Ludo 1983 - Modernisation of "vintage" bike

defever

I must have jinxed my luck with my last post!

Thursday morning was horrible... A rogue episode of punctures. I found the rear tyre completely flat when I was about to go to work in the morning. It happens, I understand. No worries, I have puncture repair kit and a spare inner tube.

So I took the inner tube out, replaced with with a new spare I had.

Pumped it up, BANG. puncture.

%^&*£$%$£ (It was 6:45am. My vocal cord was still croaky). Patched up the first tube I just took out with the repair kit.

Pumped it up, PPSHHHHHH. puncutre.

???!??!!?!!!. Took the new spare that just punctured and patched that up.

Pumped it, and guess what. BANG! Puncture again!

I gave up and drove to work. I felt so defeated and confused. I checked the tube, the wheel, the tyre, everything for any foreign object, cuts, spoke but nothing. So confused and so frustrated that I couldn't cycle and had to drive in.

In the end, I realised that I was pumping far too much. The side of the original tyre noted max 70psi (4.8BAR) and I was aiming for 100psi... I just couldn't understand myself why I was aiming for 100psi! So silly.

If there was any consolation, this episode made me check the condition of the original tyre thoroughly and it was way beyond its due date. Lots of cuts, but none were through, tread virtually gone and beading virtually gone (though the wires were still intact).

So I ordered:

Clement Strada LGG Folding Road Tyre (Black – Tan 700 x 25C) £23.99


Lets see if going down from 32C to 25C is a mistake or not.

The toe clips arrived the next day and fitted. But I haven't had the joy of riding since then!

Happy cycling!

Matthewfalle

Those look well nice - top stuff.

Did you get new front and back to match and stop the front flitting out and killing you with dead disease?

defever

Matthewfalle wrote:

Those look well nice - top stuff.

Did you get new front and back to match and stop the front flitting out and killing you with dead disease?

Yup I ordered a pair to make sure. If the rear tyre is so shot, the front tyre also must be shot. And 32C and 25C is noticeable difference, I assume.

So this morning, with 70PSI on both front and back, I went out the first time since Thursday to cycle to work. It felt good, I think the down time allowed my body to recover as well. Going up hill was strong and I felt happy again.

But oh no, 10miles into my 14.5mile commute... Thud thud thud thud thud... Flat rear tyre again. Walked 4.5miles in shame.

I went into CyCle Republic near my work and told one of the mechanic that I've been cursed with punctures for the last 7 days. He looked at the tyre, pointed a a handful of deep cuts and raised his eyebrows... I was definitely pushing my luck with 34 year old tyres!

Taking a train home today, and I'm hoping the Clement tyres have been delivered today!

Happy cycling!

Matthewfalle

defever wrote:

Matthewfalle wrote:

Those look well nice - top stuff.

Did you get new front and back to match and stop the front flitting out and killing you with dead disease?

Yup I ordered a pair to make sure. If the rear tyre is so shot, the front tyre also must be shot. And 32C and 25C is noticeable difference, I assume.

So this morning, with 70PSI on both front and back, I went out the first time since Thursday to cycle to work. It felt good, I think the down time allowed my body to recover as well. Going up hill was strong and I felt happy again.

But oh no, 10miles into my 14.5mile commute... Thud thud thud thud thud... Flat rear tyre again. Walked 4.5miles in shame.

I went into CyCle Republic near my work and told one of the mechanic that I've been cursed with punctures for the last 7 days. He looked at the tyre, pointed a a handful of deep cuts and raised his eyebrows... I was definitely pushing my luck with 34 year old tyres!

Taking a train home today, and I'm hoping the Clement tyres have been delivered today!

Happy cycling!

Top stuff.

Yup - 35 to 25 you should notice in a very good way plus you can pump them up to proper pressures. New pictures once fitted please!

defever

Clement tyres fitted!!


