Alex Singer Cycles and culture
12-07-21, 10:49 AM
#51
aged to perfection
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: PacNW
Posts: 1,814
Bikes: Dinucci Allez 2.0, Richard Sachs, Alex Singer, Serotta, Masi GC, Raleigh Pro Mk.1, Hetchins, etc
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 837 Post(s)
Liked 1,258 Times
in
663 Posts
I have a recollection of seeing, back in the mid 80s, while riding the great western bike rally, a couple bikes with decals clearly modeled on the Singer logotype, but it said "Ringer".
I do not know who made those - altho I have a guess !
Like wearing a fake Rolex, putting Singer decals on a bike that is clearly not a Singer bike is silly. You're not fooling anybody but yourself.
There's nothing like the real thing, baybee. But what do I know.
/markp
I do not know who made those - altho I have a guess !
Like wearing a fake Rolex, putting Singer decals on a bike that is clearly not a Singer bike is silly. You're not fooling anybody but yourself.
There's nothing like the real thing, baybee. But what do I know.
/markp
12-08-21, 01:35 AM
#52
Classic, Vintage Mechanic
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Vancouver B.C. Canada
Posts: 117
Bikes: '65 Legnano Gran Primeo || '76 Holdsworth Mistral || '82 Specialized Stumpjumper
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 47 Post(s)
Liked 40 Times
in
25 Posts
Really enjoyed reading this, cant wait to hear and see how it continues.
12-08-21, 05:21 PM
#53
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,502
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7348 Post(s)
Liked 2,465 Times
in
1,433 Posts
My first time in Paris, I was embarking on what turn out to be a three-month tour. I was 20 years old. I told my hosts that I was going to take an afternoon ride through the Bois de Boulogne. My host said, "Don't look left or right, there are women there." Uh, she meant sex workers. Sure enough, as I zoomed by, a woman lifted her skirt in front of me. It isn't my preferred way of meeting people. I otherwise had a nice ride.
__________________
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.
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.
Likes For noglider:
03-11-22, 08:15 AM
#54
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: In transit
Posts: 1,897
Bikes: 07 Vanilla, 98 IRD road frame built up with 25th Ann DA, Surly cross check with 105 comp, 78 Raleigh Comp GS, 85 Centurionelli
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 87 Post(s)
Liked 923 Times
in
191 Posts
Project Awesome Update
Will post more this weekend. Teaser:
Likes For poprad:
03-11-22, 09:19 PM
#55
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 16,874
Bikes: 1980 Masi, 1984 Mondonico, 1984 Trek 610, 1980 Woodrup Giro, 2005 Mondonico Futura Leggera ELOS, 1967 PX10E, 1971 Peugeot UO-8
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1856 Post(s)
Liked 664 Times
in
506 Posts
I went on a similar visit to Alex Singer's, while on a business trip to Paris, staying near the Gare St. Lazare. I hiked from there out to Alex Singer's and went in to look around, after a coffee at the corner shop to warm up. It was so nice I had to stay for a beer or two.
At the store I looked around and spoke with Olivier for a little while and felt my hand edging toward my wallet. I didn't get a chance to start to talk about a bike before neighborhood kids and teens came by and started pestering Olivier, who gave them his attention. I shook his hand and headed out to hike back to my pension.
Can you share any details about your purchase? I did not get a chance to start talking to him. Covid has been in the way of me going back.
At the store I looked around and spoke with Olivier for a little while and felt my hand edging toward my wallet. I didn't get a chance to start to talk about a bike before neighborhood kids and teens came by and started pestering Olivier, who gave them his attention. I shook his hand and headed out to hike back to my pension.
Can you share any details about your purchase? I did not get a chance to start talking to him. Covid has been in the way of me going back.
03-11-22, 09:35 PM
#56
framebuilder
I'll remind you again that my life will never be complete until I see a picture of that fixture hanging over their alignment table. What I really want to see is a picture of it on the alignment table. My system of making a frame is based on the same concept. It always made the most sense to me. It never took hold over here. Perhaps you can be persuasive by telling him that one of America's oldest builders (oldest as in having done it a long time not oldest in about to die) has admired his fixture and would really really like to see a picture of it.
