Post by henryrolls on Nov 21, 2009 15:00:45 GMT
Hi. After a year I don't want to particularly look back upon, I've decided that I need to do something drastic in the new year and go out and live life. I need to rediscover what I live for, so on January 4th I'm going to cycle solo from Bristol to Morocco to raise money for Medicns Sans Frontiers.
So I'm doing a lot of preparation, training etc. but now I'm faced with a dilemma. I have to do this trip on a shoestring, so don't have £700 to fork out on an amazing touring bike.
Last week I found the bike that I thought was the one, though now I'm having second thoughts.
It's a 1975 Dawes Galaxy, 24" (I am 6'3"). It's original except for the gearset, which is I guess 1990 Deore and Biopace chainset.
It has been stored for 15 years and the gears are in good nick (no chain slack, tooth wear or gear slippage). The wheels are relatively true, bottom bracket, headset and hubs sweet. I picked it up for £75 on EBay.
It goes without saying if I choose to use this beast it'll get a good service, new cables and strip and regrease the bearings.
I'd put SPD pedals, Brooks saddle and I was thinking flat bars, which brings me to the first concern- the Weinmann centre pull brakes. Are there levers available for flat bars, compatible with these? In their current state they're not great (but I am used to hydraulic discs on my mtb) but I'm guessing with an overhaul they'd be better. Anybody got any thoughts on these?
The other concern is the wheels. They're 27 1 1/4, not 700s, so I'm guessing they'd be nay on impossible to replace in France and Spain should I have a major problem with them on the way. I'd take plenty of spare spokes, but the guy in the local fancy bike shop thought age alone affected aluminium rims. My engineering head thought this was nonsense and only the case if they'd been used all these years with fatigue.
He suggested maybe replacing the fork and getting a 700 front wheel and V brake, but then I'd have to carry a spare front and rear tyre.
Also I've heard a rumour I've heard that Biopace cranks were actually detrimental and could cause leg injuries, is this just exaggeration?
What do you think? Mad idea? I love the riding position of my 6 year old hardtail mtb and I have considered getting rigid forks and road tyres, but there's no mount for panniers and the guy in the shop said the type that attach to the seat pin don't take much weight.
My other option is restoring the Dawes and flogging it, and maybe buying a relatively modern basic hybrid, something like a Ridgeback.
What do you lot think?
So I'm doing a lot of preparation, training etc. but now I'm faced with a dilemma. I have to do this trip on a shoestring, so don't have £700 to fork out on an amazing touring bike.
Last week I found the bike that I thought was the one, though now I'm having second thoughts.
It's a 1975 Dawes Galaxy, 24" (I am 6'3"). It's original except for the gearset, which is I guess 1990 Deore and Biopace chainset.
It has been stored for 15 years and the gears are in good nick (no chain slack, tooth wear or gear slippage). The wheels are relatively true, bottom bracket, headset and hubs sweet. I picked it up for £75 on EBay.
It goes without saying if I choose to use this beast it'll get a good service, new cables and strip and regrease the bearings.
I'd put SPD pedals, Brooks saddle and I was thinking flat bars, which brings me to the first concern- the Weinmann centre pull brakes. Are there levers available for flat bars, compatible with these? In their current state they're not great (but I am used to hydraulic discs on my mtb) but I'm guessing with an overhaul they'd be better. Anybody got any thoughts on these?
The other concern is the wheels. They're 27 1 1/4, not 700s, so I'm guessing they'd be nay on impossible to replace in France and Spain should I have a major problem with them on the way. I'd take plenty of spare spokes, but the guy in the local fancy bike shop thought age alone affected aluminium rims. My engineering head thought this was nonsense and only the case if they'd been used all these years with fatigue.
He suggested maybe replacing the fork and getting a 700 front wheel and V brake, but then I'd have to carry a spare front and rear tyre.
Also I've heard a rumour I've heard that Biopace cranks were actually detrimental and could cause leg injuries, is this just exaggeration?
What do you think? Mad idea? I love the riding position of my 6 year old hardtail mtb and I have considered getting rigid forks and road tyres, but there's no mount for panniers and the guy in the shop said the type that attach to the seat pin don't take much weight.
My other option is restoring the Dawes and flogging it, and maybe buying a relatively modern basic hybrid, something like a Ridgeback.
What do you lot think?
.