Feel free to post pictures of your French bikes here. Until then, look at some of the beauties here:

Views: 4781

Replies to This Discussion

And, how's the braking? are those the original brake pads?
Since I changed the wheelset to 700c, I also changed the brake calipers to NOS Shimano Dura Ace.  They have their original brake pads that are, who knows how old, but new.
OK, here's the breakdown on the parts you both asked about.  They are indeed the Velo Orange fluted 48mm fenders.  Get them now at about half price.  I used the leather washer, Kevin, but I'd love to hear your secret technique.  The bags are all Gilles Berhtoud, the front bag is a GB325, the rack top bag is a GB587 and the panniers are GB799.  They actually belong on Cyril, my Raleigh Sports.  I plan to buy a larger pair of Berthoud panniers for the Motobecane.  The rear rack is a Racktime AddIt and the front rack is a Gran-Compe mini-rack from VO.  I'm also using VO's decaleur.  The twin legged stand is a Pletscher.  I'll post some more pictures soon including some of the Racktime SnapIt that holds the rack top bag on.  An infinitely better system than Berthoud includes with the bag.

I got two sets of the fluted fenders (somehow Theresa thought she had to order one set per wheel?) and had lots of fun with the installation. But they are secure and don't rattle at all, but I'd still love to hear your secret technique, Kevin. 

My poor, long-suffering Robust has now gone through several nearly complete rebuilds, including this "French" makeover for spring. Cottered cranks replaced with a Sugino RD2 with a modest 42 t ring; Velo-Orange fluted aluminum fenders; Soma Oxford bars with traditional shellacked cloth tape finished with twine and with cork bar-ends. Now the Vetta saddle and rack just long wrong. . .

Looking good! have you tried mounting the rack on the front? Maybe adding a medium Wald basket? A poor mans porteur...Like mine ;)
I considered it and still may do so. But first you have to tell me your secret for stabilizing the front fender. Ideally, I would like to install constructeur racks, but they are so freaking expensive.

Damn, I just typed a long response then it disappeared. Here's my second go around:

 

I quieted the fenders by wrapping the fender stay in waxxed string at the point where they are next to the fender lip. I also wrapped a figure-8 of string around the nut that attaches the fender stays to the fender (am i explaining that right?). I sealed the deal by melting bee's wax over the string. The fenders are now super quiet, it's amazing.

 

If you move the rack up to the front, you could use it as an attachment point to stabilize the front fender. By mounting the rack to the fender eyelets on teh bottom of the fork it should drop the rack closer to the fender and you could easily drill the fender and mount it to the rack in a number of different ways...

 

I have a blackburn rack similar to yours and my fenders just squeezed in there. I didn't have to drill anything, but i had to significantly bend the fenders to fit. I think it worked out fine, see below:


 

RSS

© 2008-2016   The Chainlink Community, L.L.C.   Powered by

Disclaimer  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service