03-11-22, 10:20 PM
#57
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Medford MA
Posts: 2,089
Bikes: Ron Cooper touring, 1959 Jack Taylor 650b ladyback touring tandem, Vitus 979, Joe Bell painted Claud Butler Dalesman, Colin Laing curved tube tandem, heavily-Dilberted 1982 Trek 6xx, René Herse tandem
Mentioned: 80 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 964 Post(s)
Liked 1,451 Times
in
723 Posts
03-12-22, 01:42 AM
#58
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: In transit
Posts: 1,897
Bikes: 07 Vanilla, 98 IRD road frame built up with 25th Ann DA, Surly cross check with 105 comp, 78 Raleigh Comp GS, 85 Centurionelli
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 87 Post(s)
Liked 923 Times
in
191 Posts
I'll remind you again that my life will never be complete until I see a picture of that fixture hanging over their alignment table. What I really want to see is a picture of it on the alignment table. My system of making a frame is based on the same concept. It always made the most sense to me. It never took hold over here. Perhaps you can be persuasive by telling him that one of America's oldest builders (oldest as in having done it a long time not oldest in about to die) has admired his fixture and would really really like to see a picture of it.
03-12-22, 01:43 AM
#59
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: In transit
Posts: 1,897
Bikes: 07 Vanilla, 98 IRD road frame built up with 25th Ann DA, Surly cross check with 105 comp, 78 Raleigh Comp GS, 85 Centurionelli
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 87 Post(s)
Liked 923 Times
in
191 Posts
03-12-22, 01:46 AM
#60
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: In transit
Posts: 1,897
Bikes: 07 Vanilla, 98 IRD road frame built up with 25th Ann DA, Surly cross check with 105 comp, 78 Raleigh Comp GS, 85 Centurionelli
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 87 Post(s)
Liked 923 Times
in
191 Posts
Now the question is, do I start a new thread for a major update with tons of pics, or just put that here?
03-12-22, 04:41 AM
#61
Shifting is fun!
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: South Holland, NL
Posts: 11,006
Bikes: Yes, please.
Mentioned: 280 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2198 Post(s)
Liked 4,600 Times
in
1,764 Posts
I'd put them here, as everyone's already subscribed to this thread. And I think there's still a bit of room left for more pics. 
03-12-22, 05:16 AM
#62
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: In transit
Posts: 1,897
Bikes: 07 Vanilla, 98 IRD road frame built up with 25th Ann DA, Surly cross check with 105 comp, 78 Raleigh Comp GS, 85 Centurionelli
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 87 Post(s)
Liked 923 Times
in
191 Posts
OK, this works for me.
This week I was kind of frustrated because I had a (non-alcohol related) incident on an escalator at the end of my Berlin trip that resulted in a whole new scar on the same knee that I had the bike accident on in 2020. Without going into boring details, it's sore again and I'm waiting for the swelling to abate. So it goes...
In any event, Olivier sent me an email earlier this week asking if I'd like to come and see the frame before it heads to the polish/platers for its chrome bath. It couldn't have come at a better time, as I needed a distraction. "I'll just be an hour or so..." as I walked out the door. You can imagine how that went....
I arrived to find Olivier filing and sanding the bottom of the BB shell, and he showed me the frame and fork combo. Stunning work really, and so neat to see in the raw before the smoothing and plating. One can really see the quality of a framebuilder's work (I don't claim any expertise, just in general) before it gets either primered or plated. I really appreciated this chance, and we discussed some final details like LED taillight tab placement and rack options.
He still isn't happy about me asking him to make the stem, he prefers a Nitto for the greater strength, but I said it had to be one of his. He just gave me his patented brusque Frenchman eyebrow raise to indicate his displeasure, but accommodated my request.
This week I was kind of frustrated because I had a (non-alcohol related) incident on an escalator at the end of my Berlin trip that resulted in a whole new scar on the same knee that I had the bike accident on in 2020. Without going into boring details, it's sore again and I'm waiting for the swelling to abate. So it goes...
In any event, Olivier sent me an email earlier this week asking if I'd like to come and see the frame before it heads to the polish/platers for its chrome bath. It couldn't have come at a better time, as I needed a distraction. "I'll just be an hour or so..." as I walked out the door. You can imagine how that went....
