|
|
Post by 54roadie on Apr 20, 2015 18:57:22 GMT
   The build used the original Viscount frame, crankset and hubs. I'll use the seatpost, if it turns out to be long enough. Old school parts include Weinmann 500 sidepull calipers, Regina 12 - 20 six speed freewheel, Huret Jubilee rear derailleur. There's also an extended SunTour XC seatpost, Terry "fly" men's Tri saddle, Superbe front derailleur, and Campy friction dt shifters, and I built the wheels with Araya Aero1 rims and Sapim stainless spokes, x3. New school items all revolve around the carbon, threadless fork: The new headset is a Tange, just like the originals, 120mm threadless stem, pursuit bars, TT levers. The pedals are Exustar Keo-clone types with Ti axles; they're insanely light, match my other bikes, and were just in the apartment, waiting for a build like this... There are two TT series in the area, and I will use this bike in both. Aside from the N24HC, which is a "Challenge" not a race, this will be my first real competition in decades. Let's hope I survive (or at least die gloriously, in the attempt...) Now for the test ride - slowly and carefully to the closest shop, for some tubular rim cement to get these tires properly mounted. |
|
|
|
Post by velocipete on Apr 20, 2015 19:19:43 GMT
Cracking build,lets hope the bike survives as well! To be honest,all bike owners tend to modify their bikes over the years,as parts wear out,or in a desire to perform better.
I'm all for this,mostly because I've been doing it for a very long time. The frame is the heart of the bike,the rest are merely add ons. This is especially true for Viscounts!
They were built with with a view to improvement (performance or profit margins) so go out and join Whippet time trialing.
Best of luck,you'll surprise a lot of modern bike riders.
Cheers,
Pete.
|
|
|
|
Post by 54roadie on Apr 20, 2015 22:45:55 GMT
Thanks, Pete! This just in - the short, slow test ride was a complete success. I haven't ridden tubulars in years. Even just a careful jaunt around my Chicago neighborhood leaves me wondering why. (I remember why - these streets are littered with glass and other debris, fixing flats in tubular tires is a real pain, and replacing one after only one flat is far too costly. But the ride is so smooth, elegant and responsive at the same time.)   The ride. Oh man, what a great ride! Smooth, light, easy, yet quick in the corners and when dodging road junk. It's the Viscount Ride alright. Even better than I remember. The shifting is also very smooth. After a few more miles I'll check cable stretch, etc., and get it truly dialed in, but for now, it's just a great bike. AND - 19 lbs. Mission Accomplished. It will still be under 20 with the aero bolt on extensions.   |
|
|
|
Post by 54roadie on Apr 21, 2015 0:20:49 GMT
   Better views, I'm hoping Frank |
|
|
|
Post by triitout on Apr 21, 2015 0:44:02 GMT
Frank, nice build! I'm sure you'll get up to speed quick when you do your first race. No pressure, just all of Viscount Nation riding along on it with you! Great job getting the weight down so low. It'll be a head turner for sure. Loving the old leather V saddle....thanks again.
Cheers, Michael
|
|
|
|
Post by 54roadie on Apr 21, 2015 2:35:14 GMT
That's not pressure, Michael, that's pure energy pushing me forward like a hurricane tailwind, just for me. Well, maybe. We'll see soon.
Thanks!
Frank
|
|
bendo
Viscount
Posts: 538 
|
Post by bendo on Apr 22, 2015 0:42:17 GMT
WHOah! 19lbs? That's 8.6 kgs!! Phenomenal! Love the use of the Jubilee to save weight. There's a bit of a nod to the original Lambert plate RD.
And that rear cluster, talk about man's gears. Good luck and race pics please! b
|
|
|
|
Post by 54roadie on Apr 23, 2015 1:54:55 GMT
Bendo, yes, that is a tight freewheel 12-20. But while it gets windy around here, none of the TTs I envision riding have any significant hills. I'm a grinder into the wind, and if it's too windy for me on a 42-20, I won't be much faster on anything else anyway.
You'll probably be pleased to know I swapped out the OEM pulleys on the Jubilee for the even lighter Bulls-eye alloy ones with sealed bearings and alloy mounting bolts. I don't believe there is a current derailleur that is that light, although I didn't weigh the derailleur separately.
