I've only just spotted this thread - surprising, since I like
contributing to these sorts of lists. But anyway, here's the current
crop;
(1) Cougar road bike (by Terry Dolan - build quality really is
superb), Columbus SLX frame + fork. Has seen a variety of bits over
the 3 1/2 years I've owned it, including some quite good ones that had
to be sold when I was short of money :-(
Currently kitted out with Campag Mirage, except brakes (Weinmann Delta
with decent blocks) and rear mech (Mavic 841), plus a Gipiemme Quattro
wheelset, and looks pretty smart at present (mostly black components
with yellow frame/tyres and enough chrome/polished alloy to set it all
off). Essentially for training and 'other road riding', but have TTed
on it in the past and may well do so in the future; currently stored
at my folks' house for space/security reasons :-(
(2) Fort cyclo-cross bike, Columbus Foco frame + Sintema "Muddy"
carbon fork. Assortment of top-notch bits, most of them bought at a
big discount (e.g Middleburn crankset, ITM Millennium bars, Hope front
and Campag Record rear Ti-axle hubs, Mavic 841 rear mech again, rare
but v. good Modolo canti brakes, Chorus R/H Ergo lever [1], etc.).
Still a 'work in progress', to be finished off next month (see
'Threadless headset again....' posting), and like the Cougar, kept at
Mum & Dad's for now <sigh>. Used for off-road training and, of course,
competitive 'cross. Definitely my pride and joy!
(3) Trek 800 MTB, pretty much "as bought" spec-wise. Found in an
outbuilding at my current house and resurrected on a budget! For
commuting to/from work, but will probably get shot of it when my
contract's up and replace it with a hack bike of some sort if funds
allow - much prefer 700c, drop-bar machines.
In the past, I seem to have got through a good few frames! All of
which have been plundered for components to build the next bike from
prior to selling on.
Adult-sized bikes to date are (most recent first);
Edison 'cross frame/fork in Columbus SL, apparently built as a spare
for ex-national champ Lee Fereday (I think that was his name, anyhow)
ca. 1986. Sold due to lack of cash, but bits kept for future projects
(which turned out to be the Fort).
Brian Rourke 753 road frame/fork; a little bit too big, so replaced by
the Cougar, otherwise would probably still be riding it. Workmanship
excellent.
Bill Nickson 653 road frame/fork; always seemed a bit 'dead' compared
with the supposedly inferior Raleigh that preceded it. Supplanted by
the Rourke, above.
Raleigh 531c road frame/fork; nothing special, but with hindsight, a
well-proportioned, well-built bike. Definitely value for money.
Holdsworth 531 (main tubes only) road frame; bit too big, and suffered
cracked fork column after 4 years' use (though Falcon Cycles honoured
the warranty and replaced the forks). experience with dodgy forks
provided good excuse to persuade my folks to buy the Raleigh as an
early Christmas gift.
Raleigh Quasar 501 (main tubes only); one of those with the 'aerospace
contour' oval tubes. Useful runabout/trainer, but wanted something
more like a 'proper' road bike, so acquired the Holdsworth as a 17th
birthday present.
David E. Belcher
[1] Right-hand only? It's because they were being sold cheaply as
such; a Simplex bar-end lever takes care of the front mech, plus an
ordinary Saccon aero lever for the remaining brake.
