My First Rando Bike
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Bedford, NH
Posts: 54
Bikes: Ridley Fenix (11s Force), Eddy Merckx MX Leader, Heron Randonneur, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra (fixed gear), Torker Unicycle
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My First Rando Bike
I'm very excited. Inspired by the Randonoodler blog, I had been scouring everywhere for a vintage Trek to convert into a rando bike. I had it settled that a 614 would be it. It would be mine and I would be happy. It was not to be. Fate intervened and I found a Grant designed, Waterford built Heron Randonneur locally. For $650. I'm about halfway done cleaning it up but was so excited I had to stop and share. It has a rear Nitto rack and Carradice saddle bag that I removed for cleaning (and may leave off). It has a SON front hub, E3 light, Shimano XT stuff, and what looks to be a well broken in Brooks B17 saddle. I'm probably going to add a VO Campagne front bag to start and see where that gets me. I injured my hip while skiing a week ago and probably have another week till I can test ride her. I can't wait. Thanks for listening to me ramble.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: S Oregon
Posts: 801
Bikes: Berthoud Randoneusse, Curt Goodrich steel road, Zanconato Minimax road, Jeff Lyon steel all road,
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
very cool bicycle, congrats on the find. i hope you get to ride her soon
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,433
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 178 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5887 Post(s)
Liked 3,469 Times
in
2,079 Posts
I would have bought that bike in a heartbeat at $650; great bike.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: philadelphia, pa
Posts: 242
Bikes: 650b traditional rando, 700c SS rando, 700c fast rando..... plus a mountain, folder, and retired urban track in the basement
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 37 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Wow, amazing find for $650. Sometimes the rando gods smile upon you
Hopefully you'll have enough room for the VO decaleur and bag (although it gets a bad rap, should be fine enough while you figure out your preferred handlebar-bag set up), as it looks like it might be tight right where the bar clamp is. You'll find out.
In any case, many happy miles ahead!!
Hopefully you'll have enough room for the VO decaleur and bag (although it gets a bad rap, should be fine enough while you figure out your preferred handlebar-bag set up), as it looks like it might be tight right where the bar clamp is. You'll find out.
In any case, many happy miles ahead!!
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,009
Bikes: SOMA Grand Randonneur, Gunnar Sport converted to 650B, Rivendell Rambouillet, '82 Trek 728, '84 Trek 610, '85 Trek 500, C'Dale F600, Burley Duet, Lotus Legend
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
I'm very excited. Inspired by the Randonoodler blog, I had been scouring everywhere for a vintage Trek to convert into a rando bike. I had it settled that a 614 would be it. It would be mine and I would be happy. It was not to be. Fate intervened and I found a Grant designed, Waterford built Heron Randonneur locally. For $650. I'm about halfway done cleaning it up but was so excited I had to stop and share. It has a rear Nitto rack and Carradice saddle bag that I removed for cleaning (and may leave off). It has a SON front hub, E3 light, Shimano XT stuff, and what looks to be a well broken in Brooks B17 saddle. I'm probably going to add a VO Campagne front bag to start and see where that gets me. I injured my hip while skiing a week ago and probably have another week till I can test ride her. I can't wait. Thanks for listening to me ramble.
Here are my notes on vintage Treks, no longer useful to you because you've got a lovely Heron, but maybe useful to others:
R531=Reynolds 531=R531
NCO=Reynolds New Continental Oval fork
Low-Trail, high-quality
Except as noted, all have 73 degree head angle, 55mm rake = 43mm trail with 650Bx42 tires.
1976 TX700=R531+NCO
1977 TX700=R531+NCO
1978 710=R531+NCO, 910=Columbus SL/SP+NCO
1979 710=R531+NCO, 910=Columbus SL/SP+NCO
1980 710=R531+NCO, 910=Columbus SL/SP
1981 AVOID 610/613/614, see above
1982 AVOID 613/614, see above
1983 600/620/630/640 = R531C + mangalloy fork -- rear-rack + water-bottle cage
1984 610=R531CS frame+fork; has 52mm rake=49.6mm trail with 650Bx42 tires.
1982 720/728=R531, 72 degree head+52 mm rake==> 52mm trail with 650Bx42 tires.
Low-Trail Treks from
SF Cyclotouring: About Low Trail, and Low Trail Treks
Nick
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 2,468
Bikes: Co-Motion Cappuccino Tandem,'88 Bob Jackson Touring, Co-Motion Cascadia Touring, Open U.P., Ritchie Titanium Breakaway, Frances Cycles SmallHaul cargo bike. Those are the permanent ones; others wander in and out of the stable occasionally as well.
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 427 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 339 Times
in
229 Posts
That is a great deal on a beautiful bike. Are most of the components good to use as is?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Bandera
Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling
3
04-20-13 03:44 PM
duceditor
Classic & Vintage
20
08-24-11 10:05 PM