Vintage Bike Ride

I am privileged to be invited along with a small group of vintage cycling enthusiasts on this annual ride from Long Beach, CA to Newport Beach. Lots of great history with both the bikes and the frame builders present. Lots of pics HERE.  Enjoy.

1976 Austro Dailmer and Other Great Vintage Pics

I wanted to share these great vintage bicycle photos I found this past week. Enjoy!

1976 Austro Dailmer Vent Noir

California Pedaler

Pushies Galore - 2013 Vintage Bike Show, Brisbane, Australia

Photo courtesy pf veloaficionado.com 

Some beautiful vintage and modern master-crafted bicycles here. Enjoy!

Vintage Bicycle Show - Manhattan Beach Grand Prix

Had a great time at the Manhattan Beach Grand Prix this morning. Not only was the racing action spectacular, (pics HERE), but the vintage bikes on display were equally inspiring. 

Thanks to Ted Ernst for establishing this 3rd longest running bicycle race in the USA. This is the 52nd year and the 2nd oldest race is only one year older.

More pics from the show HERE.

Test Ride - Centurion Equipe

I took the Centurion "Cinelli" Equipe out for a 15-miler this morning around the neighborhood. While there were no hills, cobblestones, switchbacks, or other fun obstacles to provide a "proper" test ride evaluation, there were squirrels to dodge and I came close to hitting a skunk, so perhaps this counts toward the bike's adequate handling characteristics. 

The first couple miles were somewhat uncomfortable, but this was no fault of the bike. Had to adjust the seat back an inch and tilt it up a bit. I prefer to have the nose of my saddles a couple of degrees above horizontal. I truly distaste leaning into the bars to keep myself "back" on my saddles. If you find yourself with numb palms or fingers after a ride, make sure your not leaning into the bars too much. You should feel neutral on your bike - well-balanced and not pitched forward, fighting to keep yourself from sliding off the front or the back of your saddle. 

Enough for the riding lessons. Once I adjusted the seat, the Centurion disappeared beneath me. It has very neutral handling, neither twitchy or laid-back, and, although not the lightest bike in the stable (22 pounds 1oz without bottle cages), accelerates well and is stiff while sprinting. 

Perhaps the best compliment I can give this bike is that it doesn't draw attention to itself in any way. The Campagnolo Nuovo Record rear derailleur shifts effortlessly through the gears, and the stability and easy handling allow me to focus on everything except the bike - like the squirrels and other, less pleasant early-morning critters.

I was thinking of selling this bike, but, after this morning's ride, I've decided it's a keeper. This is a decision I can live with, and one that should bring many more easy miles in the years to come.

More photos of the Centurion Equipe can be found HERE. 

SpeedBicycles - Collection Virtual Museum

This is a cool site that I thought I'd turn y'all onto. 

There's a 1973 Colnago Super in Moteni orange that looks a lot like mine would if it wasn't repainted. Other great bikes there as well. 

Enjoy!  http://www.speedbicycles.ch/showBike.php?enr=420

1974 Mondia Special

This 1974 Mondia (Super) Special was repainted by Joe Bell sometime in the past 20 years - unsure because it was previously-owned. I have the period-correct brake calipers and need to get a good stem and seatpost from that era to outfit it correctly. Other than that - runs like a charm and rides as smooth as silk. The orange tubulars are a nice touch, if I do say so.

Serial number is 187640.

Ever ridden a Mondia?  You can read more about them here: http://www.classicrendezvous.com/Switzerland/Mondia_main.htm