de Reus - Initial impressions (long) . . .
 

. . . (after 15 minutes noodling around the neighborhood).

Yesterday I got a wild hair and decided it was time to build
up the de Reus that I recently acquired from the Netherlands.
I apologize here and now for a) the lack of pictures, it just ain't picture
ready yet. and b) my gushing enthusiasm for this bike.
I amassed what componentry I have at hand, mostly a mixed year
Super Record drivetrain and pedals, Modolo Professional brakeset
and a cheap Tange headset (the S. Record one is in hiding, for the life
of me I can't find the little bugger).
The Reus for this excercise was shod with Matrix rims and Michelin
Pro race tires (these off of my 85 Trek as I don't have any other 6 speed
wheels built (yet)). Saddle is a Flite Ti mounted on Campy NR stem.
3TTT stem and Cinelli Giro D'Italia bars (old logo).
Right here and now let me say, there is a world of difference between
a true Race bike, and everything else I've been riding. My daily rider
is an 89 Serotta steel frame/fork in and of itself no slouch, but it
pales in comparison to the Reus.
The Reus was built for fast criteriums on roads that the Northern
Classics run on.
This bike just flies, any input to the pedals is immediately translated
to a smooth acceleration. The bike defines nimble, it carves a turn as
if its on rails. And yah, it likes to dive into corners.
There is nothing of "sport tourer" in this one, it is a purpose built
machine yet gives up nothing in the way of comfort.
I can ride this no handed, but as I told s70Rguy it
constantly tells you "hey,pay attention" and will try to dump you off.

There is a joy to listening to a Regina or Suntour freewheel ticking
over as opposed to modern cassettes which seem to clunk to my ear.

Tonight I'll put the Tubulars on (mavic GP4 rims) and wrap the
handle bars (I'm leaning towards white Fi'zi:K bar tape, nice faux leather)
and it should be closer to photo ready. . .
The stripes look rather muted now, not sure if its the white
saddle and full componentry or I'm just getting used to it.

Oh yeah, almost forgot, it's got the ULTIMATE poseur accoutrement
a race number braze on! woooohooooo. . .

Marty