New member (and help identifying Rory O'Brien bike)

[Alex-rory-eagle]

Hello everyone, I'm new to this forum and wanted to say hi! I ride a British Eagle Touristique which kept me sane during the lockdowns, and have recently bought a bike which I hope someone here can help me identify. It has Rory O'Brien decals but I'm not convinced that is what it is as the shop seems to have closed a long time ago from what I've read. Any ideas?

 

[Ralph_the_Rohan]

Hi, and welcome!

I'm no expert, but that frame looks to be built for Time Trialling as it has tight wheel clearances, relatively straight forks, etc.

I'd take a guess at mid 80s frame with newer kit , but as I say I'm no expert and there are plenty more knowledgeable members on here who will probably know a lot more.

 

[Alex-rory-eagle]

Hi, and welcome!

I'm no expert, but that frame looks to be built for Time Trialling as it has tight wheel clearances, relatively straight forks, etc.

I'd take a guess at mid 80s frame with newer kit , but as I say I'm no expert and there are plenty more knowledgeable members on here who will probably know a lot more.

Thanks Ralph_the_Rohan! The person I bought it from said he'd bought it at Rory O'Briens in 1996 and it was made up from bits and pieces in the back so that would make sense. But other than that I know nothing. Perhaps someone else will know more!

 

[Midlife]

I look at the seat stays and think Mike Kowal / Autostrada. It has left and right braze ons for downtube shifters so a road bike. TT would be right shifter only.

https://live.staticflickr.com/6161/6235261714_98e0de4f23_b.jpg

 

[Alex-rory-eagle]

I look at the seat stays and think Mike Kowal / Autostrada. It has left and right braze ons for downtube shifters so a road bike. TT would be right shifter only.

https://live.staticflickr.com/6161/6235261714_98e0de4f23_b.jpg

That's a very nice looking bike. I'm a bit green when it comes to anything about bikes other than riding them, I had no idea names were so often just stuck on when someone else has done all the hard work!

 

[Midlife]

Mike Kowal ran a company called Autostrada and specialised in building frames for shops to decal up and sell. Managed to keep quality high and costs down by canny buying of kit and building runs of identical frames. They are actually very nice and not to be sneered at.

 

[Alex-rory-eagle]

Mike Kowal ran a company called Autostrada and specialised in building frames for shops to decal up and sell. Managed to keep quality high and costs down by canny buying of kit and building runs of identical frames. They are actually very nice and not to be sneered at.

Thanks, Midlife. I agree it's nothing to be sneered at. It is a very nice bike to ride. I'm trying to figure out whether it would make financial sense to upgrade the groupset. Any advice? It currently has Shimano Exage components and Raleigh bars.

 

[Midlife]

Nothing about bikes makes financial sense lol, there's no mandate to change stuff it it rides well but as we know "upgrades" happen

 

[Alex-rory-eagle]

Nothing about bikes makes financial sense lol, there's no mandate to change stuff it it rides well but as we know "upgrades" happen

Perhaps I should have phrased that differently! What I meant was that I've never had a bike with really decent equipment on it, so I don't know for example whether I'd notice the difference if replaced my Shimano Exage stuff with 105, or Campagnolo Chorus etc. And is my humble frame worthy of such parts or is the difference only noticeable when used with a high end frame?