Listmembers,
Well it's the season for bike swap meets and I've had reasonably good luck trying not to spend what little money I have for bike goodies. This past weekend I went to the San Diego Velodrome swap which had quite a good turnout. The place was packed. I took my Cinelli track bike with the 66 T chainring down there just for grins and as a conversation piece. It worked! Most who saw the setup, with the 12 T cog nearly fainted. Mission accomplished. Talked to several vintage bike people, many who I did not know.
I did score 3 decent tubulars, more Shimano clipless pedals (my feet like them), a GB bar and stem, two older Ideal saddles, another 3TTT stem (el cheapo type that I like to file and polish to look snazzy), a early Concor saddle (one of my favorites), and a few other things. Scored some Colnago key rings that are pretty interesting.
I'd like to thank a few people for actually giving me some of these things. JB was very generous and he helped me complete the Flying Scot by spotting me the bar and stem, amongst other things. Dan Cunningham (who works for JB) saved me the 3TTT stem knowing I like such things and gave it to me. The final treat came from listmember Dave Field who had these two leather saddles. Needing some TLC and some time to get back to useable, they made my day. The Ideal 80 will probably end up on the Flying Scot, the other one will be in intensive care until it responds to my treatment to soften and reshape it. I hope it survives. Dave wanted to give me the saddles in "appreciation" for being myself. I have a difficult time with that but also don't know really what some of these things are worth, since I almost never sell anything in bike parts. I only get what I need and intend on using them to finish projects for myself. I gave him a token amount that I'm sure is less than he might have sold them for had someone wanted to buy them, which I feel odd about; but I really appreciate his generosity and supportive nature. Everyone needs friends like him and the others.
I'm sure Bob Reid will be thrilled to know that I have finished the Flying Scot. Took her out for a quick test ride to check out the gears and such, and she rides like a champ. Smooth and responsive; another one of those bikes that defies the frame geometry. Has a lot of rake but it still handles fine because the head angle is proper and it's not too long in the top tube. It reminds me of my Lippy frame; which unlike the Masi geomerty type bikes with a lot of rake, feels good and doesn't behave badly when out of the saddle. The Scot is a really fine bike and I'm proud to own her; thanks to Bob Reid for bringing this marque to my attention.
We are making a road trip to Veloswap in SF tomorrow; hopefully I can not spend a dime. Just going for grins and to hang with some friends. Weather permitting, some of us vintage types will go for a ride on Sunday before heading back south. Matt Gorski is driving up and generously taking a few of us with him. Should be a great time for everyone. Hope to see many Bay area folks at the swap.
Brian Baylis
La Mesa, CA