1970 54cm Bridgestone Track Bike

An idea in the making for quite sometime now, this Japanese track bike was heavily influenced by track enthusiasts Covi Hazelwood of Two Wheeler Dealer and Trent Blackburn who now attends Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, NC.

As seen in other posts, my father pretty much has the Italian track bike projects sewn up between his Merckx and Windsor builds. With that said,  Trent Blackburn brought up the Keirin racing style which is regulated by NJS in Japan. Having that in mind, I first picked up a set of Suntour Superbe Pro/Sun Mistral track wheels from Blueprint Bikes of Dallas, TX. The purchases didn't stop from there as I then purchased a Suntour Superbe Pro headset from them also. Eventually the project was destined for completion when Blueprint Bikes posted a beautiful vintage Bridgestone track frame. I then remembered we had a Suntour Superbe Pro seatpost and crankset lying around. My father graciously allowed me to use them for this build.

Other aspects of the build include a Nitto 100 NJS Stem along with Nitto NJS B123 40cm track bars. The drivetrain operates flawlessly with a 48T Sugino Mighty Competition NJS chainring and Shimano Dura Ace 15T NJS cog. The Suntour Sprint track pedals with MKS cages spin quietly and efficiently. A smooth Sugino bottom bracket helps to complete the drivetrain operation. Everything comes full circle with a Selle San Marco Laser saddle and a little cloth tape for that vintage feel.

As always, I appreciate all contributors to this build. With a bike shop like Two Wheeler Dealer only a few miles down the road, Jim Mincher and the fellas make it quite easy to get a hankering for a bike build. Covi Hazelwood of their courteous staff has helped my father in previous track builds and was very helpful in not only recommending his preferences, but also teaching me about riding a track bike in suburban areas. Trent Blackburn helped me discover the Japanese track market and as always had great suggestions and an occasional good joke. Lastly, my father let me take the reigns on this one yet kept a close watch and stepped in to help with assembly when needed.

Full Bike Shot

Rear Angle of Drivetrain

 

Nitto Bars and Stem

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Radial Laced Front Wheel

Suntour Superbe Pro Hub

Selle San Marco Laser Saddle and Suntour Superbe Pro NJS Seatpost

Late 70's Early 80's 58cm Bianchi Campione D'Italia

Acquired from Robert of Local Bike Outlet of Florida, this Celeste Green Bianchi frame proved to be worthy of the groupset my father had been eagerly awaiting to put on a frame. The Campagnolo Nuovo Record groupset thoroughly completes this bike in every aspect. Every available component of Campagnolo Nuovo Record's groupset is on this frame and performs flawlessly.


With that said, complimenting the Campagnolo Nuovo Record groupset are items such as Cinelli bars and stem, Mavic G 40 Rims, Brooks saddle, and OMAS bottle cage. This stays true to the time of which this frame was manufactured and what a rider might have used back in this era.


Lastly, I would like to take a moment to thank some people who made this build possible. As mentioned previously, my father and I appreciate very much Robert from Local Bike Outlet for allowing us to purchase this gem of a frame. Please be sure to check out his website for other great deals and finds. Also, Blueprint Bikes of Texas helped out by supplying the correct boss mount downtube shifters. Check out their Ebay storefront for more info and quality items. Lastly, who can forget Jim Mincher and our friends at Two WheelerDealer right here in Wilmington, NC ? Their endless customer support, constant drive to satisfy any/all customers, and low key atmosphere makes for a smoother build and ease of access to fantastic inventory.

Complete Bike Shot

Rear Angle of Drivetrain

Campagnolo Nuovo Record Components Through and Through

Nuovo Record Rear Derailleur

Late 80s/Early 90s 56cm Giordana Capella

With the time popular Oria tubing used by other well known Italian frame companies, this bicycle proved to be no exception to the quality of Italian bike manufacturing. Featuring Japanese components throughout it is the best of both worlds.

