> I'd say American-built French-inspired touring bikes are more in need > of preservation due to rarity.
Not completely French, but my camper is a fully restored '82 Trek 728. Probably made the last excursion of the season last weekend. But there are plenty of trips in store for '09. > Hacking bits (der. hanger, shifter mounts) off a frame is quite crude > and uneccessary, I'd probably agree with you there. > If you want to preserve them, I think that's fine, as they are worth > preserving, but to use them and enjoy them for their primary function > is hardly ignominy in my opinion, even if it isn't as a multi-geared > racer. One mangled old Masi is one too many for me. Seems to me with all the old functional cranksets and derailleurs available on Craigslist and Ebay, people could make a classic bike that in my opinion any way, is a lot more fun to ride than fixed. On Oct 30, 11:33 am, Steady As She Goes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > _opinionated post alert_ > > Peter Jon White wrote: > > I would avoid the horizontal rear dropout version, since all > > modern rear derailleurs are designed to be located quite accurately > > relative to the rear axle, and shifting can suffer a bit with > > horizontals since the derailleur ends up too close to the cogs unless > > you position the wheel way back in the dropouts. > > That's very useful information *if* you plan to use a modern rear > derailer, thanks. > And you did say "I would avoid the horizontal dropout version." > > I would not. > I like my horizontal dropout bikes for their ability to use track > hubs, internally geared hubs, coaster-brake hubs, and cassette/ > freewheel hubs. > For me, I'd rather have the ability to use different wheels at > different times than to use the optimum setup for a multi-geared > wheel. > > That's just me. I like an all-rounder. I like using the wheels I > have built. I like trying different types of gearing. > > Can't horizontal dropouts be made (CNC'd or otherwise) with a derailer > hanger moved back slightly? > Adjustment screws could be used for setting the axle placement. > I'd think current manufacturers would think of this, given the > derailers available, but perhaps not. > > Joel Mathews wrote: > > Better them than a classic Masi or DeRosa (unfortunately, I > > have seen some of those frames suffer in fixed ignominy) > > Eh. > I think a bike frame that gets ridden a lot suffers less ignominy than > a wallhanger. > Older Masi and DeRosa may be fine frames, but you don't need to worry > about their disappearance. > I'd say American-built French-inspired touring bikes are more in need > of preservation due to rarity. > > Hacking bits (der. hanger, shifter mounts) off a frame is quite crude > and uneccessary, I'd probably agree with you there. > If you want to preserve them, I think that's fine, as they are worth > preserving, but to use them and enjoy them for their primary function > is hardly ignominy in my opinion, even if it isn't as a multi-geared > racer. > > Their reputations as fine bikes will probably be enhanced by first- > person accounts of their riders. > > Even with riser bars and a basket and with spoke cards in the wheels > and though it may not look nearly as nice as it it once had. That's > better than sitting in a garage or basement or living room unused, > instead of being used by someone new to cycling who may be suitably > impressed by the ride quality. Those most impressed by brand names > will just get the new cheap fixed-gear versions and be happy with the > name on the bike. > > Granted there are examples of both multi-geared and fixed-geared bikes > being both ridden a lot and those not ridden much at all. > The T.I. Raleigh Team bike I have is for cyclocross, not pristine and > loves rolling on the dirt and grass. > And so it does. With a modern derailer and horizontal dropouts. > It's a nice bike, so I ride it, replacement fork and all! It's so > much fun. > And if someone has a replacement fork with canti mounts for a 56cm > Raleigh Team Pro, contact me. > > Ray --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Bicycle Lifestyle" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/bicyclelifestyle?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
