Old bike, new wheels?

simpson

Hi, I have decided to get back into road cycling after a 25 year layoff. So I have dug out my old Roberts from the loft! It is mainly equipped with Campagnolo super record, Mavic GP4 rims with tubulars. I want to go over to clincher (we called them high pressures in the old days) type rims, but I am so out of date with the new kit available. My bike has an Ultra 6 freewheel and non-indexed downtube gear levers and super record front and rear mechs. So what I am wondering is which wheels will fit my frame and which cassette will run with my chainset and mechs? Also I always used 36 spoke wheels for road racing, that was when I was 13 stone, now im nearly 17 stone. Looking at these modern wheels, they seem to run fewer spokes, are they stronger now than they were 25 years ago?
I still ride an old tech mountain bike once a week. When I gave up road riding, 7 speed freewheels were something new, as were indexed gears and high pressures being used in racing. So when I see 8, 9 and 10 speed cassettes I am kind of lost.
Any advice will be much appreciated. Then I can get some miles under my belt, Im really looking forward to it.

Charlie.

johnmoore

You have a bit of a dilemma, a classic in the attic seems a shame to ignore - but you frankly will have headache after headache trying to find parts to get your old steed back to it's glory days - and it still will be pounds heavier than even an entry modern bike.

My best advice would be to pick up something inexpensive and modern - perhaps even used - to get back on the road. Then make a labor of love to get your Roberts refreshed and on the road as a Sunday special. $1,500 would put you on the road in a Carbon frame with midrange SRAM or Shimano 10sp...

Getting a set of modern wheels from any mainline maker (Shimano, Mavic..) will save weight - but you'll have a problem with the cassette/freehub made for 10-11 speeds. Frame geometries have changed since the days - so you are probably looking at custom wheels - starting at $800-$1,00.

Chainrings, chains, even saddles are probably based on standards your bike may not support - so every little thing will be a challenge.

ugo.santalucia

Keep your hubs, have them rebuilt on modern clinchers with a classic look?...

Some ideas here
http://paolocoppo.drupalgardens.com/

If you live in London, I would be happy to rebuild them for you and show you my Super Record bike...
36 spokes still rock and at your weight are a must...

simpson

Thanks for the replies, the new bike route does not appeal to me but the new rims on my Campag hubs does! My heroes are Bernard Hinault, Eddy Merckx and even Tommy Simpson. The 80's were great years and when I saw these modern rims with writing all over them, I could not see myself using them. I'm aiming at a ride up Mont Ventoux and my retro bike will be perfect!
So where in London are you Mr Ugo? Yes I agree that I should use my old hubs, I have 3 sets on beaten up Mavic GP4's with corroded spokes.

ugo.santalucia

South West London... Richmond

This is my Super Record babe.... 8)

simpson

Nice bike! Do modern bikes really have that much of an advantage? Ok so I live on London/Essex border. Perhaps I could post the hubs to you and then collect the wheels when built? Which rims are available now that would be suitable for my bike (retro)? And what freewheel could I use, I will need something like a 14-26/28 so a 7 or even 8 speed would be great, but will it fit into my rear stays? Is there any disadvantage to having a freewheel(screw on type) as opposed to a cassette? What sorts of costs would I be looking at? I feel like I have been frozen in time since 1988 and now its a whole new sport on the equipment side.

ugo.santalucia

simpson wrote:

Nice bike! Do modern bikes really have that much of an advantage? Ok so I live on London/Essex border. Perhaps I could post the hubs to you and then collect the wheels when built? Which rims are available now that would be suitable for my bike (retro)? And what freewheel could I use, I will need something like a 14-26/28 so a 7 or even 8 speed would be great, but will it fit into my rear stays? Is there any disadvantage to having a freewheel(screw on type) as opposed to a cassette? What sorts of costs would I be looking at? I feel like I have been frozen in time since 1988 and now its a whole new sport on the equipment side.

You can fit a 7 speed freewheel, although some 126 hubs will take it well, others won't... the SR were designed for 6 speed and the 7th sprocket will sit very close to the chainstay... not ideal. 6 speed 14-26 are available (check campyoldy). 8 speed is not possible with your hub/frame
Rims depend on budget... from Rigida Chrina all the way to H plus Son TB14 there is a 80 pounds difference in price for the set. Some rims will give the bike justice, others will look odd.

If you contact me via the blog is best

http://paolocoppo.drupalgardens.com/blog

simpson

Hi Paolo, I have been trying to register on your blog, but after 3 days my username has not been activated, Any ideas?

Zingzang

simpson wrote:

Hi, I have decided to get back into road cycling after a 25 year layoff. So I have dug out my old Roberts from the loft! It is mainly equipped with Campagnolo super record, Mavic GP4 rims with tubulars. I want to go over to clincher (we called them high pressures in the old days) type rims, but I am so out of date with the new kit available. My bike has an Ultra 6 freewheel and non-indexed downtube gear levers and super record front and rear mechs. So what I am wondering is which wheels will fit my frame and which cassette will run with my chainset and mechs? Also I always used 36 spoke wheels for road racing, that was when I was 13 stone, now im nearly 17 stone. Looking at these modern wheels, they seem to run fewer spokes, are they stronger now than they were 25 years ago?
I still ride an old tech mountain bike once a week. When I gave up road riding, 7 speed freewheels were something new, as were indexed gears and high pressures being used in racing. So when I see 8, 9 and 10 speed cassettes I am kind of lost.
Any advice will be much appreciated. Then I can get some miles under my belt, Im really looking forward to it.

Charlie.

I was in almost exactly the same position as you a few years ago, when I dusted off two frames (531C and 531Pro tubing) which I'd last ridden competitively on in the late 1980's. The 531C frame still has Cinelli bars, quill stem and downtube shifters and I've managed to squeeze an R500 wheel in with 9sp cassette, though wheel removals are not easy. There is no chain rub on the stay when on the outer sprocket.
The 531Pro frame won't take something this width and runs a six speed 14-24 freewheel. I still ride the 531Pro a lot, and the wheels are my old Shimano 600 hubs (36/36) rebuilt with DRC ST17 Elegant II rims (formerly GP4's).
Modern bikes undoubtedly do have a speed advantage. Not everyone though necessarily puts that particular advantage at the top of their list.