52telecaster

I got this cheap and I rode it a bit with drop bars. I always forget how bad my arthritis is until I try another drop bar bike. Anyway this bike is Reynolds 525 welded with the rsx 8 speed group so nothing special. I managed to resurrect the right brifter but the left one refuses to operate correctly. Since I choose to use chainrings it or it's front mech are not compatible with I decided a suntour bar end would suffice. The new(ancient) chainrings have no ramps or pins but are way lighter than the steel rsx rings. 26-39-42 for a half step and granny on a 12-34 cassette. The fenders barely fit over 28s, but they do fit with judicious use of zip ties. The seat is a Persons majestic I scored for ten bucks. I may not be very aero on this but it's a fun ride.

jdawginsc 

RSx group is rock solid!

52telecaster

Yeah, it would actually make a terrific touring group. Shifts the rear beautifully and takes up a ton of chain.

juvela

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what function being performed by the zip tie rope running over the seat binder



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52telecaster

Getting the maximum clearance on the fender/tire.

robobike316 

What are those bars, VO Porteurs?

52telecaster

Yes, 23.8 version.

robobike316 

Thanks, it looks we have tried the same things, upside down Mustachios, Porteurs... I still can't find the right 23.8 upright bar with a decent rise. The Porteurs are too narrow and don't rise enough. The upside down mustache gives good rise but puts the angles in a bad place. They sweep up instead of down or neutral which I told myself was fine for years but never believed myself. You have some nice bikes! How's your half step setup working out? I've been thinking about doing a 39-44 on a 5spd. 14-34 which probably works out to close to what you have although I haven't run the numbers.

52telecaster

I tried mustache too but didn't care for it. I've gotten used to the narrow portuers on other bikes or my wrists don't mind or something. The half step on 8 speed is really breaking things down finely. Moreso than I need but I had the rings so I did it. I run half step on 5 speed a lot and it's the only way to get a really wide range in my book. This bike was just an experiment but I am liking it.

robobike316 

Sounds like you have partaken of the half step Kool-Aid! I am soon to join the cult if I can find and old TA 44 outer.

juvela

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the look of this arrangement of tie wraps connected to form a "rope" of sorts reminds me of all those movies where someone is shown to escape from a high window by tying together bed sheets...

in The Towering Inferno Lorne Green tells all of the ladies to remove their pantyhose so the hosiery can be used to form and escape rope


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52telecaster

I gotta remember that line. Has to be fool proof!

52telecaster

On my main touring bike, the gugified austro Daimler, I use a t.a. 44 outer. It really works well as a top touring ring. On a loaded trip I never reach high speeds unless I'm going downhill. That bike isn't half step but half step is fun. Peter White cycles has a big selection of those chainrings, but they aren't cheap.

Trakhak

Every time I ride for any significant distance on my 1995 Cannondale H300 hybrid with its half-step-plus-granny setup, I'm reminded again how imbecilic the gearing arrangements on my other geared bikes are in comparison.

As to the handlebar configuration: I replaced the stock bar and stem on that hybrid with the riser bar and stem from my retired 1986 Cannondale SM500 mountain bike and added a clamp-on aero bar and fenders. Shopping bike and bad-weather training bike. Works for me.

52telecaster

It's amazing how useful a properly spaced 5 speed freewheel can be with half step and granny. Usually jumping a cog is fine but if not you have the sub divided option and granny is there for when it gets real!

RCMoeur 

Half-step: Big jumps on the right, little jumps on the left. Easy. I used it for decades until 2-tooth-jump 7 speed freewheels and cassettes became a commodity. Still have it on my recumbent (41-38-24, 14-17-20-24-28-32).

Re RSX: Two of the most stubborn brifters I've degunked were 2 x 7 RSXes. I lost count of the number of passes in the ultrasonic cleaner before I finally got a single "click" out of each of them. But after patience, perseverance, and a whole lot of buzzing, they finally came clean and are put away for a future project.

52telecaster

I'll have to dive in the left one again but seriously i need friction on the left anyway.

montclairbobbyb 

Have you looked at the Jones H Bar (SG riser version)? It's avail in 2 widths, and has (IMO) the right amount of sweep and rise. It would require different brake/shifter combo, (but well worth it, I say). I currently have the SG on my '84 Specialized Expedition, (with Suntour Power thumbies and Shimano Deerhead brake levers, a bomb-proof combo).

Yours is a beautiful looking build...I dig the (mutant) shifter/brake combo... (cooler than you think?). I just love the look and the ride of the Lemond steel frame sets.... I have a (2002?) green and white Alpe d'huez... may one day convert it into an upright rider like yours. Keeper.