[CR] What do you ride?

(Example: Framebuilders:Norman Taylor)

Date: Wed, 2 Feb 2011 19:59:17 -0800
From: "Bill Lucas" <wheelslucas@gmail.com>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR] What do you ride?


My main ride is a KOF 2010 Ebisu 62 cm (c to c) Road model with very off topic silver 9sp STI. Even though it is very new, on topic parts are represented. It has a Campagnolo Super Record one-bolt seatpost, SL pedals, Binda Extra straps and Campagnolo aluminum toe clips.

My lunch time ride is a KOF 1991 PDG (Paramount Design Group) 63 cm Series V. I call this my decades bike as there are parts from every decade that I have been riding. The 60's represented by a Campagnolo Record rear derailleur. This is the chrome brass one. It was a take off from a customer's bicycle. It was nearly unused and stayed that way until last year. I raided all the parts from the PDG to build the Ebisu. I decided to stop storing stuff. I set it up as a 5 speed to ride with my wife. This was to even things out. She out foxed me by going on 1030 mile tour with our son. The 70's are shown by the Campagnolo high flange hubs, flat QRs and Rigida 1319 rims. The 80's have the bulk of the parts: Mavic 630 crankset with a 46T NR chainring, Simplex Retro-friction shifter, Suntour Superbe Brakes and Dia-Compe AGC250 brake levers. The bike shifts very well. Too bad Campnagnolo didn't come out with Retro-friction during the bike boom.

The real classic ride is my 1975 Masi Gran Criterium 63 cm. I have own it since it was new. It has original and nice looking orange paint. With the help of my friend Mitchell and folks from the list I have it correct. It was apart for a decade, but I was collecting parts. This was before Ebay. It is Nuovo Record equipped. The rear derailleur is the original PAT 72 unit. There are a few deviations in the build. The saddle is an Ideale 2004. One of these went on the bike is the 70's. The wheels are my training wheels from 1976, Phil Wood stainless center hubs, Ridiga 1319 rims and Pino QRs. The wheels sat around for a long time as the rear axle was removed. The people at Phil Woods fixed it for $35. The shifters are Simplex Retros. The handlebars are later C logo 66-42s. I have all the correct parts, but this how rode this bicycle. I ride this once in a while, when the roads are clean.

I had 1976 Phil Wood track clincher wheels that I used with the Masi. My son need a bigger bike in the mid 90's. I gave him the 25" Nishiki that I was using for a fixed gear. Waterford was producing a nice frame in the 1700. I bought one these in 60 cm. The really interesting part on the bike is a Cinelli Stayer stem. It is real fun ride.

My 1995 KOF Rivendell Rambouillet 64 cm jumped off the top of my car at 85 mph. There was an amazingly little damage to the frame. One fork blade was slightly pushed back. The saddle, crank, pedals and handlebars didn't do as well. I have been slow to repair the damage. It is/was a great ride.

I have 60's Frejus that my bicycling mentor gave me. It is really worn, but I keep to remember him. It is just a frame and brakes at this point.

I just gave my very off topic 1994 Klein Pulse to my son. He is happy. I am happy for the space. I am back to all steel. This was a lot more that I thought I was going to say.

Bill Lucas in sunny Watsonville, CA I am from Albany, NY. I feel for my friends in the northeast.