Please pardon me if I am leading this OT (is this a gray area for the list?)...
Robert,
Many here have far more expertise than I do. That said, here are my thoughts. 36 hole rims are easy to find, so that is not excuse ;^) I know for certain the Torelli Master (which looks-wise fits right in here) and the Velocity Razor (which you can get in plain silver) are both readily available in 36H. Freewheels are getting harder to come by and aren't cheap anymore but are certainly available.
You can go to 9 speed and keep all of your components except the rear hub, rear derailleur and shifters if you go with Campy. I can't think of any reason you can't use your NR crank with either Ergopower or 9 speed downtubers (do 10 speed downtube shifters exist?). I am running a Mavic 631 with unramped/pinned rings with 9 speed Ergopower and the shifting is fine... Clean up that rear hub and derailleur and use them as cool fun paperweights, keep the rest.
YMMV,
Doug Van Cleve Chandler, AZ
-----Original Message----- From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of Robert Kaufmann Sent: Monday, March 01, 2004 10:41 AM To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: [CR]Mid-life crisis for classic bike
All:
I need some advice from people who appreciate classic bicycles but also know the joy of going far and fast. Let me summarize my dilemma.
I used to race but was really never more than a cat 3 (when cat 4 was the lowest). Nonetheless, I love riding. And to celebrate my dissertation defense in 1989, I purchased a new custom fit Viner (Columbus SLX tubing). I built the bike up with all Campy Nuovo Record from previous bikes circa late 1970's early 1980's. Since 1989, I have ridden the bike 3,000 - 4,000 miles per year in MA. I still try to "time trial" hard and can ride about 21 Mph for 30 miles on the flat.
I am now in the process of getting the frame repainted. While doing so, I had a semi mid life crisis. I love my frame and the "classic Campy" but I also still want to go fast (the years of going fast may be limited--I am now 46). So, I face a hard choice. I would love to have new wheels (currently I have Campy NR hubs with 36 holes), but the rims available to fit 36 hole hubs are limited. Furthermore, it is difficult to get new 6 speed freewheels (as you well know). Alternatively, I can have the rear of the frame "spread" to 130 and buy a whole new drive train; wheels, derailleurs, and crank. But that would cause me to "lose" my Campy stuff, especially the crank.
So, should I have the frame spread and replace nearly everything or is there a good alternative for new wheels with the old 36 hole Campy hubs and the old 120 spacing? Even if I spread the old frame, I would probably buy a used classic frame and put the Campy stuff on it.
Please share any similar experience or potential advice.
Robert Kaufmann
Newton MA