But yeah, I over did it. (He said, laughing quietly to himself...) I even used alloy nipples on the spokes.
|
|
|
|
Post by Stella on Apr 30, 2015 15:29:19 GMT
Wonderful build and welcome to the Viscount addiction. It starts after the first proper ride and will never leave you. :-)
|
|
|
|
Post by dracco on Apr 30, 2015 18:24:47 GMT
And don't forget to pump up your tyres(tires)with helium.....
|
|
bendo
Viscount
Posts: 538
|
Post by bendo on May 1, 2015 11:38:16 GMT
Bendo, yes, that is a tight freewheel 12-20. But while it gets windy around here, none of the TTs I envision riding have any significant hills. I'm a grinder into the wind, and if it's too windy for me on a 42-20, I won't be much faster on anything else anyway. You'll probably be pleased to know I swapped out the OEM pulleys on the Jubilee for the even lighter Bulls-eye alloy ones with sealed bearings and alloy mounting bolts. I don't believe there is a current derailleur that is that light, although I didn't weigh the derailleur separately. But yeah, I over did it. (He said, laughing quietly to himself...) I even used alloy nipples on the spokes. Congrats. You just graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Weight Weenie. b |
|
|
|
Post by 54roadie on May 1, 2015 16:38:36 GMT
Thank you, Bendo! And yes, I envision even more draconian weight reductions after a (let's hope) successful TT campaign this year:
1) That titanium BB spindle pictured on one of the tech threads
2) Ultralight quick releases
3) Lighter tires (tyres) 210gm f, and 225 gm r, vs 260s on there now.
4) The potentially amazing (or disastrous) rebuild of a 36 hole rim/hub combo into a 24 hole front wheel
I'm sure there are some Ti and Al tid bits that would swap over. And I might be able to cut a few inches off the seat post bottom, or just get a Thompson Masterpiece, right?
Thank you, Stella! Yes, and an old song from Frank Zappa runs through my head when the addiction is in full swing - "And The Torture Never Stops" always makes me smile. :-)
Or I could spend the same amount of money on a training camp, and actually get faster, instead of just lighter...
|
|
Jem
Viscount
?
Posts: 3,389
|
Post by Jem on May 1, 2015 17:35:58 GMT
That is great work! Really nice Frank. I am like an original bike but also there is no point in being precious about it. Your work has breathed new life into it.
|
|
|
|
Post by 54roadie on May 9, 2015 5:35:38 GMT
So far, so good. I don't think anyone snapped a shot of me (gasping and gulping) as I crossed the finish line, but I managed my first TT without getting killed. 15 miles, 24 kilometers. The course is out and back, what I'll call gently rolling hills, on a winding road with the steepest downhill in the 600 or so meters to the turn around. So you want to be in the biggest gear, but you come screaming towards the cone, dive around the two lane road, and then find you are tremendously overgeared. Downtube shifters are suddenly a big liability. Oh, well.
Loved the ride and love this bike, old tech or not. It was a headwind home, getting stronger (don't they always?) and I appreciated the skinny tubes and lack of fairings all the way. I was kind of hesitant getting started, and think my splits were roughly equal, even with the wind.
Final result - 00:45:03, 20 mph. 32.26 kph. Not bad for a first effort. The next one will be longer, and I'll be faster.
And lots of riders spent time checking out my bike. Even the guy with the Cervelo P5 full aero, CF, yadayada TT bike.
Thanks everyone for your encouragement.
Frank
|
|
|
|
Post by velocipete on May 9, 2015 5:52:52 GMT
Very well done. I did my last TT about 35 years ago. Managed 1:15 for a 25,but that was on an upright trike!
Not really felt the desire to indulge in the more masochistic side of cycling since.
Cheers,
Pete.
|
|
bendo
Viscount
Posts: 538
|
Post by bendo on May 9, 2015 8:56:56 GMT
So far, so good. I don't think anyone snapped a shot of me (gasping and gulping) as I crossed the finish line, but I managed my first TT without getting killed. 15 miles, 24 kilometers. The course is out and back, what I'll call gently rolling hills, on a winding road with the steepest downhill in the 600 or so meters to the turn around. So you want to be in the biggest gear, but you come screaming towards the cone, dive around the two lane road, and then find you are tremendously overgeared. Downtube shifters are suddenly a big liability. Oh, well. Loved the ride and love this bike, old tech or not. It was a headwind home, getting stronger (don't they always?) and I appreciated the skinny tubes and lack of fairings all the way. I was kind of hesitant getting started, and think my splits were roughly equal, even with the wind. Final result - 00:45:03, 20 mph. 32.26 kph. Not bad for a first effort. The next one will be longer, and I'll be faster. And lots of riders spent time checking out my bike. Even the guy with the Cervelo P5 full aero, CF, yadayada TT bike. Thanks everyone for your encouragement. Frank chapeau! b |
|
|
|
Post by triitout on May 9, 2015 12:27:31 GMT
Exxxxxcellent!!! The first of many. The season has just begun, and consider this just a warmup. Love it when the full aero guys come over to check out a Viscount.
