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-   -   Newbie joining the C&V ranks! (https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/553198-newbie-joining-c-v-ranks.html)

invisiblehand 06-18-09 12:08 PM

Newbie joining the C&V ranks!
 
Just wanted to say "Hi" to everyone in Classic and Vintage. I just picked up a Austro-Daimler Vent Noir. It was originally paid for in 1981. I got it from a good bud who -- lucky for me -- was looking to thin the ranks. It has 1st generation Dura Ace components with a SunTour freewheel on the rear.

Quick question: I have the original short cage rear derailer and a dura-ace long cage (GS) rear derailer for the bike. Will the derailer work with a 14-34 SunTour touring freewheel? Arlington is pretty hilly.

Thanks.

Ex Pres 06-18-09 12:26 PM

You'll have to go with the long cage for sure, unless it's a single up front.
Even then, a DA may not really like a 34t, but I'd try it. What are you using up front (ring count)? We're going to calculate chain-wrap here.

And I lived in Annandale back when (WTW '76 here). Arlington is not hilly :)
Now the Kennedy house did sit up on a nice little rise overlooking their spread. (I was a worker bee putting in their Grasstex tennis court)

invisiblehand 06-18-09 12:52 PM


Originally Posted by Bob Barker (Post 9124901)
You'll have to go with the long cage for sure, unless it's a single up front.
Even then, a DA may not really like a 34t, but I'd try it. What are you using up front (ring count)? We're going to calculate chain-wrap here.

And I lived in Annandale back when (WTW '76 here). Arlington is not hilly :)
Now the Kennedy house did sit up on a nice little rise overlooking their spread. (I was a worker bee putting in their Grasstex tennis court)

:lol:

It all depends on where you ride in Arlington. But it is definitely true that "hilly" is a relative term both with regards to geography and personal horsepower. ;)

Just eye-balling it with a 24t big cog and the short cage rear derailer -- but the jockey pulley looks identical across the models -- it looks like it will be tight.

You know ... I don't know what the chainring sizes are for sure. But I would think either 52-42 or 52-39. Then again, I know little about these classic bikes. I only know that this bike rides great. I am shocked by how comfortable it rides ... even with relatively skinny 27 x 1" tires.

On that note, I believe that the best 27" tires out there are the Panaracer Pasellas and the Continental Ultra/Four Season/whatever. Both claim to be 32 mm wide -- wide is good by my taste -- but is it the case the the Continentals run narrow as with their 700c tires?

Another question: I need a classic-looking saddle for the bike. Does this mean I have to get a Brooks saddle?!? I'd like to keep the vintage look but I want it to be comfortable. For a guy who typically uses Terry Fly saddles, does anyone have a good recommendation for a model? Any alternatives to a Brooks?

lotek 06-18-09 01:12 PM

No you don't need to get a Brooks, look at the Selle San Marco Regal and the Rolls saddles. Both
classics still in production.
Lived in Annandale for a while, then 16 years in Falls Church and commuted by bike to Arlington Hospital.
Yes Arlington has some hills, I'm thinking Yorktown Road and Little falls Road.

Marty

RobbieTunes 06-18-09 02:27 PM

Arlington, not bad. Alexandria to Mount Vernon and back, great, relaxing ride.

invisiblehand 06-18-09 04:00 PM

Thanks for the pointers on the alternative saddles. :thumb:

TheDL 06-18-09 07:35 PM

Wow, lots of Astro's popping up lately, very nice.

Pics please. :thumb:

invisiblehand 06-19-09 08:48 AM

Will add pictures soon. Weekdays tend to be very busy with work and the boy.

John E 06-19-09 09:01 AM

A Vent Noir is definitely a great way to break into C&V! (OK, some of us are biased in favor of Austrian frames. :) ) I don't know about the Shimano Dura-Ace line, but SunTour's long-cage derailleurs always had the jockey pulley centered on the cage pivot, which provided ample clearance for a 34T low gear cog. If you currently have 52-42 / 14-16-18-21-24, which was a very popular 1.5-step gearing system in the 1970s, you can either use the long cage rear derailleur and a larger set of freewheel cogs, as you are proposing, or you may want to consider keeping your short-cage derailleur and switching to a compact crankset. I was able to run 48-45-34 / 13-15-17-19-21-24 with a short cage SunTour Cyclone II rear derailleur, for a bottom gear of about 38 gear-inches, which is a very noticeable 20 percent lower than your current 47-incher.

invisiblehand 06-19-09 11:30 AM


Originally Posted by John E (Post 9129940)
A Vent Noir is definitely a great way to break into C&V! (OK, some of us are biased in favor of Austrian frames. :) ) I don't know about the Shimano Dura-Ace line, but SunTour's long-cage derailleurs always had the jockey pulley centered on the cage pivot, which provided ample clearance for a 34T low gear cog. If you currently have 52-42 / 14-16-18-21-24, which was a very popular 1.5-step gearing system in the 1970s, you can either use the long cage rear derailleur and a larger set of freewheel cogs, as you are proposing, or you may want to consider keeping your short-cage derailleur and switching to a compact crankset. I was able to run 48-45-34 / 13-15-17-19-21-24 with a short cage SunTour Cyclone II rear derailleur, for a bottom gear of about 38 gear-inches, which is a very noticeable 20 percent lower than your current 47-incher.

I have a funny feeling that a lot of people here are also on Classic Rendevous. Consequently, people know Harvey and will get a quick intro from me in a bit. I have been interested in classic bikes for a while and Harvey made jumping into the water very easy. I really can't thank him enough. I've eye'd his Vent Noir for years. I think it is a great looking bike that rides remarkably smooth; although I should write that to my knowledge, this is the only 531 bike I have ever ridden.

At the time of purchase, I knew that IRD still makes freewheels with 32-tooth cogs. So I asked Harvey whether a 32 would fit the long cage derailer and he answered yes. But someone on the iBOB list was selling a NOS 14-34 SunTour touring freewheel that would give it a more authentic feel, IMO. I ended up buying it -- $50 with shipping -- and figured that it would be worth a shot. I'd like to keep the rest of the group together.

custermustache 06-19-09 01:34 PM

It's not a classic saddle, but the Selle An Atomica Titanico is a really nice leather saddle that looks great on a classic and really rides nice, plus it has the longest saddle name anywhere.

invisiblehand 06-23-09 09:31 AM

Regarding whether the GS derailer will take a 34 tooth cog ...

http://velobase.com/ViewSingleCompon...=108&AbsPos=38

And thanks for the pointer to yet another saddle. I appreciate it. I think that I am mostly interested in saddles that can handle big saddle bags in case I want to show off the bike while commuting to work.

invisiblehand 06-23-09 08:30 PM

I did some work on the rest of the fleet tonight. So I unfortunately did not put on the long cage derailer, 14-34 freewheel, and I am obviously still looking for a saddle. But here are the raw photos ... looks like I need to give the bike a bit of a cleaning.

I also have an extra set of decals that the original owner bought with the bike. I assume that one would only use them if the bike were repainted.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_z9m0FpPuxgs/Sk...0/IMG_2118.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_z9m0FpPuxgs/Sk...0/IMG_2119.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_z9m0FpPuxgs/Sk...0/IMG_2120.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_z9m0FpPuxgs/Sk...0/IMG_2121.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_z9m0FpPuxgs/Sk...0/IMG_2123.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_z9m0FpPuxgs/Sk...0/IMG_2124.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_z9m0FpPuxgs/Sk...0/IMG_2125.JPG


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