Peter Kohler wrote:
>
> Yikes. I go to all the trouble of getting the right TI Raleigh cap, shorts
> and jersey and the cool '70s Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses and I've lost any
> street cred by having dustcaps and Presta valve caps. Just another Wannabe
> Wally it seems.
>
> Well thanks for setting me straight... it's all gotta come off, pronto.
>
> And to think guys are spending good money for these things... like the
> little metal valve caps that go for $25 a pair.
>
> Embarassed but hopefully back on the road to Retro Cool..
Great new topic I'd say!!! Retro Cool... What was the hip setup that showed you weren't a Fred! (All learned back then by looking at the way pro mechanics in Europe set up race bikes.)
Mid-70s, when I started: No crank dust caps, no valve caps (no valve lock nut either if you're riding clinchers), soldered cable ends (no crimped cable ends), fresh white cotton tape, all cable housing cut _just_ the right length (no huge loops above brake levers), stainless steel rear derailleur housing replaced with brake cable housing (also short), cut all the cables short (none of that 3" of cable hanging out), toe clip ends bent up into curve to be more comfortable against shoe tops, fold and rivet end of toe straps, twist toe strap one complete turn where it enters and exits the pedal plate supports so the strap stays in place (clockwise on right pedal, counterclockwise on left pedal), cross the left hand brake cable under the right hand brake cable so they cross just above the stem, front QR lever horizontal (less frontal area), rear QR lever either 45° angle to back or to front (less likely to be loosened by some rider riding into the back of bike), _properly_ folded sewup wrapped in cycling newspaper and held under the saddle with a toe strap, Schrader to Presta adapter screwed to front derailleur clamp bolt or screwed to one of the pedal toe clip bolts...
Then there were the equipment, Super Record Reduced (no ti BB), Cinelli 66 bars 42cm wide, Cinelli #3 Buffalo saddle, Clement Criterium Setas or Strada 66s, 32° wheels, 172.5mm cranks, 53/42 rings (41 if you're really cool), OMAS hubs, Nisi Sludi hard anodized rims, no gloves, no glasses, hat just barely perched on top of head (looking like it would get blown off at any moment!)...
What do the rest of you guys remember???
Chuck Schmidt South Pasadena, Southern California
.