|
Originally Posted by zodiac
(Post 23610910)
The bike performed beautifully on the 19 day trip, biggest concern was the "micro drive" chainset, my existing cluster was a 28t so the idea was with that 20t small chain ring Id have enough gear for hill climbing and one less part to chase down, but wasn't sure if Id have a big enough high gear, ended up being almost perfect and spent the majority of the time in the middle chain ring, it just looks funny on a bike of that type.type.
Now, don't get me going on Ovaltech/BioPace vs round... |
Originally Posted by 25.4TPI
(Post 23598059)
I’ve spent a ton of time exploring the subject. It looks like it’s a hard row to hoe for a lot of folks.
Seems there’s a few models that miiight work with this particular bike, but not guaranteed. After speaking with some folks it turns out that brazing new three hole bosses on (and a mostly matched paint job to hide the work) would probably cost less than crapshooting the few old canti sets that might make it work. However, I do plan to grab a handful of old cantis from our local co-op that’ll work with the old narrow post spacing and have some adjustment, just to check my work against some 700c wheels before I have someone hacking away at the frame. Appreciate the helpful suggestion nevertheless! I wouldn't mess around with DiaCompe stuff- but if you don't like Shimano, the ones people seem to have the best luck with are the 981 and I'm personally using XC Pros- the champagne colored ones. I do have a set of 981s, but I haven't tried them on any of my 700C conversions. While there are people that have luck with a specific brake on specific bikes and other people don't have the same luck with the same brake on the same model bike- the brake that seems to pretty much always work and perform well is the XT M732. |
Originally Posted by The Golden Boy
(Post 23611669)
I was going to ask about that- I know there's a lot of things you can switch and mismatch and everything... I was always into 28/38/50- and then with everyone that does the compact double pretty much tops out at the 46. So when I see a MD chainset, I I like triples, and maybe this is something I should think about... I'm not a strong rider, and especially less so the past few years- but the 46 leaves gears on the table for me.
Now, don't get me going on Ovaltech/BioPace vs round... |
Originally Posted by zodiac
(Post 23571745)
I originally bought this off ebay for a very good price with a strange collection of more racer oriented parts 1" rims with 22mm tires, double crankset, close ratio cluster, short cage rear derailleur, etc. Stripped everything off and sold most, it ended hanging in my garage till I finally got motivated to build it up and take a real tour. A lot of parts I know I had and had planned on using somehow had vanished over the years and gathering up all the mostly vintage parts before my planned departure date became a challenge with some compromises made, will post another set of pics once it's cleaned up.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...da1b9731b.jpeg Nice looking bike. |
Originally Posted by zodiac
(Post 23611888)
If you do use that particular crankset on a 720 it requires a 105mm to 107mm BB spindle, I used up a lot of time getting the chainline somewhat correct AND getting it to shift smoothly into all 3 sprockets, I was buying the $15 cheapo shimano UN300 sealed BBs from Amazon, going through 3 of them till it was right. I have since bought a NOS Suntour Supberbe Pro BB (paid waaay too much, sigh) to swap in there but left on the journey with that $15 BB, I had read horror stories of them self destructing in short order, then about 5 days into it we had 2 days of almost solid rain and I started getting a squeaking sound from BB, crazy ideas going through my head, considering how I was going to repair it out on the road, till after about a day of listening to it squeak i realized it was just the wet sole of my shoe rubbing on the crank arm. dohhhh. My other concern is the long term longevity and availability of replacements for that tiny front chainring, planning on replacing the chain often and clean and oiled, which can be tough to do out there in adverse conditions. I have browsed through some of the older threads about the 720 and have seen a lot of emphasis on keeping it original and its worth so much more if all original, etc. Well I have this to say about that: first of all a great many were shipped as bare frames and built to order for the customer, or the particular bike shop built it up as they saw fit, I believe a fully factory built 720 is actually a 728? That being said what would be considered orignal parts arent anything to get all that excited about, Maillard + HelicoMatic rear hub and freewheel? simplex and huret derailleurs? those in house Trek rims? IMO you can build a better bike with somewhat period correct but better parts.
