Re: [CR]What kind of bike is your commuter?

(Example: Production Builders:Peugeot:PX-10LE)

Date: Thu, 07 Feb 2002 07:31:57 -0800
From: "Bill Bryant" <Bill_Bryant@prodigy.net>
To: classicrendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: Re: [CR]What kind of bike is your commuter?
References: <009901c1af9d$9045bbe0$54d81b41@cinci.rr.com>


I commute on a lugged navy-blue touring frame I made about 20 years ago. It has Columbus SP tubing, Bocama lugs/Henry James fork crown, long Campy #1010 drop outs, 120mm rear spacing. Some of the original parts are still on it (wheels, brakes, seat post, headset), but others have been replaced along the way, mostly from swap meets to keep costs low. The bike has Mafac cantilevers with Royal Gran Compe handles; SR Laprade seat post; some mutt of a nylon/rubber saddle; modern--yuck--3T bar & stem with cable groves and flat sections on the drops; black cloth tape. Campy Tipo LF hubs and Mavic G-40 700c rims under silver Esge fenders. Took the original TA triple cranks and all shifting components off, now it's a single speed with Campy track cranks and Regina single freewheel. (Had to reconfigure the rear axle spacing and spoke dish to get a proper chain line; makes a 67" gear.) Also use gold Campy bmx pedals. Along with some sort of flashing LED rear light on the seat post, it now sports a wide strip of reflective silver tape down the head tube to help oncoming drivers see me in low-light conditions--not exactly stylish, but it helps with safety.

In addition to the usual local centuries and club rides, I had several nice summer tours through the French & Swiss Alps and the western US on this bike in its touring configuration during the '80s. But I moved on to a newer bike for the long rides and it became my commuter in the early '90s. Still really enjoy riding the bike each day due to its simplicity; without the derailleurs there is a smoothness in the pedaling that is most attractive--but a few hills in town are really a grunt too. Luckily, work is only about 3 miles from home.

Bill Bryant
Santa Cruz, CA