Happy Retirement to Me! Jo Routens unboxed
12-02-18, 06:43 AM
#27
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Congratulations on your retirement (I'm not far behind you), and a spectacular bike with which to enjoy it.
Your front derailleur reminds of of these C.S. Hirose videos on YouTube. We don't need no stinking store-bought derailleur! I could sit and watch Hirose-san work in his shop all day. I would imagine M. Routens would have operated in similar fashion.
Your front derailleur reminds of of these C.S. Hirose videos on YouTube. We don't need no stinking store-bought derailleur! I could sit and watch Hirose-san work in his shop all day. I would imagine M. Routens would have operated in similar fashion.
12-02-18, 06:46 AM
#28
Hump, what hump?
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Congrats on getting such a rare bike and having time to enjoy it! Looking forward to my retirement more and more each day.
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2010 AB T1X ** 2010 Cannondale SIX-5 ** 1993 Cannondale RS900 ** 1988 Bottecchia Team Record ** 1989 Bianchi Brava ** 1988 Nishiki Olympic ** 1987 Centurion Ironman Expert(2) ** 1985 DeRosa Professional SLX ** 1982 Colnago Super ** 1982 Basso Gap ** 198? Ciocc Competition SL ** 19?? Roberts Audax ** 198? Brian Rourke ** 1982 Mercian Olympic ** 1970 Raleigh Professional MK I ** 1952 Raleigh Sports
12-02-18, 07:53 AM
#29
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I retired and now only work two part time jobs. Welcome to retirement. The real key is to not overcommit to what others want from you. My jobs both know that i will be taking off for a bike tour or a camping trip on short notice.
You look like youre killing it already. That bike is amazing.
You look like youre killing it already. That bike is amazing.
12-02-18, 10:30 AM
#31
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That's not a bike you see everyday. Awesome.
So many interesting custom features. The constructeur'ed FD is just nuts. What is that bottom bracket?
So many interesting custom features. The constructeur'ed FD is just nuts. What is that bottom bracket?
12-02-18, 01:45 PM
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nice!!
12-02-18, 04:01 PM
#34
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12-02-18, 04:13 PM
#35
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Grand Bois has the Cypres in 650Bx32 https://cyclesgrandbois.com/SHOP/T650_F32_SS.html 4,000 Yen ea., and there's the Hutchinson Confrerie 650Bx32 (but actually a little narrower) available from XXCycle https://www.xxcycle.com/tyre-hutchin...0-b-ts,,en.php for 23.33 Euro.
12-02-18, 06:49 PM
#37
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Happy retirement indeed! CONGRATULATIONS
A really fine bicycle you have there..
I did something similar 2 years ago when I retired buying a 1937 Hobbs as my 'graduation' present :-)
A really fine bicycle you have there..
I did something similar 2 years ago when I retired buying a 1937 Hobbs as my 'graduation' present :-)
12-02-18, 08:23 PM
#38
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Congratulations! A real fantastic classic by a master. Amazing!
There's so many striking details- each time you look at it, you see something new! I love the fork crown and the fender mount on the the fork crown... wow.
Enjoy!
As far as tires- Is there a reason you'd only go with 32s? I thought part of the reason for using 650B was being able to use larger tires at a lower pressure. I'm a fan of the Compass 35s in 700c. I would imagine the Compass 38s in 650B would be just as inspirational (if you can't fit larger). Run 'em around 40 PSI and it's sheer domination.
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
12-02-18, 09:16 PM
#39
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Amazing condition on these old hoods!
Thanks for all the lovely feedback on my new adventures. More pictures coming as I continue to explore my new machine.
The reason I’m looking at 32s is because that’s what came with it. The rims are narrower than the 650B rims I’ve purchased from Compass and VO, so I’m not sure they could handle 38s. The fenders would be a tight fit. And since so much is integrated into the fenders I’d loose some of the features I love about this bike if I replaced them. I have 38s on my Univega mixte, so perhaps I’ll see what happens if I put that front wheel on the Routens ...
Last edited by Honusms; 12-02-18 at 09:24 PM.
12-02-18, 10:01 PM
#40
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I know, right? I teach biology at the college level and one course (which I teach with a bunch of other people) had the first test this year on Sept. 11 and the final is on Dec. 7. I asked one of my colleagues if we should try to change either date and the universal response was, "no, why bother? neither date means anything to these kids (mostly born 1999-2000 or so) anyway."
12-02-18, 11:31 PM
#41
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Gorgeous bike & congrats on your retirement! 
12-03-18, 01:14 AM
#42
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I know, right? I teach biology at the college level and one course (which I teach with a bunch of other people) had the first test this year on Sept. 11 and the final is on Dec. 7. I asked one of my colleagues if we should try to change either date and the universal response was, "no, why bother? neither date means anything to these kids (mostly born 1999-2000 or so) anyway."
