Re: [CR]Mariposa 650B

(Example: Framebuilding:Restoration)

From: "feldman" <feldmanbike@yahoo.com>
To: "Douglas R. Brooks" <dbrk@troi.cc.rochester.edu>, "Classic Rendevous" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Cc: "db" <dbrk@troi.cc.rochester.edu>
References: <200203201403.g2KE3Bo17841@troi.cc.rochester.edu>
Subject: Re: [CR]Mariposa 650B
Date: Wed, 20 Mar 2002 13:24:15 -0800


This is an earnest question and not meant to start any debates but, given the enormous variety of rims and tires in one size and scarcity of the other, why have a bike built with 650b components instead of 26"/559mm? I have the Gilles Berthoud catalog and notice that even they offer a cycle-camping type bike with 26" wheels. Is there a benefit to 650's that isn't apparent at first glance?
David Feldman
Vancouver, WA


----- Original Message -----
From: "Douglas R. Brooks"
To: Classic Rendevous
Cc: db
Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2002 6:03 AM
Subject: [CR]Mariposa 650B



> Classicists,
> Yesterday Mike Barry sent me pictures of my new Mariposa 650B.
> It's now in Toronto waiting for me to pick it up. Since the demise
> of Photopoint I've not had a place for siting pictures but several
> BOBs have come forward to offer a temporary space. This is one
> of Mike's 30th Anniversary bikes and I think the third or fourth
> he has finished. It resembles Larry Strung's beautiful bike
> but for tire/rim and my choice of old French parts. Larry did
> the smart thing as far as deciding on a bike for truly practical
> purposes (easy to find tires, rims, ease of shifting) and I did
> the thing I would expect me to do. But all the credit for the
> mastery of this bike goes to Mike and his partner Tom. As for kit,
> it's as follows:
> Simplex 6600 long cage rear derailleur with SLJ triple front
> TA Cyclotouriste crankset 50/38/26
> Simplex bar end shifters with demultiplicator
> Mafac Competition brakes and gumhood levers
> Cinelli or TTT stem (Mike's call)
> NR pillar and Brooks B17 saddle
> Mavic or Wolber (can't remember, have both) rims with Maxicar hubs
> 7 spd Sach fw 13-26
> Litespin dynamo, Lumotec headlamp
> Fenders are French I think but look like Honjos
> Michelin Axial Raid 650B tires
> Pedals are Campy Super Record, seen on many a Singer/Herse late
> in the day,
> The beautiful front and rear carriers are custom Mariposa
> and the leather bar wrap is the final touch.
> For pictures posted I am grateful to Neale Greene of DownUnder
> who has put them here:
> http://neale.org/mariposa/
>
> As many who love 650B know the real challenge remains the nice
> tires but with some help from friends these came through nicely
> and I have spares. On the 650B Herse tires this narrow affect the
> handling a bit adversely, as Jan will attest.
> Someday I'd like to find the right Simplex seatpin and Ideale saddle
> but they are so costly these days given their scarcity and the market
> for them.
>
> Kudos to Mike who is as fine a person as he is a gifted artisan and
> designer of bicycles! Tom's swell too.
>
> Dale, would you like copies of the pictures for a Mariposa spot on the
> CR page? Truly these are classic bikes.
>
> Douglas Brooks
> Canandaigua, NY
> _______________________________________________

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