Details

Read the entire story of the research, acquisition and assembly of my new Cycles Toussaint Velo Routier v2.

Okay, so I know in my last post I insinuated that the next post would have a ride review. I lied. Well, not entirely. I did take the Velo Routier on her maiden voyage, but it was somewhat short lived. I did get in just over 20 miles, but despite a bunch of fiddling around, I couldn't get the brakes to stop rubbing. I'd get them situated, but then each time I would brake they would get off center and drag a bit. As Phillip Cowan noted in a comment to my last post:

The stock Dia-Compe straddle cable is hopeless. It's too short and too stiff to allow the yoke to find center. You'll be crazier than a BB stacker before you get the brake arms to pull evenly. I replaced them with CNC'd ones from Tektro. They have set screws so you can slide the yoke towards the tight shoe and lock it down to force the arms to equalise. They also come with nice long replacement straddle cables that are much more flexible and allow you to set the draw at a more acute angle. They only have a knarp at one end so I had to make ones for the other end in the lathe altho I think you can buy them ready made.

BB stacker. That cracked me up.

Stock Dia Compe straddle hangers

Tektro Cable Straddle Hanger

He's talking about these doohickeys (photos left and right). I stayed with the stock straddle cables and will see if I can make them work. Manufacturing a "knarp" may be easy for Phillip, but I haven't touched a lathe since high school. If the stock wires don't work, I'll look for something ready made that might fit the bill, or you know, buy a lathe. At a minimum, the "cable screws" should make it so the brake pads on both sides contact the brakes at the same time and reset properly when released. That will be an improvement over the current, BB stacking situation.

Metal valve caps? Of course!
Can't have too much shiny silver stuff.

The derailleurs still need some adjustment. I haven't yet gotten the rear to get up on the 36 tooth cog, and the front occasionally jumps to the outside of the big ring. But both amount to little more than fine tuning, and much of the adjustment might be done while riding.

I should now be ready to actually ride the thing. After a long, cool wet week, Sunday looks like it may bring some fair weather so I hope to get out on a 50 miler. I'll take the Allen wrenches and hope to get back with some initial impressions.

By the way, did I mention that I got some aluminum Presta valve caps? I couldn't resist. It was just the thing to play off the braided cable housing and those fenders. A bike like this invites just this sort of vanity. Maybe I'm a romantic but I think a bike like this has a sensuous quality. The way it looks is important. Its lines and colors and various accents invite you to admire it beyond just the function it provides. In truth the Velo Routier does not have the heart stopping aesthetics of a classic French randonneur or a vintage Italian racer, but there is a loveliness to its form derived from its geometry. It has timeless proportions that deserve to be appreciated and accentuated by this type of minor accessory.

In fact, I also have installed a solid brass Crane Suzu bell. I could have used the lighter weight silver bell that came with the bike, which admittedly would look great with all the other silver bling, but the Crane sounds infinitely better. Where most bike bells emit a timid, short lived "ding" the Crane's tone sustains like a musical instrument. My bike not only looks great; it sounds great! Now if I can just make it smell like lavender...

Finally, inspired by Evan's Madonna del Ghisallo medallion, I have mounted a medallion featuring the seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia to the top tube. Made for walking sticks, it fits perfectly around the tube and the color works perfectly with the frame. A little bending to the perfect shape and then a thin layer of silicone glue and voilà! Instant personalization. This is my bike. There are many like it, but this one is mine. Astute observers will note that I live in Maryland, but I am originally from the Old Dominion and am nothing if not a loyal son. Sic Semper Tyrannis!

Okay, join us for our next episode in which I actually spend some time riding the bike and give you my initial impressions. Stay tuned.