Clyde1820

I've got a '90s Trek 970 with some Odyssey Grandstand v2 pedals. Big, platform-type, not exactly reminiscent of the period based on the look of the things. But they're very functional and work well for a more-upright "city" type bike. I like how they feel. Enough height on the pins to hold "city" shoes nicely, without tearing them up, and so much acreage on the surface of the pedals it makes them very easy to use. Relatively inexpensive, too.

reluctantsuburb

Well the end (of the first iteration) is almost here. I got most of the parts on the bike. Tomorrow I'm meeting up with someone (at a safe distance, etc.) so I can make sure everything is good to go before taking it for its first ride.

Unfortunately, by the time I got all the pieces on the frame, the sun was down, so I'll have to settle for this bad picture in my garage. I'll get a better pic tomorrow.

I can already tell that I will want a new crankset eventually and likely new shifters and brake levers, but for now, I think it will be rideable. As I've been building it up, I'm starting to more fully understand how you don't really finish a bike, you just keep tinkering with it. Hoping that the sizing is closer to that elusive fit that I've been chasing.

Chris Chicago

Wow, that's a nice tall frame. Definitely deserves the right crank.

vp-747 pedals are the right style and inexpensive if you're still looking

reluctantsuburb

Thanks for the tip on pedals. Cranks are one of those things where I very much underestimated the variety and significance. I'm keeping an eye out!

FujiSam

Looks great! This FSA Comet 1x crankset and BB just popped up in Dallas for $70 fyi! Not of the era, but a nice setup.

wrk101

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On handlebars, North Roads can make a fine choice if you want upright.

reluctantsuburb

Hey all,

Well, I had a bit of Bike Forums blessing. A member and I ended up connecting on here after realizing we lived only a few miles apart, and he was kind enough to significantly help with the final parts of the building, including raiding his own parts bin quite liberally. I'm really grateful to him!

Below are some pics. I just took it on a quick spin this morning but have not yet had a real chance to try it out. Hoping to get an hour ride in this afternoon. So far, the posture seems just right and it offers a stiffer/quicker acceleration than I would have guessed. Maybe that is simply because I am so used to riding a bike loaded down with racks, fenders, bags, etc.

Now I'm trying to decide if I want to get some racks and fenders on here or leave it clean and simple.

countalmaviva 

Bravo! Glad to see you got your Cimarron rolling. I love the Suntour rear deraileur. I'm curious about that stem -- can you tell us more about it? Brand?

Cheers,
Oliver H.

reluctantsuburb

Thanks Oliver! I appreciate your support throughout!

The stem and bars are both from Sunlite. I knew I wanted to be upright but didn't want to drop any serious money since I thought this might be the first of a few iterations. I think the stem is working well! I will say though, it has shown me I need some better grips.

Stem here; bars here. Feel free to ask any other questions or offer suggestions!

Since we're here...I am a couple hundred miles into this Brooks saddle and it is still stiff as it was when it came out of the box. It's starting to wear on me - I keep thinking surely it'll break in, but I'm not seeing any change. I conditioned with a bit of proofide on both sides when I purchased, but nothing since. Any tips?

Chicago Al 

My wife walked in while I was looking at your bike and when I pointed out your stem and bars said 'that's what it needs!' meaning the one I am fixing up for her. I think she's right. Thanks!

Korina

Try another dose of proofide top and bottom.

My "aged" saddle is hard as a rock and has a particularly tall hump on the nose; I've been tempted to soften it with a baseball bat more than once. Fortunately a slight tilt down removed the worst of the squashing of bits.

As for racks and fenders; I'm a big proponent of fenders, but ride it for awhile and see what it wants. Get to know each other.

countalmaviva 

I have ridden my Brooks Professional saddle nearly continuously (e.g. I've always swapped bikes but kept the saddle) for about 20 years now. I would say that it didn't become the favorite that it now is until about 1000 miles in. I'm sure there are a lot of perspectives shared here about Brooks. Be patient. Definitely give it at least 1000 miles and definitely fiddle with saddle height and tilt.

By the way, I've been making fewer, but larger trips to the grocery store on my bike since the pandemic. For the last one, I carried 107 pounds of groceries, cat food, and cat litter in my four panniers. I wouldn't recommend it on a regular basis or for a long distance, but the Cimarron was just fine for the 5 blocks home!

Cheers,
Oliver H.

Clyde1820

Can't say that I'm in quite the same boat. I've got a Brooks B67 Aged saddle, myself, and I did a few treatments of the Proofide post-purchase. It's not nearly so board-stiff as many NIB non-"Aged" models, at least IMO.

I'm hopeful that once the good weather comes it'll be simple to complete the break-in over the next hundred miles or so. (Nothing I hate more than getting scrunched in a "vice" on a saddle.)

badger_biker 

A very nice looking build! A tip I got when I bought my first Brooks in a bike shop in the UK was to warm it in the oven and then put on the proofhide. It soaks into the leather much better and is more important for the underside of the saddle. That trick seemed to work for me with a B17N.
I have a green 1985 Cimarron and I love it. Pretty much stock but I went with a quill stem adapter and trekking bars. I have Fat Franks on it now and with that long wheel base it rides like a Cadillac.

reluctantsuburb

Glad to hear you like your fat franks--I know tires will be one of the first upgrades I make!