So much thinner than original 32C! They just about brush the brake blocks when putting the wheels back on but that's such a game changer not to hassle with brake blocks to take the wheels on/off. Pressure was indicated 105 - 125psi so I set it as 110psi.

I just seen it on the packaging that "LGG" bit of Clement Strada LGG refers to the airport code of Liege, Belgium, which is heart of the Ardennes and home of Liege-Bastgone-Liege classic race. Well what a coincidence, Belgian bike, Belgian tyre. Goodbye Dutch tyre, hello Belgian tyre!

Though today was happy ending, I struggled to fit the folding tyre at the beginning. They didn't sit quite as expected:



The beads eventually sat where they should be but it involved several tries of pumping, working it with thumb to seat properly, deflating and repeating. In the end I think working the tyres with hands and massaging worked. The front tyre went nicely.

And some aneurysm going in with Giant inner tube...


I also got a puncture repair kit, spare tube and a hand pump to carry on my commute. Lesson learned, should have prepared it long ago but hopefully no more puncture for a while!

Happy cycling!

Matthewfalle

They look well cool - nice buy that man.

Now pleeeeeeeeeeaaaaasssseee get rid of the mudguards

defever

I went for 16mile test run this morning.

NO PUNCTURE. I'm so happy that I didn't get any puncture. Ride is definitely rougher and slightly unsteady but I got used to it by the end of the ride. Otherwise no difference.





I have to completely admit that the mudguards are now looking massive with 25mm tyre. 32mm tyre filled the guards quite nicely and blended in with the black part of the tyre but with the new 25mm, they are obvious. I have to say I'm not keen on them. BUT I must have them for commuting. I'm willing to sacrifice the looks over getting dirt, muck, grit all over the frame / drive train.

Or maybe I get a cheap bike for commuting and keep Ludo as leisure bike and revive its dignity?

Happy cycling!

Matthewfalle

Lose the mudguards and just spend 30 seconds with a hose when you get home to get the gunk off.

Please lose the mudguards.

timothyw

Keep the mudguards.... the fact it can fit them with 32mm tyres means it was hardly built as a race machine at the time, more as a tourer/trainer. I don't think it spoils the look.

Nice ride, and most importantly glad it's getting used!

Matthewfalle

Dude.

Are you really going to trust someone called Timothy when it comes to making your bike uber cool.

Timothy the mudguard man or the bloke who owns Dirk? I know who I would trust.

Take the mudguards off, smash them with a hammer, set fire to them and throw them into next door's garden.

defever

Thanks both. I think names like Timothy and Matthew are trustworthy...

Not a derogative question, but Matt, do you commute 90-100miles/week with your vintage bike? I have to stick with mudguards whilst the bike is used as commuter bike. I don't have facility at home to hose down the bike and I've already lost the front derailleur component due to cycling without the mudguard. I don’t want muck all over me, shoes and on my bag (though I carry change of clothes). So I'm keeping them for my sake and Ludo's.

Hopefully in near future when we move and settle with permanent job and a new home with a garage and an outside hose, I'll definitely get a cheap road bike to commute, transfer the mudguards to it and restore Ludo's former glory. Definitely on the card. But for now, it's mudguard or Ludo won't get used.

On another note, just did my usual commute. 25mm is definitely an improvement. It feels faster to accelerate, lighter to pedal uphill, easier to cruise downhill, but I know this is only a "feel" because the segment times on Strava hasn't changed much. It was a wet commute so going over the drain covers were a bit sketchy. I avoid cycling by the curbs now; I'm more conscientious of all the debris that accumulates on the edge of the road. I wish I changed the tyre sooner.

With or without mudguards, happy cycling!

defever

Good morning fellow cyclists,

So it's been couple of weeks with 25mm Clement tyres and I'm really happy with them. Commute time hasn't changed much (I'm getting less and less "achievements" on Strava, so I'm plateauing) but it’s perceptively faster and lighter. General improvement of my fitness also contribute to that but 14.5mile commute feels easier now. 14.5miles, 49-54min range, average speed of 17mph: quite happy with that pace.

