Hi, neighbor! I'm just across the bridge in Ann Arbor, MI!
Based on my experience I would do whatever is feasible to protect against water. My experience was compelling: in late October we finally found time to drive up to Cheboygan, MI to take a ferry over to Mackinaw Island and see it. We took our bikes: she a modern Breezer and my California Masi with no fenders and full (nearly) Nuovo Record. It was rainy, wet, windy, sandy, and cruddy on the girdle road. This being a family list I won't describe the crud, but the road is used by horses. I think rain water washed out all my grease and loaded in a significant but not terminal amount of sand. I had three months of work to totally overhaul the entire bike and find replacements for the headset lower cup and crown race. It was toast anyway, but the load of road crap brought the problem to the fore. Luckily it was winter.
So I would at minimum fit full-coverage 45 mm (if possible) mudguards with at least a front mudflap. Many vintage lightweights will see toe overlap as a result. This will prevent tire spray from contaminating you, your saddle, your clothing, the rest of the bike, the chain (!!!), and other riders. A rear mudflap reaching to perhaps 4 inches of the grade will protect others well. My Masi is an oddball and has fender eyelets. Perhaps use "Lizard Skins" to protect the headset bearings and BB bearings from rainfall.
That really just leaves the wheel bearings. NR hubs are not water protected, except by use of a water-sealing grease such as Phil Woods. I would try overpacking with that stuff or some better grease if there is one. I'd also consider getting a second set of audax wheels perhaps with clincher rims and Phil Wood hubs, for this harsh use.
If you do none of this you can protect the paintwork with wax and give the bike a low-pressure rinse after use top and bottom, but you are not getting any improved rider or drivetrain protection.
Really, doing a paint touch-up and a good wax are excellent ideas no matter what, as is repacking the hubs and BB with a water-protective grease.
Ken Freeman Ann Arbor, MI USA
On Thu, Apr 30, 2009 at 12:19 PM, Charlotte Bronte <j1847e@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> I'm considering converting my 70s Kessels into a randonneur--fenders,
> handlebar bag, wider tires, lights--for the occasional brevet of 200-300k.
> It's Reynolds 531 and all Campy NR.
>
> Riding in the rain seems to be part of this sport, but I've never ridden
> this bike under anything but sunny skies. I have another beauty from this
> era (a 78 Kessels Merckx) which is similarly babied, so I'm not without
> options. I also have a fixed gear and a modern race bike in the stable.
>
> Here's my question: should I ride this thing in the rain, and if so what
> are some basic issues about preserving it after showers that I should be
> aware of? Better to get a bike I care less about for my plunge into
> randonneuring?
>
> All advice welcome.
>
> Robert Aguirre
> Windsor, ON
>
>
>
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