Bruised Bike #14 - Franco-American C&V Carbon
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Chattanooga
Posts: 1,169
Bikes: '93 Bridgestone RB-1, '91 Specialized Allez Epic, '85 Raleigh Team Pro, '78 Andre Bertin, early '90s F. Moser Leader AX , '85 Centurion Equipe, '98 Litespeed Tuscany, '89 Klein Quantum, '80 Nishiki Superbe, '83 Peckham, '84 Fuji Opus III
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
9 Posts
Bruised Bike #14 - Franco-American C&V Carbon
This 1991 Specialized Allez Epic came to me fitted with Shimano 600 Tricolor. I stripped it and there the frame hung season after season. Over the years I've also accumulated a critical mass of cross-era Mavic bits with only faint intentions. Now, they all call out for one another.
Notable departures from "norm" are the Kestrel CF fork with similar exposed weave as frame (instead of the aluminum original) and an emphasis on showcasing the various yellow/gold notations.
I was a bit surprised at the performance of the 840 rear derailleur, even of the drive train altogether. I favor friction shifting and love Suntour stuff especially. There is, however, a glitch in compatibility between the retrofriction shifters and the Maeda produced RDs. In short, it has to do with a progressive inconsistency in cable pull as one moves up and down through gearing patterns. It's possible to compensate, of course, but disconcerting until muscle memory sets in on a given setup.
The matchup between the 840 and the retrofrictions, however, is brilliant. It's almost as predictable, steady and linear as an indexed setup. No doubt it has to do with the genuine design innovation of the 840; i.e., multiple options for cable routing through the derailleur itself. It's far more than a slant parallagram knockoff.
After about 50 miles I can say that the Epic is a high class bike of that era and a genuine pleasure to ride. It possesses a clean smoothness and is sufficiently stiff for me - especially vertically speaking and under pressure is no more "noodley" than a Super Course of the same size. It's reminiscent of butted 531 or Columbus SL with a hint of wood. A bit remote in feeling. Independent but cooperative. At a smidgeon over 20 pounds as shown it has a good store of alertness and jump.
I built the wheels in a marathon cold weather flurry which produced about a half-dozen novel C&V wheel sets. The Mavic (Vittoria) tires are a bit lazy at 110 pounds but improve as I up the pressure towards maximum. The Modolo-produced-for-Mavic calipers are another good little surprise....no squealing and fine stoppers. A Nitto Pearl stem and early Weyless seat post. Specialized racer-boy pedals and bottle cage, Stronglight A9 headset and Simplex QR spindles. That's about it.
Bruised up Chattanooga style. I like it.
J
Notable departures from "norm" are the Kestrel CF fork with similar exposed weave as frame (instead of the aluminum original) and an emphasis on showcasing the various yellow/gold notations.
I was a bit surprised at the performance of the 840 rear derailleur, even of the drive train altogether. I favor friction shifting and love Suntour stuff especially. There is, however, a glitch in compatibility between the retrofriction shifters and the Maeda produced RDs. In short, it has to do with a progressive inconsistency in cable pull as one moves up and down through gearing patterns. It's possible to compensate, of course, but disconcerting until muscle memory sets in on a given setup.
The matchup between the 840 and the retrofrictions, however, is brilliant. It's almost as predictable, steady and linear as an indexed setup. No doubt it has to do with the genuine design innovation of the 840; i.e., multiple options for cable routing through the derailleur itself. It's far more than a slant parallagram knockoff.
After about 50 miles I can say that the Epic is a high class bike of that era and a genuine pleasure to ride. It possesses a clean smoothness and is sufficiently stiff for me - especially vertically speaking and under pressure is no more "noodley" than a Super Course of the same size. It's reminiscent of butted 531 or Columbus SL with a hint of wood. A bit remote in feeling. Independent but cooperative. At a smidgeon over 20 pounds as shown it has a good store of alertness and jump.
I built the wheels in a marathon cold weather flurry which produced about a half-dozen novel C&V wheel sets. The Mavic (Vittoria) tires are a bit lazy at 110 pounds but improve as I up the pressure towards maximum. The Modolo-produced-for-Mavic calipers are another good little surprise....no squealing and fine stoppers. A Nitto Pearl stem and early Weyless seat post. Specialized racer-boy pedals and bottle cage, Stronglight A9 headset and Simplex QR spindles. That's about it.
Bruised up Chattanooga style. I like it.
J
Last edited by afilado; 07-18-13 at 05:50 AM.
Likes For afilado:
#2
Senior Member
That's a fine ride, right there.
I always remark on these bikes as I stumble across them, but I do think the Kestrel fork in fact makes for an aesthetic improvement.