A while back I adjusted the saddle level. I also brought the saddle forward as I was getting pain and inflammation on left Achilles tendon. The slight change on the saddle position and some kinesiology tape, roller fascia release on calf and soleus seem to have resolved the pain and inflammation. I haven’t had pain for three weeks so that’s good.

In a related matter, I feel that my bar is a tad far for commute ride and I sometimes get backache (just an ache / discomfort), especially when I’m on the drop bar for prolonged period of time. I’ve been experimenting regular change of hand positioning between a) drop, b) top (the narrow horizontal bit), and c) brake hood (both right on the hoods and 50/50 on hood and bar). Going from drop to top bar seems to immediately alleviate some of the discomfort.

It’s a quill stem on the bike. My question is should I try a shorter reach quill stem? If so where can I get a quill stem?

Happy cycling!

rolf_f

Tons of quill stems on Ebay - new or used. Generally cheap unless some idiot has pantographed "Colnago" all over them (usually badly!). You might find tilting the bars up a little will help as well.

Re mudguards - SKS Chromoplastics - the squared off sort. Work really well and look much more period.

If you are doing 100 miles a week in all weathers I'd find a replacement modern chainset now. The funky original will wear out and you'll struggle to replace it with similar. You can get Stronglight chainsets in all shapes and sizes from Spa Cycles pretty cheaply.

Matthewfalle

Places like SJS cycles or Planet X also have quill stems in stock - they are bizarrely expensive though.

Bear in mind that quill stems were standard issue for hundreds of years, so it could also be worth getting a broken old bike just for the stem - I got the 'bars and stem of a bike in a skip for my Peugeot Vitusthat is on the Vintage Bike thread. 30 mins polishing and they are nice and shiney.

defever

Thanks both for the tip.

Just to double check, how is the length of reach (or extension?) on quill stem measured?
Is it from the center of the stem bolt to the center of the bar?
That measurement is currently 11cm. So maybe something like 8cm will be suffice, I guess.

The current Quill stem has "SR" engraved on it. I don't know what the handle bar diameter is but the bar is Sakae Custom Champion, which a quick Google search reveals it was mass produced so likely to be a standard diameter?

If I change the quill stem then I want to change the drop bar to something narrower, too. It's currently 44cm width at the drop section (it flares up at the drop ends) I want something more narrower like 40-42cm as it feels too wide to grip. Good or bad idea?

I've been looking at the local tip for any "old bike parts" but I've yet to see anything suitable. I'll try on eBay.

Re drive train: I will need to get this changed eventually too. I re-sized the chaining hole to standard 10mm already so should the ring fail I can get a ring quickly and temporarily fit something newer, I guess.

Project for Christmas as I'm getting quite busy with work!

defever

Good morning!

I found out about Eroica a couple of days ago! It's so cool!

And even better, Eroica Brittania!? This is amazing!

With the vintage spirit currently high, I bought this from eBay:



I'm going to wear it under my helmet for winter commuting. Matches with my hi-vis type yellow helmet!

Happy cycling!

defever

Good morning everyone,

Commute this morning started with a devastating event...



The original crankset snapped at the base of the crank and chainset...

Earlier this month, Rolf F mentioned about changing the chainset soonish. I was looking at the chainset to see any obvious signs of deterioration (i.e. chainring bolts, deformation, shark fins, worn fins, etc.), but I never guessed that this sort of breakage would happen!

Goodbye Thun Aero Coronado crankset... It looked like this originally (42T / 52T):

Velobase.com: Alfred Thun GmbH & Co. KG Aero Coronado



I'm assuming it's unrepairable?

What can I get as a replacement?

