Here's my Winter Hack.......

[smokeysmoo]

Finally finished my winter build, originally an unspiring 80's Peugeot 12 speed road bike, now transformed into a 20 speed winter commuter/tourer/training bike/general all rounder

Finished in Pearl White with retro graphics courtesy of world-cycle-decals

I wanted to build it with modern components, so I've gone for a Campag Veloce groupset, 1' stem adapter to fit modern stem and bars, Shimano barrel adjusters, Halo Aerorage wheels with Durano+ tyres, Tortec mudguards and rack, but then topped it off with a traditional Brooks B17

I had to trade the Campag Veloce brakes from the gruppo for Shimano long reach calipers, but I can live with that and I'm very happy with the way the bike's turned out.

Some of you will know I was having trouble with the back wheel trying to escape, fingers crossed that's been fixed by fitting spacers, (washers) to the axle, and today I swopped two of the flat washers for shake proof washers, so hopefully the back wheels not going to move an inch, (in the droputs of course).

Had a quick 3-4 mile shakedown loop last night, and although I knew the chain was too long and the gears needed fine fettling it rode superbly. So today I shortened the chain, tweaked the mechs and trimmed any bolts down that were too long, so now she's good to go, bring on the cold, wind, rain and dark nights - I'm ready

BEFORE

AFTER

 

[citybabe]

That's a nice looking bike

 

[smokeysmoo]

That's a nice looking bike

Thank you very much CB, there's something very gratifying about knowing you've built your own bike, (and sadly addictive too ), even if you do have to seek help and assitance on here and from the LBS, but that's what we're all here for isn't it?

This was my first attempt at a 10 speed conversion so I'm chuffed to bits

PS: the rear mudguard has been tweaked to sit better, and the QR seatpost clamp has been replaced with a standard seatpost bolt for a tidier look.

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

Sweet!

Could you tell me more about stem adapters please.

I've just bought a late 80's/90's Ian May and am in the process of updating it.

It looks like this allows you to keep the original forks, is this correct.

Thanks.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Sweet!

Could you tell me more about stem adapters please.

I've just bought a late 80's/90's Ian May and am in the process of updating it.

It looks like this allows you to keep the original forks, is this correct.

Thanks.

Thanks Jimmy. Yes the stem adapter does exactly that, you retain the original forks but are able to fit a modern stem and bars. THIS is the sort of thing. I got mine from my LBS and it's in black. Here's a list of results from GOOGLE for 1' stem adapter.

Good luck with it, what are you planning to do with the gearing. Leave it, convert to 10 speed, convert to fixed?

 

[citybabe]

Thank you very much CB, there's something very gratifying about knowing you've built your own bike, (and sadly addictive too ), even if you do have to seek help and assitance on here and from the LBS, but that's what we're all here for isn't it?

This was my first attempt at a 10 speed conversion so I'm chuffed to bits

PS: the rear mudguard has been tweaked to sit better, and the QR seatpost clamp has been replaced with a standard seatpost bolt for a tidier look.
[/quote


I'm quite envious to be honest Smokeysmoo whenever somebody does what you have done. You know I'd love to build a bike to my spec.
I bought myself a new road bike last year - a Bianchi Via Nirone which I was very happy with. My previous ride was a Peleton Falcon, very heavy with downtube shifters.

If I'd have know that I'd get into the cycling lark like I have done I would have bought something with better gearing rather than sora - but we live and learn don't we

 

[gbb]

You've done a fabulous job smokey, really.
I did similar with a 531 frame but as a first project, i know ive compromised at several levels.
Mind, mine always was going to be a winter commuter so a mix of nearly new 8 speed components, new wheelset, stem and bars like yours...but its the details that ive compromised, like the downtube adjusters, finish details etc. In the end you end up with a rock solid, smooth bike, but mine doesn't look anywhere near as good as yours.
I won't ask the cost...i know how much mine cost

 

[smokeysmoo]

I'm quite envious to be honest Smokeysmoo whenever somebody does what you have done. You know I'd love to build a bike to my spec.
I bought myself a new road bike last year - a Bianchi Via Nirone which I was very happy with. My previous ride was a Peleton Falcon, very heavy with downtube shifters.

