Which bike do you consider "The Holy Grail"?
12-24-17, 05:00 PM
#452
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actually, I've gotten a couple of my nicer bikes that way... which is also a result of not actively seeking them out, I suppose..
I picked up this nice Magnum Opus when one of the fellows on the Classic Rendezvous list offered it for sale. What could I say?? It's not that often that a curly Hetchins pops up for sale and fits me.
Steve in Peoria
I picked up this nice Magnum Opus when one of the fellows on the Classic Rendezvous list offered it for sale. What could I say?? It's not that often that a curly Hetchins pops up for sale and fits me.
Steve in Peoria
12-24-17, 05:40 PM
#453
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My Holy Grail would have to be a later era (1980's /early 90's) Jack Taylor, laced in NOS Dura-Ace 7400 or 80's Superbe Pro.
12-24-17, 10:18 PM
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12-25-17, 08:35 PM
#455
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One of my grails was a PX10 and after some time an appropriate project fell into my hands. If only it were one size larger but if that never happens I can certainly manage.
Untitled by irishbx4th, on Flickr
Untitled by irishbx4th, on Flickr
12-26-17, 07:34 AM
#456
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On the other hand, there is a small group of vintage bike folks here. I've started a fall vintage bike ride that attracts a handful of them/us... maybe I'll see you next fall? The date has been early October, starting from Chillicothe, on the north side of Peoria.
Steve in Peoria
12-26-17, 01:20 PM
#457
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Well since I love Lemonds and I love all 4 of my Billato built bikes I'd really like to find one of the Greg Lemond Gan bikes made by the Billato brothers using Excell steel tubing. There was a limit run of 100 made of these. I just missed one several months ago...
Here's a pic of one:
https://www.pinkbike.com/photo/9206504/
Here's a pic of one:
https://www.pinkbike.com/photo/9206504/
Just a quick shot as I put it back together.
Now this is not one of the Greg Lemond signed limited run ones that I can tell. The ones I've seen had a decal on the seat tube indicating which number they were. I've also noticed some differences on these but don't know what it means. Some pics I found online had the number hanger and some didn't. Some had the Gan decals and some didn't. From what I've seen the ones with the Gan Decal have the number hanger. This one is built up with a Campagnolo Racing T 8 speed groupset. Bars are 3TTT Ergo power due and the stem is a Nitto Techtronics. There's Campagnolo hubs on it and from the one partial label I'd say the rims are Mavic's of some kind. I can make out a UB Control so I'm thinking Mavic.
One thing too, the rear brake bridge appears to be on backwards. My four other Billato built bikes are oriented the other way. Sort of makes it unique in my book!
This may not be as fancy as other's grail bikes but for me it's one I've really wanted. Not to get cleaning it up and sorting it out.
__________________
Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
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12-26-17, 08:51 PM
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well, I should clarify that I didn't find them for sale in Peoria! I'd say that many were offered for sale on the Classic Rendezvous list, albeit over 15 years ago.
On the other hand, there is a small group of vintage bike folks here. I've started a fall vintage bike ride that attracts a handful of them/us... maybe I'll see you next fall? The date has been early October, starting from Chillicothe, on the north side of Peoria.
Steve in Peoria
On the other hand, there is a small group of vintage bike folks here. I've started a fall vintage bike ride that attracts a handful of them/us... maybe I'll see you next fall? The date has been early October, starting from Chillicothe, on the north side of Peoria.
Steve in Peoria
12-27-17, 10:36 AM
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These two have some features/details that I would like to see on my "grail."
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bishop...-61873448@N07/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mapcyc...-qmbUN7-riaKRc
fwiw A friend is building a frameset this winter that is loosely using the Bishop (above) and a Curt Goodrich as models. He won't be able to match the quality level, but it will be fun to see what he comes up with when they are completed. He built framesets a quarter of a century ago for a local bike company, so it's good to see him pick up a torch again. Who knows, maybe he'll build two.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bishop...-61873448@N07/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mapcyc...-qmbUN7-riaKRc
fwiw A friend is building a frameset this winter that is loosely using the Bishop (above) and a Curt Goodrich as models. He won't be able to match the quality level, but it will be fun to see what he comes up with when they are completed. He built framesets a quarter of a century ago for a local bike company, so it's good to see him pick up a torch again. Who knows, maybe he'll build two.
12-29-17, 08:27 PM
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Mr IAB has approached me at different times, as has Mr. Crank Addict. I probably need to think about it again, but my recollection is that I haven't attended because my vintage bikes are not set up for that sort of terrain. i.e. they have a low gear of 42 x 24.
I do have steel bikes with lower gearing, and they are even from local-ish custom builders, but aren't that special.
Since my vintage bikes are suited for flat-ish land (which is where I live), I have joined Mr. IAB and Crank Addict for spring and fall rides in the Crystal Lake area. Had a very nice time, met a number of fellow vintage nerds, and keep trying to return (although Mr. IAB seems to have angered The Gods of Weather lately).
FWIW, I am considering retrofitting the Hetchins with some vintage-ish compact gearing... maybe one of those SunXCD cranks in the style of the TA Cyclotouriste?... with the goal of using it on hilly routes.
(anyone got something similar for sale with 175mm arms?)
To be honest, I was thinking of using it for riding in the area west of St. Louis. Many years ago, I lived there, and really loved riding in the hills around Babler Park, Wildwood, etc. I've been traveling there this year and riding on the old familiar roads and loving it. Maybe others would want to join in for a vintage ride in these hills??
Steve in Peoria
(always looking for a good excuse to ride with fellow vintage nerds)
12-29-17, 10:21 PM
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12-30-17, 06:34 AM
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12-30-17, 06:51 AM
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12-30-17, 09:52 AM
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You make a good point, but aren't we talking about the Holy Grail, here? The thing we desire, and will always desire, without any real expectation that we'll ever find it, perhaps because it doesn't exist?
12-30-17, 10:19 AM
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Brent
12-30-17, 11:04 AM
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This is Dutch, from the early fifties and 61cm:
12-30-17, 11:37 AM
#470
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One I passed on new in 1984/85 - a Pinarello in the same “spumoni” paint scheme as Alexi Grewal’s gold medal bike. At the time I thought it was too expensive, but now I kick myself for not splurging.
12-30-17, 10:36 PM
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Many thanks @non-fixie!
I'd rather lust after a bike that is attainable than a grail.
Do you have any suggestions for sites I should be watching to find such a bike?
Brent
I'd rather lust after a bike that is attainable than a grail.
Do you have any suggestions for sites I should be watching to find such a bike?
Brent
12-31-17, 08:16 AM
#472
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Many thanks @non-fixie!
I'd rather lust after a bike that is attainable than a grail.
Do you have any suggestions for sites I should be watching to find such a bike?
Brent
I'd rather lust after a bike that is attainable than a grail.
Do you have any suggestions for sites I should be watching to find such a bike?
Brent
I'll PM you some appropriate threats.
09-06-20, 07:44 PM
#473
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MY HOLY GRAIL OF BIKES......7-ELEVEN TEAM ISSUE MERCKX CORSA EXTRA SLX
09-15-20, 05:09 PM
#475
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You would post here, WITH pictures
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...th-appraisals/
Create a photo gallery, and other users will be able to see them.