Is it straight forward to just get a single crankset like below?
How do I align the chain line?
Is there spacer / shim that I can put on bottom bracket?
STRONGLIGHT ST55 Single Chainset (50T single option)



Or is it better to get one of these solid cranks (no welding at the crank and chainset)?
Does this sort of cranks accept any chainring to fit?
SPA CYCLES TD-2 Touring Cranks (170mm Silver double option)



I'm quite happy with the current set up of 52T single chainring and 5 speed freewheel at the back (I think it's something standard like 14, 17, 21, 24, 28).

Any suggestions everyone?

Matthewfalle

Noooo! What a cranking disaster.

It's a single chain ring front at the moment isn't it?

defever

I know, I really liked the spider-web looking crankset. But hey it's over 34yrs old so it served it's purpose.

It used to be double ring (52T and 42T), but I lost the front derailleur due to corrosion so I kept the big ring, but new ring bolts and kept it as 5 speed drivetrain.

In terms of chain line, it was as having a double ring, so just a minor deviation if I went either the biggest or smallest cog at the freewheel. The chain often slips out on the smallest cog due to this, but once every 30miles or so (and I got used to it).

One thing I'm not sure about is slapping a single crankset and the chain line goes out of the window. I'm thinking get a double crank set and just get 52T or similar chain ring and bolt it on the outer side to keep the chain line.

What are your thoughts Matt?

Matthewfalle

There shouldn't be a problem at all with putting the single ring crank on - it'll basically sit in exactly the same place as the old crank. I've turned two ring cranks into single ring cranks and used them no problem.

I also don't think the chain coming off is due to the single chain ring - you may need to just adjust the rear mech so it sits inline a bit - maybe half a turn in the adjust screws to bring it up the cassette if it is coming off on the small cog.

defever

Thanks Matt,

I went to see my local bike shop on Friday and what a small world, one of the staff spent more than a decade in Belgium and was so excited to see the bike! I had a good chat about the bike (and Brexit...) and I felt really looked after. So nice to have a good rapport with a local shop.

Anyways, one of the possible option was for me to source a crankset (whilst they also look for one via their supplies) which suits the bike's period and also get the BB renewed.

So I found this (last night, just off chance and on a whim) and happened to win the bid:

Retro AZZURRO Crankset Double Chainwheel, Crank Arm Length 170mm, 42-52T, Alloy



I Googled the name Azzurro and this came up:

Velobase.com: Gipiemme Azzurro

Classicrendezvous.com: Gipiemme

This particular one is probably their basic range crankset but if the information on the links are accurate, than it's as good as Campagnolo components. Plus it's a single piece spider crank as to a fused / welded crank which was the cause of breakage on the original Aero Coronado.

I emailed the shop to ask whether if this is a suitable replacement (I vaguely know that there were a lot of incompatibility with French / English / Italian components). Let’s see what they say.

What are your thoughts, fellow former users?

defever

And re: chain drop, I've adjusted the rear derailleur screws to minimise the chain drop, and it has reduced the frequency, definitely.

I think the cause is a combination of slight chain line deviation when at the smallest sprocket and bumpy terrain (drain covers, pot hole patch ups, roadwork cracks, etc) making the top line of the chain bounce a bit, and eventually slips off the chainring as I pedal. I took a couple of links to help the chain taut and that seemed to help a bit. Chain guard prevents it, but hey it just "doesn't look good"...!

defever

Bad news update...

I got the crankset to the shop last Thursday and I was patiently waiting for a call to say it's finished.

I had a call this afternoon. BB refurbished and it's fine. But...

But... the crankset spider is not straight. It rocks on the flat surface. The left crank square hole has deformed and there's a play... Chain rings were straight, no rock on flat surface. The mechanic showed me fitted and there's clearly a wobble. But with the bent spider, unfortunately, unusable.

Such a shame that I couldn't have detected that or had the knowledge of asking the seller before I committed. The seller probably would not have noticed it either (probably got it on a boot sale or junk find and had not fitted him/herself). Lesson learned on buying something second-hand and cheap online...

Back to crankset search... other than eBay, where do you go to find retro components? Unfortunately, there's no retro bike / restoration business with good stocklist around my area (I asked the bike mechanic but he doesn't know anyone around).