That whole- “out in the middle of nowhere” creak or squeak- and your mind gets going on how your front wheel is going to disintegrate… yeah…. As far as changing parts on a 720. First- the 720/728 thing was just the first year- the 1982. The 83-85 bikes were 720s. Yes, I’ve heard of unbuilt 720s (or bikes built with non-standard period parts direct from the shop)- but the vast vast majority of bikes were built with the standard build (I think there were issues with Huret front derailleurs mid run). My personal opinion- I think the stock 720 parts were great for the time. There were better parts at the time for some things… but over the years so much better parts have come out. I think the Maillard 700 front hub is outstanding. As silly as it sounds, the Helicomatic/Duopar combo was actually the smoothest friction shifting rear end I’ve ever experienced. But I had a problem with a Duopar before- and the second this thing felt the slightest bit janky I replaced the Duopar and then the wheels when I got the chance. As far as value- I got most of my bikes around peak value time- and the value on old tourers has plummeted. I wouldn’t be able to get what I paid for out of these bikes, stock or not stock. If I did sell, I’d have to return as close to stock as possible and part out the valuable stuff. Prior to ‘restomodding’ my 720, my 620 got the most amount of miles. After doing the restomod, it’s mostly been my 720- I have to really force myself to ride other bikes. I eventually built up my 620 similar to the 720, but I still love the 720. I get people liking old stuff to stay old, but life’s too short to not ride the good ****. |
Originally Posted by The Golden Boy
(Post 23612080)
That’s nutty about the XC Pro crank- I’ve got a standard “not MD” XC Pro crankset set aside for that “someday” bike. My 720 is currently running a Sugino AT with an old Suntour VX sealed BB. I’ve played with the idea of getting an SKF or another Phil BB for it- but the VX had really low miles and it still feels super… but it is 41 years old…
That whole- “out in the middle of nowhere” creak or squeak- and your mind gets going on how your front wheel is going to disintegrate… yeah…. As far as changing parts on a 720. First- the 720/728 thing was just the first year- the 1982. The 83-85 bikes were 720s. Yes, I’ve heard of unbuilt 720s (or bikes built with non-standard period parts direct from the shop)- but the vast vast majority of bikes were built with the standard build (I think there were issues with Huret front derailleurs mid run). My personal opinion- I think the stock 720 parts were great for the time. There were better parts at the time for some things… but over the years so much better parts have come out. I think the Maillard 700 front hub is outstanding. As silly as it sounds, the Helicomatic/Duopar combo was actually the smoothest friction shifting rear end I’ve ever experienced. But I had a problem with a Duopar before- and the second this thing felt the slightest bit janky I replaced the Duopar and then the wheels when I got the chance. As far as value- I got most of my bikes around peak value time- and the value on old tourers has plummeted. I wouldn’t be able to get what I paid for out of these bikes, stock or not stock. If I did sell, I’d have to return as close to stock as possible and part out the valuable stuff. Prior to ‘restomodding’ my 720, my 620 got the most amount of miles. After doing the restomod, it’s mostly been my 720- I have to really force myself to ride other bikes. I eventually built up my 620 similar to the 720, but I still love the 720. I get people liking old stuff to stay old, but life’s too short to not ride the good ****. After saying all that I have recently acquired yet another 720 (featured in the saved from the scrap heap thread) that actually has the majority of the original parts and I plan on getting it as close to original as I can, it looks horrible now but will clean up nicely. |
Originally Posted by The Golden Boy
(Post 23612080)
(I think there were issues with Huret front derailleurs mid run).
|
Originally Posted by JohnDThompson
(Post 23612672)
The 720 was originally spec'ed with a Huret Jubilee front derailleur. Breakage issues on the assembly line led to using a Simplex LJ front derailleur instead (product manager Harry Spehar was a big fan of French components).
