GrahamNR17
Dirt Disciple
So, six years on from joining the forum to ask about a mystery bike (now LGF's Saracen Conquest, if he still has it) I'm getting back into the game...
Since seeing one in a bike shop back in the 80s, I've been after one of the 'rainbow' British Eagle 531 mountain bikes. Finally, last month, I got one from a friend, and it looks like this:
I'd a specific reason for wanting one, mainly because it seemed to have been designed by someone that knew more about touring bikes than mountain bikes, and was equipped such that I felt it'd make a damn good'un. Most touring bikes of the era were too big for me (I've got ikkle legs). Comfort is everything on a tour.
I swapped a Dawes Ranger for the Eagle, specifically this one:
After a strip down and clean it hung in the garage for a week, cos they taste better after a hanging.
A week or two on and I've just finished "Build One" (of three, usually) and it's very close to how I want it.
NOS Shimano STX mainly, and a Stronglight triple configured as an 'alpine twin' with a plain ring in place of the big cog (I wear proper trousers on a tour, lycra is for those under 30). 8-speed Shimano supply enough low and medium ratios for a skinny bloke on a laden tourer.
Things still to obtain and fit:
8-speed gear trigger (twister on a stem stub for now)
Front needs a steel Tubus pannier rack to match the rear
Two wheels to replace the 'ordinary' winter wheels - Sputnik and XT probably
32mm rubber hoops
It's a thoroughly well behaved and comfortable bike, and I like it alot. It's replaced my 2014 Raleigh Royal tourer (heavily modified) as it was just too big.
Since seeing one in a bike shop back in the 80s, I've been after one of the 'rainbow' British Eagle 531 mountain bikes. Finally, last month, I got one from a friend, and it looks like this:
I'd a specific reason for wanting one, mainly because it seemed to have been designed by someone that knew more about touring bikes than mountain bikes, and was equipped such that I felt it'd make a damn good'un. Most touring bikes of the era were too big for me (I've got ikkle legs). Comfort is everything on a tour.
I swapped a Dawes Ranger for the Eagle, specifically this one:
After a strip down and clean it hung in the garage for a week, cos they taste better after a hanging.
A week or two on and I've just finished "Build One" (of three, usually) and it's very close to how I want it.
NOS Shimano STX mainly, and a Stronglight triple configured as an 'alpine twin' with a plain ring in place of the big cog (I wear proper trousers on a tour, lycra is for those under 30). 8-speed Shimano supply enough low and medium ratios for a skinny bloke on a laden tourer.
Things still to obtain and fit:
8-speed gear trigger (twister on a stem stub for now)
Front needs a steel Tubus pannier rack to match the rear
Two wheels to replace the 'ordinary' winter wheels - Sputnik and XT probably
32mm rubber hoops
It's a thoroughly well behaved and comfortable bike, and I like it alot. It's replaced my 2014 Raleigh Royal tourer (heavily modified) as it was just too big.
