Hey Dave ,
THANKS for asking !
I want to know too !
Quick , what's your rear spacing ? Does it have brazed-on shifter bosses ? Which dropouts does it have ?
I'm facing the same questions ! ( without the wonderfully sweet problem of having an almost perfect 50th Anniversary Group - lucky you ! )
I bought the bargain Bates frame set which Martin offered a while back . Thanks Martin ! What a FINE frame set !
Here's my dilemma :
Very vintage features Bates Cantiflex tubing Bates Diadrant front fork Bates / Rigida fender bosses and chrome bolts simply gorgeous lugs B/B shell has "oiler" ( grease nipple )
Sort of vintage features brazed-on down tube shifter bosses brazed-on fittings for 2 water bottle cages Campagnolo rear dropouts - late version of 1010B short
Not very vintage feature 130 mm rear spacing cable guides under the B/B shell
O.K. , now don't laugh . My idea ? Make it a 10-speed ! Use that 130mm spacing , with a Campy Chorus 10-speed hub & cogs , with a single chainring up front . The crankset is what you see from far away . So , why not make it a "vintage looking" crankset ? I could put on a brand new T.A. cyclo-cross single-ring crankset . Question - would the chain shift onto all 10 rear cogs ? Question - would the chain stay on the single front ring ( I could use the cyclo-cross guards ) ? Question - what would I have to do to the single T.A. chainring , to make it fit a narrow 10-speed chain ?
P.S. the chainstays measure 43 centimeters , from center of bottom bracket shell , to place in dropout even with center of derailleur hanger hole .
Raoul Delmare
Marysville Kansas
My new Bates just arrived (thank you Martin, it is great looking) and now, the issue of how to build it. I could go modern (Campy Record/Chorus) or use the NR group I have on hand or, here is a thought, I acquired a near perfect Campy 50th Ann group on a generic early 80s frame that is little used/practically new for a price so low that the group was a steal. The frame it is now afixed to is nice, but nothing that really lights my fire. Would I be wacko to put the 50th on the Bates, or should I go 'modern' or ????
I know ithe Bates is a 'new build' and know the debate that took place a few eons ago on this group and elsewhere on whether these Ron Cooper/Coopland bikes are 'real' Bates. I really don't care, it sure looks great and I am very pleased with it. Just want some input on your thoughts on what mechanicals to put on this bit of rolling artwork.
Dave Novoselsky
Chicago Illinois