Happy Birthday to our founder Curtis Anthony!

Happy birthday to one hell of a guy! Curtis Anthony, the founder of Via Bicycle! Many more my friend!

Period correct restoration critique- Brian Robinson’s Raphaël Géminiani bike

Photos: Chris Catchpole, Allsport Hulton/Archive from Cycling Weekly article found here

Photos: Chris Catchpole, Allsport Hulton/Archive from Cycling Weekly article found here

A recent article on Cycling Weekly website showcasing Brian Robinson’s Raphaël Géminiani bike and describing the technologies available at the time has peaked my interest. On the surface, the restoration looks great, most of the parts fit the bill of a late 1950s French vintage lightweight. As the article points out, this was not Mr. Robinson's TDF stage victory bike, but one of his bikes that was

"lovingly restored so it’s almost exactly like the one he rode in 1959. The restoration means it looks as fresh as it did in 1959, too."

Upon closer inspection there are a few items that are off by a couple years and one part is glaringly incorrect on this restoration.

I will preface this critique by saying it is very difficult to do a complete restoration, from stem to stern. Parts are difficult to source and knowing exactly what is correct and what is passable can sometimes be subjective.  I tried to stick to just the facts, well the parts. Paint color and finish can be very subjective. And yes, I know it is easier to critique a work of art than create one, this is professional critique, not personal.

Photos: Chris Catchpole, Allsport Hulton/Archive from Cycling Weekly article found here

Photos: Chris Catchpole, Allsport Hulton/Archive from Cycling Weekly article found here

 I first noticed the Mafac Competition brakes, that were a product of the mid 1960s, and examining the photo of Brian Robinson riding, one can see they appear to be Mafac Dural Forged brakes. I also noticed the Campagnolo headset is a mix of various models- the adjustable cup is 1960s-1970s Gran Sport, whereas the lower cup is Record/Nuovo Record. I won't be as critical to comment on cable ferrules or cable end caps. . .

Photos: Chris Catchpole, Allsport Hulton/Archive from Cycling Weekly article found here

It is a cool downtube waterbottle cage, I don't understand how the one clamp at the top of the cage supports the cage from moving or coming off.

Photos: Chris Catchpole, Allsport Hulton/Archive from Cycling Weekly article found here

 Modified Brooks saddle, article mentioned Otussi, but there is no common Otussi stamp found on one of the large rivets.

Photos: Chris Catchpole, Allsport Hulton/Archive from Cycling Weekly article found here

Photos: Chris Catchpole, Allsport Hulton/Archive from Cycling Weekly article found here

The shifters are from the 1970s- looking at the logo on the band and the hardware with the shifters is newer as well. The original, late 1950s shifters, would have used a screw head rather than the later D screws. The logo on the shifters could have also included the "open -C" Campagnolo stamping, but that is a grey area. In the late 1950s, Campagnolo was phasing out the open-C stamping, but some bikes in the 1960s were found new with them.
The handlebar stem is wrong. It is 1980s-1990s.

Photos: Chris Catchpole, Allsport Hulton/Archive from Cycling Weekly article found here

The photo, with the caption "Tullio Campagnolo invented the quick release back in 1930, and they’ve changed little since," shows a 1990s-2000s SHIMANO quick release skewer.

Patent Pending

I like home spun solutions to bike (mechanical) problems. Broken pedal block, no problem! a couple zip ties will have you back on the road in no time!

Hill Cycle Envelope

     I came across this  envelope today with a Hill Cycle return address stamp on the front. Wow! So cool! I wonder if you could get away with taking up this much real estate on an envelope these days? I am guessing this is from the 1960's- early 70's. #saveeverything

For Sale: Cinelli adjustable Pista stem

     Super badass item here. Cinelli adjustable Pista stem in great shape with original stem and pinch bolts! All steel construction. 22.2 insertion, 25.4 clamp diameter. Slider goes from about 50mm-170mm extension. A bit of peppering in the chrome in a couple areas, mostly on the top of the extension by the Cinelli crest logo. logo is still plainly visible. These were used for sizing or changing up position depending on event. Super rare item especially with original hardware and in this condition!
                                               Email at: bikeville@gmail.com for pricing.
                                                                    SOLD!

    

For Sale: Mid 1980's Ernie Atkinson track frame and fork 55CM

     Here is a nice track frame and fork I have for sale today. It was built by Ernie Atkinson in Astoria,  Oregon in the mid 1980's. It has a stamp of "EA 85" on the BB shell, which I assume means Ernie Atkinson 1985. He is a small builder there and is still around,  not sure if he is still building bikes though. I have only seen one other of his bikes, a very nicely made road frame. It is built with Reynolds 531 tubing and has a nice fast back seat stay attachment. The lugs are all nicely filed. it is drilled for both front and rear brakes, maybe this was a winter training bike? Nice flat fork crown with reinforcing tangs on the inside of the beefy round blades. The rear drop outs have been drilled to accept a rack, I assume. I do not know if this feature is original to the build or not, they appear to have been done later by someone. Requires a 27.2 seat post. The BB shell is English threaded (1.370 X 24 TPI) and the steerer is English as well. The decals are Letraset style on top of the paint, which has some chips and knicks here and there. The frame is straight and the fork is  in alignment. The measurements are as follows:

• 55 CM seat tube CTC
• 56 CM top tube CTC
• 31 1/2" stand over without head set or inflated tires.

     Some of the decals are on a little bit crooked, kind of charming. lets you know they were placed by hand!  Please email at: bikeville@gmail.com for price or with any questions you may have. Thanks!

 

A bunch of photos from the 2014 Philly Bike expo on Saturday 11/8/2014

     Here are a bunch of photos from the 2014 Philly bike expo on Saturday 11/8/2014. we were loaning a bike to David V. Herlihy, author of: Bicycle:  A History  to be on display in front of his table. It is a 1890's Victor with suspension fork.

     There was a lot to see and a lot of interesting folks to talk with. it was good seeing old faces and many, many new ones. I hope everyone has fun and stays safe. I was only able to take a semi-quick walk through as I had to get back to work! Enjoy!

      Road warrior type status!

 Chris Bishop out of Maryland does fantastic work!

 Bilenky tandem that belongs to friends of ours. Note their initials cast into the seat lugs, nice detail!

 Johnny Coast cycles out of Brooklyn, NY is one of the nicest dudes out there, his craftmanship is top notch!

 J. P. Weigle Mountain frame for sale from the 80's.

 Some details from one of Peter Weigle's bikes on display. Simply amazing.

 1950's Ducheron for sale by Peter Weigle, this bike is stunning!

 Funny, oh-hec pump. Decal is a play on the Ad-Hoc pumps from the 50's-60's.

 Weigle seat cluster.

 Not Guaranteed built with Reynolds 531! Hilarious.

 Custom trailer by Brian Chapman of Circle A and Chapman Cycles. Note the elastimer type rear suspension system, very cool. Reminds me of older Jack Taylor trailers.

 Le Fool fender. A take on the french Le Fol brand. This is a modified Honjo made to look like the original Le Fol fenders. Peter Weigle is a master craftsman and also has a great sense of humor!

 Stephen Bilenky looking dapper in his pink denim vest

 Prototype of the future Philly Bikeshare program, set to start in spring 2015! They need to be painted Phillies colors.

 At the entrance looking in.