Cheers,
Michael
|
|
|
|
Post by whippet on May 10, 2015 8:30:07 GMT
Great stuff Roadie. 20mph / evens is a great start! Love the bike too. Keep us up to date, I'm also doing the occasional TT on my Sport, only one so far this year.
|
|
|
|
Post by Stella on May 10, 2015 9:39:37 GMT
So far, so good. I don't think anyone snapped a shot of me (gasping and gulping) as I crossed the finish line, but I managed my first TT without getting killed. 15 miles, 24 kilometers. The course is out and back, what I'll call gently rolling hills, on a winding road with the steepest downhill in the 600 or so meters to the turn around. So you want to be in the biggest gear, but you come screaming towards the cone, dive around the two lane road, and then find you are tremendously overgeared. Downtube shifters are suddenly a big liability. Oh, well. Loved the ride and love this bike, old tech or not. It was a headwind home, getting stronger (don't they always?) and I appreciated the skinny tubes and lack of fairings all the way. I was kind of hesitant getting started, and think my splits were roughly equal, even with the wind. Final result - 00:45:03, 20 mph. 32.26 kph. Not bad for a first effort. The next one will be longer, and I'll be faster. And lots of riders spent time checking out my bike. Even the guy with the Cervelo P5 full aero, CF, yadayada TT bike. Thanks everyone for your encouragement. Frank chapeau! b Well done, mate. Great to hear you had fun and more importantly: love the bike. Viscounts forever! |
|
Jem
Viscount
?
Posts: 3,389
|
Post by Jem on May 11, 2015 19:10:14 GMT
20mph average speed...gulp! My lungs are burning at the thought. Well done! Bike looks great and is super light weight too!
|
|
|
|
Post by 54roadie on May 11, 2015 22:08:36 GMT
 Here she is in full battle dress. Those are Tufo 260 gm SS33 tubulars, rated to 175psi. Assuming that would rattle my fillings loose, I run them at about 140. The wheels are crazy light, the tires roll so smoothly, if nay of you are considering tubulars, I am now a HUGE fan of Tufo. I like the way that really old roll of blue Benotto bar tape matched right up to the blue head and seat tube. I may have to hunt for more and do the bullhorns, too. (Saving perhaps another 20 - 30 gms?)  Eat your heart out, Specialized Shiv. (etc.) Skinny tubes rule. If this bike wasn't so clearly female, I'd name it "Mr. Giggles." Sooper8 and bendo, it's still under 20 lb, 9 kg, with the extensions. do you believe it? Whippet and triitout, I will keep you updated, and please do the same - whippet, how was your first ride this year? Velocipete, was that upright tricycle like the Bob Jacksons I occasionally see pictured? I have yet to see one first hand. That's cool. Stella, yes, indeed, Viscounts forever. "and the torture never stops..."  Thank you much. Frank |
|
|
|
Post by whippet on May 12, 2015 7:13:32 GMT
Roadie, it went quite well. Slightly lumpy course and windy but still beat last years time. Had a few gear issues + will probably change back to SPD from toe clips and straps ( 70's purist.. ) as pedal action wasn't what it could be. Averaged 20mph. connect.garmin.com/activity/740961227PS I'm also running tubs to TT's, super fast! |
|
|
|
Post by velocipete on May 12, 2015 8:10:24 GMT
In principle it was like the Bob Jackson trike.It was actually a Holdsworthy 531 frame with a Holdsworth convertion rear axle bolted on.
All braking on the front wheel! Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of it. The thing with trikes is you can either ride them or you
can't! Always fun watching someone try one for the first time.
I've got a convertion axle in the garage which I may just bolt onto a Viscount frame some day.I don't think anyone's done that before.
Cheers,
Pete.
|
|
Thank you much.