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Can anyone advise on how the geo of a modern day randonneur like those offered from MAP or Fitz differs from an older frame such as Rene Herse?
Ergonomics have changed, so on an old randonneuse your hands were expected to be on the tops or the ramps of the handlebars, not on the (yet to be invented) hoods. On a modern bike you's put your hands on the hoods, plus you'd probably want a little saddle to bar drop. You could go full JH I guess and fit OG rando bars and modern STIs, for that super streched position...
Just specify a low BB (around the 72mm mark for 650x42b) and let the builder do his job for the rest.
Lolo
For more than ten years now, I've dreamt of owning a beautiful Randonneur bicycle. I think the ripe-old age of 30 might be the time to finally make it happen.
I've had several failed attempts at replicating such a ride in the past, normally by strapping 650B wheels and tight-fitting mudguards to disc-brake cyclocross frames. They've all looked pretty cool, but were incredibly heavy and stiff.
The attached image is one I've kept coming back to for years and years, it's simple and beautiful. It'll be my reference point for this build.
WIP frame-builder brief:
I do have lots of questions that I’m hoping the hive-mind can help out with here. I’m no expert in bicycle geometry but would like to have a rough idea of what I want before going to the builder for advice.
Geometry - Although this is a classic randonneur, I’d like it to have a responsive, fun and almost modern ride. Can anyone advise on how the geo of a modern day randonneur like those offered from MAP or Fitz differs from an older frame such as Rene Herse?
Brakes - I’m keen to keep this traditional and use either centre-pull or cantilever style rim brakes. I’ve had a few run-ins with Canti’s and they’ve always been disappointing. Is there a modern, lightweight cantilever brake that’ll stop the bike and be beautiful? PAUL brakes are a bit on the expensive side, but I could maybe make it happen if the reviews are exceptional.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated - I'd like to get in touch with Winston and start processing this order at the end of the month.
Thanks for reading.