The Clown Bike Reborn

Yes, if you hadn't seen my folding fixie before then you have now.  It had been out of use for a long time due to bottom bracket / crankset woes.  Finally I have made a hack for the bottom bracket (A shimano UN72 with the 26tpi cups from the stock bb with a headset spacer to make it fit the extra wide 76mm shell).

It is a 1976 Raleigh Twenty Stow-away (aka a r20 folder).  The 451 wheels have durano slicks on and the 46t chainring with a 13t sprocket provide a decent 70 gear inches.  The Tektro long reach calipers came as a pair and are pulled by the dia-compe reverse action levers on a cut back drop bars into bullhorn style and with the sun rim on the front provide decent stopping power when my leg breaks need help.  The rear hub is a fixed-fixed affair but I haven't put the larger 15t sprocket on it yet to offer an easier gearing for the Mendips.  (The lapize pump has be cut down to fit and I'd hate to have to rely on it to get any serious pressure into the tubes...)  The Brooks b15n lacer is from my out of action Carlton Cobra and sits on top of the longest alloy seatpost I could source...

The bike is back on the road and I forgot how much fun it is to ride and how rapid it is; joy!