I arrived to find Olivier filing and sanding the bottom of the BB shell, and he showed me the frame and fork combo. Stunning work really, and so neat to see in the raw before the smoothing and plating. One can really see the quality of a framebuilder's work (I don't claim any expertise, just in general) before it gets either primered or plated. I really appreciated this chance, and we discussed some final details like LED taillight tab placement and rack options.
He still isn't happy about me asking him to make the stem, he prefers a Nitto for the greater strength, but I said it had to be one of his. He just gave me his patented brusque Frenchman eyebrow raise to indicate his displeasure, but accommodated my request.
Likes For poprad:
03-12-22, 05:24 AM
#63
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: In transit
Posts: 1,897
Bikes: 07 Vanilla, 98 IRD road frame built up with 25th Ann DA, Surly cross check with 105 comp, 78 Raleigh Comp GS, 85 Centurionelli
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 87 Post(s)
Liked 923 Times
in
191 Posts
While he worked I had the run of the shop, and this time I brought my good camera (Lumix FZ1000 for the curious) and decided to take advantage and document the space. For those not interested you may want to scroll down to get to the frame pics, but I suspect most folks here would enjoy seeing the graceful chaos that makes up the Singer workshop.
Likes For poprad:
03-12-22, 05:29 AM
#64
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: In transit
Posts: 1,897
Bikes: 07 Vanilla, 98 IRD road frame built up with 25th Ann DA, Surly cross check with 105 comp, 78 Raleigh Comp GS, 85 Centurionelli
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 87 Post(s)
Liked 923 Times
in
191 Posts
This is the frame building table, with the jig suspended directly above. You can see why I need to be diplomatic about asking him to move all this ephemera to drop the job down and allow me to take pics of it.
The room anyone on this forum would so dearly love to run amok in
A couple of options....
Likes For poprad:
03-12-22, 05:40 AM
#65
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: In transit
Posts: 1,897
Bikes: 07 Vanilla, 98 IRD road frame built up with 25th Ann DA, Surly cross check with 105 comp, 78 Raleigh Comp GS, 85 Centurionelli
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 87 Post(s)
Liked 923 Times
in
191 Posts
After awhile I wandered out to the retail space to get hi-res shots of that area
Family photos
Family photos
Likes For poprad:
03-12-22, 05:52 AM
#66
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: In transit
Posts: 1,897
Bikes: 07 Vanilla, 98 IRD road frame built up with 25th Ann DA, Surly cross check with 105 comp, 78 Raleigh Comp GS, 85 Centurionelli
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 87 Post(s)
Liked 923 Times
in
191 Posts
Likes For poprad:
03-12-22, 05:54 AM
#67
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: In transit
Posts: 1,897
Bikes: 07 Vanilla, 98 IRD road frame built up with 25th Ann DA, Surly cross check with 105 comp, 78 Raleigh Comp GS, 85 Centurionelli
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 87 Post(s)
Liked 923 Times
in
191 Posts
Hmmm. All of a sudden my upload speed has dropped and I keep getting "Alert" pop ups from the BF site. Not sure if that's just lots of users coming online or I'm getting close to some sort of thread pic limit?
Likes For poprad:
03-12-22, 06:12 AM
#68
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: In transit
Posts: 1,897
Bikes: 07 Vanilla, 98 IRD road frame built up with 25th Ann DA, Surly cross check with 105 comp, 78 Raleigh Comp GS, 85 Centurionelli
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 87 Post(s)
Liked 923 Times
in
191 Posts
OK, logged out and did a hard re-start. Let's see if that helped.
Olivier came out with the front rack and we discussed options for a backup lighting option (flashlight mounting point) and pannier attachments. I followed him back into the work area for the final brazing of this delicate but strong piece.
Olivier came out with the front rack and we discussed options for a backup lighting option (flashlight mounting point) and pannier attachments. I followed him back into the work area for the final brazing of this delicate but strong piece.
