501 Commuter

This project started with a bike bought from a friend, who had bought the frame from another friend of mine. So, eventually i became the third owner of a Reynolds 501 frame and forks. The friend i bought the bike from had done a pretty good job making it into a single speed. However, i wanted to make it my own so set about swapping out parts and buying new components.

Above is how the bike looked when i bought it, having a rest on Castle Mound in Cambridge. I wanted to run a bigger front chainring so put a 52T one on and replaced the chain.

I was not happy with the Weinmann brakes or the levers so had a trip to the local bike shop to see what was on offer. I found some nice 1990's era Shimano SLRs and some unnamed levers, as well as some new Gusset grips.

Unfortunately, the SLRs would not fit properly, despite my best efforts. The rear wasn't deep enough to reach the rim and the front one didn't have a long enough bolt to fix to the front fork. Curses. I will save them for a future project.
I decided to take the bar off my old Scott MTB and put it on the commuter along with the new grips and lovely levers.

So far, the bike was shaping up nicely and becoming more like my ideal vision. But i really didn't like the rear wheel, partly due to not being able to get a perfect straight chain line. But also because removing it was a pain as some of the thread was knackered, i noticed also that tightening it was forcing the frame to bend. I did some measurements and went looking for a wheel that would fit better and give the bike a sleeker, darker look.

Voila. A flip/flop hub. Came with fixed cog, bought a sturmey archer freewheel (19T) at the same time. Now just need to sort the chain out, maybe with a half link, as the dropouts wont allow me much adjustment.
Once that is sorted i will probably get a matching front wheel and then get brakes that (a) fit and (b) work!

Nice work. Quill stem?

Cheers, no the stem is an Amoeba Borla Stem (see pic). came with the bike when i bought it. Its pretty good, has a 40 degree angle and with the Scott Bars gives a comfortable riding position.

http://www.discountbicycles.co.uk/biz/product.php/4442/4140/amoeba_borla_40deg_comfort_stem_for_a_head

Although comparing the pic with my one, maybe mine isn't exactly the same model. But pretty similar anyway.

I mean you should get a quill stem.

I mean you should get a quill stem.

Doh, sorry. My bad. Why do you recommend a quill?

No need to apologise!
Would suit the frame better. Just my opinion!

Doh, sorry. My bad. Why do you recommend a quill?

Yep. I see what you mean. I may do that at some stage, as well as trying drops for a bit.

Here is the commuter in Fixie mode, with a pretty small front chainring i admit, but i'm having to work with a short chain and very little room in the dropouts. Gave it a spin, carefully, and it seems okay. But i'm a bit of a wuss without brakes.

A pretty good chainline though, i think.

I tried the Shimano SLR brakes again with the new wheel, but no joy. I have realised if i want to use them then some filing of the brake callipers and the bolt hole in the front fork would be needed.

If you're going to ride brakeless, you need some foot retention, or risk becoming very swiftly acquainted with the back of the nearest Transit van.

If you're going to ride brakeless, you need some foot retention, or risk becoming very swiftly acquainted with the back of the nearest Transit van.

Yeah, that's why i'm going to work on getting the shimanos on before using the bike properly. According to the local bike shop chap there is a trend for fixies with front and rear brakes at the moment. Safety first i guess.

Yeah, two brakes is actually a really comfortable ride, but still fun.

I haven't decided what toe clips/straps i want yet. Something that blends in with the colour scheme i have already. Yes, there is a scheme at work here!

So, I got a few files today and startf to adapt the SLRs to fit the commuter. The rear is done. Now for the front. Pics to follow.
Also, i'm trying the freewheel side of the hub with a tensioner.

very nice

very nice

Cheers. Once i get the shimanos on it will be pretty much complete, apart from getting a matching front wheel.

Update. Decided to use the SLRs for my recent touring project. So the commuter is stuck with the weinmanns for now.

Yeah, two brakes is actually a really comfortable ride, but still fun.

And very underrated too, huge amount of control once you get used to having three brakes.

I have switched back to freewheel for the time being. The weinmanns are still spongey,especially the rear. They are destined to go back to their previous owner. Then ill get something else.

Now with added drops and selle san marco with some cinelli bar tape on order to finish it off. The bike has been relieved of its commuting duties while my SS mtb has taken over. Once i get the tape done i'm going to get out on the local guided busway route for a speedy blast across the fens.

Wouldn't it be better to spend some money on decent dual pivot brakes?

Probably. But i am trying to finish my tourer first. Then ill get better brakes.

The commuter with it's work clothes on and some new plummage up front.

Is that the busway that goes up to St Ives? One of my favourite lazy rides is schlepping up and down that.

Is that the busway that goes up to St Ives? One of my favourite lazy rides is schlepping up and down that.

Yep. That's the one.