Arlecchino's consolidated CP Thread: mostly steel & outdated.

Thanks a lot! I've added Schiltach to my list of places I want to visit next. ;-)
Should be a great ride starting in Freiburg and finishing in Schiltach.
Using the "9-Euro-Ticket" I can use the train to get back if the trip gets a little too long.
I'm new to cycling "longer" distances and don't know how far I can push it yet. ;-)

Way too many awesome beiks to digest ;-))

How are DTHs for touring?

Can‘t fault them, they’re supple, reasonably fast rolling and I haven‘t had any punctures yet. I should point out thatI‘ve been using an additional puncture protection layer which might have helped - given that there were some pointy stones and pieces of broken glass stuck in the tyres.

Thanks for the kind words :)

I‘ve changed some things on the Cannondale (new wheelset, XT 8 Speed shifters, Wald Basket) and used it for a couple overnighters in Brandenburg. The Billy Bonkers tyres are a treat on those dry sand-tracks in Brandenburg :)

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Which type of puncture protection are you using?

The newer type of folding DTH with the dark tan sidewalls have an additional protection layer as opposed to my older, light-tan ones, which did suffer a few punctures.

I‘m using a separate
Proline Anti-puncture protection tape. Some people claim they damage the tubes if set-up incorrectly but I haven‘t had any issues - been using it for roughly 1500km.

Revived the Batavus from its summer-hibernation (excuse the oxymoron). Treated it to a service, a new rear wheel to match the SON in the front and took it out for an evening ride.

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Tweaked the cockpit on the Ti 26er to get a little more reach. Added Bonus of the new stem: a really smooth headset/stem transition.

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This is such a nice build.
What happened to the paint? Did someone stray paint it?

nice one! makes me reconsider my plan of selling my Ti 26er

Thanks! The previous owner painted the frame black. I started recovering the original paint with acetone and stopped half way through cause it was cumbersome and I liked the rat look. At the time I built it up as a single speed lock-up commuter so there was also a functional rationale behind the rat-look.
The OG paintjob is aubergine with yellow forks:

If in doubt, keep it :)

Those are really nice! The 'real' Batavus brand went bankrupt in '86 and these must be newer I reckon.

fair point, however I fear my flatmates might kill me

That pic seems familiar, did you buy it from Melvin, have the same yard/photography style or just found this pic online? Btw love that Ti mtb 🙌

The pic is from velobase - just an example of the original paintscheme. Mine‘s a 56 and the one in that photo looks more like a 59.

@kjlem I didn‘t know about the Bankruptcy but the Professionals of that era are very well built: cinelli spoiler bottom bracket, slx tubes, number holder, columbus aero forks - same as on Bianchi Specialissima x3/x4. The same model was also used by the KNWU.

Interesting stuff, these are quite rare I think. Is it from the early 90's?

The pic is from velobase

Ah yes, he posted there as well. Well nice to have an excuse to use a batavus pro for a winter beater 😎

What frame is this?

It‘s a Giant Chaos 26“ rigid MTB from ca. ‘94.

Indeed, part of the excuse is that I got the frame bascially for free as it came with some SR parts I sold for a profit.
@kjlem They are somewhat rare but not prohibitively so and unlike your average Bianchi Specialissima or merckx they are less sought after and prices are way lower. Plus they have BSA threaded BBs which is convenient.

What a splendid machine, the stem and headset complement each other extremely well!

🙏