03-12-22, 06:15 AM
#69
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: In transit
Posts: 1,897
Bikes: 07 Vanilla, 98 IRD road frame built up with 25th Ann DA, Surly cross check with 105 comp, 78 Raleigh Comp GS, 85 Centurionelli
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 87 Post(s)
Liked 923 Times
in
191 Posts
Likes For poprad:
03-12-22, 06:20 AM
#70
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: In transit
Posts: 1,897
Bikes: 07 Vanilla, 98 IRD road frame built up with 25th Ann DA, Surly cross check with 105 comp, 78 Raleigh Comp GS, 85 Centurionelli
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 87 Post(s)
Liked 923 Times
in
191 Posts
So I'm watching this through the camera and thinking "you're shooting Olivier brazing in the Singer shop." For a lifelong bike aficionado that has meaning.
While he continued to work I went to the other room and got some shots of a Herse in for maintenance:
Iconic Herse stem...Olivier is not a huge fan of the design
While he continued to work I went to the other room and got some shots of a Herse in for maintenance:
Iconic Herse stem...Olivier is not a huge fan of the design
Likes For poprad:
03-12-22, 06:23 AM
#71
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: In transit
Posts: 1,897
Bikes: 07 Vanilla, 98 IRD road frame built up with 25th Ann DA, Surly cross check with 105 comp, 78 Raleigh Comp GS, 85 Centurionelli
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 87 Post(s)
Liked 923 Times
in
191 Posts
Likes For poprad:
03-12-22, 06:29 AM
#72
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: In transit
Posts: 1,897
Bikes: 07 Vanilla, 98 IRD road frame built up with 25th Ann DA, Surly cross check with 105 comp, 78 Raleigh Comp GS, 85 Centurionelli
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 87 Post(s)
Liked 923 Times
in
191 Posts
The light was beginning to wane. There are few lights in the shop, and Olivier is happy to work under a single bulb at times. We discussed options for a rear facing LED and I chose the under-chainstay model that is essentially invisible if standing above the bike. I got to take more brazing shots of him attaching that tab in place.
Completed rack, ready for polishing
Setting the tab in place
"C'as suffi"
Frame after brazing last bit in place
My frame, ready for polishing and plating
That's my bike's spec sheet
Completed rack, ready for polishing
Setting the tab in place
"C'as suffi"
Frame after brazing last bit in place
My frame, ready for polishing and plating
That's my bike's spec sheet
Last edited by poprad; 03-12-22 at 07:23 AM.
Likes For poprad:
03-12-22, 06:41 AM
#73
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: In transit
Posts: 1,897
Bikes: 07 Vanilla, 98 IRD road frame built up with 25th Ann DA, Surly cross check with 105 comp, 78 Raleigh Comp GS, 85 Centurionelli
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 87 Post(s)
Liked 923 Times
in
191 Posts
So a few more of the shop and then the frame itself:
Likes For poprad:
03-12-22, 06:45 AM
#74
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: In transit
Posts: 1,897
Bikes: 07 Vanilla, 98 IRD road frame built up with 25th Ann DA, Surly cross check with 105 comp, 78 Raleigh Comp GS, 85 Centurionelli
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 87 Post(s)
Liked 923 Times
in
191 Posts
#3,571
Cable guide to prevent mid tube abrasion scratches in the chrome
The tube behind the blade is the attachment point for the rim gen set. Olivier has tested these extensively in all kinds of weather and road conditions, and if they're good enough for him I'm happy to forego the constant (if minor) drag of a hubgen.
Last edited by poprad; 03-12-22 at 06:52 AM.
Likes For poprad:
03-12-22, 06:50 AM
#75
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: In transit
Posts: 1,897
Bikes: 07 Vanilla, 98 IRD road frame built up with 25th Ann DA, Surly cross check with 105 comp, 78 Raleigh Comp GS, 85 Centurionelli
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 87 Post(s)
Liked 923 Times
in
191 Posts
And that's it for this post. I was invited upstairs for a glass or two of Banyuls and conversation. Olivier is a warm host, and we conversed about everything from the Russians in the Ukraine to cycling in the Alps and Pyrenees. The feel and smell of the shop will stay with me as long as the bike will. Since I plan to have my ashes buried in a water bottle on this bike, that should be awhile.
More to come on final assembly when it's back from the platers. Bon week-end a tous!
Last edited by poprad; 03-12-22 at 07:28 AM.
Likes For poprad: