tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8908461644259659419.post660826768224624575..comments2024-03-28T14:04:01.556-07:00Comments on Midlife Cycling: A Compliment From Someone Who Would Know: George, WIth A Competition GSJustine Valinottihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10852069587181432102noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8908461644259659419.post-40352346281832577862016-07-15T18:22:35.523-07:002016-07-15T18:22:35.523-07:00George--I remember the Super Tourer. In the mid-&#...George--I remember the Super Tourer. In the mid-'70's, they came in five- or ten-speed configurations. The ten-speeds were green--I think Raleigh called it "chartreuse"--with black panels, while the fives were brown with silver panels. Both came with Huret Jubilee derailleurs and other high-quality French components, e.g., Normandy Luxe hubs and Stronglight or Specialites TA cranksets. Both the five and the ten came with chainguards something like the one that came on your Campagnolo GS crankset.<br /><br />For most of the SuperTourer's production, it came with Weinmann centerpulls. But in one year--1974, I believe--it came with Weinmann Synchron brakes, which were an attempt to refine the Altenberger dual-pivot sidepull. Alas, Weinmann got the DP design only slightly more right than Altenberger did, and Weinmann centerpulls returned to the SuperTourer the following year.<br /><br />I think that not many SuperTourers were exported to, or sold in, the US because the 70s Bike Boom inculcated new cyclists, especially the young, that "good" ten-speed bikes didn't have upright bars or fenders. I bet the SuperTourer would be a hit if it (or something like it) were introduced today!<br /><br />Justine Valinottihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10852069587181432102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8908461644259659419.post-35221071206043748112016-07-15T18:21:38.054-07:002016-07-15T18:21:38.054-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Justine Valinottihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10852069587181432102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8908461644259659419.post-12882272467825418912016-07-15T12:21:27.854-07:002016-07-15T12:21:27.854-07:00No criticism taken, after all it was I that brough...No criticism taken, after all it was I that brought it up :). What I had forgot to mention was that I always liked the Raleigh SuperTourer and tried to duplicate the spirit of it somewhat. Those appear to be rarely found in good condition. Remember those? I liked the lime green paint and believe it came with a Reynolds frame and campy or huret components.George Goetzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06434641839470241344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8908461644259659419.post-91977073534289508352016-07-14T18:22:12.416-07:002016-07-14T18:22:12.416-07:00Hi George--I didn't mean to criticize you for ...Hi George--I didn't mean to criticize you for making your bike more comfortable. If anything, I'm happy that you're riding it. Although I love retro bikes and equipment (the good ones, anyway), I am not a purist. Personally, I think your bike looks really good as it is!Justine Valinottihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10852069587181432102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8908461644259659419.post-68485507491877240622016-07-14T16:14:56.458-07:002016-07-14T16:14:56.458-07:00Hello Justine. Just send out 2 new pics. As for &...Hello Justine. Just send out 2 new pics. As for "how could I do that to the bike?". It was all about making the bike as comfortable and versatile as possible but still fast and sporty. I was a bit obsessed with the fit too and easily spent weeks making microadjustments to the riding position. I can ride this around the block or spend all day in the saddle. The saddle, pedals, and grips just disappear underneath me. Even the reach to the shifters is ok, and the gearing will get me up nearly any hill or top out a speeds I shouldn't be going anyway. Not sure whether I like the whitewalls vs gum walls but the tires are comfortable, sticky, and fast enough. I did have a mirror but removed it as the plastic broke. May add one again if I find the right one. It does change the way you ride. What do you think? <br />George Goetzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06434641839470241344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8908461644259659419.post-25946542779617534732016-07-14T07:37:47.393-07:002016-07-14T07:37:47.393-07:00Mike--In lavender? Where do I sign up?
Seriously...Mike--In lavender? Where do I sign up?<br /><br />Seriously--George told me that sometimes people wonder, "How could you do that to the bike?" I say that if it keeps the bike on the road (or trail or wherever it's being ridden), then why not?<br /><br />George--It was great to talk with you the other day. Send the photos (and stay in touch with me, if you like) at justineisadream@gmail.com.Justine Valinottihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10852069587181432102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8908461644259659419.post-40110356797393171382016-07-13T19:20:47.142-07:002016-07-13T19:20:47.142-07:00Hello Justine. Great to speak with you yesterday ...Hello Justine. Great to speak with you yesterday and awesome to read about it the next day. But where do I send the pics?<br />geogoetz@optonline.netGeorge Goetzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06434641839470241344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8908461644259659419.post-44065356651529468662016-07-13T06:49:08.607-07:002016-07-13T06:49:08.607-07:00It's good to see the old Competitions on the r...It's good to see the old Competitions on the road. i'm still looking for an earlier model Comp that was produced for one year only, IIRC, in lavender. No luck yet, at least in my size. i once had a Carlton -a predecessor of Raliegh's International. Many fine bikes came from Worksop. i'd also love to find a Carlton in their team issue Lagoon Blue.<br /><br />BTW, i once lived in Darien and Norwalk and did a fair amount of work in Greenwich. . i wouldn't mind going back someday to Fairfield County to just ride around awhile again, it's a pretty part of the world, although i don't miss dodging the commuters trying to get to the station in time for their train to NYC! mike w.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10317710564489321690noreply@blogger.com