cudak888 

I'm sorry to say that I cannot comment on the paint (past my guess at what it is), for I wasn't the one to commission the repaint.

Strangely enough, the only decal on it (besides a genuine Reynolds 531 decal) is the following PDG stripe on the seat tube. I've seen one or two Superiors refinished by PDG/Waterford with the Paramount transfers from 1984+, but this particular decal is neither under the paint nor does it appear to be a genuine decal from Waterford production EDIT: It definitely is a genuine decal when compared against unrestored '84 Paramounts.



-Kurt

due ruote 

I think a big cork on the bottle would do a lot visually, but the bike itself is very fine. I especially like the bar color with that paint.

Also I just realized that the paint color looks a dead ringer (per my memory; no pics) for an Imron color I used in the late '70s to spray a Raleigh Pro. I never thought of that tape color, though. I used to use yellow on it, which looked pretty good but in a very different way, and probably not very French.

Chombi

Really,...........Can one really "Faux" the French in their own game??
Encore du Delrin.....S'il vous plaît!

Chombi

cudak888 

Believe me, I've considered a cork. Might pick one up at ACE Hardware sometime.

It's a polyurethane paint like Imron; possibly the same. Ironically enough, this bike was once built up with bright yellow (YECH!) tape too:



-Kurt

due ruote 

Yeah, that's too green. I think I was using yellow Benotto. But like I said, the tape you have on now looks perfect for that bike.

pastorbobnlnh 

I can't believe you didn't keep THAT saddle mounted! What were you thinking putting on that old Brooks Pro?

cudak888 

Mind you, that was two years before I ever owned the bike: https://www.bikeforums.net/archive/in.../t-498518.html

Paramounts in Miami seem to circulate until they wind up here.

-Kurt

mkeller234

Looks fantastic, full of charm. I like it without decals, do you have any future plans in that area?

cudak888 

Thanks to John Wilson and Steve Maus of the CR list, I now have more Campagnolo saddle rails than I'll need...for a while, anyway.

Of course, that means only one thing: It is shakedown ride time (complete with Ten Speed Drive jacket - it's chilly out today).

Doing my best "Eddy inspects the bike" impersonation:




I'm pleased to say - even with the old tires mounted - that it is a very smooth, comfortable, easygoing machine when up to speed - virtually silent if it wasn't for a fender rattle coming from the brake bridge fender clip. Shifting is silent and impeccable it is beyond "smooth." There's something to be said for the SLJ combo. Acceleration doesn't appear to be its strong suit, but the feeling at speed is of a piece of machinery that has had every bearing repacked and every fitting tightened to perfect torque specifications.

The CLB-2 brake calipers performed just as I had expected. They are completely free of the spongy feeling characteristic of most centerpull calipers - due to the solid yoke cable/return spring - but the 25-year-old pads leave a lot to be desired. Tons of dried-up material melted off within the first minute of use - to be expected - but the front pads insisted on squealing from here to Chattanooga for the entire ride. The pads left a fair share of black marks over the rims too. I'm not sure what I'll do about this yet. EDIT: Let it not be misinterpreted - these brakes and pads stop - VERY well.

The XL-sized Christophe toe clips are comfortable, but far too large to be used in conjunction with the VO front fender stay. I have to replace them with clips one size smaller. Saddle was a bit low; already raised it for the next ride.

-Kurt

pastorbobnlnh 

Kurt, we know you are a purest, but don't hesitate to use some alternative pads. We don't want you to run a stop and be T-boned again.

cudak888 

These pads stop. VERY well. They're simply too noisy and rough in feel.

I'd worry less about pads and more about our resident motorists who appear very adept at driving contraflow (yep, you thought it was only the Freds on bikes, eh?). Some offroad 650B's would be more suiting for the maneuvers in this hellhole of a city.

-Kurt

pastorbobnlnh 

That came out wrong. I guess I was too much in a hurry to post. I meant "I don't want someone else to run a stop and you not be able to stop if there is time to do so." I can certainly see how I blew that post.

BTW, they are the most elegant centerpull calipers I've ever seen.

cudak888 

No problem, Bob - but I definitely want to make sure that the air is clear about that incident.

Really? I'd say the New Gran Compe 450's (specifically, the 450B's) are a tad nicer in appearance, but they appear (seeing as I haven't road-tested them yet) to feel no better than a recently serviced Weinmann 999. In short, they have that characteristically spongy yoke cable feel which drives me nuts. What's more, the 450's sponginess seems to be even more pronounced than the earlier levers; their only claims to fame are looks and buttery smooth lever travel.

We'll see how they fare, though I don't have high hopes. Flexibility, modulation, and overall power upon application requires a test ride, but the feel of a centerpull caliper does not.

-Kurt

cudak888 

Took more photos today. It's virtually impossible to capture its color correctly:















-Kurt

pastorbobnlnh 

Kurt,

Your Superior is a real chameleon! This picture is just stunning!