[ebonho]

Originally Posted by prabuddhadg

Though, you will find it difficult to change to 700c wheels which are slightly smaller. The 27 inch wheels already require long reach callipers.

This guy has fit 700c rims on his Hero Hawk with black pressed steel local looking long reach calipers.

https://youtu.be/N2JHK1ilxAw

Cheers, Doc

[prabuddhadg]

Originally Posted by ebonho

This guy has fit 700c rims on his Hero Hawk with black pressed steel local looking long reach calipers...
Cheers, Doc

That brought back a few memories. Of course, I never bothered with the paint on my bicycles, but I did experiment with 60 tooth chain rings. haha. And man! was that tough.

Handling used to quite neutral and became sluggish only when I added a 12 cm quill stem.

I had also added toe clips and straps and a leather saddle.

Apart from that, I remember the brakes were nowhere close to what my bicycles now have. The Mist, which you have seen photos of, runs very long reach callipers that accommodate 28 mm tires with mudguards. Yet, braking is top notch. I can not say the same for the Mach or the Hawk that I used to ride.

At this price, it really is worth a shot, experimenting with the Hero Hawk to see if the callipers reach the 700c rims. If not, you can always let it go.

[prabuddhadg]

Originally Posted by prabuddhadg

That brought back a few memories. Of course, I never bothered with the paint on my bicycles,...

By the way, Tektro R559 callipers are upto 73mm in reach. I am using these on the Mist, and on another bicycle.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by prabuddhadg

At this price, it really is worth a shot, experimenting with the Hero Hawk to see if the callipers reach the 700c rims. If not, you can always let it go.

I'm leaning towards buying a more modern steel frame with more modern bits like bottom bracket shell and BB, steerer tube and stem and handlebar, seat post, and wheels and brakes. The wheels on the Hawk are a major deal breaker for me for building a touring bike off of a donor frame.

Racing it on tarmac or having it as a single speed fixie exotic is a different thing. Most examples I know are either one or the other. There is a sardarji who bought one to do an India tour on but quickly dumped it after one Punjab ride and bought a Rockrider ST 30 instead for his tour to Leh and beyond. Nice videos.

Cheers, Doc

[prabuddhadg]

Originally Posted by ebonho

I'm leaning towards buying a more modern steel frame with more modern bits like bottom bracket shell and BB, steerer tube and stem and handlebar, seat post, and wheels and brakes. The wheels on the Hawk are a major deal breaker for me for building a touring bike off of a donor frame.

Racing it on tarmac or having it as a single speed fixie exotic is a different thing. Most examples I know are either one or the other. There is a sardarji who bought one to do an India tour on but quickly dumped it after one Punjab ride and bought a Rockrider ST 30 instead for his tour to Leh and beyond. Nice videos.

Cheers, Doc

Having ridden both mild steel Mach and Hawk and Columbus Spirit bikes of the present day, I have to say that the modern steel is immensely superior not just to mild steel but even to the 80's Columbus steel.

If you get a bike that fits you properly, it will take your riding experience up a notch. If the bike is a modern steel frame, that will add a few notches further.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by prabuddhadg

Having ridden both mild steel Mach and Hawk and Columbus Spirit bikes of the present day, I have to say that the modern steel is immensely superior not just to mild steel but even to the 80's Columbus steel.

If you get a bike that fits you properly, it will take your riding experience up a notch. If the bike is a modern steel frame, that will add a few notches further.

How much would a modern steel frame with wheels and saddle and drop bar cost at the lowest end of the spectrum, say with basic sturdy 36 or 32 hole wheels, rim brakes?

I will pit that against the price of picking up a donor Triban RC100 (preferably used if and when I can find me a Large) of the newer lots with rear wheel quick release and freehub body.

I'm neither a purist nor a collector. Steel is just a frame material for me. Period. Columbus etc. means nothing to me. Everything is around durability and reliability, at the lowest weight possible.

[prabuddhadg]

Originally Posted by ebonho

How much would a modern steel frame with wheels and saddle and drop bar cost at the lowest end of the spectrum, say with basic sturdy 36 or 32 hole wheels, rim brakes?

I will pit that against the price of picking up a donor Triban RC100 (preferably used if and when I can find me a Large) of the newer lots with rear wheel quick release and freehub body.

I'm neither a purist nor a collector. Steel is just a frame material for me. Period. Columbus etc. means nothing to me. Everything is around durability and reliability, at the lowest weight possible.

Depending on the quality of steel the frame price could vary from 15k (I guess) to over a lac.

My legs are not strong enough to flex carbon. So, to me carbon feels kind of dead. I prefer the springy feel of good steel. This feeling I get from narrow steel tubes much more than from oversized steel tubes. That to me, is the perfect frame.

With butted steel you would get more of the springy feel. I get it more from the Autumn than from the Mist.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by prabuddhadg

This feeling I get from narrow steel tubes much more than from oversized steel tubes. That to me, is the perfect frame.

With butted steel you would get more of the springy feel. I get it more from the Autumn than from the Mist.

Any mass produced Indian steel frame bike/s being still made currently which we could look at? Maybe not butted. Nor the classic narrow tubing either. But within reasonable weight? Better still in drop bar form?

Always better to start with a new bike if possible. Less hassle of looking around and waiting.