The plastic/delrin on my Simplex FD is kind of grey and sorta janky, so it sits in a box. I think it was cool to add some continental flair to those bikes. |
Meral Super Randonneur
Hi everyone
Here is my neat examples of old Meral touring bicycles https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e46a65e0f.jpeg The blue : city configuration https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...37feb2cfc.jpeg and the black, travel configuration (without the reak racks) https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e1b2cd442.jpeg black again, with all racks |
One of my two Mariposa’s, made in Toronto, Ontario in 1981. I’ve just spent a ridiculous amount of time stripping the paint down to bare metal because the decals were flaking off, and will be re-spraying it next month with original decals from Mariposa. I’ll post up some pics after it’s redone.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d409e94da.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...29432751e.jpeg some more detail photos on my Flickr site at https://www.flickr.com/photos/markbe...7718517416880/ |
Originally Posted by Mark Beaver
(Post 23639295)
One of my two Mariposa’s, made in Toronto, Ontario in 1981. I’ve just spent a ridiculous amount of time stripping the paint down to bare metal because the decals were flaking off, and will be re-spraying it next month with original decals from Mariposa. I’ll post up some pics after it’s redone.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d409e94da.jpeg Stunning bike. --Shannon |
Originally Posted by ricohman
(Post 4824147)
That is THE original Cateye LCD odometer.
I bought it new in 1983. I can't believe it still works. |
Originally Posted by ShannonM
(Post 23639734)
Doth mine eye deceive, or ben't that a full Record OR build, with the "Tandem" cantilevers?
Stunning bike. --Shannon |
hi
I'm in Uk. Have contacted admin since i dont know how to start a thread.....i am interested in 50s 60s....mainly track bikes,,,,,bought my first Holdsworth...built to order in about 1960 (aged 16). Have just bought a week ago an incomplete lugless 1950s Gillott track, or supposed to be Gillott,,,,but although the forks are correct, the number is 29758...does not look like a Gillott number. Dont know where on here to start asking about that. 2 days ago bought another Gillott....to get the wheels mainly.....fiammes on rare red large flange airlite hubs. Am going to take the forks off to put on my 1950 Claude Butler track iron...which has non standard forks.......i believe from the numbering it may have belonged to Reg Harris who rode CB bikes an amateur. The Gillott forks are quite close as regards crown design to the proper Claude Butler period forks. Anyway, if you can point me to where to talk about 50s/60s stuff, it would be useful. Regards Terry |
Originally Posted by Mark Beaver
(Post 23639831)
The Mariposa was built up with a variety of components that I had - the cranks and rear derailleur are early Campy Euclid; C-Record front mech and C-Record high flange hubs; Super Record upper headset and brake levers; and Deore XT canti’s. I kinda wish I could find some Campag brakes at a reasonable price but not much around these days.
