Eroica California 2019

[mtechnica]

It is almost upon us. Are you going? Is your bike ready to go? Are you in shape??

I will be attending and riding a 1985 Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra of the 56cm variety, sporting most of a Dura Ace 7400 series group - running as 8 speed with 39/53 11-28 gears and shifters that only work in indexed mode (). Some non 7400 Dura Ace parts in there such as the seatpost, shifters, and hubs. 25c continental GP classic tires.
I've been trying to ride it as much as possible to get it dialed in and it's there, but I still haven't attempted to ride it with the toe clips - which I'm slightly concerned about since I'm probably going to wear SPD shoes with the cleat removed

[dancinkozmo]

lovely bike !

[Jeckel30]

Looks great!

[mhespenheide]

I'm definitely going, but I'm not sure which bike I'm bringing yet. My mechanic swears the Bianchi will be ready in time, but I haven't seen any progress on it... So I might be building up my backup Trek in the evenings next week!

I'm camping Saturday night at San Simeon state park if anyone wants to join me. Although they announced free camping recently, a couple months after I reserved the San Simeon site.

[David Benson]

Im riding Nova Eroica on Saturday, and the short course Sunday

[rccardr]

I'm in for my fourth time, riding a Davidson. Hoping to do the long route this year but if I can't shake this head cold, will do the Coastal instead.



Curious about which non-DA indexed shifters you're using on your Merckx that work well with a 740X RD.

[Spaghetti Legs]

Very nice. I dig the brown Flite saddle. Make sure you cough every time you change gears so nobody hears the clicks.

I’ll be there on my ‘84-‘85 Moser. I put a cheater compact crank on this year as the hard climbs are later in the ride and my fitness is suspect.

[mtechnica]

Originally Posted by rccardr

I'm in for my fourth time, riding a Davidson. Hoping to do the long route this year but if I can't shake this head cold, will do the Coastal instead.



Curious about which non-DA indexed shifters you're using on your Merckx that work well with a 740X RD.

They are 9 speed dura ace shifters and the RD is 7402 I believe. I don’t know why they work but the indexing is perfect. I’ve tried the matching 8 speed shifters and they didn’t index that well, and didn’t hold a gear in friction. These ones also don’t like to hold in friction and neither did the simplex retrofrictions I tried. I’ve never had issues with downtube shifters until this bike.

[cnighbor1]

so far I get 20% of rain on Sunday.
what are you finding?
thanks
Charles

[mtechnica]

One week to go

[PacNW2Ford]

Originally Posted by mtechnica

They are 9 speed dura ace shifters and the RD is 7402 I believe. I don’t know why they work but the indexing is perfect. I’ve tried the matching 8 speed shifters and they didn’t index that well, and didn’t hold a gear in friction. These ones also don’t like to hold in friction and neither did the simplex retrofrictions I tried. I’ve never had issues with downtube shifters until this bike.

Hmmm, don't know why the matching 8-speed shifters didn't work well, but the 9-speeds work because their indexing matches the odd Dura-Ace 8-speed cable pull. These are all great looking bikes, I have a couple friends doing the ride on a Vitus and a Bruce Gordon.

[mtechnica]

Originally Posted by Spaghetti Legs

Very nice. I dig the brown Flite saddle. Make sure you cough every time you change gears so nobody hears the clicks.

I’ll be there on my ‘84-‘85 Moser. I put a cheater compact crank on this year as the hard climbs are later in the ride and my fitness is suspect.

Are those cranks the IRD defiant?

[ultraman6970]

always been cururious about these rides.

There is a year in specific about how modern the components can be?

Whats about clothing?? To find old shorts and jerseys is not like a problem but vintage shoes are really hard to find now a days.

[Spaghetti Legs]

Originally Posted by mtechnica

Are those cranks the IRD defiant?

Velo Orange , Grand Cru I think. 46-34.

Ultraman - The main thing with Eroica is the bike. Steel frame, downtube friction shifting, brake cables routed over the bars (although I think aero cables are allowed now). No clipless pedals. The vintage clothing is encouraged, but not mandatory. I wear Giro Republic shoes because they look vintage-y and are comfortable. I don’t think the actual components on the bike are required to be vintage era as long as the criteria are met. My bike has ‘84 Record/ Super Record group with exception of the crank. Last year I rode a 52-42 Super Record crank but didn’t think I had the legs to turn that over this year.

[David Benson]

Originally Posted by ultraman6970

always been cururious about these rides.

There is a year in specific about how modern the components can be?

Whats about clothing?? To find old shorts and jerseys is not like a problem but vintage shoes are really hard to find now a days.

Your bike should be pre 1987, with toeclip pedals, downtube or barend shifters and exposed brake cables. I think that Eroica California makes an exception for the brake cables.

While decent vintage shoes are thin in the ground, its not hard to find slotted cleats that attach to 3-bolt Look-compatible soles.
I have a pair of Dromarti race shoes with Shimano SH-SM31 cleats for vintage cosplay