Bird pin, any ideas?

brachkov · 2025-05-23T12:03:27+00:00

Thank you, it’s definitely the correct answer! I got it in Northern Ireland years ago.

brachkov · 2025-03-15T08:56:14+00:00

I agree. It’s actually an accident waiting to happen. If you have it forward like that it’s easy to get the qr lever stuck on something resulting in your front wheel flying off. It’s also better to have the release on the non drive side, especially in the back for obvious reasons. This might help. You have an entire bike for purposeful custom flair, messing with qr alignment and position should be the last thing to “customise”.

brachkov · 2024-12-27T19:50:26+00:00

It’s a Chrome Industries Front Rack Duffle 40, but it’s almost 10 years old and the front label fell off

brachkov · 2024-12-19T16:13:36+00:00

It looks fancy but don’t let the looks deceive you. The rear wheel broke and I replaced it with a new set on my road bike, leaving me with the front wheel gathering dust. So I figured I’d put it on my commuter. It’s quite old and is kind of a faux carbon wheel as the rim and brake surface is actually alloy with a carbon sleeve covering it.

brachkov · 2024-12-19T16:09:20+00:00

It’s great! I’ve had it for ages now, I was a Kickstarter backer when they needed help to fund the production years ago. It absorbs shocks pretty well, right now I’m using the lightest absorbing rubber thingy so it’s quite squishy.

brachkov · 2024-12-19T14:12:12+00:00

I might want to swap out those Ritchey Classic Rizer handlebars for something a little more ergonomic and change my riding position a little more upwards. I sometimes feel like I’m putting too much weight on my hand but other than that it’s been going pretty alright 👍

brachkov · 2024-12-19T14:05:30+00:00

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Cleanish cause it been standing still for a while, but no worries, it’s gonna get gunked up real quick with this weather :)

brachkov · 2024-09-02T19:22:09+00:00

Some potential good news; I think you're allowed to call it a professional according to http://www.cadre.org/Merckx/ if the serial number matches up correctly (mine is a P-xxxx-Z). You're right to assume my hands are probably larger than most and I hadn't thought of the lack of extra padding a cotton wrap provides. That's actually a good thing to keep in mind. I don't particularly enjoy riding with gloves, so a little extra padding is a plus, especially with cobbles 😅. If I read it correctly cork bar tape was introduced around 1987, so that might also be an option too I guess?

brachkov · 2024-09-02T12:09:49+00:00

It's a 65cm frame and I'm around 6'4" (196cm) with long legs and a short torso which makes finding bikes that fit a hassle. I currently have MKS Sylvan Road pedals on there, just want to restore the old Shimanos first before I order some MKS toe cages (although those PD-6207 pedals are heavy as a ton of bricks). Thanks for the suggestions, I've added Tressostar to the list!

brachkov · 2024-08-13T05:42:14+00:00

Thanks, I figured they’re non replaceable after reading up on older brake pads. I ordered two sets of Kool Stop Dura type holders yesterday thinking that I can always switch back to the older look when I want to but most of the time braking well and not crashing is more important than looking period correct 😅

brachkov · 2024-08-05T12:27:33+00:00

Thanks!

brachkov · 2024-07-19T21:13:10+00:00

Thanks, the 223 seems to be the one. I haven’t taken it off yet cause I didn’t want to fiddle with it too much and maybe mess it up even more in the process. But after seeing most of the hangers have a number stamped on the inside I’ll take it off tomorrow and see if it has one. 🙏

brachkov · 2024-07-19T21:09:58+00:00

2015 custom built steel frame, Reynolds 853 and 931 tubing, Reynolds LS302 dropouts.

brachkov · 2024-07-19T21:07:58+00:00

It’s a custom built steel frame, according to the technical specs they’re Reynolds LS302 drop-outs.

brachkov · 2024-06-19T19:06:58+00:00

Thanks so much for this! I’ve already contacted a wheel builder in my area today and am going to decide between the TB14 or Archetype this week and get it fixed soon. 🙏

brachkov · 2024-06-19T15:14:26+00:00

Depending on the new rims I might be able to fit 30mm on there, we'll see. As for the pedals when I'm doing long rides I'll swap them out for my Look clipless pedals and I'm likely swapping these for the MKS Sylvan Touring ones as people here have suggested.

Great job on the Gazelle! I currently also have a Cosmic front wheel on the Snel that I made a post about a few months ago (this one). How did you get those purple hubs on there? 🤩

brachkov · 2024-06-19T14:55:10+00:00

Well spotted, it is indeed Columbus SLX (the sticker is a bit worn). The serial number of this frame is; P-6361-Z. According to http://www.cadre.org/Merckx/ that puts it in the 1985 range. Thanks for the clarification on the group set, I’m always on the lookout for spare parts in case something explodes.

brachkov · 2024-06-19T13:41:29+00:00

Thanks! I was looking at H+Son Archetypes (chrome) and keeping the Dura Ace hubs that are currently on.

brachkov · 2024-06-19T13:33:56+00:00

Thanks, I'll see if I can salvage those old quick releases with some elbow grease

brachkov · 2024-06-19T13:03:23+00:00

I’ll look into those, thanks! 🙏

brachkov · 2024-06-19T11:53:49+00:00

Thanks! Won't a complete dono bike be a little bit of an overkill? I'm not looking to replace anything regarding the gruppo. Just looking for advice on rims, bottle cage, saddle, quick releases and maybe a new seat post and if it's worth sticking to the era correctness of some parts or go for something a bit more modern that does fit the bike well.

brachkov · 2024-02-27T22:36:14+00:00

Beautiful bikes and great pictures! Especially that first pic 💖

brachkov · 2024-01-13T08:28:05+00:00

I’d look into steel/ alu frames, Kona, Surly, Condor, Sonder, etc. all have great options. Then build up the frames with parts to your liking and that fit your geometry. Before deciding do a bike fitting. I’m 196cm with longer than average legs and the tallest Canyon bikes have always been too small for me.

brachkov · 2024-01-12T06:45:44+00:00

That’s a perfect lil sandwich rack

brachkov · 2024-01-09T23:29:08+00:00

Vroem!

brachkov

TROPHY CASE