1947 Hobbs of Barbican Clubweight Build and many other old builds

the way it should be!
the was a post earlier today on Classic Rendezvous:

Is anyone else like me, taking a perfectly functional bike needing one or two simple tweaks before traveling to Eroica California, and once you start work the only thing that doesn't change on the bike is the seat binder and headset?

After mulling over all the possibilities, I decided to take my '54 Algurn for Eroica, as it is a very comfortable ride with the typical English 50's longer wheelbase and lavish tire clearances. The only problem was the 27 inch wheels running inch and 1/8th tires and the double Stonglight 49d cranks. I wanted to swap out the wheels for 700c so I could put a fatter tire on, and I wanted a triple crank. I rode a double last year and didn't even get close to being able to climb the hills. Yes, Bobet rode with a double and a 45x24 low gear, but Bobet was fit. I suspect I'll hit the same pulse rate at Bobet at 1/4 the speed, or at least hit my upper limit, even with super low gears.

So off came the 49d cranks and on goes the Stronglight 99 arms, fitted with 50x45x28 rings joined with a new 13-32 Suntour Ultra six freewheel. Longer BB of course, only had to try three different ones to get a fit. Hmm, I was going to use a set of Bullseye hub-ed wheels but they weren't quite wide enough in the back for the freewheel. One frantic wheel build later, on goes a set of 32x40 Campy low flange hubs built with a 40 spoke Mavic Module 4 rear rim (thanks, Wayne Bingham) and a Pacenti PL23 front. Rear hub spaced out to 124mm. Hmm, now the front derailleur doesn't like the triple crank. Off comes the Suntour Cyclone and on goes a Simplex mech. Have to use a front changer with the bolt on the right side to clear the pump. Hmm, the rear derailleur on this hanger doesn't really clear the 32 tooth cog. Off comes the Campag Rally, on goes a Shimano 600 Arabesque long cage (a very underrated touring mech, btw). Hmm, the GB brake levers with the red plastic quick release tongues are notoriously fragile, and I'm packing this in a shipping case. Off come the GB brake set for a pair of Mafac Dural Forge calipers & levers. Hmm, if I'm changing the brake levers, I might as well use my favorite Nitto 176 bars. Hmm, the GB stem is 25.4 so switch to a Nitto stem. Hmm, the Mafacs (which were fine when mounted on the Jack Taylor) howl like banshees on the new rims. No time now to de-squeal them, so swap the calipers for Paul Racers. Hmm, leather on the old well broken in Brooks B17 is splitting a bit on the front rivet. Don't want to take a chance of a saddle failure so far from home. Off it comes, and on goes the Brooks Pro. Hmm, can't use the saddle bag. On go the clamp on bag eyelets.

I find that so sad. Perhaps they are better off providing a route that better matches the period bikes and the age/fitness of the riders. Far better than forcing these corruptions.