Re: [CR] Long brakes,Short brakes and 700c...Ron Coopers

(Example: Framebuilders:Pino Morroni)

From: "Bill Roberts" <bill.roberts@earthlink.net>
To: CR <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Fri, 25 Dec 2009 22:27:26 -0800
Subject: Re: [CR] Long brakes,Short brakes and 700c...Ron Coopers


Ron made frames to order, and to 'production' specs. So generalizations can be dangerous. Of these, two were common, 'racing', and 'touring'. Alas, all of mine are racing, so I cannot help with specs now. Maybe Bob can measure his, and we can compare?

I rode and measured a touring briefly. They are often, but not always, distinguished by eyelets for mudguards. I did not measure the angles, but on the touring model the wheelbase was slightly longer, and the clearances slightly larger - as one would expect. Otherwise, very similar, in ride and apparent geometry. I did not measure brake reach - they were apparently 'normal' reach Campy sidepulls. Which is what my racing models use as well. The touring I rode had fat tubulars - I forget now how big - but 28-32c seems right. I rode it on rough chipseal pavement, and it felt like a racing model that had been optimized for fatter tires. No mudguards were installed to compare fender line vs tire.

Ride of the 'touring' was _perhaps_ slightly less 'racey', but still very quick. Not twitchy. Signature Ron. No handed in corners like a dream. Sorry, I was lost in the ride, not trying to compare. I guess I need to get down to The Bay and visit some friends, and go for a ride with Bob for a proper side-by-side.

Racing uses a 74-ish head angle, and is outstanding. His are the favorite of my bikes, and of the many, many brands of on-topic bikes I have ridden / owned / own. Each being great in it's own way of course. YMMV.

Bill Roberts Jacksonville, OR

From: Bob Freitas <freitas1@pacbell.net> Subject: [CR] Long brakes,Short brakes and 700c...TIMELINE? To: CLASSIC RENDEZVOUS <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Message-ID: <4B350E31.8030701@pacbell.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"; format=flowed

This is an interesting question as a recent Ron Cooper came to me with 27'' wheels even though I figure the bike to be 1980. I had figured 27''s were obsolete by then specially with custom builders. Are there general dates we can attach to the swing away from 27'' wheels to 700c ? I know it might be different between European and Japanese/Asian makers. With the base line and midrange bikes, when did they or did they ever switch? I left the business in 1980 and 27'' were still common but since I slumbered for the rest of the 1980s I missed the transition if there was one.

BOB FREITAS gloriously Sunny in MILL VALLEY, CA USA

Best of Holidays to Everyone...............................