Show off that Randonneur; and let's discuss the bike, the gear, the sport
#301
Senior Member
#302
Wrench Savant
Also FWIW, I've continued to learn and experiment with front end geometry. This frame is probably the last "experimental" one with 650b for me. It's the 73 degree parallel with 73 mm of fork rake that Jan Jeine has heaped so much praise on, and (drum roll please) I hate it. It's way too unstable, especially at very low speeds, and simply requires far too much attention. A replacement fork with 60mm of rake is at the painters right now and should make the bike very friendly. The bottom line is that I'd pretty much decided that 73 degrees with 50 to 65 mm of rake was adequate for almost anything, and then Jan mentioned that Jack Taylor had decided that 73 degrees and two to two-an-a-half inches of raked worked for everything the made. A bit of quick math showed that two inches is about 50mm and two-and-a-half inches is about 64mm
I am not trying to defend high or low trail. I am simply saying that unless you have Jan's bike handy to compare before categorically dismissing any specific measurements.
#303
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Also FWIW, I've continued to learn and experiment with front end geometry. This frame is probably the last "experimental" one with 650b for me. It's the 73 degree parallel with 73 mm of fork rake that Jan Jeine has heaped so much praise on, and (drum roll please) I hate it. It's way too unstable, especially at very low speeds, and simply requires far too much attention. A replacement fork with 60mm of rake is at the painters right now and should make the bike very friendly. The bottom line is that I'd pretty much decided that 73 degrees with 50 to 65 mm of rake was adequate for almost anything, and then Jan mentioned that Jack Taylor had decided that 73 degrees and two to two-an-a-half inches of raked worked for everything the made. A bit of quick math showed that two inches is about 50mm and two-and-a-half inches is about 64mm. Light bulb...
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1 Super Record bike, 1 Nuovo Record bike, 1 Pista, 1 Road, 1 Cyclocross/Allrounder, 1 MTB, 1 Touring, 1 Fixed gear
1 Super Record bike, 1 Nuovo Record bike, 1 Pista, 1 Road, 1 Cyclocross/Allrounder, 1 MTB, 1 Touring, 1 Fixed gear
#304
Senior Member
Well done! I love those 80s Japanese tourers, especially when updated to retro (I know, sounds kinda ironic) French rando/cyclotouriste style bikes. Japanese tourers of 80s vintage were very well built and tend to ride impressively smoothly and stably.
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#305
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Lots of great talk about Rando bikes and the sport in this thread. I'd like know what y'all think about Audax: I participated in an Audax of sorts last year in a 12 hour cycling event "the 12 hours of St. Pete". It was, really, more of an Audax [I]and[I] Randonneuring event, as riders could register as either "solo" or in groups of 3 or 4. Each category had it's own victor based on mileage & laps completed on a course with set checkpoints.
I competed as a solo entry, but "teamed up" with other solo riders and we supported each other, and shared in the effort. It was an awesome time. I completed 130 miles that day.
Last year I rode my mid-1970's Bob Jackson Audax; a truly purpose built audax bike, with full Reynolds 531, "sporty" geometry, & it requires long reach center pull brakes so it can fit fenders and 27" wheels. It is definitely not a Rando bike, no fat tire clearance, no front load geo...it's meant to be ridden in audax events, in the British style, in a group, with a rear saddle bag. I built it up over a few months with all period-correct mix of French, British, and Japanese components of the same era. I'm currently in the process of re-building as I've put a lot of miles on it since the build up.

Bob Jackson Audax by (cobrabyte), on Flickr
The prior year, I rode my Kilo TT fixed gear bike
I completed 115 painfull miles lol the Bob Jackson certainly made the next year a more pleasurable experience.

Mercier Kilo TT by (cobrabyte), on Flickr
Any of you other guys have an "Audax" bike? I'd like to see some other examples.
I competed as a solo entry, but "teamed up" with other solo riders and we supported each other, and shared in the effort. It was an awesome time. I completed 130 miles that day.
Last year I rode my mid-1970's Bob Jackson Audax; a truly purpose built audax bike, with full Reynolds 531, "sporty" geometry, & it requires long reach center pull brakes so it can fit fenders and 27" wheels. It is definitely not a Rando bike, no fat tire clearance, no front load geo...it's meant to be ridden in audax events, in the British style, in a group, with a rear saddle bag. I built it up over a few months with all period-correct mix of French, British, and Japanese components of the same era. I'm currently in the process of re-building as I've put a lot of miles on it since the build up.

Bob Jackson Audax by (cobrabyte), on Flickr
The prior year, I rode my Kilo TT fixed gear bike


Mercier Kilo TT by (cobrabyte), on Flickr
Any of you other guys have an "Audax" bike? I'd like to see some other examples.
#306
~>~
#307
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Inspired by the bikes I see in Bike Quarterly and having an urge to pick up the bike from my youth I decided to combine the two inspirations in to a single bike. It started as a low end Fuji (Supreme) from 1982 with a poor paint job and after being re-painted by Southwest Frameworks I added a new 46/30 crank, an 8 speed 105 drivetrain, and bar end shifters. Top it off with aluminum fenders, 32mm tires, a Carradice in the back and a Arkel small handlebar bag up front along with dynamo lighting and this is my version:

