Agter os

Hi there Domestique, No, I have not changed anything as yet on my DHC, as I couldn't really make up my mind as to what exactly to do. (Keep it original, transform it into a SS or what) Pictures of the bike can be posted, but if you wish to take a "tour" at another forum on The Hub, look at "Retro Bicycle Thread" around Page 80 and you'll see some photo's I have posted there. My bike is still very original, and all I have done is to replace the gear cluster at the back (5 or 7 speed, can't remember now) with a single sprocket. In order to get a better gearing (and not really wishing to destroy anything, I have even retained the two chainring set-up in front - I merely brought the smaller sprocket (44T) to the outside in order to get a straight line-up for the chain. Thing is I do have 6 other bikes as well, including a 1954 Raleigh built in Springs, very good original condition with still the original front tyre can you believe it - equipped with a 3 speed Sturmey Archer 1952 model gears. I managed to get Sturmey Archer parts imported from Holland to complete this. Due to me not having a SS, the idea came to me to maybe transform the DHC into this, but my heart breaks if I think that I'll do damage to the bike. Will maybe reconsider. May we meet somewhere or sometime? Will like to see your DHC!!

Hi there. I also have a DHC which hails from 1976 (bought new then!) I have also converted mine to a SS, but needs to complete the job - paint wise etc. What do you recommend - painting the frame or having it powder coated? My bike has the botton sections of the fork in chrome as well as the back sections of the rear stay, and I am worried that by powder coating that may go lost (told you my bike was VERY original!). I even stll have the original bar tape on that (the bike is a metallic blue with the blue matching tape). I am so in two minds whether or not I want to change too much of the original .....

Hi Guys! I have, amongst my other bikes, a 1954 Raleigh bike fitted with a Sturmey Archer gear train manufactured in 1952 (I checked up on the serial numbers). Problem is I changed the rear tyre and tube this weekend, and accidentally broke the chain for the Sturmey Archer leading into the back hub. I am very anxious to replace this item, either with a spare or with something that will work as well ..... any suggestions? PLEASE HELP????

I believe the organisers gave 4,5 million Rand to charity last year. Very good of them! However, as Pensioners, we need to be at the side that accepts, not on the side who should give? I wish to write Greg Till, CSA, Momentum 94.7 and all the other organisers a letter and ask for Pensioner's Discount. I mean, we can't win anymore, we can't compete with the front runners, BUT, we still enjoy our racing, we still keep healthy, etc? Why can I go eat cheaper at Spur/Wimpy, buy with discount at Game, go to the movies with discounted tickets but I cannot get a Pensioner's discount from the Cycle Racing organisers? The sport I love? PLEASE??? This way we will all score - better visibility of people "doing something for the elderly", more riders, more people who can compete, more healthy oldies etc etc etc?

Anybody riding in Mosselbay THIS year? (2011) I am on leave there from 17 - 28 December and would like to team up. Let me know??

See your pm box. Thanks!

Dag se aan julle Mosselbaaiers! Baie goeie nuus om te verneem dat julle groepritte steeds aangaan gedurende Desember. Ons is daar vanaf 17 - 28 Desember, en ek sal beslis wil saamry. Dankie vir die inligting! Ek bring ook my MTB saam, aangesien 'n vriend van my in George my die omgewing wil wys, maar laat weet 'n bietjie omtrent die roetes vir so 'n berg fiets?

To MTB007, Ja, thanks for your company as well! You made us all jealous for the fact that you stayed clean, drinking beer, but we could see the "hungry" look in your eyes. Next year, promise you, you'll join us. Thanks for the laughter, camaraderie, laughter, support, laughter and the rest!! Regards to Carola as well!

Depending on where you stay, I can also recommend Edenglen Cycling - excellent kameraderie, excellent group rides, and ... the biggest Cycling Club in the East!

What I do not understand is - IF this is then a neautral zone, that is great, but why are the timing mats then placed at the START of the race and not at the END of the neutral zone? This is the reason why riders absolutely SEND it from the start. I also did the races at Master Blaster and Crater, and I agree - the speeds are very high, and riders will get hurt.