After a year of searching... and they cost me 300 bucks. The Gods only know what they'd fetch now. Could be a grand, could be $17.97 + shipping... I've got no clue. --Shannon |
Originally Posted by Mark Beaver
(Post 23639831)
The Mariposa was built up with a variety of components that I had - the cranks and rear derailleur are early Campy Euclid; C-Record front mech and C-Record high flange hubs; Super Record upper headset and brake levers; and Deore XT canti’s. I kinda wish I could find some Campag brakes at a reasonable price but not much around these days.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...selection.html post #41 |
Originally Posted by deek123456
(Post 23640213)
hi
I'm in Uk. Have contacted admin since i dont know how to start a thread.....i am interested in 50s 60s....mainly track bikes,,,,,bought my first Holdsworth...built to order in about 1960 (aged 16). Have just bought a week ago an incomplete lugless 1950s Gillott track, or supposed to be Gillott,,,,but although the forks are correct, the number is 29758...does not look like a Gillott number. Dont know where on here to start asking about that. 2 days ago bought another Gillott....to get the wheels mainly.....fiammes on rare red large flange airlite hubs. Am going to take the forks off to put on my 1950 Claude Butler track iron...which has non standard forks.......i believe from the numbering it may have belonged to Reg Harris who rode CB bikes an amateur. The Gillott forks are quite close as regards crown design to the proper Claude Butler period forks. Anyway, if you can point me to where to talk about 50s/60s stuff, it would be useful. Regards Terry |
Originally Posted by agrabois
(Post 23639201)
Hi everyone
Here is my neat examples of old Meral touring bicycles https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e46a65e0f.jpeg The blue : city configuration https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...37feb2cfc.jpeg and the black, travel configuration (without the reak racks) https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e1b2cd442.jpeg black again, with all racks Thank you for sharing! (I would love to see more pictures of them!) |
Originally Posted by Mark Beaver
(Post 23639295)
some more detail photos on my Flickr site at https://www.flickr.com/photos/markbe...7718517416880/
Are the "sheriff's star" hubs a conscious choice- or was it what you had around? I love high flange hubs and think those are among the most beautiful hubs ever- but I've *read* that durability may not be their strong suit, and using those on a loaded tourer doesn't seem like their intended purpose. While I've seen pictures of broken hubs, it seems I've seen more Campagnolo "sheriff's star" hubs than anything. Also- I have ZERO experience with them and I'm just going off things I've read. And I would totally use a set of those Electra Ticino hubs in a heartbeat! |
Originally Posted by The Golden Boy
(Post 23640588)
These are beautiful!!! There's someone else here with one of these- everything about it seems so high-class and special.
Thank you for sharing! (I would love to see more pictures of them!) I can share some that are already in the computer, First, the black one : All components are original, - full Reynolds 531 7/10 with optional front and rear camper racks (52x52) - maxi car hubs - ideale 90 saddle - mafac 2000 brakes - huret duopar titane derailleurs and shifters - TA cyclotourisme 50/40/30 - sanyo dynapower generator - dural fenders - now with grand bois 650x32 tires https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a1914660f.jpeg Front view https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f54144e6d.jpeg Front rack with integrated lighting wires https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e0b025273.jpeg front badge https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...534528fb0.jpeg Original decal https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...83faf7879.jpeg Original Reynolds decal Now the blue, I have less pictures of this one, I have fully rebuilt, from a frameset, identical from the black, albeit longer 51x54. I started with a randoneuring built bu changed to a city bike, hence the porteur handlebar - Wheels are maxicar as well but with 650x38 tires (also from grand bois) - fender are from velo orange - front rack is from studio brisant in germany https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...49ff19159.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c130cb54f.jpeg BONUS a mixte frame, also meral, that I have converted to 650B for one of my daughters - Columbus SL frameset - originally a racing build with course handlebars, no fenders https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d8e2c2062.jpeg full view https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...62ed8ff25.jpeg ideale saddle, women version https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d0ea7e1f2.jpeg Downtube decals with simplex shifters |
New to me Shogun 500. I decided not to replace the saddle yet: If I didn't like how it rode or fitted why spend money on a new saddle.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e72221734.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0c37cce12.jpeg After a short overnight tour. It's a keeper but will need some changes: a taller stem, lower gearing and a replacement saddle. |
Originally Posted by Pompiere
(Post 22247325)
I just got this Cannondale tourer last Friday. The serial number says it was made in July 1989, but the color and cantilever brakes point to it being a 1990 ST400. It has several non-original parts, including 27 inch front wheel and 700 rear, but the frame should clean up nice. It also has front fork mounts for the pair of Blackburn Custom Lowrider racks I bought by mistake last year.https://www.bikeforums.net/images/smilies/redface.gif I have bunch of spare parts that I was looking for a frame to go with, so I am not worried about originality so much as functionality.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...cc84f88c5d.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4d83c58ca3.jpg 1990 Cannondale ST400 |
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:59 AM. |
Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.