#308
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#309
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#310
Senior Member
That is a Roll Bag made by Acorn Bags. The color is Ranger Tan. https://www.acornbags.com/rollbag.html
The front bag is a Mini Rando Bag in Ranger Tan, also by Acorn Bags. https://www.acornbags.com/minirandobag.html
They're a little hard to obtain as they are produced in limited quantities by a husband and wife team in Southern California. I got on their e-mail notification list and eventually purchased mine through their on-line store. The quality is outstanding and they have lots of thoughtful features. The waxed canvas material looks great on a bike like this.
The front bag is a Mini Rando Bag in Ranger Tan, also by Acorn Bags. https://www.acornbags.com/minirandobag.html
They're a little hard to obtain as they are produced in limited quantities by a husband and wife team in Southern California. I got on their e-mail notification list and eventually purchased mine through their on-line store. The quality is outstanding and they have lots of thoughtful features. The waxed canvas material looks great on a bike like this.
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Lots of great talk about Rando bikes and the sport in this thread. I'd like know what y'all think about Audax: I participated in an Audax of sorts last year in a 12 hour cycling event "the 12 hours of St. Pete". It was, really, more of an Audax [I]and[I] Randonneuring event, as riders could register as either "solo" or in groups of 3 or 4. Each category had it's own victor based on mileage & laps completed on a course with set checkpoints.
#313
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That is a Roll Bag made by Acorn Bags. The color is Ranger Tan. https://www.acornbags.com/rollbag.html
The front bag is a Mini Rando Bag in Ranger Tan, also by Acorn Bags. https://www.acornbags.com/minirandobag.html
They're a little hard to obtain as they are produced in limited quantities by a husband and wife team in Southern California. I got on their e-mail notification list and eventually purchased mine through their on-line store. The quality is outstanding and they have lots of thoughtful features. The waxed canvas material looks great on a bike like this.
The front bag is a Mini Rando Bag in Ranger Tan, also by Acorn Bags. https://www.acornbags.com/minirandobag.html
They're a little hard to obtain as they are produced in limited quantities by a husband and wife team in Southern California. I got on their e-mail notification list and eventually purchased mine through their on-line store. The quality is outstanding and they have lots of thoughtful features. The waxed canvas material looks great on a bike like this.
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So many bikes, so little dime.
So many bikes, so little dime.
#314
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Thanks Saguaro and djkashuba
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FWIW- You will note that a very small difference in trail (1-cm or so) causes the bike to handle a bit differently. The fact is that the amount of weight distribution on the front wheel will affect how the bike handles in concert with trail. Longer stem, higher bars, in the drops, on the hoods, longer chain stays, angles, shorter top tube, etc all changes the weight distribution. Some subtly, some not so much (175 lbs body with a weight distribution of 45/55% F/R changes to 40/60%), but the effects can be noticeable.
I am not trying to defend high or low trail. I am simply saying that unless you have Jan's bike handy to compare before categorically dismissing any specific measurements.
I am not trying to defend high or low trail. I am simply saying that unless you have Jan's bike handy to compare before categorically dismissing any specific measurements.
#316
Senior Member
I don't like really low trail. I don't like it at 220 pounds and I don't like it at 165 pounds. I don't like with with a heavily loaded handlebar bag and I don't like it with no load at all. I don't like it with my bars way up in the air and I don't like it with my bars well below the saddle.
#317
Senior Member

my Zunow randonneur, modernized with Chorus 9 speed. all it needs is a Berthoud bag up front.
#318
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Damn, that's badass, great work. Is that the Rene Herse crank?
Last edited by Orrery; 08-16-13 at 07:30 AM.
#319
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Catnap, have you gotten a chance to take your Zunow on a long ride yet?
Here is my 1981 Bianchi Limited that I converted to 650B. It still has the original Dia Compe brake levers, SR stem, and Suntour shifters, while everything else is modern. The conversion to 650B worked out extremely well for me, this bike is really fun to ride.
Here is my 1981 Bianchi Limited that I converted to 650B. It still has the original Dia Compe brake levers, SR stem, and Suntour shifters, while everything else is modern. The conversion to 650B worked out extremely well for me, this bike is really fun to ride.

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#320
Senior Member
No, it's the Sugino Pro Dynamic crank and matching chainrings. looks similar to the Herse crank though, probably intentional on Sugino's part. The chainrings are very rare and I went to some trouble to find them.
Yes, I brought it up to my parents' house in the Berkshire mountains and put about 100 miles on it across three days' worth of riding. it's everything i hoped it would be!
Originally Posted by rowebr
Catnap, have you gotten a chance to take your Zunow on a long ride yet?
#321
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Not sure what fair market value might be, but there's a nice 58cm Terraferma Randoneur frame on the 'bay right now (True Temper Platinum OX tubing with Honjo fenders): https://www.ebay.com/itm/Terraferma-R...item35ca989476
Catnap, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE looking at your Zunow!
Catnap, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE looking at your Zunow!
#322
Senior Member
#323
Senior Member
Not sure what fair market value might be, but there's a nice 58cm Terraferma Randoneur frame on the 'bay right now (True Temper Platinum OX tubing with Honjo fenders): https://www.ebay.com/itm/Terraferma-R...item35ca989476
Catnap, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE looking at your Zunow!
Catnap, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE looking at your Zunow!
I was going to do D2R2, but I'm moving in two weeks so I felt that I should stay home and spend the weekend packing boxes.

#324
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Can I stop staring at that Zunow? Nope. Nope I can't.
I got to build up my motorbacon pronto, the last 200k's of the season are next month and I'd like to try one.
I got to build up my motorbacon pronto, the last 200k's of the season are next month and I'd like to try one.
#325
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