Claud Butler Dalesman advice

[westpe]

Hi all,

I've got a Claud Butler Dalesman - photos attached. I have two questions that I'd like to get advice on:

1. I've been told that the brakes on a Dalesman can be quite particular. In other words, that I may need to get a specific type of brake pad. Does anyone know if that's right?

2. I recently had the bike serviced and think I may have been a victim of a bit of a cowboy. In particular, they replaced my derailleur. The original derailleur was on the bike when I bought it on ebay about 6 years ago. They new one (see close up photo) is one you can get on Amazon for about 9 quid. I'm a bit concerned that the old derailleur (which wasn't given back to me) may have been worth something, and whether the new one is appropriate for the bike. Any thoughts?

Also, any general thoughts on what I could/ should do with the bike would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[highlandsflyer]

Any decent brake pad will do the job, although you might like to try Kool-Stop or similar.
As you have 'lost' the previous derailleur; you could just run the Tourney if it is satisfactory. An 'upgrade' there will mainly be a weight saving and longer lived, rather than noticeably improved day to day functionality. I'd just maintain it and enjoy it; excellent bike!

 

[dirttorpedo]

Agreed that the brakes don't look like they need a brand/model specific pad and the Tourney rear mech - while fugly - will work adequately. If you don't like the aesthetic of it, buy a vintage replacement of decent quality and condition and swap it out.

 

[LondonClassic]

What was the previous derailleur?

 

[highlandsflyer]

Perhaps you have an old picture of the bike from before you had it serviced?

 

[juvela]

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...in order to operate properly must be ridden with a Yorks accent...


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[hamster]

It looks like the rear wheel has also been switched?

That new rear appears to have a steel rim (either that or you did a lovely job polishing it). If it's steel you will never get decent braking in the wet and in the dry it will be mediocre at best.

 

[highlandsflyer]

It looks like the rear wheel has also been switched?

That new rear appears to have a steel rim (either that or you did a lovely job polishing it). If it's steel you will never get decent braking in the wet and in the dry it will be mediocre at best.

Perhaps just 'new'; though solid axle too..

 

[Ippikin]

Bike with BB dynamo quite a rarity these days, wonder whether it still works? Rear wheel rim looks to be alloy. Pictures show the bike fitted with different freewheels / cassettes , one has a silver finish large sprocket the other black. Both look new! Another picture with the black shows a slack chain hinting at mech failure. Wonder if the timeline for these various repairs is longer term? Confusing... More info from the OP required!

 

[Nob]

Definitely a down grade in the rear wheel department