Varonha custom frame... And other ongoing stuff

Couple more detailed ones

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This turned out very lovely.

I really need to up my photo game. As ever, beautiful, hopefully we'll get to ride together sometime this year.

@veLLo what are the cranks/shifters? Also looks like an old deore mech - is it like 8 speed at the back?

Really nice

Cranks are Sram Rival, patiently stripped and polished (arms only). Bar end shifters are Shimano 10 speed (seller called them dura ace -years ago- no clue if legit), but used in friction mode. And yes rear mesh is old Deore DX, with a 12-32T 8 speed cassette (very cheap stuff, couldn't find anything from reputable manufacturers in stock)

I particularly like how the orange bits on the mudguards and the blue bits on the tyres match the decals. (Please say it was the plan all along).

Curious about the brake levers... Dura Ace without aero routing? Was that a thing at some point or did you customise them? If so... why not keep them aero?

Anyway, this has really turned out to be a beast of a bike this time around. Chapeau!

Very nice!

Please say it was the plan all along

Luckily for my mental health (too many little bicycles in my head), this is only a happy accident!

@veLLo eclectic, functional and lovely cheers. How did you know the mech would do 8 speed?

Definitely my favourite forum bike.

I didn't know.
@gbj_tester kindly put me in the right direction on "any question answered" with the download of Shimano's Service Instruction for the derailleur. This states 7 speeds indeed but it works fine over 8 (friction of course).

Thank you! All the nice comments, encouraging and advice over the pages have definitely made me finally complete that project, which had been dragging for too long! Stripped the frame over two years ago!

Really cool bike. I love the outcome. Everything matches so well.

What is the deal with the power hanger? Do they actually increase the braking power?

Thank you!

Re power hanger, I don't know the answer, refurb took over 2 years to happen, I didn't have it before and don't remember any issues with braking (apart from wrong pads on ceramic rims): no opportunity to compare really.

I have cantis on my Dawes Galaxy, braking isn't as crisp as on the Varonha, but that could be due to so many other factors...

Such a lovely bike!

Adding other ongoing (mini) projects to this thread, because why not...

Got my Dawes Galaxy frame back from Winston for re-tracking, turns out the forks are a little out. Bike now rebuilt, and now rides perfect!
I've added low rider racks too, in readiness for improbable rides... Definitely good for shopping at least!

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@veLLo this is cracking too. I saw one online a few weeks back and have been after a similar project since https://www.instagram.com/p/CLwhSV1lJaR/?igshid=1wpey075sm4ns
What's the front rack and low riders on that? Would you switch the racks over and take the Varonha touring?

I really need to replicate that front setup on my Dawes SG here, looks great. Rack details please.

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Thanks!
I already had the front rack, it's branded "Vavert" and I had modified the stays so they affix to the mid fork braze-ons instead of near wheel axle ones. Last time I checked it was no longer available anywhere online. The low rider are Bor Yueh, very cheap stuff from good old SJS cycles. Seems fine as long as you don't load too much I guess, will see...
I'll leave the Varonha in simple mode for now, it's good for now I use the bike... Custom racks is something I've discussed with Winston but nothing concrete yet...

See above, can't seem to find that rack anywhere now...

I have one of those racks, it's got some wear and slightly wonky legs (not bent for mid fork mounts though) - free if you can pick it up from SE8

By the way that Galaxy on Insta is really nice!