We don’t all have money to contribute but we can make a stand and a difference by something so simple, so symbolic. With the rate our Rhino’s are poached – we do not have reason to celebrate on spring day. Good idea. Will support this

Right, so the work on my DHC is still progressing. As said previously, with the rear derailleur (will use that until I get a "proper"(?) tensioner for SS) not lining up, new brake cables to be fitted and the BMX chain which had to be lengthened, necessitated me to book the bike in at Cajees, as I cannot afford to spend much more time on this project. Went back to Cajees Cycles, Boksburg, the following day and was met by the following smiling face - JOHN! I can honestly recommend this guy - he knows his stuff!! John managed to find and sort out a new derailleur to line up the chain, he fitted new brake cables and the bike is (almost!) ready to go. I only have to sort out pedals, and then I'll ride! Will keep you updated

Velo ... No, my DHC does NOT have horizontal drop outs, but slanted. I have an older (?) Celini - just bought by the way - of basically the same vintage, with horizontal dropouts, so I don't know why certain brands preferred the one to the other. Maybe Johan can assist here?

Well, as indicated earlier, I am still working on my 1976 DHC bike - bought new for R 175,00 at that stage. Everything still in working order, but although the bike spent some time on my trainer, I have not ridden it much. Got demoted to the store room and eventually I decided to rebuild this into a SS. Had some problems in getting the wheels cleaned - the chrome was badly pitted and dirty and nothing, not Brasso nor Burnishing compound could get anything right. Answer was to either buy new ones or get these re-chromed. But fear not, as steel wool came to the rescue! Here I have to give thanks to John from Cajees Cycles in Boksburg for his help - the wheels look stunning! When last did you see handle bar tape of 36 years old? And, how about these safety brakes? Just to show off the lovely DHC badge ... I have some problems with fitting the chain (BMX - because of the wider free wheel sprocket at the back)as the derailler is in the way and not yet lined up properly. Anybody can advise me where to get any other tensioner for the chain as opposed to a derailler? Brake cables will finish it off for now (still unsure as to whether or not I'd like to get this repainted - where will I get stickers again?) but I want to ride this as soon as possible. Will keep you posted ......

Hey Scotty, Spoke to George myself and asked him about the doctorate - he is a MEDICAL Doctor according to him. Must admit, a little bit of a sad case, as he seems to sleep at the back of his shop? Went accross one morning early and still caught him in sleeping gear. Looking for some tyres and saw the (unmade) bed at the back Shame. But, yes, it is a little treasure shop that one!

I fully agree with you - although I am not a student! Entry fees for races are outrageous, and trying to justify these high costs as much as the organisers want, they do not convince us as competitors. I fully agree - organising takes time, costs money and effort. However, with the fees going higher and higher each time, they are doing the sport more harm than anything else. MTB'ing was relatively cheap compared to Road Racing previously, but the organisers obviously realised that "they are leaving money on the table" and ... up go the fees. I worry when I read in Bicycling Magazines that organisers treat Races like businesses - they have to show profit. I am concerned when I read that fees are going to this and that charity - "Charity starts at home" is the proverb. I feel upset when so-called "small" races like those in VanderBijlPark also start pushing the R 100 limit for 60 km races. I am most concerned that Cycling will go the same route as Motorsport in this country - supported by a very few with very few competitors. I agree with a previous saying - If you can't afford it, don't compete, but, look at the other side of the coin.... I feel that the entry fees should attract competitors - like the poor students, like the people just starting racing, like the people who want to compete for the sake of competing and not interested or concerned or qualified about licensing or becoming professional I feel that prize monies should not be for the privileged few licenced riders. What about the "Open" classes - give each group, age group, etc a prize (even how small) for 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd? Do you realise how much that will mean for the cyclist? During the last Jock races in Barberton all the prizes, in all the classes amongst all the groups were won by a small handful of professionals - who most probably put their trophies either away in a closet, or pool the prize money. Giving a small prize to that guy who also tried, who also paid his R 470 entry fee for the 3 stages, who also had to travel to and from the start in Barberton, would not have cost that much, but would have ACHIEVED a lot? Worthwhile thinking about it?

