Hi!
Just registered on here today, after dipping my toe into the world of retro bikes.
I was looking for a sturdy winter training steed and I have picked up an early 1990's (I think?) Dalesman. Pictures will come in due course for a true carbon dating (currently away from home - back Thursday), but I did have some questions.
1. The bike currently has been converted to 24 speed (I'm sure this isn't original) with stem mounted shifters -did any Dalesman's come with these shifters? I am looking at old catalogues online and they all look like they come with downtube shifters. I'd like to convert back to downtube shifters if this is the case (for the cleaner lines) - but when I took the hex bolts out of the cable stops/barrel adjusters on the downtube I was expecting them to fall off, but they didn't, they're on pretty securely - I didn't want to force them off in case it was like this from the factory. I'll take some pictures of what I mean when I get home.
2. The bike currently has the dual action "suicide" brake levers, so I can brake from the tops as well as hoods/drops. I don't like these as they seem to cause a hell of a rattle (although perhaps all brakes of this vintage do so) so if possible I would like to covert back to single action brakes. Not sure about "aero" brakes - would they look good or should I be keeping the looping cables as a period feature?
3. The bike came with guards, the front one is OK but the back has got some issues - anyone recommend a good set for this frame?
Thanks in anticipation - I hope this turns into a happy relationship.
B
Just registered on here today, after dipping my toe into the world of retro bikes.
I was looking for a sturdy winter training steed and I have picked up an early 1990's (I think?) Dalesman. Pictures will come in due course for a true carbon dating (currently away from home - back Thursday), but I did have some questions.
1. The bike currently has been converted to 24 speed (I'm sure this isn't original) with stem mounted shifters -did any Dalesman's come with these shifters? I am looking at old catalogues online and they all look like they come with downtube shifters. I'd like to convert back to downtube shifters if this is the case (for the cleaner lines) - but when I took the hex bolts out of the cable stops/barrel adjusters on the downtube I was expecting them to fall off, but they didn't, they're on pretty securely - I didn't want to force them off in case it was like this from the factory. I'll take some pictures of what I mean when I get home.
2. The bike currently has the dual action "suicide" brake levers, so I can brake from the tops as well as hoods/drops. I don't like these as they seem to cause a hell of a rattle (although perhaps all brakes of this vintage do so) so if possible I would like to covert back to single action brakes. Not sure about "aero" brakes - would they look good or should I be keeping the looping cables as a period feature?
3. The bike came with guards, the front one is OK but the back has got some issues - anyone recommend a good set for this frame?
Thanks in anticipation - I hope this turns into a happy relationship.
B
