RiddleOfSteel

The goal is a 1920's or so frame or...geometry and look. Whatever, we have another or perhaps the first C&V build series on our hands!

There is a keep-it-reasonable budget factor that Jon states, but then we have some nice VO bars and stem, a B17 saddle, and Challenge Strada Bianca tires on new silver 700C wheels. I don't care though, because it looks interesting, and a nice balance from the space-age stuff that the channel naturally covers (and that I like/appreciate, well, most of it).

SurferRosa

Cool idea.

But he should paint it ... at least the fork.

repechage

Someone set him straight as to the decade of the bike...it has been "upgraded"... 50" very early 60's for the frame?
Should have found a bike that took 700c to begin with as any racer in the "20's" was on tubulars...

Fork crown looks suspicious as to being original. At least the bike has relaxed geometry.

GrainBrain

Oh this will be good

A bailout gear of 48-18 oof

iab

So wrong. Then again, GNC claimed Tullio Campagnolo invented the derailleur and called it croce d'aune.

Here is what it should resemble.


2L by iabisdb, on Flickr

TenGrainBread 

GCN is sort of a joke when it comes to accuracy about vintage bikes. That's a cool bike and I'm glad they're doing these videos. Not sure how it's so hard to do a little research on what you're talking about before, though...

repechage

They could not handle it.
Positive side though, is that it Might garner more interest and or respect for older bikes.

RiddleOfSteel

If anything, this is a bike that needs repainting, or to imitate the above race bike, strip the paint entirely and put a matte clear coat on it.

As to accuracy, obviously we/I am in the presence of experts of such knowledge, whether through research, education from others, or hands-on experience. I certainly appreciate that. Perhaps with time, the accuracy will match the spirit/enthusiasm. Especially as the C&V sub-theme is in its fledgling state. I'm just glad he digs vintage stuff, especially from the '70s, '80s, and '90s.

smontanaro 

I'm not too surprised. Everything we do with our vintage bikes seems weird to the carbon crowd. I showed up to the local group rode Saturday and met someone new. I will occasionally mention upcoming vintage stuff on the group's list, like the get together at my place a few weeks ago, or the Sunday morning lakefront rides to Hyde Park. I never get any response.

New guy on Saturday: "Oh, you're the vintage bike guy." At least I know my vintage bike missives aren't being routed to peoples' spam folders.

Hudson308 

Exactly.
I love the bike they chose, and I wouldn't even repaint it (did I say that?).
But they could use some Cinelli Criterium bars on it with grips, and of course tubular tires, if they really wanted accuracy.

jamesdak 

And I thought I was the only one with Giro d'Italia tribute bike, LOL!





Always worn with a pink jersey, hat, and socks.

Bandera

Eh, GCN will end up w/ a '50'-60's-ish replica of a typical FG/SS club riders machine which should be readily available as is in the C&V market in the UK where thousands must still exist today in good nick.
Without wearing spare tubulars around the shoulders in full woolen kit playing dress-up on this machine will ring a really false note.
Let's see if Sy can channel his inner Beryl Burton to hack riding FG on the road...…..

iab

I have to disagree. All they are making is a hipster fixie that was all the rage a decade ago.

Geometry on these 20s bikes takes getting used to. The BB is forward. Out of the saddle riding ain't the same as 70s geometry. Modern track bars are a better pick than the randonneur bars he chose because there is not much choice other than using the drops on 20s bars. The aluminum rims are not in the ballpark. Wood rims are like pedalling noodles. Also, the cork pads on wood rims with very long reach calipers that clamp to the fork blades or seat stays make for the suggestion of stopping, not actually stopping. It was a common practise to jam a stick between the foot and pedal protruding out the back so you could use it as a drag to stop.

So other than accelerating out of the saddle, being more comfortable while in the saddle and actually stopping, his bike is exactly like mine.

bikemig 

I'm with you. I might need to track one of these frames down to build up a "club" racer though I'd likely go 3 speed on the rear. Beryl Burton could make it up those mountains or anything else with a flip flop hub. Me, I'll go with a SA 3 speed hub to handle the local hills, .

RiddleOfSteel

New video up.

I don't know, guys. I'll see the series through, but really, I wasn't expecting a full ground-up restoration, but I at least expected more (any!) cleaning. I wonder how much the upper level people are pushing to get these sorts of builds going/over with versus what Jon (hopefully) actually wants to do, as in, take more time.

TenGrainBread 

That's somewhat embarrassing.

Didn't seem to even clean the frame, let alone remove rust off components. Or overhaul any bearings. Really, just going to put oil in the port for the 60 year old bottom bracket? The too long brake lines and purple chain were the cherry on top.

Bandera

Unwatchable, a total Hot-Mess.

-Bandera

peter_d

Yes, fraid John Canning didn't live up to his hype. Too bad, that frame has potential.

ryansu

Could he have done less work? too afraid to remove the cotters to deal with the bb, didn't rebuild the headset, no new brake pads, he didn't even take 30 seconds to wipe down the freaking frame let alone wax it. Not sure why he bothered with a new stem, bars and saddle. Not impressed GCN.

RiddleOfSteel

I am now wondering that this more-apparent seeming rush job was because of the Giro this year.

Simon (Si) was supposed to ride the bike but it appears this enviable task was given to Ollie, a more junior (certainly in tenure) presenter. Why Jon didn't at least wrap the bars in something I will never know. Even a crappy wrap job takes only five to ten minutes. At any rate, Ollie, who doesn't mind some C&V here and there, did the work, and the tongue-in-cheek humor/sarcasm had me laughing. He spoke over a graphic that compared the Giro d'Italia of old to one of new (last year's). Technology has certainly progressed. The pro peloton travels considerably faster over nearly the same distance overall, with less in-saddle time per stage--albeit with a handful more stages (21 vs 15).

non-fixie 

That was fun to watch. Thanks for posting these.

While I too would have done things differently, the bike did serve its purpose in this video series. Lovely frame, BTW. Wouldn't mind one in my size.

sdn40

Looks like that bike was more a means to an end. It was more about the upcoming intended story than the build, which is fine, but not what we wanted

iab

This has more to do with road conditions than cycling tech.