The groupset consists of Shimano Dura Ace components. The Dura Ace downtube shifters are indexing at its finest. Also, the front and real derailleur are unbelievably smooth and shift with ease and efficiency. The front derailleur is very impressive with a near seamless transition from bottom to top chainring and vice versa. The Dura Ace crankset and pedals help round out the drivetrain aspect of this beauty.

The quality Japanese components help propel a set of Mavic Open Pro rims laced to Shimano Dura Ace hubs. The wheels show flawless craftsmanship which is common on a wheelset assembled by Covi Hazelwood of Two Wheeler Dealer in Wilmington, NC.

The Shimano 600 seatpost is the only exception to the Dura Ace fashion yet still shows stunning Japanese craftsmanship. Atop the quality seatpost is a white Selle San Marco Rolls which ensures comfort for the longevity of any ride. Lastly, the Dura Ace brakes controlled by Dura Ace levers help to bring this eye catching ride to a safe stop. The levers are secured on a set of SR Sakae Modolo Patent Anatomic Bend bars in a Nitto stem.

Finally, we'd like to thank Trent Blackburn of Two Wheeler Dealer in Wilmington, NC for helping in assembling this beautiful piece. From packing the bottom bracket to the final deed of bar wrap, his work proved to be as impressive as his riding skills. Undoubtedly, Jim Mincher and the fellas over there taught him well. We wish him the best as his cycling career continues at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, NC this upcoming semester.

Full Bike Shot

Rear Angle of the Drivetrain

Dura Ace Crank and Pedals

SR Sakae Custom Bars and Nitto Stem

White Selle San Marco Rolls

1992 58cm Colnago Master Olympic

With a well maintained frame acquired from Brian Rioux of Two Wheeler Dealer in Wilmington, NC, this Columbus Gilco tubed beauty proved to be a fun yet challenging build with tons of uniqueness and quality.

Being as this bike bears the infamous Italian Ernesto Colnago's signature, it was only correct to equip the bike with Campagnolo components. Without a doubt, the first thing that catches anyone's eye are the rare Campagnolo Delta brakes. The best description of these brakes would be a photographer's dream and a mechanic's nightmare. While the craftsmanship is superb, the brakes do require much homework and in this case, a 3.5mm allen wrench.

After one finally takes their eyes off the Delta brakes, the rest of the bike is just as beautiful. Maintaining the Campagnolo fashion, the complete bike is Campagnolo right down to the cable housing and seat post bolt. The only exception is the set of Mavic Cosmic Elites which my father is a fan of.

Another unique feature of the Campagnolo components includes the infamous "hidden chainring bolt" crank of the C-Record era. The C-Record pedals are also quite striking with matching toeclips and straps. The 9-Speed Campagnolo Record Titanium Ergo Power shifters proved to be serviceable in this build and click strongly. They are attached to a set of Cinelli bars housed in a Cinelli stem. Finally, the white Selle San Marco Regal saddle finishes out what is Italian machinery at its finest.

Lastly, a big thanks to The CyclLust and BluePrint of the Ebay selling community for quality components and great service to boot. Also, this bike made many trips to our friends at Two Wheeler Dealer with us. Jim Mincher and the great staff over there were their usual helpful selves and undoubtedly helped make this build possible. Thanks to everybody who was involved!

Full Bike Shot

Rear Angle of the Drivetrain

Highlights of the Columbus Gilco Tubing

Record Titaniun 9 Speed Ergo Power Shifters

Selle San Marco Regal Saddle

1972 58cm Windsor Professional

Acquired with a damaged bottom bracket lug, this beautiful track bike has been brought back to life due to a couple fine companies and many fine people. The frame was sent to Franklin Frames of Ohio for repair and restoration. As you can see in the pictures their work is impeccable leaving nothing to be desired regarding both structure and aesthetics.

