Getting back into cycling

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by otto_kretschmer

here is the Cannondale, vintage mid 80s

I'd rock that just they way it is.

[herr_oberst]

It doesn't fit, Otto is a giraffe!

Lovely Cannondale. Impressive drop!

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by MFAFF

Once you go gravel you never go back.....

Damn, that is a beautiful bike. And the fact you've made it your main steed speaks volumes to me. My gravel bike and my road bikes are worlds apart. I did 55 miles / 4000 feet today on my winter road bike and I was so glad that I decided to take it instead of my gravel bike, just for the speed differential. (I'd thought about taking the gravel bike because there's still so much garbage and crap on the roads here.)

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Yup. That's what I was afraid of. You could raise the stem, and even raise the levers with a shorter reach/shorter drop bar more like MFAFF's but that wheelbase is gonna be tight!

I say... I say... Whatchu need is a 36'er

[otto_kretschmer]

The Gilmour frame has been shipped according to Ebay.

I bought paint today. A quart of generic Ace Hardware Rustoleum clone Safety Blue. I may experiment with a little bit with some white to make a baby blue.

[David]

66 cm frame is very large. Are you measuring your 84cm/33 in inseam bare footed to your, for lack of a better term, taint? If so, you’re very long torso’d so the long top tube may work for you but the saddle will be pretty low.

[otto_kretschmer]

Last year I accidentally bought a metric tape measure. It was in the grab bin at Ace and I didn't notice it was metric. I got home and saw my mistake but decided to keep it any way. Here it really comes in handy. I put the tang in the slot of the cap on the crank.



that frame is gunna be YUUUUGE

[upsscott]

Originally Posted by otto_kretschmer

man... I'm feeling the love today, thanks guys

You guys convinced me to not go with option 1, so no mountain bike bars on the Cannondale. I'm 6'-4" so I need a big bike and I'm not going to find my bike on a show room floor. I made that mistake in 1988 with the Cannondale and I won't do that again. I remember while riding it I would switch positions often, on the hoods, then on the corners and then on the straight parts and then back to the hoods. I didn't use the drops that much.

The Gilmour frame should be on my porch by Saturday. It has a lot of "patina". If I can get new decals from Gilmour I'll paint it baby blue or orange and if I can swing it maybe I can get him to sign it again.

The Gilmour bike is a project and I have a rule of not starting a new project until I finish my current project and I'm breaking that rule now. My 76 911 is still on jackstands with the motor on the floor but I had to grab this Gilmour. I always wanted one of his bikes and if I waited it would be gone. I was worried it would be too big but I took a tape measure to my Cannondale to see where the top tube would be and I should fit it.

I never heard of gravel bikes until a couple days ago when I started researching a new bike. I really like the tires on those bikes but I don't know about the gearing. Tucson has lots of good bike paths and I have always rode on asphalt. I'm thinking a road bike with the wheels and tires of a gravel bike is the way to go.

New bike vs old bike. I have a 1975 BMW R90S and a 2008 Kawasaki Concours 14. I like riding both but for serious touring a new bike is better. A new 2023 BMW R1250RT is probably another leap.

I need to get going and walk that dog now..

You’re forgetting the “Soul” factor. The R90s has the Kawi beat in that department.

[otto_kretschmer]

Originally Posted by upsscott

You’re forgetting the “Soul” factor. The R90s has the Kawi beat in that department.

That's why I never got rid of it. Its on the list of projects I have. It was crashed a couple times when I bought it from a guy on my ship back in the day. Its going to be a partial restoration back to its original daytona orange.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by otto_kretschmer

Last year I accidentally bought a metric tape measure. It was in the grab bin at Ace and I didn't notice it was metric. I got home and saw my mistake but decided to keep it any way. Here it really comes in handy. I put the tang in the slot of the cap on the crank.



that frame is gunna be YUUUUGE

A 6'4" guy on a 58 frame? That will look like a circus bear on a little bike. Its a bit small, but if push comes to shove, it should work with a long stem and angled stem with a long seat post.

[fanaudical]

That R90 is nice. The old bikes just look right. My mid-80's Peugot still hangs in the garage, ready to go - it's just not comfortable to ride for more than ~10 miles anymore.

In case if gives you some ideas, here's a link to my foray into a gravel-like bike (older cyclocross frame with some newer components):

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/720544-ultimate-bike-thread-214.html#post11262591

Not quite full gravel; am running 700c x 35 tires which is cushy on bad roads. I tend to find taller frames with longer top tubes to be comfortable for longer rides.

