Lance Notstrong

(disclaimer)I'm a bit of an old f@rt so this opinion is based on beliefs of yesteryear... There is just no better option for hard core performance, than a set of tubby wheels. Therefore I would go for option 3 without blinking an eye. (Indeed I wouldn't consider training on them) However, now come the 101 questions. How far, how fast does she really want to go etc. If I she wants to break a 3 hour Argus and she's just about there, tubbies will pull her through. If she's 4,5 hour rider, there really isn't much of a point to the lighter expensive hard core option is there? ;-)

I'm weary to sell something as fact when it is based simply on my own basic knowledge, but I would put money on it that, that frame is from the 90's and not "early" 80's. Again, that doesn't necessarily take anything away from the bike or the asking price.

Great story and and and an absolute class act of a bike! Speaking of Tony Impey I bought a Peugeot frame from Allan van Heerden road cycles in the 80s. Was “served” by Willie Engelbrecht as it he was working at Allan’s shop at the time. Saved long and hard for the frame and I really enjoyed the buying experience. Was quite star struck as a youngster, by all the pro’s around the shop… The Peugoet was only 531c tubing but an absolute gorgeous frame with the seat post not having a seat post lug or bolt. It tightened on the same principle as a stem does. Anyway I was told that the frame was actually imported for Tony Impey. Also heard a brilliant story of a magazine stuck in a seat tube where Tony may or may not have been involved...don't know if there was ever any truth to that one, but we'll leave it for another day :-)

PS: Saw a bike in the pictures there that was already sold today on thehub....

Thanks for this. Sadly I came across it today - too late....so disappointed that I missed it! Should really visit this thread more regularly....

All of this is really depressing to say the least. What is supposed to be an absolute leisure and relaxing experience has developed into a watch over your shoulder and be vigilant as hell all the time.Really time to give immigration a long hard look again... Since this is not the "rant an moan" section let me ask my question: Is there any pattern in terms of "time of day" of these attacks? Is it usually early mornings/very early morning - while it's still dark, or is it 'most any time of the day that these things occur? I also see all kinds of good suggestions for self defense, but what about the the fire arm attacker which seems to be showing it's ugly head... Should we not start riding with fire arms ourselves and not bring "a knife to a gun fight"?Anyway, they're making it the f^&% wild west out there and all we want to do is go for a bike ride...

Thanks HeyYou. Not really in the market for a new bike/frame since I should much rather be selling than buying...:-) However the one in question went for under R10 000 ZAR, which is probably a once in a lifetime bargain for a Stelbel, even if you add a few k for postage from the US. Don't know if you guys know the brand, but it's certainly the cheapest one I've come across by far. This is no Colnago or Bianchi mass produced affair. Others I've seen were from around R 25000 and (way) up, before postage... I wouldn’t say they’re hens teeth (certainly at that price they are) but Mr Stelio didn’t build too many and I regard them as one of the quintessential “Italian masterpiece” frames. I recall Mark Beneke having a white track Stelbel back in the late 80’s after he did a stint in Italy as “Marco Bianco” if I recall correctly. Apart from that one I haven’t seen another in SA…

I agree with you HC. I'm not the biggest fan of the "funny bike" because they hurt in many ways. However I did some beeing (betting?) on an "ordinary" Stelbel as recently as yesterday morning at 6 on ebay. The thing went for just under 11k. I couldn't afford to go higher and was nervous about shipping etc,but was actually willing to sell every bike I own for that one. :-) As a dream frame/bike that would have been the buy of the decade for me...and in my size too...damnit!

after 3 years you may well have already, but is it not time to call in...captain eBay, perhaps?

Understood Barry but here lies the dilemma...I have read a fascinating book – short stories about the early years of the Tour de France… exactly the time which you are referring to… when indeed a lot if not all of it were still done on gravel roads (in particular the big climbs). However those bikes were crude and rough. In fact although they’ll be priceless classics today anyone with a “hamoer” and an anvil fixed them at the time… They were nothing like the classics of the 70’s or 80’s which I think most of us here are enthusiasts of. So believe me; even though I really have nothing fancy, my bikes would hate it! That being said, I think any initiative of this nature should be supported and I’m all for the “cause”. If a cyclo cross bike is out, in my view the answer would then definitely be a “local classic” like a Zini or a Hansom etc...

Thanks Barry! What a lovely affair... Sadly but truly I don't get my kicks from the Argus and the likes anymore, but this is something I will enter at some point - no doubt. I understand that the thing is all about the "classic" ambiance etc. but I am a bit gobsmacked regarding the fact that its on dirt. Save for a nice old cyclo cross bike (which coincidentally i have been searching for for a while now on ebay) I can't see myself using any of my old bikes for this. Defeating the purposes a bit perhaps?

