I went over to the dark side
 

I confess. Since I'm riding the UO8 so much I decided it needed a few upgrades and a weight-loss program. But I do believe the sins are forgivable. The replacement parts are all still French or at least quasi-French.

First, thanks to ColonelJLloyd it now has a nice AVA alloy bar, noticeably lighter than the steel which was slowly rusting under its bar tape. The new bar is ever so slightly narrow than the original but is shaped much the same.

Second, it has an alloy cotterless compact-double crank, courtesy of Velo-Orange. I figure that's culturally better than the Sugino it once wore. It is my preference for gearing, exactly what I use on my Gran Sport, and it looks really nice. The right side is highly polished, though the insides of the arms and the chainrings aren't. It shifts very smoothly. V-O says it needs a 110mm spindle and they are right.

Finally, I replaced the rusting steel bottle cage of unknown vintage with a new Blackburn. Okay, that isn't French but it isn't a control or drivetrain component so I figure that's okay.

The bike feels lighter and measures exactly 1 pound lighter. The crank feels smoother but that is probably just my imagination. Same with the bike's steering, which feels slightly quicker.

Some would argue that me being a weight weenie with a UO8 is silly but these changes make sense to me if only because my sweetie can give me a pound more food to carry in to work in the morning! This bike and I are old friends, almost 4 decades, so I figured I owed it a gift or two.

Without pics it's all vaporware, Jim!

Neal

+1

Will "pic" (singular) do?

http://www.theworld.com/~muller/pics/new_crank.jpg

There's not much to see with the new bar, it's covered with tape. But I did install a newfangled computer. Now I know just how fast I couldn't go in the ran last Wednesday.

Its just amazing how the UO-8s live on - Your bike is not complaining... I personally like the stretch/flex of the UO-8 and its forgiving of my personal weight with its strong dimensions - How are your dérailleurs holding up???

Next upgrade???

Shhhhh. Quietly now. The original derailleurs were long ago replaced with Suntour, Vx front and a VGT-Luxe rear. I did just notice that the rear has some play but it shifts cleanly so it should last a while yet. (Whispering: I currently have an ebay bid on another.) The wheels have also been alloy w/Shimano hubs for a long time. Also the seat post has long been an alloy Simplex.

Next upgrade? I dunno'. Pedals perhaps? Not much other steel left on it. I have a pair of Lyotard platform pedals but I don't think they are especially light and so far I find the originals comfortable. If I found a good cheap alloy pair, maybe...

Wow... that's some dust cap...

Useful upgrades Jim! The crank set is in keeping with the style of the bike - and has a French name(Sort of)! Suntour Vx seem to last for ever, even if they begin to slap a bit they still work fine. A really practical classic bike improved.

way cool. after a long time on a bike, you feel every change, so it's not your imagination.

Even most die hard strict vintage guys are quick to forgive new wheels, brakes or rather anything that makes your bike safer...