Intro and first build

[TheShipwright]

Intro about me and showing my first build.
Edit (sorry just realised I posted in the wrong section!)

I'm a 40s some thing bloke living and working London although I'm originally from north of the border. I'm from an industrial background, hence my username, but now work behind a desk fixing IT things.

I commute approx 20 miles a day on On One Pomp alfine 8 but I really like tinkering with old bikes and have messed around over the years but thought now is the time try a full build. Its not a resto, that's next up, as I don't think I have the skills yet.

So my first build is a Carlton Clubman, I think, from approx 1979.

When I bought the frame it had been altered professionally by Argos to to suit a previous owner. Things like down tube pip had been removed, rear respaced to 128mm and extra eyelets had been added. The chap had been very forthcoming with all the details about what had been removed and changed and detailed it all in the advert, in fact much better info than you get from most new bikes these days.

I've built it with modern components as I had these from another project that I didn't complete. It's got 8 speed shimano with STIs and tektro r539 brakes. Shimano deore hubs and alfine cranks, Mavic t219 rims I think.
I'm intending to put mudguards and a front rack randonneur style ASAP.
I've got to say I'm loving these STIs, derailleur gears and the weight/feel of the bike and I know it's no racing lightweight but compared to what Ive been riding recently it's positively svelte. It's completely got me back into cycling for the fun of it, I'm always looking for excuse to pop out on an errand now.

Here are some pics and I think ill do another post asking for advice on which frame set it is at some point.

Really enjoy this forum (I've lurked since I found it) I think saving old things and keeping them going is in my nature, there's far too much disposable stuff around these days!

TheShipwright

The bike almost complete

 

[The History Man]

Re: Intro first build

Evening. A nice job.

How do you get on with the alfine? Looking at a 6 year old bike with one.

 

[TheShipwright]

Re:

Hi history man,
Thanks for "nice job" it's not finished so hopefully it nicer looking and more functional soon.

Re the Alfines, I like them a LOT, good for commuting low maint etc. I run it with the Shimano shifter and I find it quite smooth but I've heard from friends and read reports that other non shimano shifters are bit hit and miss.
I guess with a second hand unit, especially at that age, its essential it was maintained and by that I mean the grease replaced regularly. Unlike a "regular bike" with derailuers a Alfine based bike can be become uneconmical to repair if the hub goes, by the time you factor in a new or even second hand hub, wheel build etc. I had a nexus 8 previously and didnt open it for 3 years by which time the outer bearings had rusted and contaminated the "innards" even though I replaced the outer bearings the cones had had it and it was downhill after that. The alfine has greatly improved sealing over the nexus though.

Id say if you get a good one and maintain it will last a while. My current one is 3.5 years old I've probably done 12K on it in all weathers and when I opened it for change the grease I was really suprised how clean it was.

If you know the person and can trust them I'd say give it a go.

Good luck
Gerry

 

[TGR]

Hi and welcome to the place of doom - your wallet is doomed, doomed I say!

I like the bike and it does look svelte but I am not sure why, what tyres are those? I really need glasses.

Richard

 

[TheShipwright]

Re:

Hi TGR
Thanks and I know what you mean about my wallet. Since buying this frame a while back I've managed to convince myself that I 'need' other projects. I have my very first decent'ish bike that I bought new in 83, which is Dawes Super Galaxy that needs a complete resto. I have another old Galaxy that needs a fair bit of fettling, a 531 MTB from the 80's that needs building.
I'm going to do the 2nd Gal as an upright rivendell copy and probably the 531 as single speed drop bar.

Sorry to blab on and to answer your question the tyres are 32mm Marathons.
They're the one thing I hate about the bike at present. For some reason they make a really bad buzz when I ride the bike so I've got some 23mm gatorskins to swap in when I can get around to it, assuming the rims I have work with this size tyre.

Thanks
TheShipwright

 

[NeilM]

Re: Re:

Since buying this frame a while back I've managed to convince myself that I 'need' other projects. I have my very first decent'ish bike that I bought new in 83, which is Dawes Super Galaxy that needs a complete resto. I have another old Galaxy that needs a fair bit of fettling, a 531 MTB from the 80's that needs building.
I'm going to do the 2nd Gal as an upright rivendell copy and probably the 531 as single speed drop bar.

Oh you'll fit in perfectly around here, most of us have 'a project or two' on the go, and if not we are usually looking for the 'next project'.

The bike looks good, a nice practical classic.