Re: [CR]Re: cyclocrossing on roadbikes

(Example: Events:BVVW)

From: "Questor" <questor@cinci.rr.com>
To: <youngc@NetReach.Net>
Cc: "classicrendezvous" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <200201282216.RAA11903@sardinia.netreach.net>
Subject: Re: [CR]Re: cyclocrossing on roadbikes
Date: Mon, 28 Jan 2002 17:39:14 -0500


It is unusual that Reynolds 531 frames which included double-butted drawn tubing would be used for "stump jumping". Stump jumping reminds me of BMX... Prehaps the reason we do not hear about these bikes very often is due to light-weight frames getting torn up quickly! Did they use 531 straight-guage tubing instead?

Regards, Steve Neago
Cincinnati, OH


----- Original Message -----
From: youngc@NetReach.Net
To: Aldo Ross


<classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Sent: Monday, January 28, 2002 12:16 PM Subject: Re: [CR]Re: cyclocrossing on roadbikes


> Excellent! I'd like to see more on early cross bikes because I'm tempted to
> build one up. What did folks without braze-on cantilever studs generally use?
> MAFAC Racer centerpulls off of the beaters would seem to be a likely choice.
>
> While on the cyclocross topic, was sizing of the frames toward the small end
> for add'l standover? My Falcon may not like the answer to that question...
>
> Charlie Young
> Honeybrook, PA
>
> Who finally built up the '76 Colnago Super and got it on the road after almost
> two years of threatening to refinish it. Joe Williams (framebuilder and wrench
> at Shirk's Bike Shop) advised me against repainting. He also said that Ernesto
> flipped out when they tried to get authorization to do U.S. repairs some years
> ago. Guess he wanted to sell new frames
>
>
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: <wspokes@penn.com>
> >
> > > Who on the list has a classic cyclocross bicycle? I love cyclocross and I
> > am hoping it fits into the realm of the classic list here based on the close
> > relationship with road biking (off season roadies). what types of classic
> > cyclocross bicycles were popular or frequently found in the states? Were the
> > cyclocross bikes of olden days equipped much like the road bikes? They must
> > have been very close to road machines. Did they use calipers? Cantilevers
> > came about later did they not? Just curious about the cross bikes of old.
> > reply offlist if this isn't close enough to classic bike content.
> > >
> > > Walt Skrzypek
> >
> > In the 70s and early 80s we had an active 'cross community in Dayton, Ohio.
> > Bike of choice was often a British cross frame, or Alan Cross Super or
> > Raleigh Team Cross 753 with Campy cross crankset (single ring and double
> > guards), NR rear der, Shimano cantis, Dia-Compe Aero brake levers, Suntour
> > barend shifter, NR sf 32h hubset, Suntour Ultra7 fw, Araya Aero rims (they
> > were cheap back then) and Clement/Wolber/Vittoria tubulars. Lyotard touring
> > pedals with the teeth filed sharp. Cinelli plastic saddles.
> >
> > I remember a few old Paramount touring bikes with canti bosses brazed-on.
> > Shorter, Roberts, Fattic, Serotta, Davidson, Colnago, Falcon, and the
> > occasional Bianchi touring converted to cross use. One guy converted an
> > early 60s Paramount track bike... not much clearance for mud, though
> > (well... none, actually)!
> >
> > Races were muddier, grittier, wetter back then, through the forest at Wright
> > State University. Usually bike parts were take-offs from our road bikes,
> > too worn to use for road racing anymore. Old bent bars, flat-spotted rims,
> > well-used chainrings. We built-up mish-mash combination NR/SR derailleurs
> > from old bent salvaged wrecks. Suntour sealed pulleys were best... red
> > Bullseye aluminums just eroded away to little toothless circles's after a
> > couple of races. The bikes took a beating in the mud, so you didn't use
> > good parts except at District Championships and Nationals.
> >
> > I remember racing in the rain and thick mud, wearing a long-sleeve wool
> > jersey, no helmet, two pairs of lycra shorts, Rivat nylon cross shoes with
> > heal spikes, riding through a flooded creek two feet deep and cascading over
> > the rocks.
> >
> > I once nearly crashed into a big grey coyote, which then disappeared into
> > the mist like a ghost.
> >
> > On weeknights I could tell who'd been practicing the course that day by
> > reading the tread patterns left in the mud.