12-03-18, 10:51 AM
#43
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Congrats on retirement! I have been sans work for well over a decade and love it. I go everywhere, do what ever I want (afford) and spend my life, or what's left of it, living on the shores of Loon Lake, Canada, in the summer months and then at Treasure Beach, Jamaica, for the balance of the year.
Treating one's self to something nice, is the way to go, when one reaches such a mile stone in one's life. Great bike and best of luck with a lifetime of doing what you want to do, from now on!
Treating one's self to something nice, is the way to go, when one reaches such a mile stone in one's life. Great bike and best of luck with a lifetime of doing what you want to do, from now on!
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12-03-18, 10:58 AM
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That reminds me that one of my post-retirement projects is to see if I can't come up with a good way to retrofit LEDs into vintage lights such as these. There are some low power ones that are (or have been) on the market, but I'm hoping to do something with a bit more power.
Retirement is a blessing in the sense that you finally have time for some projects that you've been contemplating for years or decades. The only downside is that you start thinking of new projects faster than you finish them.
...plus, you spend more time out riding with your other retired buddies!
Steve in Peoria
12-09-18, 05:02 PM
#45
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Here it is together now. It’s rideable with all the original components. I was surprised how well the cork brake pads work. I have Kool Stops waiting in the wings, but for now I’ll keep these. I have some Grand Bois Cypres tires ready to install, but the old Michelins roll just fine for now. There are a couple of spoke nipples that I want to replace and the tire switch will take place concurrently. I found a bunch of spare spokes tucked into the frame pump.
I took it for a spin to pick up some milk and more nitrile gloves and was blown away by the responsiveness - push and it jumps. The elliptical chainrings are interesting, but intuitive. The front dual cable
derailleur shifts super smoothly, and the rear Huret Duopar is no slouch, either. Handling is solid with turns at slow and not-so-slow speeds. All the lights work. There’s enough seat post slot for saddle adjustment without disturbing the rear brake cable. The fit’s great right off the work stand. And I don’t have to go to work tomorrow ☺️.
I took it for a spin to pick up some milk and more nitrile gloves and was blown away by the responsiveness - push and it jumps. The elliptical chainrings are interesting, but intuitive. The front dual cable
derailleur shifts super smoothly, and the rear Huret Duopar is no slouch, either. Handling is solid with turns at slow and not-so-slow speeds. All the lights work. There’s enough seat post slot for saddle adjustment without disturbing the rear brake cable. The fit’s great right off the work stand. And I don’t have to go to work tomorrow ☺️.
Last edited by Honusms; 12-09-18 at 05:29 PM.
12-09-18, 06:03 PM
#46
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Whoa, that’s a stunner.
12-09-18, 09:43 PM
#47
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Here it is together now. It’s rideable with all the original components. I was surprised how well the cork brake pads work. I have Kool Stops waiting in the wings, but for now I’ll keep these. I have some Grand Bois Cypres tires ready to install, but the old Michelins roll just fine for now. There are a couple of spoke nipples that I want to replace and the tire switch will take place concurrently. I found a bunch of spare spokes tucked into the frame pump.
I took it for a spin to pick up some milk and more nitrile gloves and was blown away by the responsiveness - push and it jumps. The elliptical chainrings are interesting, but intuitive. The front dual cable
derailleur shifts super smoothly, and the rear Huret Duopar is no slouch, either. Handling is solid with turns at slow and not-so-slow speeds. All the lights work. There’s enough seat post slot for saddle adjustment without disturbing the rear brake cable. The fit’s great right off the work stand. And I don’t have to go to work tomorrow ☺️.
I took it for a spin to pick up some milk and more nitrile gloves and was blown away by the responsiveness - push and it jumps. The elliptical chainrings are interesting, but intuitive. The front dual cable
derailleur shifts super smoothly, and the rear Huret Duopar is no slouch, either. Handling is solid with turns at slow and not-so-slow speeds. All the lights work. There’s enough seat post slot for saddle adjustment without disturbing the rear brake cable. The fit’s great right off the work stand. And I don’t have to go to work tomorrow ☺️.
My second thought is- "Holy **** is that a ****ing awe inspiring bike!!!"
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
12-10-18, 09:36 AM
#49
Vello Kombi, baby
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Drowning in drool here. Fantastic, just fantastic. I'd tell you to have fun, but you're clearly already there!
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12-10-18, 10:17 AM
#50
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An absolutely Captivating Classic. Enjoy your retirement and may the "Beausage" which is sure to occur, accumulate slowly. Don