F. W. Evans tourer

Back in February i was on the lookout for a frame for my brother. To build and surprise him for his birthday, June 25th.

He lives in Devon so i thought a tourer would be a good build as he likes a countryside jaunt.
So when this came up on London's famous Lfgss i was in like cheese
in a ploughman's.

Evans Tourer De Luxe 1980something.

I decided, as i had a few months, to try and build it to the exact original catalogue spec. Needless to say this didn't happen but i got reasonably close

It still had the Suntour headset in

I got some Maillard 700 wheels on Wolber GTX2 in Holland. Didn't really intend them for this bike

but they absolutely fit the bill. I actually turned down an FW Evans built set of Suntour Cyclone hubbed wheels (as seen in catalogue above) because they were the tiniest bit not smooth, whereas the Maillard are like butter. Shame but much less hassle

I know the ex head mechanic at Evans during the 70s i think. He supplied me with the plastic covered Suntour shifters, as well as some other nice things.

Long (or is it medium?) cage Suntour VX GT derailleur from Wayne Blenkin's grotto of bling
Catalogue specifies ARX GT but close enough

The chainset is correct
Stronglight 99 47/32, rings NOS from Germaneddie.
Crank from a fellow vintage hoarder's darkest room

front mech Suntour AR (again not ARX as wanted but v close)

and Lyotard quill pedals, I may get the Lyotard Berthet platform pedals that were on the original OTP if my bro has quill issues

brakes were a pain to find. I got some nos 80's Dia-Compe levers as per spec in black hoods. Kept them for the build, put them on when time came and they were for internal routing.No good for Canti calipers as the cable needs a clean approach to the hanger. Feck. This i discovered after taping up. So i went to TFG the same day for these

old skool style 'out of the top' present day Dia Compe levers. Would have preferred the black hoods but tan works well with brooks tape also.

Not a great pic but what's nice is the shiny bit that acts as a quick release pivoting around the little circle at the bottom

The 80's Dia-Compe cantilever brakes i just never found

So plumped for the Tektro ones that Seth threw in with the frame for cheaps.

they are excellent, but the pads don't quite go snug to the rims. I think they may be designed for wider forks. so the pads touch at a slight angle horizontally. This should be fine when they wear in a little.

The Esge mudguards, as per spec, came from an 80s Claud Butler Majestic that i bought for the components as it had some lovely bits on. From a certain Camden Vintage boutique that also sells some great bikes.

Yes i'm going Brooks, what of it? look at the saddle in the Evans catalogue^^^^

look at it!

this is better, although currently at angle fail status

seatpost is SR (Sakae Ringyo) as per catalogue
27.2

Stem is this triple fluted SR. Catalogue one is not fluted but i thought they match the seatpost.

Bars are Sakae Randonneur, very much the same shape as Nitto Noodles, but from the 80's. Bars are not mentioned in the catalogue but these seem the logical choice.

So, end product, nearly ready for taking down on the train on Monday

Will pick up some 80's Christophe cages and maybe some tan MKS straps tomorrow

I might take the bar angle down a little, but for touring it will help my bro to start at this angle then move it gradually

Popped into Evans today just to find some generic whateva bottles
Couldn't believe it when i found the recently issued Evans branded beauties

life just works sometimes

You are shitting me

This is aMAYzing

Your brother is one lucky fecker. Glorious.

Wow what a build. So much thought and effort has gone into that. He is one lucky guy! Hope he appreciates it! If he doesn't I want first dibs!

Would it be gauche of me to ask what you paid for some of the more esoteric components? Bargainous or sup34 raer finds?

Classy as always.
Btw Ben, I left a suntour cassette [6spd iirc] in micycle the other day - they may still have it!

AirTime you're 2nd dibs, after me

Classy as always.
Btw Ben, I left a suntour cassette [6spd iirc] in micycle the other day - they may still have it!

weird you say that, i did the same thing today, when i changed the suntour 6 speed i had planned for this for something newer.

I'll call one of the guys

You wanna get yourself some of that carbon mate, that thing's a bloody museum piece...

you're a museu i'll never ever have carbon

until i buy carbon.

Someone i know went into Pennine Cycles with a lovely old Pennine classic, seat stay hand painted trees etc still intact, expecting a round of applause. The old geezer there said pretty much that^

beautiful build really looks the dogs dooda's

What did the frame set you back and indeed the cranks?

beautiful build-hope your bro appreciates the love and effort gone in to it! He's a lucky guy.

excellent work, I'm sure he'll love it.