Information on this steel touring bike ?

jjcahill78

Hi guys, I acquired this bike (impulse buy) and I dont really know what to do with it. The paint looks original and "unique" (my positive outlook), thats about the best I can say of it. It is an FW Evans frame and has mostly campag gear and ritchey brakes. Im not familiar with this era of bikes (Im assuming late 80s/90s. I cant find this bike online, if anyone knows anything about it, I would love to know more about it.

Any opinions on what I should do with it ?

Im inclined to clean it, then replace saddle, bar tape, tyres and cables and enjoy owning a "unique" colored steel frame bike.

lennymc

what saddle is under the cover?

you may be able to identify components such as the mirage rear derailleur and see when they were available. might help you narrow down the dates

http://velobase.com/ is good as it has a lot of parts to compare to

ford2600

Not a clue but that's a kellogs reflector on front wheel. Those reflectors are late 80's!
Is it nice to ride?
Bought a steel bike about 3 months ago, nothing special. Lovely to cycle though.
Pm Brendan Hennessey maybe seems to have a few steel bikes for sale, may be able to help
Best of luck with it

jjcahill78 wrote: »

Hi guys, I acquired this bike (impulse buy) and I dont really know what to do with it. The paint looks original and "unique" (my positive outlook), thats about the best I can say of it. It is an FW Evans frame and has mostly campag gear and ritchey brakes. Im not familiar with this era of bikes (Im assuming late 80s/90s. I cant find this bike online, if anyone knows anything about it, I would love to know more about it.

Any opinions on what I should do with it ?

Im inclined to clean it, then replace saddle, bar tape, tyres and cables and enjoy owning a "unique" colored steel frame bike.

jjcahill78

I didnt think to look at the saddle, I just assumed it was a crappy because it needed a cover. I was too busy looking at the cornflake spoke reflectors

I will check it tomorrow.

lennymc

lol

jjcahill78

ford2600 wrote: »

Not a clue but that's a kellogs reflector on front wheel. Those reflectors are late 80's!
Is it nice to ride?


Im picking it up tomorrow, I think it just needs hard wheels and it will go. The shifter for the big ring is a bit floppy, there doesnt appear to be much wrong with it that tin of Gunk and WD40 wont fix.

feck sake lads

as far as i know evens is a london based they make custom bikes so you could have got yourself a little gem, its more than likely 531 tubes its a lugged frame which is always nice, so as long as there no rust (from the inside) your on a winner strip it down and get the elbow grease on.;)

ednwireland

scan of an 80's brochure

http://www.bikebrothers.co.uk/evans_brochure.htm
http://www.bikebrothers.co.uk/evans_files/evans_fullpage/evans_fullpage_blowup02.jpg

forks even have front rack mounts
looks like a nice bike

feck sake lads

ednwireland wrote: »

scan of an 80's brochure

http://www.bikebrothers.co.uk/evans_brochure.htm
http://www.bikebrothers.co.uk/evans_files/evans_fullpage/evans_fullpage_blowup02.jpg

forks even have front rack mounts
looks like a nice bike

well done that was a great find.;)

jjcahill78

ednwireland wrote: »

scan of an 80's brochure

http://www.bikebrothers.co.uk/evans_brochure.htm
http://www.bikebrothers.co.uk/evans_files/evans_fullpage/evans_fullpage_blowup02.jpg

forks even have front rack mounts
looks like a nice bike

Is my frame the Tourer Deluxe frame in this catalogue ? The paint work is confusing me, it doesnt look like a paint job that you would put on a touring bike. Im more inclined to get it resprayed after looking at that brochure.

jjcahill78

feck sake lads wrote: »

as far as i know evens is a london based they make custom bikes so you could have got yourself a little gem, its more than likely 531 tubes its a lugged frame which is always nice, so as long as there no rust (from the inside) your on a winner strip it down and get the elbow grease on.;)

So someone specifically requested that paint job !!!!!! :eek:

jjcahill78

lennymc wrote: »

what saddle is under the cover?

you may be able to identify components such as the mirage rear derailleur and see when they were available. might help you narrow down the dates

http://velobase.com/ is good as it has a lot of parts to compare to

Pulled off the crappy padded saddle expecting to find foam and plastic, found a black Rolls San Marco, not in great nick has a few onblemishes it, would it be worth restoring ? One little crack in the middle a bit scuffed at the back. Looks old and classy.

feck sake lads

jjcahill78 wrote: »

So someone specifically requested that paint job !!!!!! :eek:

would imagine so but probable had more than 1 owner whice would explain the paint sceme.:)

ednwireland

jjcahill78 wrote: »

Is my frame the Tourer Deluxe frame in this catalogue ? The paint work is confusing me, it doesnt look like a paint job that you would put on a touring bike. Im more inclined to get it resprayed after looking at that brochure.

guess so - custom paint job , front rack mounts (which i cant see in the catalogue) looks like a custom build - and that catalogue states contact us for requirements on the deluxe.

worth a look through here http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/index.php

jjcahill78

There is a 5 speed cassette on the bike, which needs to be replaced and the chain rings up front are knackered too. Anyone any ideas on what to upgrade them too?

I plan on changing the wheels anyway, but Im not sure what size cassette the shifters can handle.

Would I get away with a new cassette, chainrings and chain if I put on an 8 or 9 speed cassette?

rflynnr

Others will be able to be more specific on this but I'd be surprised if you'll be able to fit a 8 or 9 speed cassette onto that bike: if it's currently accommodating a 5-speed, the space between the rear dropouts is unlikely allow for much more than a 6 (or 7 at a stretch) speed. It is steel so you could spread the rear stays a little although I think I'd ask my LBS to do it so as to ensure that the spread is symmetrical. Nice project through (and if you want it I've an old but never used Shimano six speed cassette).