1993 Condor Professional 653 (Dave Yates built)

[LondonClassic]

The stiffness you mention could just be dirt so as a first go maybe some 3 in 1 or similar lube down the cable hole in the lever - that can transform shifting. Failing that, I had my ergos brilliantly servced by year1cycles a few years ago - who while they were their fitted record internals into my 10sp Centaur R hand shifter. They can do all sorts of stuff, like add or remove speeds as well.

 

[sjcprojects]

The stiffness you mention could just be dirt so as a first go maybe some 3 in 1 or similar lube down the cable hole in the lever - that can transform shifting. Failing that, I had my ergos brilliantly servcied by year1cycles a few years - who while they were their fitted record internals into my 10sp Centaur R hand shifter. They can do all sorts of stuff, like add or remove speeds as well.

Yes, it does feel gritty when it comes to the end/top of the sweep where those last clicks are. I'll try some lube in there and see how it goes. I do actually have another exact same shifter which I bought for another build which seems fine, so if I fail to get this one to be smoother I'll just swap it over. I'll have to get the wet and dry out because that one is quite scratched up so I'm hoping to avoid needing to do the swap. I want to get this bike out into the sunshine one way or another...

 

[sjcprojects]

Finished. I took it out for a short spin today, but tomorrow I'll do a proper 25 mile shake-down ride.






Condor 1993 Professional

Frame and Fork: Reynolds 653, built by Dave Yates, renovated by Blue Whippet Paintworks.
Headset: Campagnolo Veloce
Stem: ITM 400
Handlebar: 3ttt Ergo Power Due
Bar Tape: Condor Supremacy
Bottle Cages: Condor
Saddle: Selle Italia Flite Titanium
Seatpost: Unbranded
Brake Calipers: Campagnolo Chorus
Levers/Shifters: Campagnolo Athena
Front Derailleur: Campagnolo Chorus
Rear Derailleur: Campagnolo Chorus
Chainsest: Campagnolo Veloce CT 50/36T (polished)
Cassette: Campagnolo Veloce 11-27T
Chain: KMC 8 speed
Bottom Bracket: Mavic 610 RD
Pedals: Shimano Ultegra (polished)
Rims: Campagnolo Omega Hardox
Hubs: Campagnolo Veloce
Skewers: Campagnolo Chorus
Tyres: Vittoria Rubino Pro 25c

 

[sjcprojects]

It wasn't a bad day for a shake-down ride . Comparing this bike with my 531-framed MB Dronfield from 1994, there's not much to tell them apart, they're both equally nice I would say on first impression. Both are the same size, with similar geometry, and this one weighs almost exactly 10kg, which is also very close to the MB (any weight saving with the 653 frame is probably negated by the use of Campagnolo parts... ).

This one's been a longish journey, but definitely worth it, when comparing to how it was when I got it.