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Yes, I'd be up for a vintage ride this season, and I'll be pleased if you stick to your 46/19 gearing since I'm not going all that fast ATM.
There is a bit of a problem in that we live on opposite sides of London. I'm not super keen on travelling across London before starting a ride, but really it will depend on who else wants to come. Let's see who else is interested.
Your Paintwork
It looks to me that Argos did a really good job with that crimson flam, but flam finishes are inevitably not super durable, so if it's had six years use and still looks half reasonable (forks catastrophe excepted) it's not done too badly.
When I was painting frames I was quite prepared to do flams and metallic finishes, but I would point out that if the customer wanted something durable ( e.g. for a hack or a training bike) then a plain gloss enamel , without lacquer, would look respectable for longer. In the case of 'vintage' frames (pre-war in my book) I would suggest that semi gloss could give a desirable impression of patina.
clubman-
46/19 noted..
I would be happy to head West, i live very close to Abbeywood so a trip across London on the Elizabeth line would be quite straightforward.Its nice to know that as a general rule flam paintwork isnt as durable, as it would be easy to assume the chips and damaged paintowrk on my crimson bike was somehow related to a paint issue with Argos cycles
falconvitesse
sorry @clubman yes i did see your post i was just procrastinating over my response. Its as usual a thorough and poignant write up. Its also very inspiring and makes me think that we are well due a vintage group ride soon.
ive updated my post above with photos now.
It's crimson flamboyant and very difficult to replicate so I'm just going to leave it for now.
The frame looked stunning when it was delivered from Argos cycles i have since ruined the paint work, i guess that's the trouble with actually using the bike.
My friend rode it to cambridge and destroyed the paint work around the rear dropout. I have chipped the paintwork around the rear brake caliper and in general it has taken a real beating over the last six years. The fork crown has just added insult to injury.
I have added some old tyres and the alloy mudguards which unlike their plastic counterparts are not very forgiving to fit.
Ive taken off the flash gearing mechs and made it fixed and off course you are right the new gearing is low which is great for shorter local journeys.
I'm actually much happier with the look than its previous incarnation.