Ok so after changing the tyres I took the Carlton out on the bristol to bath cycle path. Lovely day and the bike was great to ride - it was the first time I'd ridden a Carlton since the early 1980's and I imagined that it was familiar in some way! While the 1970's isn't old in bicycle terms the Carlton ( and me)seemed out of place amongst all those Lycra clad people on their multi geared carbon or alloy bikes. I wonder if one day someone will ride out there to test a 40 yr old carbon bike they've just restored.
The Selbach next!