If I'd have know that I'd get into the cycling lark like I have done I would have bought something with better gearing rather than sora - but we live and learn don't we

Don't get envious, get even Keep your eyes open for a project bike, or just a frameset, then take your time and see what you can do, I'll bet you'd be surprised. I have a guy that sprays frames for me, (which helps), but I also have a burning itch to spray one myself, so who knows that could be my new project, (told you it gets addictive!).

Sora's a decent workhorse for a drivetrain, and easily upgradeable, and could even become the donor gearing for a project bike thus allowing you to upgrade the Bianchi at the same time. I did something similar in that I needed a 10 speed Shimano cassette for this build, so rather than just get a 105 or similar, I chose to upgrade the cassette on my CAAD10 to a Sram one and use the Shimano one off the CAAD for this build, it's not even remotely the economical way of doing things, but I do find I struggle a bit with the whole concept of a budget build

Give it go, what's the worst that could happen?

 

[Alan Whicker]

Beautiful.

I bodged built a singlespeed from a Raleigh Winner earlier this year. Very satisfying!

 

[smokeysmoo]

You've done a fabulous job smokey, really.
I did similar with a 531 frame but as a first project, i know ive compromised at several levels.
Mind, mine always was going to be a winter commuter so a mix of nearly new 8 speed components, new wheelset, stem and bars like yours...but its the details that ive compromised, like the downtube adjusters, finish details etc. In the end you end up with a rock solid, smooth bike, but mine doesn't look anywhere near as good as yours.
I won't ask the cost...i know how much mine cost

Cheers gbb, like the guy that fell asleep on the East Lancashire railway line - I'm chuffed to bits (i'll get my coat ).

Seriously though, the details are what can easily kill a budget, so missing out a few and there can be essential, but I just threw caution to the wind, (I'm good at doing that ) and went for it.

Thanks for not asking about the cost, I genuinely don't know at the moment, and tbh I'm a bit scared to work it out, but now you've got me wondering, so I sit down later and work it out, (when SWMBO is out of the room)

 

[smokeysmoo]

Beautiful.

I bodged built a singlespeed from a Raleigh Winner earlier this year. Very satisfying!

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

Thanks for the links.

Here's what I bought.

At present it's my only ride and I plan to upgrade it with more modern components but have it resprayed in the original paint scheme.

The frame is gorgeous (aero tubes, lovely lugs), but the running gear is past its best. If it wasn't my only ride I'd do a "vintage" resto but I need some modern comforts: QR wheels, brifters etc. for the daily 10 mile commute and the big chain ring is too strong for me.

With Winter looming I'm looking for a hack and will do most of the work then; for the moment I've put some proper handlebar tape on (red) and, through necessity, replaced the tyres with some my boss's girlfriend had spare (red).

I'm inspired by your work, my LBS (actually he works out of a shed in his garden) has a Peugeot frame that would do for a "bulletproof" SS...

 

[smokeysmoo]

Thanks for the links.

Here's what I bought.

At present it's my only ride and I plan to upgrade it with more modern components but have it resprayed in the original paint scheme.

The frame is gorgeous (aero tubes, lovely lugs), but the running gear is past its best. If it wasn't my only ride I'd do a "vintage" resto but I need some modern comforts: QR wheels, brifters etc. for the daily 10 mile commute and the big chain ring is too strong for me.

With Winter looming I'm looking for a hack and will do most of the work then; for the moment I've put some proper handlebar tape on (red) and, through necessity, replaced the tyres with some my boss's girlfriend had spare (red).

I'm inspired by your work, my LBS (actually he works out of a shed in his garden) has a Peugeot frame that would do for a "bulletproof" SS...

Ah, I remember you posting a thread asking for info about Ian May cycles, then I read that you'd found they are still trading is that right? Is that the original colour scheme on the bike btw?


You need to persuade your LBS man that you need that Peugeot frame far more than he does.

"I'm inspired by your work". That's praise indeed, thank you very much, but I have asked a fair few questions on here to help me along, and you tube plays a vital part with how to videos as well

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

Yup, that was me: still waiting to hear from the shop; hoping they can supply decals for the respray too.

Yes, it's the original colour scheme: before she arrived I was set on a re-spray in another colour, feeling that the yellow/silver was a bit "shell suit".

Now though I love it and the red saddle (v. comfy original Isca Selle), tape and tyres really set it off! I also love that it's so different from anything else I see out there: getting lots of attention!

As soon as I have a spare £50 I'll get hold of the Peugeot and take it from there and, no-doubt, have a few questions for you!