Recent content by Coalfield

Here's a Carabella from the Mexican company Acer-Mex. They exported Windsor & Carabella (lower priced) bikes. It was the SemiPro model - emphasis on 'Semi'. I hated the way it handled. Tried new wheels, etc. Didn't delve too deeply as I had other bikes of equal frame size that rolled much...

A vintage expert modified a NR for me - I can pass-on my experience that it isn't the greatest solution to achieve a lower gear range. Works, butt.... not quite as good as one might hope for. (And Yes, I know this isn't what is being considered; however, it is very CampaFranken!).

28mm tyres, with air pressure safely above pinch flat range, still allow for frame qualities to shine thru.

Will it take tyres wide enough to offset the frame deficiencies? Given the trend toward fat tyres and low pressure frame quality is almost irrelevant, if it is straight.

Without attaching C&V photos - C&V favorites worth "growing old with" (from the perspective of a purely pleasurable 1day ride) have been: In no order of preference - Austro Daimler VentNoir&Olympian, EM Corsa Extra, DeRosa Pro, MondiaSuper, Peugeot PX10, Holdsworth Special, Hugo Rickert...

At 74 years completed, I have given this topic (best last bike) some thought and action. Briefly: bought myself a 50th birthday present of a custom CF racer and it was so much fun that I knew I wanted that when I got much older. So,... a few years later, in 2003, I imagined - maybe a shorter...

I would love to ride a R531 Professional tubeset. I've ridden 531, 531SL, 531c, (+ a Trek version) but not Professional. It should be a bit more lively than the other variations. The spec sheet (post #1) lists weight at 22 pounds, so without pedals and a tubular wheelset this build might be...

With this tandem - not sure if it is full of exuberant joy or just sticking its' tongue at me. :) Either way, I tolerate a wide stance of opinions.

I'd ride it. After jacking that saddle up. :)

[ I recall seeing a picture of you riding that machine on your own. Looked pretty good nonetheless. :) ] The Co-Motion has seen duty as a single, double and triple. It may not have the mileage I had hoped for, but it created memories for at least 2 other people. Every time I try to sell it...

A good selection of bikes and a clear winner. Without knowing the Forum members, I can imagine that each build suits the owner's temperament. Mine does - it just likes to go fast.

Agree above - but for some, the thrill of the open road is inadequate trade-off given other inconveniences. My spouse was not really a cyclist, but she did specify the Softride beam and chose the color. Even less of a cyclist 25+ years later.

I'm the buyer's remorse guy. Wife never took to it. Limited success with 2 kids who became stokers.

i have met Bob Roll briefly on 2 occasions. What a gentleman he is.

the DS chainstay, though crude looks amazingly stiff !!