Bah.

Matthewfalle

I tend to find retro bits randomnly- word of mouth, friends, 2nd hand shops, charity shops selling bikes, classifieds, recycling area at local dump, etc........

If it's cheap enough it's Sometimes worth getting a bike, stripping the bits you want and dumping everything else .... get a small stockpile of bits together in your garage for future use.

defever

Ludo is back!



It's Azurro (Gipiemme) BCD 113mm crank (I think). I don't think there's anything special with it. Double chainset but just put on 52T.



This is the second pair of Azurro from the same eBay seller. The first pair was not straight (bent spider arm at third and foruth, as well as stripped taper on non-driveside crank) so I contacted the seller to see how we go forward with it. He kindly offered another pair (he used to ride alot so had exactly the same pair). This one fitted nicely, some minor wobble but within acceptable.

On another note, I found out that there's a cable guard bracket that old bikes used to have to guide derrailuer cables at the bottom of the seat post. Something like this:




The original guide on the bike is brazed onto the frame (rear cable guide is intact, but the half of the front cable guide fell off last winter) so I'll have to figure out how to attach the bracket but it's a good feeling that there is a possibility of restoring the front derailleur in the future and have 10 speed again.

Nearly three weeks without the bike. Glad to have it back!

I need to get a pair of dust caps...

Matthewfalle

Luda is rocking - top work.

defever

I was so happy I just gone out for a pootle.

6miles in. This happens...




The non-drivesdie pedal fell off spectacularly...

When I picked up the bike, the mechanic noted that the non-drive side crank thread was "sleeved" and it was wierd. He tightened it as much as he could with a spanner in front of me to show that it's fitted, but told me to keep an eye on it. Well, he was right. It fell off.

At closer inspection, it looks like the thread had a repair, just like on this YT video by RJ The Bike Guy:

RJ The Bike Guy: Repairing Stripped Crank Arm Pedal Threads

Parktool Instruction: Pedal Bushing Repair Kit Procedure

Now I'm in a difficult position.
1) I'm without a bike again. Three weeks and counting again.
2) This is the second pair that's failed from the same buyer. I don't know how to bring it up. I just want to send both pair back and just look for NOS or brand new components now.
3) Is there something wrong that the mechanic did? cross threaded?

This has become a bit of a nightmare...

Matthewfalle

Nooooooo! Quel domage!

Send them both back to the seller and get your money and return postage back.

Then maybe something like this: https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/cranks/sjsc ... set-175mm/

defever

Ok a positive update!

In the midst of the chainset issue, I forgot that I also ordered a NOS Sachs chainset 42-52T from another eBayer (as a back up in case the replacement set was also unsuitable...):



The second Azzurro chainset was removed, Sachs got fitted and I've done 15.5miles so far and it's been fine so far. So hurray, I'm back on the road! I lost quite a bit of my fitness in the meantime though.

I've learnt so much about drivetrain components and brands from this experience. I decided that I want to keep all the components with European brands for consistency, and I really liked Azzurro, but unlucky. I sent him a message asking how he would like to proceed with the chainsets, as I don't know if he realised the sets were actually not fit for purpose, lets see if we work something out.

Sachs turns out to be a good alternative as my gear mechs (front / rear / friction shifter) are by Huret (which Sachs collaborated at some point in late 80s-mid 90s I think? Before collaborating a bit with Campagnolo, I also think?!). I might source Sachs-Huret front & rear mechs to complete the set maybe after the winter.

The current freewheel is the French make Maillard 5 speed (I think it's 14 - 24). I'm not sure if Sachs-Huret made freewheels as well? What would be a good freewheel to set up with Sachs-Huret mechs?

Happy cycling everyone.

Matthewfalle

I'm afraid I can't help with the freewheel set up up but really happy that you are now back on the road.

The seller should offer a full refund as basically he has sold you rubbish and wasted your time.