Part of what I enjoy most about making the bicycles is the challenge of delivering all that the rider wants without making any aesthetic sacrifices. Harvey came to me with a lot of components already in hand. Some were in better shape than others but all still had plenty of life left in them. The task was to make them look like new again.
I started with polishing the Stronglight 49D crank arms. These arms paired with a new set of TA Cyclotourist chainrings look better than new. The fluted SR seat post took a little more elbow grease but looks at home on this build. And when a 40 year old Brooks saddle is attached to it, it looks pretty darn good as new. Other parts that were polished up include the derailleurs and brake levers (new hoods make all the difference).
More and more of the bikes that are coming out of my shop have some bit of chrome or nickel plating involved and this bike was no exception. The lugged frameset and racks were nickel plated. The nickel was a request of Harvey’s and contrasts well with the midnight blue paint color he chose. Aside from the racks, stays, and fork blades, touches of the nickel come through in the seat stay caps and fork crown. The dark blue is unassuming from afar but up close the bike shines and the lug edges come to life.
With its dynamo, lights, pump, racks and braze-ons for a rear rack, this bike is a pretty versatile light touring machine. And with it’s well-loved components, it will also feel like a familiar friend to Harvey.
See the full slideshow of the build.
Harvey’s vintage inspired light touring bike
September 5, 2018
Part of what I enjoy most about making the bicycles is the challenge of delivering all that the rider wants without making any aesthetic sacrifices. Harvey came to me with a lot of components already in hand. Some were in better shape than others but all still had plenty of life left in them. The task was to make them look like new again.
I started with polishing the Stronglight 49D crank arms. These arms paired with a new set of TA Cyclotourist chainrings look better than new. The fluted SR seat post took a little more elbow grease but looks at home on this build. And when a 40 year old Brooks saddle is attached to it, it looks pretty darn good as new. Other parts that were polished up include the derailleurs and brake levers (new hoods make all the difference).
More and more of the bikes that are coming out of my shop have some bit of chrome or nickel plating involved and this bike was no exception. The lugged frameset and racks were nickel plated. The nickel was a request of Harvey’s and contrasts well with the midnight blue paint color he chose. Aside from the racks, stays, and fork blades, touches of the nickel come through in the seat stay caps and fork crown. The dark blue is unassuming from afar but up close the bike shines and the lug edges come to life.
With its dynamo, lights, pump, racks and braze-ons for a rear rack, this bike is a pretty versatile light touring machine. And with it’s well-loved components, it will also feel like a familiar friend to Harvey.