Show Your "American Builders Only" Steel Rides
09-14-20, 05:21 PM
#551
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Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
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^^^ Those look like stout fork legs, seat stays seem so as well or at least not less than. 
09-15-20, 11:41 AM
#552
I’m a little Surly
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I need to stop spending money on it but here's the Bruce Gordon in hopefully its final form short of a new stem.
Since the last picture:
New rear derailleur
New shifters
New brake levers
New wheels
New front rack
New v-brakes
New seat post
Most is used but new to that bike
Last edited by Germany_chris; 09-15-20 at 02:19 PM.
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09-15-20, 01:50 PM
#553
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Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
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bikemig
Tx for the like, not sure if you saw, here's the build thread.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...-decide-5.html
Tx for the like, not sure if you saw, here's the build thread.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...-decide-5.html
09-15-20, 03:18 PM
#554
Sunshine
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Here's my contribution - a 2016 Nobilette.
I spent many years collecting parts for what would be my "ultimate" bike, financing them almost entirely by selling stuff on eBay. As far a ride quality and handling, I knew I wanted the new bike to match my favorite vintage ride, a '78 Andre Bertin C35. To that end, with the help of an ace bike mechanic friend of mine we carefully measuresed and re-measured the Bertin. The only nod to modernity is that the top tube slopes up 1.5 degrees, so that I can get the bars up where my aged back needs them to be.
There were a few builders on my short list, but I decided to go with Mark Nobilette because he seemed like he'd be easy to work with, his prices were reasonable, and his waiting list wasn't years long. I'm sure most of you are familiar with Mark, but just in case, here's a quick bio: He attended one of Albert Eisentraut's first frame building classes (along with Bruce Gordon!) and became Albert's apprentice. Mark later ventured out on his own, and has been building frames under his own name since the mid-70's. He also builds all of the custom Rivendells, and the reincarnated Rene Hereses.
I the end, I was so glad I went with him. Someone once said that Mark has the "highest ratio of competence to humility" of any professional that they had ever met. I couldn't agree more.
I spent many years collecting parts for what would be my "ultimate" bike, financing them almost entirely by selling stuff on eBay. As far a ride quality and handling, I knew I wanted the new bike to match my favorite vintage ride, a '78 Andre Bertin C35. To that end, with the help of an ace bike mechanic friend of mine we carefully measuresed and re-measured the Bertin. The only nod to modernity is that the top tube slopes up 1.5 degrees, so that I can get the bars up where my aged back needs them to be.
There were a few builders on my short list, but I decided to go with Mark Nobilette because he seemed like he'd be easy to work with, his prices were reasonable, and his waiting list wasn't years long. I'm sure most of you are familiar with Mark, but just in case, here's a quick bio: He attended one of Albert Eisentraut's first frame building classes (along with Bruce Gordon!) and became Albert's apprentice. Mark later ventured out on his own, and has been building frames under his own name since the mid-70's. He also builds all of the custom Rivendells, and the reincarnated Rene Hereses.
I the end, I was so glad I went with him. Someone once said that Mark has the "highest ratio of competence to humility" of any professional that they had ever met. I couldn't agree more.
- I see these are Richard Sachs lugs, but the lower head tube lug should have attached threaded housing stops. Did you choose to remove those, did Mark choose to remove them, or were they just not on the lugs and the design has changed from what I know of?
- Also, is 853 tubing used? That seems to be the case, based on what I can see from the sticker, but its a unique sticker design so I cant tell for sure. Regardless of whats used for the main triangle, how was it decided on?
- What tubing is used for the stays?
Also obviously- cool bike.
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09-15-20, 05:31 PM
#555
"part timer"
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Bikes: 1975 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1978 Bertin C35, 1982 Trek 614, 1983 Trek 620, 1984 Nishiki Seral, 1995 Mercian Ko’M, 1998 Fisher HKEK, 2000 Rivendell RS, 2001 Heron Touring, 2016 Nobilette Custom
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Ok, im gonna geek out a little as I am curious about the tubing and lugs used.
- I see these are Richard Sachs lugs, but the lower head tube lug should have attached threaded housing stops. Did you choose to remove those, did Mark choose to remove them, or were they just not on the lugs and the design has changed from what I know of?
- Also, is 853 tubing used? That seems to be the case, based on what I can see from the sticker, but its a unique sticker design so I cant tell for sure. Regardless of whats used for the main triangle, how was it decided on?
- What tubing is used for the stays?
Also obviously- cool bike.
- I see these are Richard Sachs lugs, but the lower head tube lug should have attached threaded housing stops. Did you choose to remove those, did Mark choose to remove them, or were they just not on the lugs and the design has changed from what I know of?
- Also, is 853 tubing used? That seems to be the case, based on what I can see from the sticker, but its a unique sticker design so I cant tell for sure. Regardless of whats used for the main triangle, how was it decided on?
