RE: [CR]Mid-life crisis for classic bike

(Example: Framebuilders:Masi)

Date: Mon, 01 Mar 2004 14:04:47 -0500
From: <raleypc@netscape.net>
To: kaufmann@crsa.bu.edu (Robert Kaufmann), classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: RE: [CR]Mid-life crisis for classic bike


Hi Robert,

I have an opinion on this one! I am 46 and race about a dozen USCF races a year but really don't train enough (or diet enough) to be especially competitive. However, I like to go fast too and I finish in the top ten enough to keep me from giving it up.

Last year I raced my 80's Torpado with mostly NR/SR parts on light GL 330 or GP4 period wheels. I used mostly 7 speed freewheels. This year I have fitted the bike with a full Record 10 grouppo. I don't feel the bike is ANY faster but rather it will allow me to gear myself better for the field sprints and shift uphill out of saddle if I misjudged the grade. None of this matters if you don't race and you are not worried about getting dropped from the pack. The wider range of closely spaced gears is of course convienient on hilly courses.

You can't safely (or at least affordably) build wheels as light as you could with 120 or even 126 mm spacing. Most new tubular rims are in the 400 gram range. A reasonable setup is 420 gram Mavic open pro clincher rims with Veloflex Pave 180 gram tires. Very nice but no better than early 80's tubular wheels IMHO.

The Ergo hoods sure are comfy though!

Paul Raley 20 miles on a '58 Hetchins at lunch in Leonardtown MD

Robert Kaufmann <kaufmann@crsa.bu.edu> wrote:
>All:
>
>I need some advice from people who appreciate classic bicycles but also
>know the joy of going far and fast.  Let me summarize my dilemma.
>
>I used to race but was really never more than a cat 3 (when cat 4 was the
>lowest).  Nonetheless, I love riding.  And to celebrate my dissertation
>defense in 1989, I purchased a new custom fit Viner (Columbus SLX tubing).
>I built the bike up with all Campy Nuovo Record from previous bikes circa
>late 1970's early 1980's. Since 1989, I have ridden the bike 3,000 - 4,000
>miles per year in MA.  I still try to "time trial" hard and can ride about
>21 Mph for 30 miles on the flat.
>
>I am now in the process of getting the frame repainted.  While doing so, I
>had a semi mid life crisis.  I love my frame and the "classic Campy" but I
>also still want to go fast (the years of going fast may be limited--I am
>now 46).  So, I face a hard choice.  I would love to have new wheels
>(currently I have Campy NR hubs with 36 holes), but the rims available to
>fit 36 hole hubs are limited. Furthermore, it is difficult to get new 6
>speed freewheels (as you well know).   Alternatively, I can have the rear
>of the frame "spread" to 130 and buy a whole new drive train; wheels,
>derailleurs, and crank.  But that would cause me to "lose" my Campy stuff,
>especially the crank.
>
>So, should I have the frame spread and replace nearly everything or is
>there a good alternative for new wheels with the old 36 hole Campy hubs and
>the old 120 spacing? Even if I spread the old frame, I would probably buy a
>used classic frame and put the Campy stuff on it.
>
>Please share any similar experience or potential advice.
>
>Robert Kaufmann
>Newton MA
>
>_______________________________________________
>

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