A new bike build, first ride on it, and my first Society of Three Speeds ride
04-20-19, 08:21 PM
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Bike Butcher of Portland
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A new bike build, first ride on it, and my first Society of Three Speeds ride
The Society of Three Speeds is a creation of Portland local Shawn Granton. For $20, you can join and receive a patch, some stickers, and a few badges, along with occasional post cards pimping events and 3 speed bike challenges. I met Shawn a few years ago and joined. He's also one of the organizers of the annual Tweed Ride and several Portland Pedalpalooza events. I've described him once as someone who treads on the earth lightly. I've been wanting to do one of his organized rides the past few years, but things kept getting in the way. One was the lack of an appropriate bike, but in reality, any 2, 3, 4 or 5 speed IGH bike would do. My Raleigh Grand Sport set up with a 5 speed Sturmey Archer hub is my basic commuter bike. But honestly, it seemed too "sporty" for this crowd. Alright, in reality, I was busy doing other things. Then a chrome Grand Sport came my way, and I decided on a special build for it, one that I would be proud to ride in a S.O.T.S. event.
First, the build. I was tipped off to a rare chromed Raleigh Grand Sport in the LA Craigslist (who was the tipster?) With an April event coming up, I started the build. The chrome on this thing is wonderful, chromed Grand Sports were in the 1970 catalog, but I hear they were never widely available - perhaps some were made for demonstration? It also had some "chromovelato" panels. I believe this is Italian for "paint falls off if you breath on it." Here's what I ended up with:
Rims are from @Drillium Dude, who gifted me a pair of black 36 hole 700c Weinmann concaves. Spokes are a combo of black and silver stainless steel DT's that were picked up when Performance Bicycles shut down - rear is 3 cross, front is 2 cross, because that's what worked with the lengths I had. I have several sets of MAFAC RAID brakes, so I pulled out a set from my pile, polished them up, put new Koolstop pads and bolted them on. An SR Laprade seatpost bolts up to an @rhm releathered frame. I had a used Normandy hub that polished up nicely. The cranks are the Raleigh version of Stronglight 105's with a chain guard. Removing the 52 tooth chainring and subbing triple length bolts for doubles gave me something vintage looking for a parts bin price. I purchased a 2 speed kickback Sturmey Archer hub, which meant no reaction arm or cables to attach to the frame - I didn't want to detract from the chrome. Platform pedals were borrowed from another bike. I had some VO upright bar brake levers, a stem was pulled form a set of bars I had laying around. I bought a pair of VO Postino handlebars and black Rustine grips were the only other parts I bought for this build. I even had a pair of vintage black Bluemels to attach, and a Carradice saddle bag, so this was a very English build. I did accessorize with a Problem Solver handlebar bottle cage adapter. To keep in the hipster mode, I put a stainless steel insulated bottle in it that was gifted to me some time ago. Note the 25-1/2" frame, a very french fit for me.
First, the build. I was tipped off to a rare chromed Raleigh Grand Sport in the LA Craigslist (who was the tipster?) With an April event coming up, I started the build. The chrome on this thing is wonderful, chromed Grand Sports were in the 1970 catalog, but I hear they were never widely available - perhaps some were made for demonstration? It also had some "chromovelato" panels. I believe this is Italian for "paint falls off if you breath on it." Here's what I ended up with:
Rims are from @Drillium Dude, who gifted me a pair of black 36 hole 700c Weinmann concaves. Spokes are a combo of black and silver stainless steel DT's that were picked up when Performance Bicycles shut down - rear is 3 cross, front is 2 cross, because that's what worked with the lengths I had. I have several sets of MAFAC RAID brakes, so I pulled out a set from my pile, polished them up, put new Koolstop pads and bolted them on. An SR Laprade seatpost bolts up to an @rhm releathered frame. I had a used Normandy hub that polished up nicely. The cranks are the Raleigh version of Stronglight 105's with a chain guard. Removing the 52 tooth chainring and subbing triple length bolts for doubles gave me something vintage looking for a parts bin price. I purchased a 2 speed kickback Sturmey Archer hub, which meant no reaction arm or cables to attach to the frame - I didn't want to detract from the chrome. Platform pedals were borrowed from another bike. I had some VO upright bar brake levers, a stem was pulled form a set of bars I had laying around. I bought a pair of VO Postino handlebars and black Rustine grips were the only other parts I bought for this build. I even had a pair of vintage black Bluemels to attach, and a Carradice saddle bag, so this was a very English build. I did accessorize with a Problem Solver handlebar bottle cage adapter. To keep in the hipster mode, I put a stainless steel insulated bottle in it that was gifted to me some time ago. Note the 25-1/2" frame, a very french fit for me.
