Re:
Here is my Dyna-tech Aspin.
I've owned it since I bought it new in 1995 from Peter Hansford Cycles, Oliver's Battery near Winchester. I used it to commute to work in Southampton in between 1995 and 2005 alongside a Raleigh Randonneur 708 for when I needed to carry things or when the weather was really poor.
I fitted double sided SPDs back in the day, they were PD-M535 MTB pedals. Being double sided they were easy to use in city traffic. Over the years, I've kept double sided pedals on it for that reason.
I had some strong, reliable wheels built for it by Rotrax Cycles in Southampton as broke the front rim and I was also riding the bike for longer rides on weekends. Original wheels were silver 32H Mavics on RSX hubs.
Both bikes came with me when I moved to New Zealand in 2005 but like an idiot I sold the Randonneur in around 2008. Advice for others: “If you like it, DON’T sell it!”
The Dyna-tech has been a fair-weather bike since then and has done around 15,000 Kilometres.
I can’t really provide you with an objective description of how it rides as the only comparison that I have is the Randonneur. Suffice to say that I grin every time I ride it and it feels fast and smooth. I bought it hoping that I would keep it forever and it’s still going. It gets some attention now that steel frames are a little bit more popular, especially as it’s in quite good condition.
I’ve always maintained it carefully, but it has a few flaws. The forks will need to be re-chromed in the next few years. The rear derailleur is losing some of its chrome and some of the stickers are looking a bit tatty.
Apart from a few changes to improve it, saddle, stem and wheels, the only part to have failed was the original RSX headset. A Shimano Ultegra/600 HP-6500 headset lasted from 1997 until 2018 when one of the bearings wore out and I couldn't find a replacement. I fitted the Campag Record headset as I think it's in keeping with the look of the bike. The STI levers needed taking apart last year as the grease went hard. That was a mission. But they work very smoothly now.
In case you’re interested, here are the specs:
Saddle: Brooks B17 Honey
Headset: Campagnolo Record
Wheels built by Rotrax Cycles, Southampton
Rims: Mavic Open SUP CD 36H
Hubs: Shimano Ultegra FH-6400 and HB-6400
Tyres: Michelin Dynamic Classic 700x25, Continental innertubes
Stem: Italmanubri Eclypse
Handlebars: Whatever came with the bike!
Bar tape: Cinelli Cork
Brakes: Shimano RSX front and rear
Levers: Shimano RSX STI 7 speed
Crankset: Shimano RSX 46,36
Pedals: Random brand SPD
Cassette: Shimano 12-28
Front Mech: Shimano RSX
Rear Mech: Shimano RSX 7 speed