I've decided to build another general purpose bike to replace my Dave Yates local hack, and what a great lightweight run-about this 3x8 fast-road flat-bar conversion is.
Its actually a lovely old late '80s 531 hadnbuilt F&F by Mr Yates as a lightweight road-bike of its day. It was clearly refurbed by the Mr.Yates shop at least once as it carries the later decals and a '531 refurbished' tubing logo from the M.Steele works.
I fitted an early Specialized comfort stem, some Icon alloy bars with ODI grips, Deore brake levers and Thumbshifters all work to good effect with 105 calipers, a STX triple chainset and 7 speed transmission with an LX rear mech and 105 front mech, and an effective Ritchey saddle
Wheels are modern: Shimano's R500 wheelset with radial front lacing and work brilliantly on a fresh set of Specialized 700x28 rubber
lightweight mudguards and frame fit pump complete this ride (the rack is optional - I fitted that for light shopping duties with pannier)
It's no exaggeration to say this is a light, fast and nimble ride - with the added comfort of a high riding position and back-saving straight bars. Its a really great creation.
I am 5'11" and you can see where I have the seat - the whole bike feels spot on to ride. I've not repainted it in my time with it, but I have touched up any chips or corrosion to stop any rust setting it. Cosmetically its not a show-stopper - some might want to repaint on close inspection - but I couldn't justify doing that as its nice and functional as it is and wasn't too flashy to lock up outside shops in town
£255 collected (Kent) (£295 delivered) for the complete bike, or £145 for F&F&headset&OfmegaBB (that I can't remove as I don't have their tool for it)
A great buy for a genuine Dave Yates - which he's not building anymore - now he's retired
Its actually a lovely old late '80s 531 hadnbuilt F&F by Mr Yates as a lightweight road-bike of its day. It was clearly refurbed by the Mr.Yates shop at least once as it carries the later decals and a '531 refurbished' tubing logo from the M.Steele works.
I fitted an early Specialized comfort stem, some Icon alloy bars with ODI grips, Deore brake levers and Thumbshifters all work to good effect with 105 calipers, a STX triple chainset and 7 speed transmission with an LX rear mech and 105 front mech, and an effective Ritchey saddle
Wheels are modern: Shimano's R500 wheelset with radial front lacing and work brilliantly on a fresh set of Specialized 700x28 rubber
lightweight mudguards and frame fit pump complete this ride (the rack is optional - I fitted that for light shopping duties with pannier)
It's no exaggeration to say this is a light, fast and nimble ride - with the added comfort of a high riding position and back-saving straight bars. Its a really great creation.
I am 5'11" and you can see where I have the seat - the whole bike feels spot on to ride. I've not repainted it in my time with it, but I have touched up any chips or corrosion to stop any rust setting it. Cosmetically its not a show-stopper - some might want to repaint on close inspection - but I couldn't justify doing that as its nice and functional as it is and wasn't too flashy to lock up outside shops in town
£255 collected (Kent) (£295 delivered) for the complete bike, or £145 for F&F&headset&OfmegaBB (that I can't remove as I don't have their tool for it)
A great buy for a genuine Dave Yates - which he's not building anymore - now he's retired
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