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
04-20-19, 08:40 PM
#2
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That looks like a fun bike. I'd like to try a kick back hub sometime.
04-20-19, 09:12 PM
#3
Bike Butcher of Portland
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It's like a flip flop without having to stop and switch. Great city bike.
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
04-20-19, 09:13 PM
#4
Bike Butcher of Portland
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Just went back through my PM's it was @juvela that bird dogged this frame for me!
Thanks!
Thanks!
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
04-20-19, 09:49 PM
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Nice build, would be a fun ride. How is that kick back hub working? I have a SRAM Automatix 2 speed hub and it is a great hub.
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Cambodia bikes, Bridgestone SRAM 2 speed, 2012 Fuji Stratos...
Cambodia bikes, Bridgestone SRAM 2 speed, 2012 Fuji Stratos...
04-20-19, 09:53 PM
#6
feros ferio
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My favorite IGH rig was a Sturmey Archer AW hub with a close ratio 4-speed cog block.
For a time, I converted my old low-end Bianchi Corsa from a 2x5 derailleur system to a Sturmey Archer 3-speed coaster brake, friction shifted with the original Huret downtube lever. It was my short haul, theft-resistant campus commuter for a couple of years.
For a time, I converted my old low-end Bianchi Corsa from a 2x5 derailleur system to a Sturmey Archer 3-speed coaster brake, friction shifted with the original Huret downtube lever. It was my short haul, theft-resistant campus commuter for a couple of years.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
04-20-19, 09:55 PM
#7
Bike Butcher of Portland
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Society of Three Speeds Challenge Ride
Society of Three Speed rides are the exact opposite of rides in the genre of the Velominati. We wouldn't ride more than 10 miles before stopping and smelling the roses. The start was at a breakfast/coffee spot attached to an extensive art studio. Most of the bikes were vintage, there were 3 Brompton's as well, and a modern Linus 3 speed.
The pace was easy. One could ride alongside someone else and carry on a full conversation - never out of breath or hard of hearing from wind rushing by. Attire was Rivendellian - the picture belows shows the one pair of cycling shorts seen worn the entire ride. The woman next to her is wearing a dress!
One of the April S.O.T.S challenges was to stop and make some tea or coffee, so we all did.
Our fearless leader, Shawn:
The pace was easy. One could ride alongside someone else and carry on a full conversation - never out of breath or hard of hearing from wind rushing by. Attire was Rivendellian - the picture belows shows the one pair of cycling shorts seen worn the entire ride. The woman next to her is wearing a dress!
One of the April S.O.T.S challenges was to stop and make some tea or coffee, so we all did.
Our fearless leader, Shawn:
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
Last edited by gugie; 04-21-19 at 10:17 AM.
04-20-19, 10:13 PM
#8
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The ride continues
Oregon City has a unique feature: a munincipal elevator connecting two neighborhoods, one near the river, the other on a cliff high above.
We wheel our bikes in 3 or 4 at a time for the vertical ride. Looking back in the picture below is longtime bicycle rider, Pedalpalooza organizer and all around great gal @BicycleKitty sporting a dress and riding a 1950's era Ross 3 speed. Don't let the attire fool you, she was one of the strong finishers of the 2nd annual attack of North Trask "death ride" a few years back.
