Sedgemop 

Thinking about doing this ride on my old Raleigh Super Course. It's set up with 700x32 Gravel Kings and might be just right for the ride. Does anybody have experience with this ride, or plan to take part?


https://www.greatlakesrando.org/our-...ay13-2017-200k

3speedslow

My Randoneur bike, 1977 Le Tour II. Cannondale handle bar bag with saddle bag hold what I need to use. Love how easy it is to shift with the Suntour barcons. Drivetrain is a very smooth 70's Shimano 600 set up. Lots of the original components left but enough new ones to satisfy my long distance comfort. The Brooks Pro is same age as the machine and just hitting its stride.

rhm

I did 300k ride last Saturday along with about 30 other riders, a large enough group that there were plenty of riders faster than myself, as well as those who ride slower. The challenge is always to find someone whose speed matches my own; otherwise I either have to keep up with the fast guys or ride by myself. The usual story.

Well, it wasn't supposed to rain, but it rained off and on all day, not hard enough to make me very uncomfortable, but the roads were wet. No big deal but of all the people I rode behind, no one had a mud flap on his bike. Drafting anyone meant riding in a spray of dirty water.

On these rides, you don't see that many bikes in the classic "randonneur" style with fenders, front bag, dynamo lights, &c, but even among those, no mud flaps.

bikemig 

This is my 1984 Trek 610 set up in "randonneur" mode. That's kind of a fancy word for just setting up a bike so you can do long unsupported rides. No fenders on the bike mainly because I'm digging the 700 x 32c Clement Strade LGG tires (they're comfy, ride great, and weigh all of 295 grams each). I'll need to use 28c tires though if I want to run fenders. The gearing really works for me (48/38/26 up front and 13-28 7 speed on the rear). Other than the brake levers and pedals, the bike is vintage gear (selle anatomica racing 1 saddle, shimano 105 single pivot long reach brakes, shimano 600 110/74 bcd triple crank, shimano deore derailleurs, suntour power ratchet shifters, campy tipo hubs/mavic ma 2 rims, and a blackburn rack).

I know I "should" install bar end shifters but I like the old school statement you make when running downtube shifters so I've resisted making the change.

I like the cateye mount that attaches to the brake bolt. I picked up a cateye 300 cheap with 2 battery packs so I have a pretty long run time. Eventually I'll break down and build a wheel with a generator hub but for now this is working for me. I did a 40 mile early evening ride last yesterday and I like the set up. I have an arkel tail rider when I need more carrying capacity. The front handlebar bag is the Jandd mountain IV bag which is on the small side at 5.5 liters but it holds everything I need (raincoat, food, suntan lotion, wind shell) and it has a map case.

This is not a fancy bike but a real workhorse with reynolds 531cs tubing (531 main triangle, chrome moly fork and stays) and a geometry that is optimized for comfortable all day riding. This bike is a mile eater.

83cannondale

I haven't done it before but I don't think the area between Delavan and Madison WI is especially hilly. You can contact Great Lakes rando through email from their website and get good info as well. The roads should be good. I wouldn't expect gravel. Good luck, see you there. I'm Todd, this is my 3rd ride w glr.

Dustintendo

Fuji royale 650b conversion

bear_a_bug 

I'm hoping to make this one, too. Would be a first time GLR ride for me. Plan on taking this one along, minus the lowriders and the rear saddlebag:

bwilli88 

What are the details about this bike, nice!

bear_a_bug 

Thanks. It was a Gugie-ized bike I put together last fall. Haven't had a chance to really take it on a longer ride (over 80 miles), so I'm looking forward to stretching it out next week on a 200k.

83cannondale

Did you say it's a raleigh Super Course? What year? I like that pump setup. What wheels/tire size r u riding?

83cannondale

Oops - not the Super Course person - sweet ride anyway!
T

bear_a_bug 

It began its life as a 74 Raleigh Super Tourer. I just ordered some period correct-ish decals to confuse everyone who looks at it in the future

The pump peg was brazed on to the seatstay, and unfortunately requires a very specific size of Zefal pump. I'm trying to find a replacement for the inevitable day of my current pump's loss or theft.... I've sourced a few more pumps that looked right from Working Bikes for a few bucks, but they're all off by a cm or two, and just won't fit.

I'm running Compass Babyshoe Pass (42mm) 650b tires. Little clearance in the chainstays, but enough to work just fine. Front fork is the same as the Competition (sloping shoulders).

Gonna need new tires soon and I think I'll splurge on the EL versions.

Sedgemop 

Man, that is seriously good looking and seems ideal for the ride. Maybe I'll see you there. By the way, I live and work near Uptown, so maybe I'll see you around the neighborhood too.

bear_a_bug 

Sure thing. This bike is my main commuter down to the Loop, so if you haven't seen me on it yet, you will!

I'm planning on driving up to Delavan early early next Saturday before the ride starts. Hope to see you there. FYI, My name's Eric.

fender1

+1.

gugie 

The SIR* gang is close to 100% mud flaps, those long, flappy ones that almost drag on the ground. Maybe they should go around the country giving seminars. Or maybe RUSA should promote the use?

*Seattle International Randonneurs

3speedslow

I'm feeling the peer pressure....

That's next on the list.

rhm

Peer pressure ftw!

I just rode home from the station on my Holdsworth, wet wet roads and some serious puddles I couldn't avoid, but my front mudflap was busy the whole way. And my feet are still dry!

gugie 

Flap in the front for me.
Flap in the back for you.

Sedgemop 

My name's Ben. You'll probably see me up and down Clark on a red '78 Super Course.

kingston 

@gugie, You inspired me to put mud-flaps on my randonneuring bike. (I know it’s not C&V) I bought everything I need from the hardware store today.



@Sedgemop, @bear_a_bug & @83cannondale, The Evansville classic was the opening day 200 for many years. I’ve ridden it many times. I’ll be in Delavan next weekend, but I’m riding the 300k. I hope it rains so I can take advantage of my new mud-flaps .

gugie 

Now that's a civilized bike! Put a giant handlebar bag in front of you, and you'll never get wet!

catgita

I don't actually do randonneuring, but it was the perfect bike for my needs. My body proportions don't work for off the shelf geometry, so this one is full custom. I have always struggled to be comfortable on a bike for more than a few hours, now mostly solved. I commute daily on this bike as well as weekend rides of 3-6 hours.

I designed all the geometry and specifications, did engineering calculations to get some tuned flex and good weight distribution, and worked with the builder on tubing selection and details. It is based largely on mid century allroad bikes from Herse and Singer. It was in fabrication when Compass introduced the centerpulls and front rack. I have since changed to the Mais Parallel bar, which is far more comfortable for me. It has 30mm of trail, which gives it amazingly easy and confident handling, regardless of the front load or not.

I can't say it is the fastest I have ridden in terms of pure speed, but anything over 3 hours, I have far more energy and comfort in reserve, so average speeds are good.
https://flickr.com/photos/56845372@N...57683554637615

rhm

Yup. My front mudflap actually does scrape the ground sometimes; I think it kinda curls up when it's dry, but when it's wet it softens up and the end grazes on the ground. No big deal. The rear one does not hang that low, but it seems to do the job.



Meanwhile, I made another change to my bike, specifically to the shifters. It is perfectly visible in this photo, anyone see what it is? I'll explain it in the other thread.

due ruote 

Well, it appears that both front and rear are right-hand operated. I am intrigued. Why is that?