Broken Carlton.
Posted by: u5227470736789439 on 18 April 2010
The back wheel on the Carlton has been rumbling badly for a couple of days, so today I took it to a friends [not far] as we planned a BBQ for when is wife returned later on.
I took the back wheel out with a view to tightening up the bearings. But sadly the quick release was all that was holding it all together as the real axle was broken apart.
I rescued the pieces, and so the old Carlton will languish till next month when she gets re-enameled. And the back wheel bearings remounted. Shame really as it is all old imperial stuff, so finding parts might be fun!
I would rather get shot of the quick release and use a solid single piece bar though.
Never rains but that it pours.
ATB from George
I took the back wheel out with a view to tightening up the bearings. But sadly the quick release was all that was holding it all together as the real axle was broken apart.
I rescued the pieces, and so the old Carlton will languish till next month when she gets re-enameled. And the back wheel bearings remounted. Shame really as it is all old imperial stuff, so finding parts might be fun!
I would rather get shot of the quick release and use a solid single piece bar though.
Never rains but that it pours.
ATB from George
quote:Originally posted by GFFJ:
but once he got a truly expensive carbon fibre machine [with all the mod-cons, and decent gear shift] could never match the speed in a straight line of the Carlton
ATB from George
Which is presumably why all the world's top pros still ride steel-framed relics from the 80s too - NOT!
quote:Originally posted by Svetty:quote:Originally posted by GFFJ:
but once he got a truly expensive carbon fibre machine [with all the mod-cons, and decent gear shift] could never match the speed in a straight line of the Carlton
ATB from George
Which is presumably why all the world's top pros still ride steel-framed relics from the 80s too - NOT!
Yeah, careful George.
There are many reasons why one would appreciate a machine like the Carlton (presumably - I don't see it, myself, but each to their own), but performance isn't one of them. A few minutes astride a decent high-end carbon fibre bike and you would agree.
quote:Originally posted by GFFJ:
Glad this thread is ticking along!
When the Carlton is done I'll post a series of pictures "as completed," in few weeks.
Then those who still can see the pleasure in a traditonal English frame, set up in an older style can enjoy the look of it!
Best wishes frim George
Absolutely - there is something pleasing to the eye to be sure. Looking forward to the pictures George.
Maybe we'll need to organise a forum social bike ride soon if the trend continues. Perhaps Bruce can host us all in the Dales?
Dear Svetty,
The idea of a social "Naimee" bike ride appeals very much to me, though I hardly count as a "Naimee" anymore! I have never ridden my bike in a social setting except with my brother over thirty years ago! My rambles tend to be at my own fair pace and always solo, often quite a long way, but being paced would be a great luxury!
As regards the views on CF bike frames compared to their steel ancestors, I like the way steel frames [at their best] go, but as I could never afford a CF one, or afford to have it nicked, I have never been tempted to "dem" a modern machine! I only reported what my friend [the first owner of the Carlton told me] and like me he is no longer a spring chicken, so the fact that he has failed to match his times from the time he was using the Carlton is far more likely to be down to anno domini than the respective merits of the bikes! On the other hand he is in no doubt that the Carlton always felt right, and was more comfortable over a longer ride. Again in terms of the feel, no doubt that the wrong steel frame might feel wrong, and I can only conclude that his new CF bike fits less well ...
Though the Carlton is actually a tad too large for me, it is easily the most comfortable bike I ever had, including an Elswick [1974 - 93], Dawes [1993 - 95], and then the Eagle [1995 - 2009]. My very first bike was a child's single speed Raleigh [1965 - 74], was amazingly tough, but had little wheels and was definitely geared for going uphill.
The Carlton totally ecclipsed the Eagle in everyway, and as the Eagle was basically worn out in the running gear, it would have required a lot of work to get up back up to muster. I gave the frame away, as the bike had just lost a rear spoke when the Carlton came to me. The cogs were all shark-finned, and both rims, worn out ... It was a striking looking chromed steel frame, which caused endless work to keep it looking nice, but the bike went well, and was much better than the Dawes it replaced. I gave £15 for it ... without brakes fitted!
