Re: [CR] Elvish 650b randonneur photos + Grand Bois Cypres vs. Ourson

(Example: Production Builders:LeJeune)

Date: Sat, 26 Sep 2009 13:33:19 -0400
From: "John Betmanis" <johnb@oxford.net>
To: 'classicrendezvous' <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <17931798.1253957508443.JavaMail.root@elwamui-darkeyed.atl.sa.earthlink.net> <C6E3BF0A.64349%simonpj@mac.com> <E58DAB6997684114867FC8D468F83B32@UserPC>
In-Reply-To:
Subject: Re: [CR] Elvish 650b randonneur photos + Grand Bois Cypres vs. Ourson


The lever on the seat tube engages the dynamo you see down in front of the reat tire.

Howard Darr wrote:
> Beautiful bike. Fortunate owner. I counted 3 levers. Two on the down
> tube. What is on the seat tube?
>
> Howard Darr
>
> Kinsman OH USA
> -----Original Message-----
> From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org
> [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of W S
> Pulman-Jones
> Sent: Saturday, September 26, 2009 7:52 AM
> To: classicrendezvous
> Subject: [CR] Elvish 650b randonneur photos + Grand Bois Cypres vs. Ourson
>
> I have posted photos to Wooljersey of an early 80's (I think) randonneur by
> Elvish, a marque from south west France. I would be grateful for any
> information about Elvish.
>
> http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/simonpj/Elvish_randonneur_early_80s/
>
> It's a modest but very functional bike: 531 frame with braze ons for Mafac
> centrepulls, internal light wiring, chainstay-mounted dynamo, lightweight
> front and rear racks, and stem-mounted decaleur fitting. I've already really
> enjoyed riding it, and am looking forward to taking advantage of its
> built-in lighting, mudguards and racks through the coming winter.
>
> At just under 27 lbs it's not light, but on Grand Bois Cypres 32mm tires it
> feels fast and very agile.
>
> When I first got the bike I fitted the Grand Bois Ourson 35mm tires that
> you'll see in the photos. They're just too large to fit inside the mudguards
> with sufficient clearance - but I did about 500 very comfortable miles on
> them before switching to the narrower Cypres tires. I've placed photos of
> the bike with the Oursons next to photos with the Cypres to show the
> difference. Despite the stated 3mm difference in size, the Cypres are quite
> a bit smaller - being just a bit too small to look right on this bike,
> whilst the Oursons are just a bit too big to fit properly. It would be
> wonderful to have a larger Cypres to fit the gap. I do think the bike looks
> better with the Oursons properly filling out the mudguards.
>
> The Oursons do not feel fast, but when speed isn't top priority they are
> extremely comfortable and sure footed, making the bike feel very relaxed and
> stable. After over 500 miles they hardly show any signs of wear. I'll
> definitely fit them for more relaxed long rides over mixed surfaces.
>
> The Cypres feel totally different to the Oursons - feeling as fast as top
> quality narrow race tires, with added cornering grip, and comfort. They
> transform the handling of the bike - making it feel wonderfully fast and
> agile through changing radius bends.
>
> I acquired the bike in fairly scruffy condition. The paintwork was badly
> scuffed and scratched but has really improved through several applications
> of black colour-restoring car polish.
>
> Sadly, both of the very nice original aluminium mudguards were damaged in
> shipping, and I have had to replace them with Berthoud stainless steel
> mudguards, as I couldn't find any aluminium mudguards in a narrow enough
> 650b size. One thing I forgot to do when I fitted the front mudguard is
> shift the front light across to the right hand side for riding in the UK -
> so I'll get hold of an additional rear mudguard to cut down to use as a
> longer front when I move the light over.
>
> I've replaced a worn out plastic-bodied Huret rear derailleur with a Jubilee
> (it really needs a long-cage Jubilee), and had to replace the original 22mm
> stem, which was too short, with a 22.2mm Cinelli 1a lightly sanded down to
> fit. I've been looking out for a more appropriate 22mm stem to replace it,
> but long enough ones from the right period seem to be very thin on the
> ground on eBay. The frame is really a little small for me - I have the
> saddle higher than in the photos - hence the need for a long stem - but it's
> still very enjoyable to ride.
>
> I'd be grateful for any suggestions for how to get hold of a decaleur that
> will fit the fitting on the stem. The ones from Velo-Orange have posts that
> are too widely spaced.
>
> Best,
>
> Wyndham Pulman-Jones
> Girton, Cambs., UK
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>

--
John Betmanis Woodstock, Ontario Canada