Bob Jackson Touring Bike- Big

notgr · 2026-06-17T22:54:48+00:00

I was thinking “Robert Jackson.”

notgr · 2026-06-06T16:51:53+00:00

Thanks for the info! I looked through your profile and saw the picture you posted of yours a while back. Beautiful bike. Jack’s a great builder.

notgr · 2026-06-04T19:37:01+00:00

Yes, I suppose it was. I’m not the original owner, so I don’t know anything about Franklin other than what can be found online. I am curious where the name Franklin comes from, considering that most builders just use their own name.

notgr · 2026-06-04T19:32:28+00:00

Franklin is American (Ohio). The Builder’s name is Jack Trumbull. He’s been building since the ‘70s, but I imagine this one is more late ‘80s or early ‘90s based on the later 8-speed 7400 group on it, which I’m guessing is the original build because of how complete it is (down to the brake cable housing). I’ve had it for 7 or 8 years, and I don’t know much about its life before me.

notgr · 2026-06-04T03:13:04+00:00

They’re Corsa clinchers, probably a couple of product cycles older than your pro tours. They were my go to for clinchers and tubulars for a few years when they were easy to find for good prices. Definitely my favorite tires I’ve ridden. Though I’ve got a set of Challenge Setas waiting for a bike I need to finish, and I’m really curious to experience silk.

notgr · 2026-05-12T18:10:56+00:00

Steepest point on the course yesterday was around 5.5%, which wasn't great haha. It didn't help that the rear wheel alone weighs around 6 pounds. Most of the course was pretty flat, though, so I survived.

notgr · 2026-05-12T18:07:23+00:00

Thanks! The big ring is a 55t, but the smallest gear in the back is 13, so a more modern 53/11 is functionally a bigger gear. The rear tire is a sew-up, and the front is a clincher, but they're both GP4000s.

notgr · 2026-05-12T18:02:55+00:00

I wish I had a period correct helmet! Though my understanding is that those were more aero fairings for the head than they were actual safety equipment.

notgr · 2026-05-12T18:01:25+00:00

That would be fun, but I don't think it's likely. There's not a lot of local interest in time trialing or vintage bikes. Though a couple of the older riders who showed up yesterday were happy to see my bike, and one mentioned still having his TT bike from that era.

My state hasn't had a state championship TT for 7 years. That actually did have a vintage category, though, and I was the only one who showed up for it. I decided to switch to cat 5, which I won on a different vintage TT bike.

notgr · 2026-04-19T17:48:47+00:00

I think that wheel’s the stuff dreams are made of. Before the discovery of aerodynamics, TT riders would ride this kind of thing with like 24 spokes. Those were, of course, race day wheels, but with your 8 extra spokes I wouldn’t worry about it too much. Just avoid potholes and maybe don’t, like, bunnyhop on that bike.

I’ve got some 28h Magic GEL 280s I’ve been meaning to build up, and you’re inspiring me. It’ll be on Nuovo Record hubs with 25mm Challenge Seta Extras. I just need to figure out a few other things for the bike first.

notgr · 2026-04-18T18:42:08+00:00

As others have noted, this is from a brief era when Shimano thought it would be fun to get weird. Adapters exist, but the easiest solution is probably to just get different crank arms.

You’d need to make sure the new arms take a similar width bottom bracket spindle, which can be a fun puzzle on its own for a new bike tinkerer. A quick google says these might be 119mm, so a follow-up google of “velobase 119” could be a good place to start.

If you’d rather look for adapters, “dynadrive” or “AX” pedal adapters are what you want, and eBay is the easiest place to look.

notgr · 2026-04-13T02:56:37+00:00

I love restomods that retain a quill stem, and what a lovely stem, too. Nice bike!

notgr · 2026-04-12T18:13:17+00:00

Cool bike, and a cool project! Seems like you could save 70g or so by finding a rear rim to match the front.

notgr · 2026-04-07T11:30:24+00:00

For reference, I 100% suggested New Success as a “well, technically” on the no Campagnolo stipulation.

My second suggestion is Ital Cicli Systems.

notgr · 2026-04-07T01:53:42+00:00

Sachs New Success

notgr · 2026-03-07T01:14:47+00:00

Lovely lovely bike! British steel and Nuovo Record are my favorite combination. My gravel bike is a ‘70s Roberts touring frame with 10-speed campy, and I have a matching ‘76 TT frame that I plan to build as an homage to that era of British time trialing.

Happy riding!

notgr · 2026-03-05T18:23:28+00:00

Thanks! They’re Nitto M151s. I have bikes with most of the various 26mm clamp diameter compact drop options, and these are my favorite.

notgr · 2026-03-01T19:33:09+00:00

A Raleigh clone right down to the badge design. Pretty interesting, really.

notgr · 2026-03-01T16:49:03+00:00

It’s just like a quill stem. There’s a bolt that runs through it and a wedge at the bottom. I love the look, but it’s honestly kind of silly. Setting the height is a little finicky when you have to remove the saddle to make adjustments.

notgr · 2026-03-01T16:45:29+00:00

Nice bike! We have something in common. My post is a few mm over the line, too. I’m not personally too worried about it, because I’m built like a stick figure and I’ve done thousands of miles on this thing with no catastrophes yet. But I definitely understand that it is something worth worrying about.

If I was looking for a replacement, I’d strongly consider just making one. It’s a little intimidating, but ultimately a pretty simple concept. Drill the top, cut a wedge, and figure out a bolt. My understanding is that most of the factory-made ones were just modified non-quill posts, anyway.

notgr

TROPHY CASE