Cool shop bike: Fred De Long's Teledyne Titan

     This is a pretty interesting bike, in my opinion. The frame and fork were produced by Teledyne Linair Co. in Gardena CA. Fewer than 2000 Teledyne Titans were made from 1973-1976. These were among the first production titanium bikes made, along side Flema (Germany) and Speedwell (U.K.). These bikes really ushered in a new age of American "super bike". We take for granted that titanium is so widely used now in the cycling industry in both frame construction as well as components. Well, this bike is an example of the root of that modern technology and deserves to be acknowledged.
     Add to that the fact that this particular bike once belonged to Fred De Long, and you have an interesting story. Fred De long was the Technical Editor of American Cycling, American Bicyclist, and Bicycling magazines. He was also the vice-president of the League of  American Wheelmen (LAW). He was a professional engineer who had a life long love affair with the technical, as well as the recreational side of the sport. He was a technical consultant and project coordinator for the service and repair manual of the Bicycle Manufacturers of America. Fred De Long also resided in Hatboro, PA., not far from Philadelphia. He is deceased, but his legacy lives on. He wrote a very popular book that was published in 1974 titled De Long's GUIDE TO BICYLES & BICYCLING. It covers all aspects of the sport, from racing to touring, set up, and maintenance. All in a very user friendly format. When I was first learning about bikes, this was the book i read along side THE CUSTOM BICYCLE.
      The bike has some interesting  components. The front brake is an early Mathhauser hydraulic brake. The rear brake is a Scott Super Brake, both unique early designs. The bike is also equipped with a mixture of early Dura Ace components. The rear wheel has an early Phil Wood hub with tied and soldered spokes for a more rigid wheel and the front wheel is a Campagnolo low flange record hub  with crow's foot lacing. A long cage rear derailleur with a more touring spread freewheel is a bit puzzling in conjunction with the more "racey" wheels. I wonder what Mr. De Long was thinking when equipping this bike? Was he experimenting with these new components? I am sure there was a good reason as he was always looking for new and innovative ideas. It is humbling to work around and investigate his bikes. I have a lot of respect for the work he did to further the sport that we love. Enjoy!

  

Snowy day here at the shop

We have gotten almost a foot of snow so far today here in Philadelphia. Be safe out there!

Cool shop bike: Colnago Pista

     Todays edition features this pretty slick 70's Colnago track bike. We acquired this a few years ago at a swap meet, it has been hanging in the office ever since. Curtis says he has plans to put it back in action, but he is a very busy man with little free time. So, it patiently waits.
     It is outfitted with all the components one would imagine to grace such a specialty machine. Steel Cinelli stem and Pista bars, model 18 I believe. Campagnolo pista grouppo with the cool steel pista headset. Crank arms have unusual stamping on the back, no date code but 8 digit number sequence. Not sure of the signifigance. Super Champion  Arc en Ciel rims laced to Record pista hubs. The bike currently has a San Marco Concor saddle, but we have the proper Colnago Unicanitor saddle for it. Maybe some day we will install it?

The decals are mostly gone but the ghost images are still visible as well as a few bits. The fork crown on this bike is the real star in my opinion. Large "C" with clover graces the top of the flat crown. Immediately recognizable. Nice round fork blades are very strong. The clearance between the front tire and crown is super tight, literally 2mm. I really like that look and it also speaks to the precision of who ever built these wheels , very little room for error. Elegant head tube lugs with classic clover cut outs. Nice seat cluster with smooth lines, again classic Italian styling. Campagnolo track ends and nice clover cut out in the BB shell. The paint leaves a little to be desired in my opinion, not really feeling the "ketchup" red. But that is just nit-picking. This bike is superb, a real thoroughbred in great original condition!

 

    

Cool shop bike: Curtis's Bruce Gordon

     I was thinking yesterday about which bike to profile next and this one jumped out at me. It has been parked this winter in the garage way up high out of view to most, but I know its there. This is another one of Curtis's riders. This bike is a late 70's Bruce Gordon.
      It is a more traditional road racing frame with pretty tight geometry. Curtis has it set up with a little more versatility in mind. 28mm tires gobble up the rough city streets and the trails in the Wissahickon. Campagnolo  Nuovo Record rear derailleur has been converted with Rally cage plates and Bullseye jockey pulleys to allow for wider range freewheels. The rest of the components are standard fare Nuovo Record grouppo. Blackburn rear rack mounted with Blackburn custom eyelets (allows you to mount a rack on Campagnolo drop outs without using P-clamps). This gives the bike some carrying capacity. Criterium style bars add to the fast look of the bike. Note the front light bracket on the front brake caliper, when doing night rides a front wheel built with a Schmidt generator hub is used. E6 front light occupies the bracket providing superior illumination of the road ahead. SPD pedals with platforms provide option for both clipped in riding, or more casual around towning.
      The frame construction is excellent, nicely thinned and contoured lugs with attractive fast back style seat cluster. If you look at Bruce's current work and then look at this bike, you can see the stylistic connections. The rear brake is mounted on the inside of the brake bridge. The paint and decals have nice patina. Like I said, this bike is a rider! Really attractive fork crown with subtle stylistic treatments.
     When Curtis and I have gone on rides in the past and he is on this bike, His smile is bit bigger than usual, I guess he enjoys it! (which of course is the point of riding a bicycle!)