i got this frame for peanuts from stratton cycles , they sold it to me as a tourer thinking it was a 1981 model , its actually a 1961 cyclo cross machine , march 61 to be precise , frame# 613-186 , translates as 613 =1961 march , 186 =number of frames built that year ,
the frame is constructed with full slugged (pinned) and brazed joints , looking into the BB shell shows very tight and neat mitres , lugs are full nervex reinforced type , they similar to the lightweight lugs but are almost twice as thick ,
the only issue i have had is with the cantilever brakes , the frame is for 27" wheels , as can be seen the cantis droop down , it reminds me of the old French rando and touring bikes that often had their mafac canti's set up the same way , i may still grab some 27" rims but to be honest , they work beautifully , as does the whole bike , its super comfy and is quite stiff for its age , it rolls really well on gravel and rough paths and inspires confidence when things get a bit gnarly , this may just be my permanent off road explorer , the 46/30 chain rings are perfect for the job ,
you may notice in the first pic that the randonneur rack is not sitting level , i have since done a little chopping and knocked up a couple of simple mounting brackets , this allows the rando rack to be mounted on the canti bosses like the pass hunter rack ,
i am thinking of adding some contrast to the paint job , although i wouldnt have chosen this particular green its in usable condition , it was very flat but a quick round with some T-CUT and it came up well , i have touched it up a little bit here and there , i am considering adding a few bands of something quite vicious , shocking glitter pink perhaps ?? ,
with pink bits ;-)
i have still to line the BB in the raspberry , i was intending on painting the name on the downtube but a small car modding workshop round the corner from us at UCCR , called Autotech Edinburgh has vinyl that is almost identical to the raspberry lug lining
tyres ,
the huge schwalbe delta cruisers are nice tyres but they ran a bit too close to the chainstays due to the 35c width , i wanted to keep the the creme/white tyres but with less width , after the issues i had with the schwalbe spicer tyres on the Higgins i was hesitant to get more of them but took the plunge anyway , a pair of 30c in creme were fitted , after about 50 miles the bike developed an odd wobble , i thought i had knocked a rim out of true ,however when i checked i found the tyres had both developed strange bumps in the carcases , both of them had gone faulty just like the brown one i had issues with on my higgins , i have seen this on the marathon tyres from a few years ago too but the newer ones have all been fine .
this experience has put me off schwalbe tyres .
i ordered up some Vittoria Randonneur (most apt for how i have the bike built) in white 28c ,
,they are the rigid bead versions , very well moulded and thus true and round ,and, the ride feel is fabulous , even at 95psi they are still nicely compliant and comfortable , but not as comfortable as say, a pair of challenge strada bianca open , they are a quarter of the price at around £13 each for the vittoria's and £50 each for the challenge rubber!! , they are also faster feeling , which i suspect is just down to the lower weight and narrower profile . They are also available in a more off road friendly 'Trail' version too which has a more aggressive tread pattern
the Randonneur's have a double puncture strip and the legendary vittoria triple layer carcase , even with the rather stiff running surface tread (which should ease off and become more supple with time) they dont feel lifeless like the specialized all condition armadillo and they are never harsh , only time will tell if the Vittoria's are quite as puncture resistant ,
i will update as they (and myself for that matter) age
waiting quietly by the front door for the next day like a loyal working dog
:-)
