My Rambouillet Build

[Ben Miller]

Hello Fellow RBW Owners,

Wanted to do a little update on my Rambouillet build in progress, now that it is actually taking form.

First, a little bit of background. I've been lucky enough to have built up four (4!) Riv bikes already, but this is really shaping up to be a truly unique one for me. This Ram’s story started (for me) way back in late 2017 with me purchasing it off fellow list member Keith as a F/F/HS. Unfortunately a number of not so great life events happened shortly after that, including fracturing my leg, taking me off the bike for nearly 6 months. The frame moved with me down a new path in life, but mostly collected dust in my garage. Not forgotten or abandoned, but definitely a bit lonely while I worked on 2 more bikes that were more recently acquired. During this time I quietly acquired used parts and ideas that eventually coalesced into a build for the Rambouillet.

The Ram frame itself is 64 cm painted with a beautiful sage green with a bit of pearl iridescent to it. It has a couple of small paint chips on the non-drive side seatstay, but otherwise in pristine condition. It was included with a Tange headset.

Previous Rivendell builds had mostly involved me purchasing brand new components (not having a large parts bin to work off of), I think these builds were still fun and interesting, but really been driven by new or recent bike component technology. My vision for the Ram build is really to focus on used/vintage/NOS stock parts as much as possible, but also fun and practical to me. I know, not a revolutionary design principle, but this is my first time executing it.

The heart of this began around the idea of setting it up as a DT friction shifting using a vintage Huret Duopar Eco I got off eBay. The Duopar was originally introduced in 1975 with the Eco being released in 1981. These 40 year old derailleurs were originally intended for 6 speed freewheel, but through the magic of friction shifting and a little finessing, seem to work just fine with a 9 speed cassette. The big thing about the Duopar is it was one of first (perhaps the first?) derailluer to handle up to a 36t cog and 40 teeth of chainwrap. My understanding is that these RD’s are slightly controversial in terms of either loving or hating them (lots is said about their maintenance issues), but part of this was trying to find out for myself. As I am just starting to learn about these derailleurs, it’d be nice to hear from others about their experience!

Over the last couple of days I’ve been able to get the Duopar dialed in and shift through a Shimano HG 11-36 cassette using Silver DT shifters and paired with a Sugino triple that I converted to 44/30. Today I finished mounting a pair of Paul Racer centerpulls that I got off a list member and got strung together to the NOS Mafac levers I got off eBay. These are mounted on the Crust Shaka bars (my new favorite bars), which is so far the only brand new part on this build besides the Velo Orange seatpost (I did have a vintage seatpost I had been planning on using, but the mounting plates have a lot of corrosion that is preventing them from providing a tight hold). With brakes on and functional, I was able to take it out and test the shifting in real conditions. And I have to say, it feels really nice, couldn’t be happier at this point.

The eventual plan is to swap the 700c wheels for 650b (but the 650b wheels that I had planned to go on here ended up on my girlfriends Rambouillet!) and put on 42mm BSP’s.

I know this is a long write-up, but it’s been a long road to this build. But it is finally nearing culmination. I have to say, what a time to be alive and into bikes, with so many different options and ways to approach a bike build. I feel pretty lucky and excited for how this is gonna turn out!  

[Ben Miller]

Opps. Here is a photo of the whole bike...

[Evan E.]

Beautiful! Congratulations!

[ascpgh]

Fantastic build Ben, can't go wrong with a Rambouillet. I've got mine since a new complete bike build and it has morphed to Pauls racers, French derailleurs and 700c x 32 Stampede Pass under some nice wide hammered Honjos.  A subtle twenty year evolution.

I use SunTour AccuShift bar end shifters, Mavic rear derailleur with a WolfTooth RoadLink to extend the max tooth count with a wide (46-34t) double on a shorter SKF BB shifted by a Mavic FD.  Remaining OEM parts: Nitto bar and stem, Ultegra cartridge HS, Nitto seatpost, Brooks professional (with care, it is still in shape) TA Zephyr triple crank with inner using bolts & removable spacers to become a double. It's just a natural and takes on riding well beyond the its current specs would lead you believe. It's been ridden across the country, on singletrack, grassy fields, trails, broken roadways of the local post industrial urban environment. Those can be anything from asphalt and concrete to brick, stone block and one short wooden paver street. Been down the GAP and back several times. I just held off transitioning to 650B and generator hub lights because while an unusual under square (top tube shorter than seat tube) production frame, I really need even a bit shorter optimally, so I held my big $ for a bespoke frame. 

You're on the way to perfection with your build. You will get called out in public by random folks who appreciate that bike to the quiet consternation of the proximate cyclists on newer, more exotic, pricier bikes. During Bike New York's Five Boro Ride My wife wondered if I knew the all people calling out my bike and its fit for me and could I make them stop doing it since it was upsetting riders around us. 

Enjoy the return to better health, riding and that beauty! 

Andy Cheatham

Pittsburgh

[Mark Roland]

I will add my kudos--beautiful bicycle, great job with the build. Any other bike would have been upstaged by that lovely antique workbench. I've bought and sold a few in my day. There is something about how they show the history of use through every cut, gouge & stain.  May your Rambouillet develop the same fantastic beausage and patina over the years!

[Tommy Patterson]

I owned a 64cm sage green Ram recently... Do you have my old bike!? I think our timelines are different. I bought mine from a used shop in western NC in spring 2018 and sold it to a list member in summer 2019. I liked almost everything about that bike but got interested in a BMC MCD and let it go. In retrospect, I regret selling that bike and I am eagerly anticipating the Roadinis coming back in stock this year. Here are two photos of my sage green Ram. 

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[J Schwartz]

I love this Rambouillet and it's decently wide gearing range.  Looks very comfy.