Have you considered looking at recumbent bikes? They are usually reasonably-attainable used and it's super-comfy to start a trip with your lounge chair already deployed:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/720544-ultimate-bike-thread-211.html#post11075869

[otto_kretschmer]

Originally Posted by fanaudical

That R90 is nice. The old bikes just look right. My mid-80's Peugot still hangs in the garage, ready to go - it's just not comfortable to ride for more than ~10 miles anymore.

In case if gives you some ideas, here's a link to my foray into a gravel-like bike (older cyclocross frame with some newer components):

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/720544-ultimate-bike-thread-214.html#post11262591

Not quite full gravel; am running 700c x 35 tires which is cushy on bad roads. I tend to find taller frames with longer top tubes to be comfortable for longer rides.

Have you considered looking at recumbent bikes? They are usually reasonably-attainable used and it's super-comfy to start a trip with your lounge chair already deployed:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/720544-ultimate-bike-thread-211.html#post11075869

recumbents don't do anything for me

I'm going to look into the 35 tires. These tires must be new since I moved to California in 2002.

[otto_kretschmer]

Anyone ever ride a carbon fork on a steel frame?

[look 171]

Originally Posted by otto_kretschmer

Anyone ever ride a carbon fork on a steel frame?

Yes and do it. After 10 years of killing myself working, I dusted off my old bike decided to blow off some steam. Suddenly, carbon forks were on every bike on our training ride. Talked with some of the guys and they swear by them so I install a Time fork. It made a big difference in the way the bike absorbed small bumps or worn out chipsealed roads. Is the Gilour 1" or 1 1/8" headset? 1" carbon steertube forks are extremely difficult to find especially ones that will fit your large bike. Last I looked about 10 years ago, Tom Ritchey still sold them. Not sure about now? 1 1/8" are plentiful.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by otto_kretschmer

recumbents don't do anything for me

I'm going to look into the 35 tires. These tires must be new since I moved to California in 2002.

If you want comfort, get a new set of tubeless wheels. Depending on your weight, they are pumped to between 65-75 lbs. They roll very nicely and fast too. I was a skeptic until I bought a set of Zipp wheels. I am never going back. There's no reason for you to buy a 3000.00 set of ultra light race wheels. A good set can be had for 1500 bucks or sometimes less.

[herr_oberst]

Will 35's fit in that bike?

[jyl]

Wait, why don’t you move the Cannondale components to the Gilmour?

The rear dropout spacing might be a little different but steel flexes.

[MFAFF]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Will 35's fit in that bike?

The frame clearance "might' work.. the rims almost certainly will not.
My Mavic M40 rims (1986) are so narrow that a 26mm tires feels to wide... a 28mm is really odd looking. I didn't measure it but reckon its about 17mm internal width.

The Hunt aero road rims on the gravel bike are 22.5mm internal (35mm external) and designed for 28mm tires. I'm running slick 36mm tires at 35 psi with tubes (or tubeless) to improve the ride. I "may" be leaving 1 km/h average on the road with that... I may go for 30mm during the summer to see what that gives me.

Changing to non aero wheels makes a significant difference in average speeds.

[Otter74]

I agree with the advice to just ride, to start with, and not think about it too much. But I've got to agree with the modern-bike crowd. My old mountain bike (1993 Bridgesone MB-4) fits me rather than way that Cannondale fits you now. I rode it as my only bike for 13 years and I had no problem with the John Tomac 'Superman' riding position when I was younger but I've been over that for a long time. You could make the Cannondale fit better but you'll still be happier and more comfortable on something modern that you can pick up used for ca. $1600. If you're not comfortable for hours at a time, you're just not going to be happy on that event.

A couple of years ago I finally got religion on modern road bikes when I rode my friend's modern Focus CX bike for a week, including up and down Glendora. When I make the budget for it, I'm selling something to offset the cost and buying something modern with hydro discs and etc. etc. It was marvelous being able to descend confidently (I'm not a natural), enjoying the cush of 32mm tubeless at 35psi, and one-finger braking. I love my road bike (a Vendetta) and it's such a joy to ride I can't get rid of it, but when I take it to big hills descents aren't the most fun because the brakes aren't good enough. Picture for shameless attention.

[otto_kretschmer]

Originally Posted by jyl

Wait, why don’t you move the Cannondale components to the Gilmour?

The rear dropout spacing might be a little different but steel flexes.

Thats a possibility but I'm looking on ebay right now and it seems I can find whatever I need at a reasonable price.

First I have to get the frame in my hands so I know what the size of the chain stays width, bottom bracket, steering tube length and diameter.


So I got a question for the experts; I'm going to use vintage components for a vintage frame.

I don't know whats the difference between Campagnolo record and super record, and Shimano Duraace and 105, campy chorus?

I have a set of 20" BMX sew ups with campy hubs that I could use if I want to build my own wheels.

If I can fit the bike with campy gear that would be nifty