- What tubing is used for the stays?
Also obviously- cool bike.
Yes, Sachs Rene Singer lugset. Mark convinced me that the cast-in cable stops on the lower head lug needed to go. Main triangle is 853. JR at VeloCals made the custom retro French tubing sticker. The stays are Reynolds 725
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09-17-20, 06:13 PM
#557
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09-17-20, 09:12 PM
#558
Junior Member
2018 REX. 2004 Garage Door
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10-16-20, 11:03 AM
#559
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Added a Chris Kvale to my Upper Midwest builders collection. I don't know why but bikes from this area seem to be finding me, this is my 4th. The previous owner had Chris add the posts for Paul brakes and repaint 2 years ago.
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80 Mercian Olympic, 92 DB Overdrive, '07 Rivendell AHH, '16 Clockwork All-Rounder
80 Mercian Olympic, 92 DB Overdrive, '07 Rivendell AHH, '16 Clockwork All-Rounder
10-16-20, 02:08 PM
#560
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Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
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Paging gomango ^^^
^^^
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10-16-20, 08:15 PM
#561
Clark W. Griswold
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Phil Wood with Phil BB, Hubs, Spokes and Nipples. Velocity Rims, Chris King headset, Thomson seatpost and King Cages with some anodizing from Firefly in Boston
Proteus frame from College Park, Maryland. Has a Thomson seatpost and Velocity rims beyond that not so 'murican but still a neat bike.
Also my Co-Motion was made in Eugene, Oregon and has a Paul Rear cassette hub and Thomson post. My 1985 Trek 520 in the U.S. as well. I need some better photos and in some cases just photos of all my bikes.
11-06-20, 12:53 PM
#562
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New Bike Day
New-to-me Serotta out for a shakedown ride this morning. It's what I am calling a provisional build. The wheels are definitely not permanent pieces for the bike as they came off my Frejus Tour de France. While there's nothing wrong with the Campy drivetrain per se, I would probably still opt for something more like SunTour Superbe long term.
I had these Veloce Monoplaner brakes available, so I gave them a try. They are intended to be used with recessed mounting while the frame takes nutted brakes. I used Sheldon Brown's trick of swapping front and rear calipers, mounting the now rear caliper with a nut and the now front caliper with a recessed nut from inside the steerer tube. That seems sturdy enough, but it seems that it might not be strong enough should I really need to stomp on the brakes, since the center bolt only goes through the front hole of the fork crown. Can anyone comment on their experience (good or bad) with this sort of setup? If I like the Monoplaner calipers well enough but want to switch to nutted mounting, should I be able to swap out the center bolt for a normal nutted front center bolt from, say, an old Campy Record caliper (or similar, SunTour or Dia-Compe)?
I had these Veloce Monoplaner brakes available, so I gave them a try. They are intended to be used with recessed mounting while the frame takes nutted brakes. I used Sheldon Brown's trick of swapping front and rear calipers, mounting the now rear caliper with a nut and the now front caliper with a recessed nut from inside the steerer tube. That seems sturdy enough, but it seems that it might not be strong enough should I really need to stomp on the brakes, since the center bolt only goes through the front hole of the fork crown. Can anyone comment on their experience (good or bad) with this sort of setup? If I like the Monoplaner calipers well enough but want to switch to nutted mounting, should I be able to swap out the center bolt for a normal nutted front center bolt from, say, an old Campy Record caliper (or similar, SunTour or Dia-Compe)?
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11-06-20, 02:51 PM
#563
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Bikes: Since new: 86 Rodriguez Tandem, wife's 87 Gitane Team Pro, 92 Burley Rock-n-Roll, 85 Fisher Comp, 88 Puch Pro, two 92 Bridgestone X0-1s; later: 66/67 Gitane Champion du Monde, 70 Gitane Super Corsa, 70 Carre, 87 Gitane Team Pro, 77/78 Ritchey Tandem
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Posted first pic several weeks ago when I first bought this late 70s Ritchey Palo Alto tandem...second photo is after correcting some issues and adding some necessary accessories.
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11-06-20, 08:40 PM
#564
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Here are my current American built bicycles
1977 Davidson custom
1992 LeMond Titanium (Clark-Kent built)
1991 Serotta Colorado 2
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11-07-20, 02:40 PM
#565
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Paging gomango ^^^
^^^
The only fault I notice is it doesn't live at my house.
Congrats Kobe, love the build.
I should have mine built by next summer.
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11-08-20, 11:34 AM
#566
I’m a little Surly
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I’m done working on it..it’s finally complete
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11-08-20, 08:45 PM
#567
Senior Member
11-09-20, 09:54 AM
#568
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...
