SOLD… and now named ‘Nancy’
I’m proud to unveil a retro-modern custom build I’ve been working on for the best part of six months, that encapsulates the direction I’m taking my passion for bike building in – namely restoring vintage frames as the basis for handbuilt, elegant and usable contemporary bicycles that are as practical as they are beautiful. Best of both worlds? You bet.
Based around a lightly modified 1970s Townsend steel road frame, freshly powdercoated in a cool pistachio/mint green, this is a classic yet modern ladies sports bike suitable for today’s road conditions – the ‘proto-compact’ frame design allows the bars to be nice & high for long distance comfort and good urban visibility – rather like a modern sportive bike, minus the carbon fibre of course.
The drivetrain consists of slick, reliable 16 speed Shimano components – and a beautiful polished FSA compact chainset – all of which are new or in mint condition and tuned to perfection. The brakes are brand new polished Tektro dual pivots which stop the bike smartly with minimum fuss and feature customised rear cable routing. Why? Shorter cable + neater routing = more power. The wheels have been completely overhauled with a solid axle conversion on the rear for added security plus new cones, bearings & seals fitted.
The finishing kit is a carefully selected mix of old & new, look closely and you’ll see lots of little touches of care and attention with stainless steel, polished aluminium and shining chromework galore, including vintage SR handlebars, stem & fluted seatpost with a new anatomical Specialized saddle and matching bar tape, retro grey cables & brake pads, lightweight SKS Chromoplastic mudguards and MKS pedals with vintage Elite clips.
The bike is fully road-tested, rides as beautifully as she looks. Contact me on 07779 012 292 to arrange a viewing & test ride.
Frame: 1970s vintage steel 48.5cm Townsend
Fork: vintage chromed steel, with headlamp mounting (optional)
Headset: Raleigh Superbe 1″ threaded
Stem: vintage SR Custom 80mm 1″ quill
Handlebar: vintage SR Champion (40cm c-c)
Bar Tape: Charge (new)
Shifters/Brake Levers: Shimano ST-2300 (2×8 speed)
Brake Calipers: Tektro R559 (new)
Brake Pads: Tektro (new)
Brake Cables: Fibrax (new)
Front Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra
Rear Derailleur: Shimano ST-2300 (new)
Derailleur Cables: Fibrax (new)
Cassette: SRAM 12-26 (8 speed)
Chain: KMC (new)
Cranks: FSA Vero Compact
Chainrings: 50/34
Bottom Bracket: FSA (new)
Pedals: MKS (with vintage Elite clips)
Rims: alloy, double walled 700c
Hubs: Shimano Tiagra (8/9/10 speed compatible)
Rear Axle: Velo Solo, with track nuts (new)
Spokes: Stainless steel
Tyres: Vittoria Zaffiro 700x28c (new)
Tubes: Presta (new)
Saddle: Specialized Riva BG (new)
Seatpost: vintage SR fluted (26.2mm)
Seatpost Binder: cro-mo bolt (new)
Extras: SKS mudguards, vintage chromed bell
PRICE:
5% of the sale price will be donated to Bloodwise, a leading UK charity dedicated to beating blood cancer since 1960, in honour of our friend Ben Treanor (RIP) x
SOLD