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@onyerbike
With a very heavy heart I’m finally parting ways with this old friend.
First ‘proper’ fast bike which I bought from Rob at Sargent and Co about a decade ago when I got a job that meant I could afford a dream frame. I slowly pieced it together with my favourite gruppo (Shimano 600) and got @arup to build the wheels - it was and still is one of the nicest bikes I’ve owned. It’s unsurprisingly nimble, light…it’s a lovely thing to ride.
In terms of history, I’m afraid I can’t remember the exact details/what I do remember may be slightly off…if anyone has some sources then please chip in. I think it was built in circa 1985 by Willie Moore, in south London; he was asked to build something for criteriums with light tubing and steep angles. At some point it was repainted and re-badged ‘FLEET’ in cracking pink, the glitter is subtle and needs to be seen in the flesh.
Frame is made with 653 tubing with Campag dropouts, and lovely flared seat stays. Groupset is all Shimano 600, except the seatpost which I sold on and used an old Ritchey logic as I needed a bit more height. Saddle is a condor supercorsa which replaced the original Brooks, which I’ve got somewhere…wheels are Ambrosio excelight laced to Shimano 600 hubs which are still lovely and smooth, the rear needs a slight true. I can leave the old Shimano SPD’s on there. GP4000's are a bit tired but on there to show clearances.
The paint is not far off what it was like when I bought it, since then it has got some natural ‘depreciation’ but no rust. I’ve never stored it outside and always kept it in good running order. Mainly as it’s been used for all things; century Sundays, touring around France, Dragon Ride, even a very short period of commuting until I realised how heart-broken I would be if it was stolen. Never crashed or dropped.
Downsides are a small dent in seat tube near the rear brake (pictured), and the 7 speed gears are friction or index shift but I’ve not managed to get the indexing spot on (so more my lack of mechanical skills than anything actually wrong with the bike). Have put some new bar tape on installed a new chain and tightened up the headset so ready to ride away.