888 Post(s)
Liked 3,471 Times
in
2,079 Posts
snip . . .
Pedal straps - I'm a big fan. I have them on my 7 road bikes, no clipless pedals, only toe cages and straps. However I'm also convinced that only leather straps will do. They hold open and round nicely which makes sliding your shoes in and out easy. Web straps are too flexible, would flop around, not stay rounded and may inhibit toe entry. I keep my straps adjusted 'just so': loose enough that I can pick up or drop the pedal easily but tight enough that my foot is held well and I can use the whole pedal stroke.
Oh, yes, I know. I'm the only one who ever pulls up on the back stroke. It's so lonely out here.
Pedal straps - I'm a big fan. I have them on my 7 road bikes, no clipless pedals, only toe cages and straps. However I'm also convinced that only leather straps will do. They hold open and round nicely which makes sliding your shoes in and out easy. Web straps are too flexible, would flop around, not stay rounded and may inhibit toe entry. I keep my straps adjusted 'just so': loose enough that I can pick up or drop the pedal easily but tight enough that my foot is held well and I can use the whole pedal stroke.
Oh, yes, I know. I'm the only one who ever pulls up on the back stroke. It's so lonely out here.
#15
Super Modest
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 23,466
Bikes: Trek Emonda, Giant Propel, Colnago V3, Co-Motion Supremo, ICE VTX WC
Mentioned: 107 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10963 Post(s)
Liked 4,620 Times
in
2,123 Posts
Chapeau!
Nice build.
Nice build.
__________________
Keep the chain tight!
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,435
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 178 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5888 Post(s)
Liked 3,471 Times
in
2,079 Posts
@deux jambes, lovely build and impressive job both of restoring the bike and tracking down all the parts. Sometimes I think half the fun is just tracking down stuff for that "perfect" build.
Two questions.
1. What do you think of that TA crank? I like them but my experience with them is that the chainrings are very close together (which makes sense given the narrow Q factor) but that requires more trimming of the FD than is the case with other cranks. Are you experiencing that as well? Have you tried sourcing a TA sticker for the crank arm? I'd love to track a set down for a Moto Grand Record I have with a TA crank.
2. I'm impressed that you slackened off all the spokes and then retensioned the rear wheel. I have not done that with my old wheels but that intuitively makes sense to me. Old wheels tend to lose tension over time and the spokes are generally not very evenly tensioned (especially on the rear). That's a heck of a lot of work but I may do that with an old wheel set that I want to start using regularly. I'm curious whether anyone else is doing that as well. Maybe we need a thread on how forum members get old wheels road worthy.
Two questions.
1. What do you think of that TA crank? I like them but my experience with them is that the chainrings are very close together (which makes sense given the narrow Q factor) but that requires more trimming of the FD than is the case with other cranks. Are you experiencing that as well? Have you tried sourcing a TA sticker for the crank arm? I'd love to track a set down for a Moto Grand Record I have with a TA crank.
2. I'm impressed that you slackened off all the spokes and then retensioned the rear wheel. I have not done that with my old wheels but that intuitively makes sense to me. Old wheels tend to lose tension over time and the spokes are generally not very evenly tensioned (especially on the rear). That's a heck of a lot of work but I may do that with an old wheel set that I want to start using regularly. I'm curious whether anyone else is doing that as well. Maybe we need a thread on how forum members get old wheels road worthy.
#18
weapons-grade bolognium
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Across the street from Chicago
Posts: 6,344
Bikes: Battaglin Cromor, Ciocc Designer 84, Schwinn Superior 1981
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 985 Post(s)
Liked 2,378 Times
in
891 Posts
That really came together nice - great work!
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 2,701
Mentioned: 52 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1136 Post(s)
Liked 650 Times
in
336 Posts
@bikemig these are the go to TA crank decals. Very high quality.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/TA-Speciali...RANSJ&LH_BIN=1
https://www.ebay.com/itm/TA-Speciali...RANSJ&LH_BIN=1
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,435
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 178 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5888 Post(s)
Liked 3,471 Times
in
2,079 Posts
@bikemig these are the go to TA crank decals. Very high quality.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/TA-Speciali...RANSJ&LH_BIN=1
https://www.ebay.com/itm/TA-Speciali...RANSJ&LH_BIN=1
Thanks, these look awesome!
#23
Extraordinary Magnitude
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waukesha WI
Posts: 13,646
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
Mentioned: 84 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2608 Post(s)
Liked 1,699 Times
in
935 Posts
Congratulations!!
This build has been a long time coming, and it’s looking glorious!
Have fun Fall rides with it!!!
This build has been a long time coming, and it’s looking glorious!
Have fun Fall rides with it!!!
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
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.
#25
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,796
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1392 Post(s)
Liked 1,324 Times
in
836 Posts
Just WOW!
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069