Saw this on Facebook market place, very tempting but I don't really need another bike, but if anyone else is interested..http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1642777064.jpg

The Allsop Soft Ride.

Allsop also made a kit to retrofit the beam to a standard bike.

Crazy stuff happened in the 90's!

I couldn't resist, not that I needed another bicycle. http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1642787055.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1642787055.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1642787055.jpg

It's got some good parts on it. If those brifters are Dura Ace and they're working they're 100 for the rear and 60 for the front. Decent Mavic wheels, and the brakes look vaguely like charcoal 600s (or Ultegra?)

You won't lose money on that. Might make some if you're patient.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1642791401.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1642791401.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1642791401.jpg

600 gruppo. Score. Good score.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1642797768.jpg
I turned an old Mt. bike into an electric roadie. Works great!

Nicely done Mr Greg.

A friends recent acquisition (He lives in Italy). Modern steel frame with the latest components.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1642815687.jpg

Wow, that's a pretty bike, and looks to be set up just right for those long training rides or races.

Anyone know the weight capacity for the SoftRide??http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1642885268.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1642885268.jpg

Best I could do is get you the phone number of one of the inventors. Give James Allsop a jingle, he would probably be able to give you all kinds of facts and information on your new toy!

Softride is still in bidness, but they no longer make bike.

https://www.buzzfile.com/business/Softride,-Inc.-360-647-7420

Internet seems to give a range of 200- 240 lbs for on road use.

Does that Softride have 650 wheels?

Ultegra 600 is workhorse group, lighter brakes than DuraAce of same vintage.

The beams are rated for a certain weight. You should be able to find this printed on the beam somewhere. There's more info online about this but this may be a good start. Softride Owners Club on Faceplant: https://www.facebook.com/groups/36519069043

An Army buddy gave this to me recently. It was cluttering up his garage and he needed it gone. I haven't done anything with it yet but I'm thinking of rebuilding it as a Gravel Bike. (1x gearing, Wider tires, flared drop bars Etc.)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1642900173.jpg

Link doesn't work but did introduce me to the "Cycling Independent" - new rabbit hole for tomorrow.

Peter - Be sure to check the tire clearances on that SoftRide frame before moving forward with gravel bike conversion. Odds are you'll want some 38mm+ wide soft cushy tires (plus clearance for gravel) and the frame clearance may not be there.

I guess the link doesn't work because there's a bad word in the title. Try copy/paste into your browser and replace the asterisks with a word that rhymes with grit.

Thanks but I've got a pair of 700c Cyclocross wheels with "sewups" (glue on singles) and they fit the frame. The tires are 32mm.
I've also got some old Dia-Compe brakes sitting in a box somewhere that should work.

Like these. (photo from Google)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1642907405.jpg

I HATE those brakes. Had them on my Puch, starter bike. Took me a long time to get em' adjusted properly, still a good wack at times to get em' to center again was a must.

And quite the rabbit hole it is - I've been reading old articles most of the morning. Interesting story on that bike.

If I remember correctly, the secret to making those Diacompes work well is to keep them clean, well-lubed, and have a floating hanger (with lots of grease to let it slide on the straddle cable) and then Diacompe came out with the roller hanger (which is still available):

https://velo-orange.com/products/gran-compe-straddle-cable-hanger

Peter - I built my first "gravel bike" last year from an older cyclocross frame. I selected 35mm tires thinking those would have to be plenty soft and find myself wishing for wider on gravel around here. Maybe your paths are better packed than those I try to ride and that beam will surely take the edge off. Am interested to hear how that all works out for you.