To E1A104, you have a beautiful bike here! Congrats from my side as well. Please don't keep us in suspense any longer - how long did it take you and at what price??

You are so right LeTurbo, you are so right!! Where do these guys get all these leads from? How do they unearth all these goodies? Maybe they have some attributes we don't know of!! Spent some time at Mean Machine Cycling shop in Germiston the other day - lots of stuff there as well. Are there no bargains of this sort in Cape Town?

Jahto, thanks for the tip sending me to George at Mean Machines in Germiston. Finally managed to do so yesterday, and what an experience! If I have ever seen anybody who can do a neat "operation" on a bike, this must be the man .......he has a doctored degree in Pharmacy for heaven's sake! He seems to be meticulous about his work, has spares and bikes and what not aplenty, and wow! Gave me some sound advice about my project and so forth! As said, most impressed! Thanks!

Thanks Tom, this is exactly what I am looking for. Not ready yet to buy, as I have not decided which gear ration to use, but yes, I'll keep this info. I have already written to them for advice on how to re-chrome the wheel rims. Polishing does NOT help, as there are just too many small little chips and rust. I am fortunate as I bought my DHC new in 1976, and everything is still there - 5 speed at the back and all! - but the aluminium brake callipers etc, all need a very good cleaning. Will do so slowly but surely and wait for the results! Can't seem to remember what I have done with the seat though. There is one on it now, but it definately is not the original one. Will see when I get to that part of the bike! What seat does yours have? Is it original? If so, is it for sale? I also may need to replace the BB, or at least repair same, with new bearings etc.

You are so correct - yes, I will most probably not repaint the bike etc. How ever appropriate scrathes etc may look, I am somewhat perturbed about the rust on the rims and spokes. I have used Silvo but will probably have to resort to something like Brasso. Do not want to damage the chrome any further though. When we were still at school, (years ago) we cleaned and polished the spokes with steel wool, and I may try that again. By the way, does anybody know where I may buy spacers or these new fancy clamps for the (single) back sprocket?

Thanks - will do so!!

Join up with the Edenglen Cycling Club - the biggest Club in your area. We do MTB and Raod rides every weekend - the Roadies even have a back up vehicle! Contact the club at : club@team-edenglen.com

OK Guys, you've got me hooked on this Retro Tread as well. I have a 1976 DHC Road Bike, bought new in 1976 for R 175,00 which was more than my monthly salary then. The bike has not done many kilometers (I really were'nt so much into cycling then) and spent some time lately on my indoor trainer. The last year or two the poor bike was lying waiting to be loaded on a dumper, sold as scrap or whatever. Fortunately I just could not do it to the poor fella, and lately I started looking at the bike with different eyes - SINGLE SPEED EYES! So, I have to start somewhere - the wheels are as heavy as hell, and there is some rust present on some minor scratches. Do I have these wheels rechromed? Were they chromed initially? Some of the spokes also show some rust - do I clean, rechrome or discard them? The BB will have to be replaced, as well as the tyres etc. Any LBS on the East Rand you can recommend?

I have the guts full of the exorbitant fees charged for cycle races. I am sick and tired of continuously hearing about the fact that the entry fees "are going for a good cause to Sikolelao School or similar`" etc. I am upset about the fact that I have to hear about how "costly" the organisation of such races are - never do anybody tell us what sponsorship and naming rights contribute to the race. Now, to crown it all, when you do slip up and am late with the on-line entry, and EXTRA R 90,00 is levied - for instance with the Fast one? What does one get extra for that? Or, is it a slap on the wrist saying "Don't do that again"? At that price??? C'mon Cycling South Africa and all the Race Organisers - you are effectively KILLING the sport! It also WON'T wash to say - "If you can't afford it, don't do it", as we WANT to keep the sport going. But, heck - at these entry fees everybody is already cutting back!!! Some 4 - 5 years ago, everybody competed week after week, ..... now most probably only once a month if that much. In closing this - look what happened to motor sport, rallying etc. The sport is kept alive by a small group of wealthy people ...... please don't do this to Cycling????