noglider 

Very cool bike, and I like the side discussions. I like my International as much as I thought I would and more. It's a work in progress, and 650b is on my mind but won't be soon. Mine is a 1974. I'll measure the chainstays. It feels like a long, low bike to me. I know pedal strike will be a hazard, but I can refrain from pedaling around corners.

gugie 

I started with just a book and the internet. You can get by brazing silver alloys with MAP gas for $50. Flux and silver will set you back $40. A bike's worth of typical braze on's is under $50. Then it's practice, practice, practice. Racks are especially gratifying to build, and will be a lot cheaper than the same quality off the shelf - and they'll fit perfectly on the bike they were designed for.

Charles Wahl

Let's not be too jaundiced about it. Remember, this was a time when the market was going "sporty"; all bikes verged toward being racing bikes. Well, the Mustang and T-bird were moving toward being nothing but family cars, but that wasn't bikes.

gugie 

Sir_Name 

Thanks for th CS length info and other commentary, All.

I was able to squeeze in some decent progress over the past couple of days. I'm reusing the old cables & bar tape until I get the fit dialed in, but this is feeling pretty good as-is according to some doorway balancing... Need to address brakes and see if I'll need to find a solution for quick releases (probably QR straddle cable yokes). Hoping to get this out on the pavement and dirt for a quick shakedown before the weekend. Fender line and other details are in-process.

gugie 

Looking good!

Take one of those wooden half moons I sent as protection for the fenders and tap then in the fender with a mallet to shape the insides of the fender areas that have too much of a gap (show too much tire).

Looks like you figured out the pump trick!

Sir_Name 

Ha! Exactly the reason I saved all of those. Thanks.


I have a few gift certificates saved up for the local shop - a generator hub and wheel build will be the next step here along with a front light. Any recommendations anyone? The SONdelux SL wide looks about right, but this is my first time looking into this tech. Same with the Edelux II, which is top of the pile for lighting options. Priorities are beam shape/visibility and longevity. Don't want to sap too much power, either.

nlerner

I've been really happy with my Shutter Precision, SP, dyno hub (I have two running, actually) and pretty much any B&M IQ front lights (xx.cycle in France usually has the best prices). I've done a few overnight rides the last couple of years, and a single front lamp has been all I need.

gugie 

+1

The SON wide bodies are technically attractive with the wide body, but the SP hubs provide the same performance at half the price. B&M IQ front lights are what I'm running as well. I can't speak to the Edelux lights, but they seem to have equivalent performance.

Bad Lag

What is the rear derailleur?

cyclotoine

Looks like a suntour XC MTB derailleur to match the front. A nice choice

Sir_Name 

Thanks for the link. That's a good amount of options.

Thanks - glad to hear about both the SP and B&M options.

Sir_Name 

Yup - XC Pro front and rear. I ran Deerhead on the Windsor most of the time, switched over to these maybe a couple months ago. So far I'm liking these a lot more than the Deerhead, though there's something about those I really like as well.

Sir_Name 

LI Sound in the distance.



Post-ride snacks...



What a blast - I got out for about an hour earlier and am beyond pleased with this thing. First impressions are that it has a great lively ride feel, and calm predictable handling. Just lean and look where you want to go. The brakes are fantastic; much, much better than the Windsor. The bike feels faster and more controlled as well. I found myself climbing familiar hills in the next gear or two up from what was typical on the Windsor, and on descents worked up to having no reservations about getting tucked and just letting it roll. It corners beautifully with perfectly stable and surefooted manners. Can't wait to get back out on it soon. The fit is a definite improvement over the Windsor as well. There are still some tweaks to be made and new cables to be installed, almost there.

gugie 

So glad she's got a good home! Just a few months ago:

Sir_Name 

Nice bike! Glad you offered - can't wait to wear out the 38s a bit more and switch to 42s.

Sir_Name 

Build 2.0 begins...



The rough plan is FSA SLK Adventure 46/30 with 11-42 11sp in the back. Ultegra rear hub and most likely an SP dyno in front with B&M lighting. Brevet or Belgium+ rims. DT Revolution spokes, Competition DS rear.

The current build is 3x7 Accushift+ with an IRD freewheel. 46/36/26 x 13-32.







The Accushift gear works pretty well with the IRD/Shimano freewheel spacing, but it's touchy and needs to be tuned 'just right.' The bike was cold set to 130mm before I got it, so it's only right to jam a few more sprockets back there. The current 126 mm wheel set (now with +4 mm spacers) came from another bike, and I had most of the current build on-hand back when. The plan had always been to eventually rebuild with a dynamo and more modern components, it's just taken a while to bite the bullet. I grabbed the correct '71 waterslide decals a couple years ago, will finally getting around to swapping them in once I collect parts and rebuild.

jethin

Neat bike, nice story, interesting project!