-----Original Message----- From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of Stewart Ferrell Sent: Thursday, April 02, 2009 11:45 AM To: Fred Rednor Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: Re: [CR] my Cinelli
In 1990 I went to a pawn shop in Texas to get a get around bike. There was a new still in the wrapping Sears 3 speed marked 129.00. I asked if he would sell it for 100.00 he said no. Down the line was a 1974 20 inch Raleigh Carlton Gran Sport. Nuovo Record group with Phil Wood hubs! He sold me that bike for 100.00!!! It had no derailleur hanger on the dropout. That is my rule for "single speed" conversions. No ear, excellent candidate. The are usually 120mm rear spaced and nice but not too nice. That bike served me for years. I took it to Amsterdam when I moved there and sold it for more tan I paid when I moved back.
Stewart Ferrell Brooklyn NYC.
On Apr 2, 2009, at 8:46 AM, Fred Rednor wrote:
>
>> i agree it is a shame for a classic road bike in
>> good condition to have... a pair of track ends
>> brazed in...
>
> I'm not convinced that even this is so awful. Doing so merely
> converts the frame to a "proper" fixed-gear road bike. Perhaps it's
> no longer original, but it's not as if fixed-gear road bikes are
> some sort of modern affectation. They've been used for training for
> many years.
>
> One can be chagrined at the practice of modifying frames, but hasn't
> that been going on for ages as well? Didn't Herse and Singer modify
> legions of frames? If it's done properly - as opposed to simply
> cutting off the derailleur mounting tab - I don't see it as always
> being such a travesty.
> Cheers,
> Fred Rednor - an aging fixed gear rider in Arlington, Virginia
> (USA)