This build began with a 1984 Specialized Sequoia frame set. These Japanese-built beauties combined elegant details, racing angles, and the utilitarian benefits of a sport-tourer: ample tire/fender clearance, fittings for three water-bottle cages and a sturdy rear rack. This one was modified to fit modern, recessed-nut brakes. It received a first-class powder coat + clear-coat (from Melrose Metal Finishing, of Oakland). The color is a slate grey with a delicate metallic flake. It looks great in natural light. Then I built the wheels by hand, from NOS Suntour XC Pro cartridge-bearing hubs and 32H Velocity Synergy rims, using double-butted spokes and brass nipples. Extra-long Rivendell Silver brake calipers provided the necessary reach as well as ample fender clearance. The original crankset received a new, extended gearing range, self-extracting bolts, and a thorough polishing. The rest of the friction-shifting 3x7 drivetrain was chosen with an eye toward durability and simplicity. A cockpit featuring Nitto "dreambars" and a tall Technomic stem allow for a comfortable riding position, and a new, custom-fitted VO Constructeur rack provides carrying capacity without interfering with fender clearance. The bars are finished with high-quality cloth wrap and hemp twine, under several layers of fresh shallac.
I initially used these chunky brake pads because they have the little bit of downward angle adjustment that I needed to reach the rims. Later I filed the slots of the brake arms to get that extra 1mm that I needed and then used the lower profile "road-style" brake shoes seen below. (Oh, and as you can see, the bike received a rack to so that I could stuff my frisbees into a pannier and go disc golfing in nearby Moraga, CA.)
This is probably my best wrap-n-twine job ever. It took ages to get right, but it was worth it.
And here she is with the 42mm Grand Bois Hetres that I test fitted. They only barely fit with the rear wheel pulled all the way back into the dropouts. They were rideable, but if the wheels had gone out of true, the tires and frame would have gotten real friendly. Boy did people like them, though. I got more comments and questions in two days than I've ever gotten on a tire.