The Elswick was the only new bike I ever had, and was a smashing thing in every way though it was a normal commuting bike with mid-sized tyres, swept back handlebar, and three speed Sturmey hub gears. I used it so much that the hub would slip out of third if I was standing on the steam! It would go like the clappers ... I missed that bike as soon as it was run over with a forklift truck at work. I went to a good bike shop and bought the very nearly new Dawes, and never felt at home with it!
The Carlton is head and shoulders better than any of these, and as fine as would be useful for me!! I was fond of the Eagle as I rebuilt it more or less twice over the years, but once the Carlton found me, well that was it! Hence the effort to get it tidy and the paint job should preserve the frame from rust for the rest of my cycling days!
After this I'll just ride off into the sunset!
ATB from George
PS: The Eagle:
The idea of a social "Naimee" bike ride appeals very much to me, though I hardly count as a "Naimee" anymore! I have never ridden my bike in a social setting except with my brother over thirty years ago! My rambles tend to be at my own fair pace and always solo, often quite a long way, but being paced would be a great luxury!
As regards the views on CF bike frames compared to their steel ancestors, I like the way steel frames [at their best] go, but as I could never afford a CF one, or afford to have it nicked, I have never been tempted to "dem" a modern machine! I only reported what my friend [the first owner of the Carlton told me] and like me he is no longer a spring chicken, so the fact that he has failed to match his times from the time he was using the Carlton is far more likely to be down to anno domini than the respective merits of the bikes! On the other hand he is in no doubt that the Carlton always felt right, and was more comfortable over a longer ride. Again in terms of the feel, no doubt that the wrong steel frame might feel wrong, and I can only conclude that his new CF bike fits less well ...
Though the Carlton is actually a tad too large for me, it is easily the most comfortable bike I ever had, including an Elswick [1974 - 93], Dawes [1993 - 95], and then the Eagle [1995 - 2009]. My very first bike was a child's single speed Raleigh [1965 - 74], was amazingly tough, but had little wheels and was definitely geared for going uphill.
The Carlton totally ecclipsed the Eagle in everyway, and as the Eagle was basically worn out in the running gear, it would have required a lot of work to get up back up to muster. I gave the frame away, as the bike had just lost a rear spoke when the Carlton came to me. The cogs were all shark-finned, and both rims, worn out ... It was a striking looking chromed steel frame, which caused endless work to keep it looking nice, but the bike went well, and was much better than the Dawes it replaced. I gave £15 for it ... without brakes fitted!
The Elswick was the only new bike I ever had, and was a smashing thing in every way though it was a normal commuting bike with mid-sized tyres, swept back handlebar, and three speed Sturmey hub gears. I used it so much that the hub would slip out of third if I was standing on the steam! It would go like the clappers ... I missed that bike as soon as it was run over with a forklift truck at work. I went to a good bike shop and bought the very nearly new Dawes, and never felt at home with it!
The Carlton is head and shoulders better than any of these, and as fine as would be useful for me!! I was fond of the Eagle as I rebuilt it more or less twice over the years, but once the Carlton found me, well that was it! Hence the effort to get it tidy and the paint job should preserve the frame from rust for the rest of my cycling days!
After this I'll just ride off into the sunset!
ATB from George
PS: The Eagle:
Please compared the visual delight not with my late Eagle but he Carlton further up this page.
ATB from George
From MikaK's photostream
ATB from George
From MikaK's photostream
This is wonderful thread and I doubt that I can never get to the same kind of enthusiasm with my Colnago. I can't wait to see how your Carlton turns out in near future after the new finish etc. Remember to keep us updated!
I also have similar ideas about the items that are timeless or can take time very well. Some vintage vinyl players and bicycles especially. These modern aluminum and especially carbon frames for only few seasons and then to be replaced give me creeps. Not my cup of tea.
If I would now have to buy me a new frame that would be most likely Mercian Professional or King of Mercia. Classic build with Campa parts etc. Here's one really nice one to highlight my views
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MjhK...f%2BMercia%2B(3).jpg
I also have similar ideas about the items that are timeless or can take time very well. Some vintage vinyl players and bicycles especially. These modern aluminum and especially carbon frames for only few seasons and then to be replaced give me creeps. Not my cup of tea.
If I would now have to buy me a new frame that would be most likely Mercian Professional or King of Mercia. Classic build with Campa parts etc. Here's one really nice one to highlight my views
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MjhK...f%2BMercia%2B(3).jpg