There used to be a beautiful steel Raleigh Clubman featured on Choosemybicycle. I wonder if there are still brand new unsold pieces lying around in some shop out there ...

Fomas is another one not heard of anymore. Used to be sold out of a store in Bombay as I recall.

Cheers, Doc

[prabuddhadg]

Indian frames do not use Chrome moly steel. They use mild steel which makes the bike a lot heavier and not as nimble. In addition, the fork ends and rear dropouts are simply pressed and not cast. That sometimes leads to errors in alignment. I had to get my Mach 1 fork replaced by BSA because the fork legs were not parallel.

It is because of small issues over the years that I have moved away from Indian frames and components. The Hero Thunder MTB frame I am still riding, is nice, though it does pull to the right. I have to lean to the left to be able to ride no handed. One of these days I shall take the bicycle apart and check the frame alignment.

Actually, if you ask me, the Hero Thunder, either the MTB or the road bike, would be much better suited for these upgrades than a Hawk or a Mach 1. The other day, I saw a car washing guy riding an old Hero Thunder MTB and I almost stopped to ask him if he would sell the bicycle.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by prabuddhadg

Actually, if you ask me, the Hero Thunder, either the MTB or the road bike, would be much better suited for these upgrades than a Hawk or a Mach 1. The other day, I saw a car washing guy riding an old Hero Thunder MTB and I almost stopped to ask him if he would sell the bicycle.

I don't know if I've mentioned this before but the Thunder (the drop bar version) when I rode it last was too cramped for me and I never gelled with the bike. And I was really surprised to hear that Eric who is a tall bloke found it okay.

If I have to go that route, I have a much more modern frame in the ACT already with me, one that fits me like an old shoe.

I wanted something in steel, but alloy is okay too, considering the Triban RC100 is a top choice for this build with all the parts already there.

I keep seeing thse old 90s MTBs, the Ranger, and can't help wondering if those frames would/could be made to fit.

Cheers, Doc

[chethan.ram]

Originally Posted by prabuddhadg

Indian frames do not use Chrome moly steel. They use mild steel which makes the bike a lot heavier and not as nimble. In addition, the fork ends and rear dropouts are simply pressed and not cast. That sometimes leads to errors in alignment. I had to get my Mach 1 fork replaced by BSA because the fork legs were not parallel.

It is because of small issues over the years that I have moved away from Indian frames and components. The Hero Thunder MTB frame I am still riding, is nice, though it does pull to the right. I have to lean to the left to be able to ride no handed. One of these days I shall take the bicycle apart and check the frame alignment.

Actually, if you ask me, the Hero Thunder, either the MTB or the road bike, would be much better suited for these upgrades than a Hawk or a Mach 1. The other day, I saw a car washing guy riding an old Hero Thunder MTB and I almost stopped to ask him if he would sell the bicycle.

Talking about steel, I love my custom Steel frame which is a handcrafted. This is how it looks. Its about 5 years old when this picture was taken and I have clocked about 35000 kms. And it rides very smooth.

[ebonho]

Chinese made steel road bike, in both 14 speed (2 ring) and 21 speed (3 ring) versions. Rudimentary Tourney drivetrain. 3 speed what looks like a screw-on type freewheel at the back. Tourney rear derailleur. Thumb or rocker type shifters on the quill stem (the 14 speed version seems to have a proper threadless steerer tube and stem and ). Caliper rim brakes. Nice Specialized Comp ripoff saddle. Claimed weight is 26.9 pounds (that's just a shade over 12 kilos). I love the look of the silver one. External cables, though the light blue one with the dropped seatstays has internal cabling and a threadless stem, though a 3 ring crank.













Does anyone have any leads on these? Listings on Amazon.in, Amazon, Ubuy.in, desertcart, indiamart and ali express.

Cheers, Doc

[shipnil]

Originally Posted by ebonho

Flipkart

Take a look at this RALSON 700 * 25c Tyre For City Bike Tyre with Side Grooves for Stable Cornering for on Flipkart

He says, after running them in some, and I quote -

" Comfort mast, rolling is good. Grip is awesome. Tough tyres. Much more than expected. "

After scouting for branded tires like Conti / Schwalbe / Vittoria without luck, I too got my front tyre replaced with Ralson 700x25c. My usual shop had it in stock and sold me for 500 rupees, compared to 700 or 800 on flipkart/amazon.

My previous experience is only with Kenda and entry level Vittoria. This is not any different than them as far as rolling and comfort is concerned, based on one ride. Will update on puncture resistance in few months time.

One downside I see is the max psi. The sidewall mentions it as 75 only. Since I keep 70 in front, I may not face an issue but if one decides to put it on the rear, this max psi would be a problem.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by shipnil

One downside I see is the max psi. The sidewall mentions it as 75 only. Since I keep 70 in front, I may not face an issue but if one decides to put it on the rear, this max psi would be a problem.

You've been sold the older version.

The new ones come with 116 psi on the sidewalls.

[shipnil]

Originally Posted by ebonho

You've been sold the older version.

The new ones come with 116 psi on the sidewalls.

Ohh, is it? The joy of getting a good deal is shortlived then. I think the Ralson website is not updated then because the 700x25c shows 75 psi as max. I think due to that I believed that is the only version available.