I'm in the process of building up a similar Canti-Rom....downtube shifters and non-aero levers.

Curious if there's a trick to get non-aero housing to swoop up and down gracefully like that?  Is there a type or brand that is best suited for this?

Also, does anyone know the name or code for this Ram color?

Thanks

[Evan E.]

Here's my orange Rambouillet (650b). Thanks, Ben, for giving me an excuse to post it. :)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/19TrbqrlTfcHNB9_tF1YU0UsdMqx-VaGM/view?usp=sharing

[Mark Roland]

Any regular cable housing will give you that swoop. Crossing the cables can give them a bit more support. Some people zip tie them together here. These days I usually top mine out about a hand's length maybe a smidge more from the top of the tops to the high point of the arch. That's about as low as you want to go; after that the cable can potentially exit the lever at too severe of an angle, causing it to prematurely wear and possibly affect braking performance. Right now four of my four roadworthy road bikes are non-aero.( Photo angle can also make them look longer or shorter.)

[Fullylugged]

Gorgeous color and very nice build.  Looks like it's an earlier production model which has the (nicer I think) pointed lugs. Later bikes are rounded. (pic of my headtube in painting process shows the rounded lugs)  No matter the date of make, you will love the bike.

[Jay LePree]

Ben:  That is beautiful.  I have one of the last orange white 54 cm that we sold.  (I purchased it in 2003).  I have been looking for a painter.  Where did you have your bike painted?  How did you get the new decals?

Jay

Demarest, NJ

On Friday, February 12, 2021 at 5:31:58 PM UTC-5 Ben Miller wrote:

[Eric Norris]

Zip ties? Ha! There’s special part for that:

--Eric Norris
campyo...@me.com

Insta: @CampyOnlyGuy

YouTube: YouTube.com/CampyOnlyGuy 

On Feb 14, 2021, at 8:30 PM, Mark Roland <absolut...@gmail.com> wrote:

Any regular cable housing will give you that swoop. Crossing the cables can give them a bit more support. Some people zip tie them together here. These days I usually top mine out about a hand's length maybe a smidge more from the top of the tops to the high point of the arch. That's about as low as you want to go; after that the cable can potentially exit the lever at too severe of an angle, causing it to prematurely wear and possibly affect braking performance. Right now four of my four roadworthy road bikes are non-aero.( Photo angle can also make them look longer or shorter.)

<IMG_20201226_110155191(2).jpg>

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/014cc58f-2fcc-4a24-87f9-7c8d4269a3b2n%40googlegroups.com.
<IMG_20200429_163205129(2).jpg><IMG_20201226_110155191(2).jpg>

[Ben Miller]

Thanks for all kind words everyone! Especially Andy in Pittsburgh and Evan for sharing their gorgeous Orange Ram builds! 

Tommy: No, as noted, I bought this frame waaaay back in 2017 from list member Keith. It sounds like you bought and sold yours during that time frame. Which just emphasizes how long I've been sitting on this project. *Sigh* Yours maybe looks like a slightly darker green? Hard to tell from the photos though.

Jason: I used grey Jagwire housing for my build. Velo Orange's metallic braided housing looks very nice, but I had this already. It sounds like Mark is a better resource for setting up non-aero brakes, I just eyeballed it. And I don't know the code or official name of the green color.

Bruce: Yes, I do believe my frame is an early run. It also has an interesting feature of two retaining screws holding on the headbadge. Very interesting about the lugs! I wonder why Grant changed them. Were they're any other changes between runs?

Jay: I think you meant to ask Bruce where he got his painted (I haven't repainted a bike yet). Rivendell has a webpage about painters though, recommending Rick of D&D painting and Joe Bell.

Eric: What is the name of that doohicky?? 

[Fullylugged]

Jay:  I had mine painted in Pelham AL by Nathan Barnes (https://www.instagram.com/nate_barnes81/).  He paints cars and motorcycles during the week, bicycles (and sometimes plane parts) on the weekend.  I think he does great work and he is very reasonable in cost. I have a PDF of the decals and had them made by a decal shop in MS. It was pretty reasonable and there are two clear coats over them on my bike. My color is actually a past Ford Mustang color called Autumn Gold. I didn't like it on the cars but I think it's very nice on the bicycle. The cream is standard RBW same as came on the bike. Msg me if you want more info on decals.  I've helped someone else here on the list as well, but am getting old and forgetful so I couldn't say who. 

the Old Slow Guy

[karl.fun...@gmail.com]

I'm also stopping by to comment on the workbench. Wow, what a cool piece! The bike looks fantastic, too; the proportions are just right. 

[Jay LePree]

Thanks very much for the information.  I started researching painters in my area, and was surprised to find how many autobody shops will paint bicycles on the side.  

Best to you,

Jay LePree

Demarest, NJ

[Ben Miller]

A couple folks commented on my workbench, thanks! I got it partially restored from a friend, but now it's mostly used as a table. Attached is a photo of it in front of the workbench I built and use as such. A modern take on the french Roubo workbench. Makes for a more cluttered photo, but oh well. 

As far as the bike, I wrapped the handlebars in leather sewn wraps I got from Walnut Studiolo. I also put on some MKS/Simworks Bubbly Bronze pedals. Both the wrap and the pedals look super nice to me, really completes the look. The pedals are amazing, so smooth and love the wide platform. The wraps seem good so far, though I normally like a thicker one. I also shortened the brake cables, per Mark's suggestion. And I was having some shifter issues if the Silver DT's (as noted on another recent thread). I removed them and packed them with teflon grease which seems to be a big improvement. Overall I am really loving this build! This bike just disappears under you in the best possible way.

Also including a photo at sunset on Twin Peaks in SF tonight, you can't really see the Ram all that much, but that is okay cause it is a beautiful photo.