A very short ride further up the hill we come to a vista point where we view the Willamette Falls Locks.
A short, quick downhill and we reach a Scottish pub, where I was too busy perusing the beer menu, eating and conversing with my fellow riders to take any pictures! I ended up leaving before the party was over as I had some family commitments. A few miles riding and I brought my bike onto Portland's fairly new north-south MAX line; a proper hook awaited my bike to shorten the route home.
Our pace was slow, we stopped a lot for long periods of time (compared to what I'm used to), but it was all around fun.
If you have a 3 speed, or are thinking of getting one, I'd highly recommend joining the Society of Three Speeds. The swag is great, too! Shawn does all of his own graphics by hand. Postcards are hand written. He's as old school as it gets.
We wheel our bikes in 3 or 4 at a time for the vertical ride. Looking back in the picture below is longtime bicycle rider, Pedalpalooza organizer and all around great gal @BicycleKitty sporting a dress and riding a 1950's era Ross 3 speed. Don't let the attire fool you, she was one of the strong finishers of the 2nd annual attack of North Trask "death ride" a few years back.
A very short ride further up the hill we come to a vista point where we view the Willamette Falls Locks.
A short, quick downhill and we reach a Scottish pub, where I was too busy perusing the beer menu, eating and conversing with my fellow riders to take any pictures! I ended up leaving before the party was over as I had some family commitments. A few miles riding and I brought my bike onto Portland's fairly new north-south MAX line; a proper hook awaited my bike to shorten the route home.
Our pace was slow, we stopped a lot for long periods of time (compared to what I'm used to), but it was all around fun.
If you have a 3 speed, or are thinking of getting one, I'd highly recommend joining the Society of Three Speeds. The swag is great, too! Shawn does all of his own graphics by hand. Postcards are hand written. He's as old school as it gets.
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
Last edited by gugie; 04-21-19 at 10:21 AM.
04-20-19, 10:32 PM
#9
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I believe @nlerner has that same SRAM Automatix 2 speed on his Sears Ted Williams 531 bike I rode to a Red Sox game a couple of years ago.
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
Last edited by gugie; 04-20-19 at 10:53 PM.
04-21-19, 07:30 AM
#10
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Awesome post!
04-21-19, 07:50 AM
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Very cool, looks like fun, and thos are some wiiiide bars! Comfy. You’ve reminded me that I’d like to have an IGH 3 speed in the mix...
04-21-19, 08:10 AM
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Motivates me to find another saddle for my '64 (from hub date code) Robin Hood super steel roadster, 28 x 1 1/2"
was gifted the bike on 1981, original saddle went in 2006, a second $2 yard sale B72 died about three years ago- tragic as the wayward nose section bounced into the storm drain- preventing sending that one off for a new leather.
mine curiously has the coaster brake and front and rear rod brakes.
stoll has the original tubes, original tires rotted out at the beads. Was lucky to catch them before the tubes blew
Of a time when Sturmey-Archer was king of Gears
was gifted the bike on 1981, original saddle went in 2006, a second $2 yard sale B72 died about three years ago- tragic as the wayward nose section bounced into the storm drain- preventing sending that one off for a new leather.
mine curiously has the coaster brake and front and rear rod brakes.
stoll has the original tubes, original tires rotted out at the beads. Was lucky to catch them before the tubes blew
Of a time when Sturmey-Archer was king of Gears
04-21-19, 01:43 PM
#13
Senior Member
Fantastic read! Doing my own challenges for it on this coast side. Sorry I can’t catch one of Shaun’s rides personally.
04-21-19, 05:49 PM
#14
Bike Butcher of Portland
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Lake Pepin Three Speed Tour
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
04-21-19, 06:11 PM
#15
Senior Member
Well, this one probably isn't close enough for you, but Minnesota, May 18tha nd 19th...
Lake Pepin Three Speed Tour
Lake Pepin Three Speed Tour
