Winter!!

Here's the first time I had this bike on the rollers. It's the Colnago from an earlier post. About 80 rpm makes balance a little iffy, IMO. The rollers are vintage Kreitler with the optional fan resistance unit. Can you say noisy?



Rollers are more interesting to me than a trainer and helps with handling skills. Linda uses a trainer next to me(brave of her). Just a few 10 sprints on here(with the resistance fan on) has kept me in much better shape for the on the road chances we get. Kansas City has had record cold temps and snowfall this year but we have had a few chances to get out this winter. Still, I can't wait 'till warmer weather!! If it's mid 30s and up(I'm working my way down), I'm good but cagers, as usual, act like you're nuts.

Eisentraut

Called the godfather of American frame building, Albert Eisentraut began building frames in 1959 and trained under Oscar Wastyn, builder of the famous Paramount frame.
Albert's frames were often noted to have an artistic quality. I see that in this early 90's model.
My eyes gleamed when this popped up on the local CL. No pics were provided so it took me about 15 minutes to set up and leave for a viewing. I expected to find a lugged frame but this ended up to be a tig welded steel frame from the early 90's when Albert was building fewer frames. This would be my newest "vintage" bike. To me 90's just isn't retro at all! We'll just call it a KOF bike. What first attracted me to it was the overall condition. It looks like more of a restored bike in condition and must have very few miles on it. Second was the "monostay" (seat stays) and front track fork.




The early 90's Sachs New Success groupo looks a bit beefy but was in a similar condition to the frame. Rumor has it that Campy made the cranks and brifters while Modolo produced the brakes. Hubs were, of course, by Sachs. The only missing piece to a full groupo is the front hub. Anyone have a late model Sachs NS front hub?
Here's the beefy front derailleur but notice the chain ring is in great shape. Also, you can note the black scallops on the lower half of the frame.



This is certainly not my lightest bike but it puts you so low that you are aero the whole time(I have the sore back to prove it!).
Two of my theories are supported by this purchase. First, riding aero or "in the drops" is one of the big keys to reaching your avg mph goals. Second, once your butt is broken in, just about any quality seat will be rideable. New riders just keep looking for "that" seat but will only find it when their butt gets in shape!

I washed it(the bike - not the butt) and replaced the bar tape - that's it. I then rode it for a few hundred miles and even took it on the Garmin Team ride after the Tour of Missouri '09. It worked great and I was the only one keeping up on a 15 year old steel frame! I had to mention this to as many of the pros and groupies as I could. Naturally, few riders had even noticed this odd bike. Hey they just ride bikes....... I collect them!

All it will need is that pesky front hub and a new chain. I think it also begs for an aero seatpost.

No resto needed - obviously.