1994 MB Dronfield 531c

[sjcprojects]

Another MB has joined the collection. This is exactly how I got it for £20.99 from eBay (listed as 'Bike Frame' with one not very good photo). Now stripped down, this will be a seriously long-term project as I don't have room for another bike yet, but it will get built. This frame is actually more my size, so the idea is that I build up this one and my eldest son gets the current one. Given he's currently 5 and 1/2, when I say long-term I do mean it . Anyway, that's my excuse...



Serial number indicates a 1990 date. It's not as fancy as the 94 one in terms of lugs and top-tube cable routing, but it's nice and light all the same. The paint is actually a bit rough, but I'm going to keep it as it is. This ones a survivor...

 

[sjcprojects]

A small thread resurrection, as I finally got around to replacing the nasty modern stem with a nice pantographed Cinelli one, which actually came from the other MB I acquired (it only took me 9 years to get around to this... ). That also meant a change of bars for some Cinelli Giro ones I had knocking around, which were a bit scratched but cleaned up okay with some wet and dry. I also had to replace the shifters as the right one finally gave up the ghost last year. I got some 600 ones from the same generation as the 105 groupset for a good price, so I've fitted those. Also some almost new period-correct tyres to finish it off. Thanks to @pigman for a small but important contribution to this build.

I did a short ride the other day to check everything was working, which thankfully it was. I've not ridden with a 42T smallest chainring for a while, so I certainly felt the hills, and it kept me out of the saddle a fair bit more than usual.

 

[ChromeChainstay]

I'm currently working on a bike where the clearance on the rear brake bridge is so tight I can't even get a 23c tyre on there without it being too tight, so I've had to go and buy some 20c tyres. Just shows how once 20c was pretty much standard, whereas 23c was relatively wide, I guess...when talking about real 'race' frames, I mean.

real race frames 20c at 120-130psi and simply flying

 

[Tolsey31]

Another MB has joined the collection. This is exactly how I got it for £20.99 from eBay (listed as 'Bike Frame' with one not very good photo). Now stripped down, this will be a seriously long-term project as I don't have room for another bike yet, but it will get built. This frame is actually more my size, so the idea is that I build up this one and my eldest son gets the current one. Given he's currently 5 and 1/2, when I say long-term I do mean it . Anyway, that's my excuse...

View attachment 747479

Serial number indicates a 1990 date. It's not as fancy as the 94 one in terms of lugs and top-tube cable routing, but it's nice and light all the same. The paint is actually a bit rough, but I'm going to keep it as it is. This ones a survivor...

£20 well spent, got to love those poorly listed items on ebay.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

A small thread resurrection, as I finally got around to replacing the nasty modern stem with a nice pantographed Cinelli one, which actually came from the other MB I acquired (it only took me 9 years to get around to this... ). That also meant a change of bars for some Cinelli Giro ones I had knocking around, which were a bit scratched but cleaned up okay with some wet and dry. I also had to replace the shifters as the right one finally gave up the ghost last year. I got some 600 ones from the same generation as the 105 groupset for a good price, so I've fitted those. Also some almost new period-correct tyres to finish it off. Thanks to @pigman for a small but important contribution to this build.

I did a short ride the other day to check everything was working, which thankfully it was. I've not ridden with a 42T smallest chairing for a while, so I certainly felt the hills, and it kept me out of the saddle a fair bit more than usual.

View attachment 858302

Gorgeous bike, looks much better with a quill stems too.

 

[sjcprojects]

Frame+ Fork: Reynolds 531c with Campagnolo dropouts

Headset: Stronglight A9
Stem: Cinelli XA
Handlebar: Cinelli Giro d'Italia
Bar Tape: Velox Guidoline
Saddle: Selle Italia Flite Titanium

Brake Calipers: Shimano BR-1055
Shifters/Levers: Shimano ST-6400
Front Derailleur: Shimano FD-1056
Rear Derailleur: Shimano RD-1056
Cassette: Sunrace 11-28T
Chain: KMC 8-speed
Chainset: Shimano 1055 42/52T
Bottom Bracket: Shimano BB-1055
Pedals: Shimano PD-R540

Rims: Mavic Open SUP CD
Hubs: Shimano 1055
Tyres: Hutchinson Flash 23c