To think i almost sold it.
Got an aluminum specialized alez and didnt like it. i had this bike restored to original. Bikes mid life crisis so now its a 88 with 2014 mavic wheels and 105 group set.
I did keep the cinelli stem and bars.
Before :
http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...R/89LETOUR.jpg


After:
[IMG]http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...208_074523.jpg[/IMG]

thinking about adding some 32 cx gravel tire. Its a touring bike and i had to put some shimano br-450 calipers to reach the 700x23c new wheel/tire .

Shameless bump for my steel rescue.

It's a beautiful frame but the execution could be better, plus based on the set up it looks a bit big for you. A polished seatpost and polished level quill stem would go a long way to making it look better. You could compensate for the long reach by using a no-setback seatpost and a shorter stem.

Looks like a good fit based on a fist of seat post and a similar amount of stem. Modern would dictate a half foot of post and a longer stem, but here we are in C&V...

Like it all but the bar tape and would flip the stem myself. Other than that, what’s not to love...?

^^^ What he said.

I’m not seeing the fit issue. That stem might be goofy- if it’s sticking out to the front almost a foot or so...

I do agree that polished components would make a world of difference on here- but it’s not bad by any stretch of the imagination.

I somehow missed the Sachs both times it was posted. I like it.

Normally I think vintage bikes need silver/polished components but I think black works in a few cases and red bikes like this are one of those cases.

If I had to critique, the water bottle detracts from the photo, I agree the bar tape is too much, and I don't like the threadless stem.

I still think the seatpost is a bit low, but perhaps the shape of the more modern one is making it look worse than it is. The stem is the wrong choice, and it looks bad lifting the bars up that high.
But this is not the hot or not thread, I was just commenting as the picture was uploaded for comments I thought, not just endless praise:) I still maintain it would look better with traditional stem and seatpost but yeah it's not bad. Lovely looking frame, and Campy is nice stuff.

When did this thread turn into Hot or Not? A red and white bike is always pretty! If we are in critiquing mode, all I can see is that crank.

I think it depends on the bike. If a bike has the potential to be really hot but for some reason isn't, it brings out the critics. If the bike is just kind of homely, everyone will smile and nod encouragingly.

1974 Raleigh International with 11-speed Campagnolo Athena drivetrain

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4648/...9802f565_b.jpg

You may have seen this frame recently in [MENTION=381793]gugie[/MENTION]'s "good day to save some frames" thread. If you look really closely you can see that the tip of the front drive-side fork blade isn't shiny due to having had a new dropout brazed on. I think I can live with that. I had been planning to have the fork re-chromed, but when I saw what an excellent job he did with the repair I thought "maybe just some chrome paint" and so far I haven't even bothered with that.

The question of the day: how's it ride?

I have to start with a few caveats...I've only ridden it 10 miles, playing in traffic, with temperatures in the mid-30's, and (as is my standard practice for first rides of new builds) I had the handlebars setup about 1-2 degrees off square. In spite of all that my initial impression was very favorable. It's not quite as snappy as the Montello, but very comfortable. It did a great job floating over pavement irregularities and the standard bike lanes debris -- very plush considering the skinny little tires I'm using barely check in at 30mm wide. Handling seems to be relatively neutral, though I didn't really push it anywhere. At this point I'd say it's most similar to the Grand Record.

Brifters, and brifters on a 1974 bike. And 11-speed! Looks good on there, quite natural really. So far, it's the earliest (year of bike) I've seen this shifting mechanism on a bike, and the earliest that it's looked just fine on one. Colors are great on this, as is the general proportion of everything. :thumb:

Classy!

Thanks! You know, I wasn't really feeling the inspiration for this build until I test fit a fender but then seeing how the glossy black looked with the champagne paint I was pretty sure I had a winner.

I'm still not quite sure about the crank, but I'm pretty happy with the rest of the drivetrain and I don't know what else would go with it. I think the crank looked better on the red Pinarello I had it on before. This seatpost needs to go, but that's an east fix.

I have a question that should be perfect for the retro-roadie crowd: Is there anybody here who is using current or recent Campagnolo quick release skewers on a bike with horizontal dropouts?


I'm asking because I got a new set of Campy Zondas, and they came with skewers, but the skewers have the exposed cam. I think I've been told here on bikeforums that exposed cam skewers don't clamp firmly enough for use on a bike with horizontal dropouts...but these are Campy skewers, surely Campy knows how to make good skewers!?


My Shimano skewers are the traditional enclosed cam type and have never slipped in the horizontal dropouts.

Horrizontal dropouts need internal cam skewers. Sinole as that.

Those Campy skewers are probably awesome...on a vertical dropout bike.

Nice Fuso! What's the gruppo?

Trek 420 touring bike. From Sport LX triple to 105 8s STI.

Thanks! It's 11 spd Athena with carbon levers and Ultratorque cranks.

Frame i used spray.bike on to home paint.
It is a Centurion Ironman/Novara Trionfo.

I used parts i had on hand except for Soma hwy1 bars, 9sp Tiagra shifters, and a Tange Sekai BB.

With the frame and paint, it was $230 total and rodes really well.

63cm frame and weighs 23.55# with pedals and bottle cages. Its black with a green flake top coat.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4652/...453224b2_c.jpg
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4773/...210f0e4e_b.jpg

The point of this build was to:
a. Qwn a Sachs frame in the colors I liked the best,
b. See if a steel frame, built with the latest, greatest components, could be relevant in the era of carbon fiber, and
c. Make it comfortable for me to ride.

Since the photo I replaced the seat post with a straight one. And I smile every time I look at my gaudy handlebar tape.

At less than 17 lbs as pictured, it is a sweet ride.

And the water bottle, even though it is a Sachs, is not a fashion accessory. It holds water, to drink.

The only thing I can dispute about this is the water bottle. Sure, it's not a fashion accessory. So take it off for the picture.

But otherwise, yeah, it's a fantastic looking bike and if you like the bar tape that's all that matters.

Less than 17 pounds? That's pretty impressive.