[CR]Intro/Herse Inquiry (long)

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Avocet)

Date: Sat, 10 Aug 2002 23:39:10 -0700 (PDT)
From: "dee bee" <gumpowderdream@yahoo.com>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Intro/Herse Inquiry (long)

Hello all,

A brief introduction. I've been cycling since childhood and only recently (1995) became interested in classic lightweights and traditional bicycles. Currently work as a mechanic in a non-profit bike shop in South Seattle, WA. I currently ride a late 70s Fuji America as beater fixed gear and (OT) 2001 Rivendell All Rounder/Rough Stuff bicycle.

I've recently decided to purchase a 700c Rene Herse through the shop and hoped that I might get some info about it from the list members. The frame itself seems unusual because the front derailleur is clamp on and the brake calipers bolt on through the fork crown and seat stay bridge, rather than being French centerpulls mounted to bosses. There are also no bosses for front or rear racks nor lights or generators and there is very little clearance for fenders and medium/high volume tires. There are bosses for one h2o bottle cage on the seat tube and a three-pronged, trident looking thing on the downtube for the frame pump with a single curved point at the top, near the shifters. The seat and head angles are slack-ish and the fork ends are beautifully curved. The bb shell drops 60mm below the fork ends, front and rear. The wheel base is 105cm (c-c).

60cm ST (c-t), 57cm TT (c-c), chromed lugs, fork legs, stays, Campagnolo 1010 long fork ends with single eyelets front and rear, full Reynolds 531, 120mm rr spacing. S/N: "16 61" - on rr non-drive fork end and bottom of fork crown. The saddle, stem, foam bar 'tape', pedals, rear derailleur, frame pump and umbrella clip, tires, calipers and brake levers are clearly not original. All other components appear to be period correct and original, including: Early Campagnolo Gran Sport 36h hi-flange hubs(steel centers with alloy flanges) laced to mis-matched Super Champion rims with Campagnolo skewers [see http://www.sheldonbrown.org/rochet/ for an idea, though the Herse's are not flip-flops]. Stronglight P3(?) headset. Huret Luxe clamp-on front derailleur. Huret long downtube shift levers mounted on frame bosses. Not sure about the bottom bracket (haven't peeked inside yet). 170mm TA six-pin style alloy cottered crank with tear drop shaped spindle and 9/16" X 20mm pedal threads. Regina 5spd freewheel (14-28). Campagnolo Record (?) two-bolt seat post.

Non-original items: Superbe brake levers and calipers (Matthauser pads), Nitto Technomic stem, generic rat trap pedals with weighted reflectors (ugh), Shimano 600 rear derailleur, Continental "something" front tire, Specialized CrossRoads cyclocross rear tire, plastic leather covered saddle, HP frame pump and AFA umbrella clip.

I assume that this bicycle was built in 1961, as indicated by the S/N. Any idea what type of riding this bicycle was designed for? Or what components would have been part of the original build?

Apologies for the long post. Any and all info is much appreciated. Cheers!

Dan Boxer Seattle, WA

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