Volkscycle Mark 100
#1
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Volkscycle Mark 100
Well I finally got this bike into a rideable condition. I purchased it to use in the Eroica California event, as none of my other classics qualify currently. I purchased it with out wheels and figured the 6 speed wheels would work just fine.
Of course I never am one to leave well enough alone, I purchased a 5 speed wheelset with period correct hubs and rims, only to discover the rims had some very small cracks... So I serviced the hubs, and built up some wheels with new rims downsized from 27" to 700c. The original Dura Ace Crank was 52-42 and 165mm , so it would never do. So inserted my 1981 Univega' s SR Apex cranks down graded to a double with old man friendly cogs, 42-28. Lastly I had to give up on the beautiful SR Royal stem, as it proved to low. In with the Nitto Technomic. Looks odd but it fits me.
I used to ride 56cm ctc bikes and this one is 57cm and I probably could stand a 58cm or 59cm. What is odd for me is the top tube is longer than the seat tube at 59cm. Another oddity is the incredibly long chainstay at 45cm, longest I have ever experienced. It probably has Ishiwata 022 tubing so complete build came in at 23lbs.
It rides wonderfully, and is very stable, with bottom bracket quite low, and long wheelbase. Very comfortable ride.
So in the end, this Volkscycle has impressed me. Nothing to dismiss for sure. It looks sort blue in the photos, buts really green. It isnt easy being green!
Of course I never am one to leave well enough alone, I purchased a 5 speed wheelset with period correct hubs and rims, only to discover the rims had some very small cracks... So I serviced the hubs, and built up some wheels with new rims downsized from 27" to 700c. The original Dura Ace Crank was 52-42 and 165mm , so it would never do. So inserted my 1981 Univega' s SR Apex cranks down graded to a double with old man friendly cogs, 42-28. Lastly I had to give up on the beautiful SR Royal stem, as it proved to low. In with the Nitto Technomic. Looks odd but it fits me.
I used to ride 56cm ctc bikes and this one is 57cm and I probably could stand a 58cm or 59cm. What is odd for me is the top tube is longer than the seat tube at 59cm. Another oddity is the incredibly long chainstay at 45cm, longest I have ever experienced. It probably has Ishiwata 022 tubing so complete build came in at 23lbs.
It rides wonderfully, and is very stable, with bottom bracket quite low, and long wheelbase. Very comfortable ride.
So in the end, this Volkscycle has impressed me. Nothing to dismiss for sure. It looks sort blue in the photos, buts really green. It isnt easy being green!
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#2
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The care and attention you lavished on this build are obvious, thanks for sharing!
#3
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Neat build and great looking bike. I'm a fan of 86 bcd cranks like the SR you used since they give you more flexibility with gear ratios. The combination of stronglight rings on a Japanese crank is a nice touch. This bike has been repainted, right? I'm curious why didn't you use Volkscycle stickers?
#4
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Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: SANTA CRUZ
Posts: 159
Bikes: 82 Univega Specialissima, Bike Friday Pocket Rocket, Kona Wheelhouse, Rocky Mtn Thunderbolt, Viner Strada Bianca, ~73 Bob Jackson, ~75 Volkscycle Mark100.
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Neat build and great looking bike. I'm a fan of 86 bcd cranks like the SR you used since they give you more flexibility with gear ratios. The combination of stronglight rings on a Japanese crank is a nice touch. This bike has been repainted, right? I'm curious why didn't you use Volkscycle stickers?
I was happily surprised to find that 86mm bcd Stronglight chainrings still exist, so I had great choice in gears. I probably should have made the bike a triple, but I would have had to ditch the Crane RD, making for even more modifications.
Thanks for looking.
Last edited by OldCoot; 03-20-22 at 08:44 AM.