I've just pinched this from the CTC forum..
"Back in the 70s, one of the prestige Italian frame builders was commissioned to make a batch of outwardly identical frames using everything from plain carbon steel to Columbus's finest, brazing a few bits of extra steel inside the latter so they all weighed the same too. These were built up with Campag Record, given to a bunch of top Italian roadies and their feedback collected.
Unfortunately they did not all go better on Columbus's finest. Some, generally the heavier riders, even expressed a distinct preference for the "gas-pipe special"! That's not so surprising after all, since that frame would have been stiffer and not wobble as much in a sprint. "
As i'm 6'1, 17.5 stone unfit and in my 40's this post has changed my direction on building a bike.
I was hoping to drop on a nice 531 frame and build something nice and light from there, through countless hours of research on Ebay anything that's any good on ebay seems to be £150.00+
The second paragraph of the above quote says the Bigger riders even expressed a preference for the gas pipe specials due to less flex etc...
I know I'm a million miles away from even being remotely fit but my intention is to get my fitness to a point where I could keep up with a Sunday club run.
I also happen to have a Raleigh Rod brake 3 speed Gas pipe special in my workshop made in 1970...
Now my plan, I was considering converting the Raleigh to 28" 600c wheels that were a lighter and higher spec with maybe a 10/12 speed gear conversion, close clearance brakes, Brooks saddle and drop bars etc something on the lines of a Pathracer with modern gears etc..
I know it will be heavy but it will still be easier than my mountain bike , should still get me fit and with a Bryton bolted on I could assess my training progress..
This would also allow me time to find a superior frame to swap all the components into at a later date..
All comments, advice and will be gratefully received.
"Back in the 70s, one of the prestige Italian frame builders was commissioned to make a batch of outwardly identical frames using everything from plain carbon steel to Columbus's finest, brazing a few bits of extra steel inside the latter so they all weighed the same too. These were built up with Campag Record, given to a bunch of top Italian roadies and their feedback collected.
Unfortunately they did not all go better on Columbus's finest. Some, generally the heavier riders, even expressed a distinct preference for the "gas-pipe special"! That's not so surprising after all, since that frame would have been stiffer and not wobble as much in a sprint. "
As i'm 6'1, 17.5 stone unfit and in my 40's this post has changed my direction on building a bike.
I was hoping to drop on a nice 531 frame and build something nice and light from there, through countless hours of research on Ebay anything that's any good on ebay seems to be £150.00+
The second paragraph of the above quote says the Bigger riders even expressed a preference for the gas pipe specials due to less flex etc...
I know I'm a million miles away from even being remotely fit but my intention is to get my fitness to a point where I could keep up with a Sunday club run.
I also happen to have a Raleigh Rod brake 3 speed Gas pipe special in my workshop made in 1970...
Now my plan, I was considering converting the Raleigh to 28" 600c wheels that were a lighter and higher spec with maybe a 10/12 speed gear conversion, close clearance brakes, Brooks saddle and drop bars etc something on the lines of a Pathracer with modern gears etc..
I know it will be heavy but it will still be easier than my mountain bike , should still get me fit and with a Bryton bolted on I could assess my training progress..
This would also allow me time to find a superior frame to swap all the components into at a later date..
All comments, advice and will be gratefully received.
