Loose cog

Lot's of truth in Happy Martin's post. Don't sit for long periods in the saddle without getting off on to the rails. Use every gradient to get out of the saddle for a bit. Not only does it relieve pressure on your butt it allows blood flow to increase to your legs. The same applies to your hands. Change position often and stretch the arms out behind you to relieve tension in the neck. Sounds if you guys & girls have good quality saddles so they shouldn't be a problem.

You now have a proper Lefty and it's not even a Canondale! Hope you find your arm soon.

No problem, it was a mere coincidence. The work was brilliant but I known it cost a packet. +-R2,000 if my memory serves me correct but it was a complete chrome of the frame fork and handlebars. In my personal experience you never recover the cost of respraying or chroming a frame irrespective of frame. A cheap R500 frame resprayed with new decals could cost you up to R2,000 and you would battle to resell at R2,500. A rare more expensive frame is similar but you have a greater chance of making some money with more expensive frames. The way I look at it is you have to discount the price by the enjoyment you get out of the bike. Older bikes are undervalued in SA at present. Let us know how the bike comes out as I have a frame which I may want to have chromed.

Look at these old Campy beauties. Too special for a Build-a-Bike. Anyone keen on making me an offer? All proceeds go to Build-a-Bike SA PM sent!

Somewhere on the hub comment made regarding excellent work done by http://www.africanelectro.co.za/about.htm

Hey Frail 40 don't forget to post pics

The first C40's are celebrating their 20th birthday. The boss's ride

Very nice, these were classic frames in the day. We must have a retro ride some day soon.

RIP Basil. Condolence to the Cohen family and friends. Many fond memories of the Jhbg CBD store, Hector Norris Park Sunday meets, weekly training and visiting the frame factory across the road in Wemmerpan Road to buy a new bike. Anyone keen to meet at Hector Norris Park next week for a social ride on old SA made frames?

PM sent

Probably to catch Jeremy Clarkson!

I have some Campag Gran Tourismo on one of my bikes and it's still going strong. Also, benefit after all these years is that someone is willing to pay big R's for this old kit. Have a look at eBay and search for Campag Delta group sets and see what I mean.

Agree with what Javadude said but it's a nice bike and should be cleaned up and used. It will make a nice commuting, everyday bike. Get a strong lock. Javadude, let's see some pics please.

Very nice looking bike there. Quality old frames need to be ridden, even if with newer group sets and wheels. Let us know where you located so we can look out for your red machine?

After the clearance issue the next problem is whether the rims will take the larger size tyre. The tread is probably just as important as given its June (Summer in the UK) it is likely to be a bit muddy and therefore a tread that displaces mud would be ideal. Having ridden MTB in SA, Botswana, Tanzania, Nigeria I never had a need for a mud displacing tyre until riding in the UK. Only after becoming completely bogged down one day in the Epping Forest did I begin to realise the importance of the tread and understand the reviewers comments in the foreign mags. Riding in thicker sand requires you to let out air to get better traction similar to a 4x4. Therefore carry a good hand pump (why not one of those 70's chromed ones we used). Lucky bugger being able to worry about a ride in the Midlands when all I have have to worry about is which road in Sandton am I most likely not being run off the road by cars or least likely to be mugged!

First Freight Couriers, the GM Conrad Boulle is on the hub. Check them out online where you can get a quote.

Thanks for the info. Any idea on the coating used? I have never seen it before. By the way the frame feels pretty light although I haven't weighed it yet.

Hi Guys Given that we are focused on SA frames at the moment please could you fellow hubbers provide me with any information on this frame I picked up a few days ago. It's a Reynolds 653 steel frame custom designed and hand built by Bill Lange (see the decal on the top tube). It's a 63cm frame as stamped on the BB but measures 61cm c-t-c (65cm c-t-top of extended seat lug). Top tube measures 58cm. The BB is embossed with Reynolds on both top sides with the following stamped on the bottom of the BB on the left: BL 69 653. Also on the BB is the size 63. All the lugs and BB are nickel plated although the BB and lower head tube lug are painted over. The fork is also embossed with Reynolds on both top sides. The rear brake cable passes through the top tube on the right and exits on the left. This appears to have been a typical de Lange trait and is similar to my Bill Lange "McIntosh"TT frame I have. The dropouts are Shimano HG. Quite nice with rear dropouts outside of the seat tube triangle. Ignore the Cinelli decal, it came with the bike and I will try and remove without damaging it or the frame. Here is the interesting part............ The bike has been coated with a type of plastic paint covering in black with the 80's neon art work. This coating has been stripped or burnt off on the down tube and around the BB and below the front derailleur clamp. Why, I don't know. I have never seen coating like this before. You can see the coating on the head tube. I learnt that Lange manufactured frames for Robbie McIntosh which Robbie sold through his retail outlet(s). I remember the LBS in Randburg CBD and rode from there a few times in the late 80's. Took photos this evening so not the best quality and doesn't show the neon colour too well. I don't have any information on this frame other than stated above. All info and comments would be appreciated. Not sure what I will do with the frame as it's too big for me.

Heyyou, I agree with you regarding the age issue. I too would love to do the Tour of Arae but understand the reasons for limited number of entrants because of accommodation, etc. Great idea about having a source for local builders. Let's LOBBY.

Found you a stem: http://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/291151631479-0-1/s-l200.jpg View item: NOS CINELLI DEMI FOND ADJUSTABLE STEM RARE VINTAGE ! philippe stayer pista track End time: 30 May 2014 18:41:19 GMT+2

My Vitus, work in progress. Used a few Campy parts that were lying about. The hubs are Dura Ace and need to be swopped out when I have some RRRRR's or some time/patience. Also need some Campy gum hoods but doubt any in SA? Going to try stitching some leather hoods on to the levers in the interim (thanks Didi).

Don't forget to turn them over for a quick check!

Hi Schnavel I seemed to have missed your reply in Nov. Sorry So, what have done with the Nago? Let's see some pics.

Nice to see Velo on the podium again!