Good evening gents. I have some knowledge and understanding of most things discussed in this forum but can someone please tell me what exactly "Eroica" is...? ta.

I think its appropriate to advertise this bike here first. Approximately 1988’ish Daccordi 58cm. Except for the seat post this is full Dura Ace group set including Dura ace headset and hubs. Campag rims,Mavic bar and stem. Frame has surface rust on the chrome sections. Dura Ace from that era is not easy to find and to find it in this condition… particularly rare. The real appeal of this bike is the groupset so if interested don’t let the frame size or condition be the deciding factor. You can always restore and/or sell the frame. Other frames from the same era are out there…dura ace like this….hens teeth (imo). I’m thinking 11k for this beauty J I also have a beautiful Miyata frame, same size that will look spectacular with this groupset, but we’ll have to negotiate price.

By the way. I have a Daccordi that i want to sell. Nice thing about this one is it's full late 80's Dura Ace in real good condition. I'll start advertising here first...

Hi Fixer I started negotiations with the same guy to buy his bike. I saw the bike in Centurion. A rather friendly “Rasta man” was riding it at the time. He was keen to sell at the time. I also saw it outside Sandton convention center, and thought I could follow up again… however I was a half-hearted and let it slip. Can’t buy everything you see, I said to myself.  Your spray guy did a heck of a job… as ever

Eish good luck. This is probably a good place to start but I haven't seen many of those around... even you don't have a set fixer

Not overly expensive on the net... if you can wait for postage etc...

Look Ma! No Look pedals? They were the "in thing" at the same time when these frames were Tour de France winners... Nice bike! Enjoy.

You’re making a good point but I think the title of your post is somewhat misplaced. I can't remember when last I saw a cyclist out on a ride without a helmet. Yes, I often see families in our estate for example, riding without helmets, but are those really the “cyclist” complaining and affected by discourteous motorists? I don’t know… Even so, let’s say I go out riding my bike without a helmet and let’s say just for good measure I also remove the brakes on my bike to increase the danger. Does that give motorists a green light to skip red lights? Is it now okay for them to brush by and touch me with their side mirrors? I think not… On the other hand If I bump into a tree, and I hurt my head, agreed, then I shouldn’t come crying, but that’s a different story Cyclist, their habits and even their road manners are far from perfect, but it doesn’t mean we have to be perfect at all times before we can or should complain about our safety.... By the way, I am 200% “for” wearing helmets at all times but let me mention that I cycled seriously in the late 80's, at times averaging about 80km per day, and never did I (nor anyone else at the time) once wear a helmet in a training ride… If we were to be knocked over by a car, was there merit to complain? Off course there were… IMHO your post is good but your title…

Don't want to spoil the whole "carbon trip" you've got us all on here... very admireable! That being said I have a fair amount of Reynolds steel tubing which I will happily share with some one that is serious about building a frame with it (and maybe one for me too ) wish you the best!

...and then they wonder why some of us hardly put foot in any local bicycle store anymore...don't have to thanks to the W.orld W.ide W.eb These guys have got the legs, the lungs, the bikes, the ego' s - what do they need us for?

I stayed in the Blouberg area for six months during last year and rode the coastal road to Melkbos regularly. This road is an absolute beaut in terms of scenery, but certainly also with its own dangers. I was actually advised by some of the local cyclist that the R27 was the preferred road since it has a huge ”shoulder” which should provide a cyclist some protection. In the same breath the guys also pointed out that cars drive crazy speeds on that stretch of road… Sincere condolences to family and friends.

Some of the the big one’s Coppi, Hinault, Le Mond, Indurain, Armstrong and countless others are a given… but locally, ask the guys (some mentioned here above) like the Benekes, Mc Intosh Andrew Mc etc. what a guy by the name of Grant Lottering did with them whilst still a JUNIOR!! I raced against him and he was supposed to be a peer, but he was certainly a hero of mine in the late 80’s.

Some of the the big one’s Coppi, Hinault, Le Mond, Indurain, Armstrong and countless others are a given..., but locally, ask the guys (some mentioned here above) like the Benekes, Mc Intosh, Andrew Mc Lean etc. what a guy by the name of Grant Lottering did with them in some (especially hilly) races whilst still a JUNIOR . . .!! I raced against him and he was supposed to be a peer, but he was certainly a hero of mine and very inspirational in the late 80’s.