After receiving the frame back, wheels were assembled by Covi Hazelwood of Two Wheeler Dealer in Wilmington, NC. His flawless build features a set of Campagnolo Record Pista hubs with Nisi tubular rims. The rims spin marvelously and are a real treat when being propelled by a Campagnolo Record Pista crank with 51T chainring. The Campagnolo components continue and round out the drivetrain with Record Pista pedals. Moving to the handling aspects of this track bike, the Cinelli Pista bars with 2A 130mm stem ensure correct track components and are sure to hold up to the toughest of riding conditions. Finally, the non-fluted  Campagnolo seatpost and Selle San Marco Pirelli Sospensioni saddle ensure a sturdy platform for speed.

Lastly, this bike is a perfect example of bringing a timeless classic back to life. Due to the contributions of a couple helpful companies and many helpful people, this amazing track bike can now be ridden and will be sure to catch looks anywhere one goes. A big thank you to all that were involved!

Full Bike Shot

Rear Angle of Drivetrain

Beautiful Decals from Velocals applied by Franklin Frames

Cinelli Pista Stem and Bars

Campagnolo seatpost and Selle San Marco Pirelli Sospensioni saddle

1989 55cm Panasonic DX-5000

Acquired from Robert of www.localbikeoutlet.com out of Florida, this 1989 Panasonic DX-5000 Tange 1 tubed bike didn't leave much to be done upon arrival. It possessed the factory Suntour GPX groupset along with other quality Japanese components throughout.

Aside from the saddle and rims, this bike is full Japanese manufacturing. As mentioned previously, the Suntour GPX groupset is all there with a beautiful gray finish and flawless operation. The SR Sakae Custom Modolo Patent Anatomic Bend bars make for easy handling at any speed. The Suntour GPX brakes perform great with just a slight touch of the levers on the aforementioned bars. The whole package stays in place by a matching SR Sakae Custom stem.

Moving to the drivetrain, the Suntour GPX crankset, derailleurs, and downtube shifters (friction or indexed) are a perfect blend of beauty and function. The SR SP-155 pedals with offset toe-straps and Mira toe clips make for a beautiful match to the other Japanese components.

The rims are where things get special. I chose after recommendation from Covi Hazelwood of Two Wheeler Dealer (Wilmington, NC) to purchase a set a of gray DT Swiss RR-465 rims which correspond with the gray Suntour GPX 32-hole low flange hubs perfectly. Covi not only built the front wheel, but showed me the mathematics and labor behind wheel building. This allowed me to build the rear wheel with his supervision and guidance. Overall, a great experience with a friend and very insightful.

The bike rounded out with a SR seatpost with Selle San Marco Concor Light white saddle purchased from Two Wheeler Dealer of Wilmington, NC also. I cannot recommend Mr. Jim Mincher and the fellas over there enough for quality customer service and overall care for cyclists of any/all form.

Full Bike Shot

Rear Angle of the Drivetrain

Selle San Marco Concor Light Saddle

Early 80's Eddy Merckx 56cm Corsa Extra Pista

Acquired from the original owner, this Eddy Merckx Pista model is a nice change of gears from previous posts. With its sleek no frills operation, this track bike is sure to draw some attention if one can look fast enough before it goes by.

As mentioned before, Eddy Merckx is undoubtedly the greatest most decorated cyclist in history and his performances on the velodrome were as reputable as his peloton antics. For more information, it is highly encouraged to pick up one of his many biographies or do a quick Google search to read just how monstrous this man was.

With the name of a legend on this bike, it without a doubt had to meet a certain standard amongst elite cyclists everywhere. Featuring white and red accented Columbus SLX tubing, this frame was hand made in Merckx's own homeland of Belgium. Keeping the quality consistent are Campagnolo Pista components. From the headset and bottom bracket to the Pista 48 toothed crank and high flange hubs, this frame is fitted with nothing but quality. The Campagnolo Pista pedals and non fluted seatpost round out the Campy quality. The Italian components don't stop there as Cinelli bars and stem keep the handling sharp at any speed. The Mavic GP 4 tubular wheels and Brooks Swallow saddle finish up what makes for an elegant Pista build.

Complete Bike Shot

Rear Angle of the Drivetrain

Merckx Logo and Columbus SLX Decal

Brooks Swallow Saddle