by Igor
From Keith:
"Amelia’s travel bike was functionally built as a randonneuring machine that can accommodate custom carriers front and rear for occasional fully loaded touring. Built from Columbus, KVA, Reynolds, and Vari-Wall, the tubing selections were based on a combination function, aesthetic, and nostalgia. Though strong, the rider’s challenges with a structural knee issue prescribed a few aspects of the front end. The bike needed to climb well at low speeds under load with zero pedal overlap. The low trail (35mm) helps to keep the fender away from toes and work with the rider on ascents. From an aesthetic perspective, I love some of the old stamped Prugnat lugs, though the function of the old seat lugs are pretty lacking, so I added a proper binder, a few fillets, and a new point to these S4s. To make things a little cleaner in the rear, the S&S couplers presented the unique opportunity to easily thread the rear brake cable through the seat tube. I really had fun with the build, so there are a number of less than necessary embellishments throughout. Bryan Myers at Fresh Frame set it off with some pretty amazing paint. Cutlass Velo in Baltimore built up some badass wheels with Velocity Atlas hoops, White Industries T11, and SON Delux SL hubs. The Velo Orange Grand Cru Stem with Brass Bell really fit well with the feel of this bike, and I love the VO Retro Cages."
More filled windows around the dropouts.
Keith opted for our Grand Cru Leather Handlebar Tape.
While Keith is planning on making a stem, he opted for our Grand Cru Quill Stem and a Brass Temple Bell until his custom one is completed.
Double Retro Water Bottle Cages.
The original TA crankset hardware wasn't great, even new. So he swapped it out for our 50.4 Hardware. It all works perfectly with his 11 speed Campagnolo Potenza group.
Keith made a whole touring rack set, but opted for a simple handlebar bag for the ride.
Dave of Waxwing Bags made the classic handlebar bag.
All in all it's a fantastically capable and beautiful ride. Happy riding!
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5 comments:
The bike reminds of a 1950'a French randonneur bike. Beautiful bike.
What a handsome machine with details that keep one returning for one more look. From the light bracket to the rear dropouts this is a masterpiece. In my opinion many miles and stories are needed to complete the builder's vision.
As a side bar I have also replaced TA crank hardware with VO. Got tired of rounded bolts and lost washers. Just enough black accents to add visual interest.
Well done and thanks for sharing.
The brake cable through the seatpost is an interesting choice for a bike with couplers. The seatpost is now captive to the brake cable, making disassembly a bit of a chore unless the seatpost is slotted all the way down, which just seems like bad news to me.
One thing I see that I do like, and I would hope VO would consider offering a version of, is the extra-long spacer decaleur! I have the one you offer currently and it does the job, but only because my bars are quite high and my stem isn't too long. If my bars were lower the stem would block access to the decaleur.
Unless the rear skewer is just holding the wheel in place for display Is there enough thread engagement of the skewer nut to hold the wheel in place once out on the road? Looks like a longer skewer is needed. I have tried getting by using using a shorter skewer and stripped the threads on a Campy GS skewer.
A drool machine this machine is. -Yoda
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