Dark anodized rims and the black-and-silver alloy 840 RD fit right in with the effect.
It's good to hear the 840 elicits some appreciation - I picked up one of these with about 1200 well-cared-for km on it for $20 from a former time-trialist this Spring, and the Mavic collection (gathered also "with only faint intentions") is starting to fill out.
I always remark on these bikes as I stumble across them, but I do think the Kestrel fork in fact makes for an aesthetic improvement.
Dark anodized rims and the black-and-silver alloy 840 RD fit right in with the effect.
It's good to hear the 840 elicits some appreciation - I picked up one of these with about 1200 well-cared-for km on it for $20 from a former time-trialist this Spring, and the Mavic collection (gathered also "with only faint intentions") is starting to fill out.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Port Angeles, WA
Posts: 8,016
Bikes: A green one, "Ragleigh," or something.
Mentioned: 194 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1627 Post(s)
Liked 629 Times
in
355 Posts
LOL. Pump those babies up.
__________________
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Hurricane Alley , Florida
Posts: 3,910
Bikes: Treks (USA), Schwinn Paramount, Schwinn letour,Raleigh Team Professional, Gazelle GoldLine Racing, 2 Super Mondias, Carlton Professional.
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 77 Post(s)
Liked 28 Times
in
22 Posts
Beautiful
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Metro Exurb
Posts: 455
Bikes: 1982 Torker BMX, 1990 Cannondale Black Lightning, 1996 Cannondale F400
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Looks great. Grab a new Mavic helmet and hit the streets!
#10
Photographer
Join Date: May 2006
Location: The other Cape, Cape Ann
Posts: 3,158
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 105 Post(s)
Liked 98 Times
in
53 Posts
That says it all. Well done J.
Scott
Scott
__________________
ClassicFuji.posthaven.com.archive
IG @scottryder.surf.cycle
IG @scottryder.fine.art
ClassicFuji.posthaven.com.archive
IG @scottryder.surf.cycle
IG @scottryder.fine.art
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Collegeville, PA
Posts: 1,352
Bikes: Ruckelshaus Randonneur, Specialized Allez (early 90's, steel), Ruckelshaus Path Bomber currently being built
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Nice, but I can't be the only one who thinks the brake lever position and bar angle are more screwed up than a soup sandwich...
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,138
Bikes: 1986 Alan Record Carbonio, 1985 Vitus Plus Carbone 7, 1984 Peugeot PSV, 1972 Line Seeker, 1986(est.) Medici Aerodynamic (Project), 1985(est.) Peugeot PY10FC
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 150 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 34 Times
in
27 Posts
A Great build!... And so refreshing with the cool French Mavic stuff on it (DA or Superbe Pro would have been the usual default for people building up an Epic.)!
The Allez Epic remains as something I might still add to my mostly CF C&V stable as it's another really nice C&V CF bike that's just waiting to be re-discovered by C&V riders and collectors.
Chombi
The Allez Epic remains as something I might still add to my mostly CF C&V stable as it's another really nice C&V CF bike that's just waiting to be re-discovered by C&V riders and collectors.
Chombi
#13
Cisalpinist
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Holland
Posts: 5,557
Bikes: blue ones.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times
in
11 Posts
Nope, you're not the only one but working with vintage bikes often leaves no choice but a bad looking compromise to make a frame rideable versus a new stock frame or a custom. I ride my 54 alan with a way too long seatpost, but I need the leg room and the short reach. One day I'd like to do what you did and teach myself how to build my own!
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Chattanooga
Posts: 1,169
Bikes: '93 Bridgestone RB-1, '91 Specialized Allez Epic, '85 Raleigh Team Pro, '78 Andre Bertin, early '90s F. Moser Leader AX , '85 Centurion Equipe, '98 Litespeed Tuscany, '89 Klein Quantum, '80 Nishiki Superbe, '83 Peckham, '84 Fuji Opus III
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
9 Posts
#17
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Chattanooga
Posts: 1,169
Bikes: '93 Bridgestone RB-1, '91 Specialized Allez Epic, '85 Raleigh Team Pro, '78 Andre Bertin, early '90s F. Moser Leader AX , '85 Centurion Equipe, '98 Litespeed Tuscany, '89 Klein Quantum, '80 Nishiki Superbe, '83 Peckham, '84 Fuji Opus III
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
9 Posts
Happy to help. Try this. And don't worry, just stick with it and you can pick it up soon enough.
https://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/...r-positioning/
https://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpe...BarsLevers.htm
BTW, your moniker is apt.
J
https://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/...r-positioning/
https://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpe...BarsLevers.htm
BTW, your moniker is apt.
J
Last edited by afilado; 07-20-13 at 06:22 AM.