I had these Veloce Monoplaner brakes available, so I gave them a try. They are intended to be used with recessed mounting while the frame takes nutted brakes. I used Sheldon Brown's trick of swapping front and rear calipers, mounting the now rear caliper with a nut and the now front caliper with a recessed nut from inside the steerer tube. That seems sturdy enough, but it seems that it might not be strong enough should I really need to stomp on the brakes, since the center bolt only goes through the front hole of the fork crown. Can anyone comment on their experience (good or bad) with this sort of setup?
I had these Veloce Monoplaner brakes available, so I gave them a try. They are intended to be used with recessed mounting while the frame takes nutted brakes. I used Sheldon Brown's trick of swapping front and rear calipers, mounting the now rear caliper with a nut and the now front caliper with a recessed nut from inside the steerer tube. That seems sturdy enough, but it seems that it might not be strong enough should I really need to stomp on the brakes, since the center bolt only goes through the front hole of the fork crown. Can anyone comment on their experience (good or bad) with this sort of setup?
11-09-20, 01:30 PM
#569
Senior Member
I've also done the fork-crown-inside-nut trick, and it does work well, but I feel more secure using a longer nut/bushing from behind the crown.
My main general concern is you're tightening a nut with a flat contact surface against a curved fork crown inner wall. If you've got enough threads poking through, it might be helpful to use a beveled brake pivot bushing on the inside of the crown, between the nut and crown? I only just thought of that, and my sketchy brain/muscle memory thinks threads there are often at a premium, so this is suggestion I've never tried. Won't rush in to check it out either, next time one of those critters is in the stand hopefully I'll remember to check it out.
My main general concern is you're tightening a nut with a flat contact surface against a curved fork crown inner wall. If you've got enough threads poking through, it might be helpful to use a beveled brake pivot bushing on the inside of the crown, between the nut and crown? I only just thought of that, and my sketchy brain/muscle memory thinks threads there are often at a premium, so this is suggestion I've never tried. Won't rush in to check it out either, next time one of those critters is in the stand hopefully I'll remember to check it out.
I ran brakes like this for years, but now you can also pick up a longer nut that will reach properly through the back hole of the fork crown. As modern carbon forks have gotten bigger and bigger while front brake bolts have stayed the same length, there's now aftermarket brake bolts that are longer than standard. I did that for a couple years with a '91 Trek 400 that (bizarrely) took a nutted rear brake and recessed front brake -- flip the brakes front/rear, add a nut, add an extended front nut. Worked great.
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11-09-20, 06:27 PM
#570
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Thanks. I think the longer modern recessed nut would require me to drill the back side of the fork for a recessed nut, not something I'm quite ready to do at this point, especially as the Monoplaner brake might not be a permanent fixture. If I get some time in the next couple days I'll try to figure out if I can swap in a nutted Record center bolt.
Edit: I *really* need to stop replying to anything on my phone...
Edit: I *really* need to stop replying to anything on my phone...
Last edited by smontanaro; 11-10-20 at 05:35 AM.
11-09-20, 10:49 PM
#571
Senior Member
Lovely Serotta, btw! I didn't read your full post before responding, just went off of your quote in MH's post. So yeah, sorry I missed that the bike was built for nutted, which is why you were swapping them front/rear to begin with. I don't generally drill nutted holes bigger to fit recessed nuts, unless it's a beater, or needs other extensive frame work.
My most recent switcheroos have been to do a reverso rear caliper mount to add a minimal rear rack, so the fork was already drilled for recessed mounting.
FWIW the combo of the fork crown and steer tube usually leaves a fair amount of metal meat there.
I haven't disassembled Monoplanars for a lot of years, can't recall if the center bolts are interchangeable with NR/SR/Superbe/Gran-Compe/etc. I'm sure somebody else can chime in.
My most recent switcheroos have been to do a reverso rear caliper mount to add a minimal rear rack, so the fork was already drilled for recessed mounting.
FWIW the combo of the fork crown and steer tube usually leaves a fair amount of metal meat there.
I haven't disassembled Monoplanars for a lot of years, can't recall if the center bolts are interchangeable with NR/SR/Superbe/Gran-Compe/etc. I'm sure somebody else can chime in.
Thanks. I think the longer modern recessed nut would require me to bite the back side off the girl for a recessed nut, not something I'm quite ready to do at this point, especially as the Monoplaner brake might not be a permanent fixture. If I get some time in the next couple days I'll try to figure out if I can swap in a nutted Record center bolt.
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11-10-20, 01:01 PM
#572
aka Tom Reingold
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This is our 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem. Not a fine piece of machinery but I think it's American made. I converted the drivetrain from 3x7 to 3x11, and still want more gears at both ends. I think it's American made
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
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Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
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11-10-20, 07:41 PM
#573
Senior Member
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Location: San Diego
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Bikes: 1978 Bruce Gordon, 1977 Lippy, 199? Lippy tandem, Bike Friday NWT, 1982 Trek 720, 2012 Rivendell Atlantis, 1983 Bianchi Specialissima?
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11-11-20, 05:12 PM
#575
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Current iteration.