Orbit Gold Medal 531C frame/forks & well used.
Cool bike for the money I thought, but it needs some TLC...
So it gets a good service/rebuild & we'll see how we go.
Rides very nicely this morning, as below.
Very light frame for the time, weighing 23lbs here ready to go: ) Not bad, & I intend Allrounder flat bars eventually. It'll do good service for a long time as a Town/Commuter/General Purpose bike. (Fixie/Single speed also: )
Overall I'm very pleased with it & we'll see what happens.
Later.
Running very well now. I'm fitting alloy Allrounder bars on this, just waiting for the right levers & aiming at a light, fast Town Bike/Commuter. Will use a saddle bag for light shopping. Or a rack.
Researching this company, & its various models I realise that this machine seems a little odd to me.
A 531C frame used as a tourer? With relaxed angles that you would expect on a Tourer in 531C?? Most Tourer builders would opt for Reynolds 531ST, wouldn't they? It is designed with strengthened areas, precisely for load carrying. Whereas 531C tubing is lightened, not for load carrying, but for minimum weight & it would normally have steeper angles.
Here's a brochure from 1985-ish which shows the details.
The only thing I would argue with is No7:
A 'High Quality Stove enamel'...
It was never High Quality, & the frame finish, before 'Stove Enamelling' was hardly touched by a file.
On a good 531C frame I would expect a reinforced seat-stay bridge. Not on this one.
Same with the chain-stay bridge. This one could have come off a 1950s entry level Raleigh...
But it is still a usable 531C frame & I'll persevere with it. Might even get a refinish at some point: )
11 July 2019.
Latest iteration here:
Indexed 7 speed with a single chain-wheel sounds good for a Town Bike around here. So I try 700 wheels with 28 tyres. The current Weinmann 730 calipers will reach the extra 4mm & leave lots of room for guards.
July 12 2019.
Trying out the new bar levers today. The Shimano SL TX50 changers look a little chunky/ungainly on top, but fit easily on the curved sections of the Allrounders & work well.
I also changed the RD for a short cage Shimano 600, which can just handle a 28 cog on the 7 speed 14/28 block. My best wheel-set fitted here, with Shimano 600 hubs & Mavic Module CD rims. Top spec touring wheels in the 80s & still top quality now: )
Currently got slightly skinny 25 tyres here above which are a little harsh at 100psi, so it awaits a pair of 28s which I know will be better here.
Then a pair of guards to make it 'All Weather'. And also, disguise the 700s which do look a little small to me in this 27" wheel frame. Not a big deal though.
The bike is coming along well right now. Needs some minor adjustments for me, & then I'll tidy up the paint.
This pic nicely shows the clearance for guards with 700s. Fatter tyres optional here.
Brakes are working very well considering the long drops.
I found a pair of 700x32 Schwalbes, so I fitted them to try.
Feels way more comfortable & still rolls well at 70psi. These will do for a while yet: )
Pair of guards now & it just needs the paint sorting.
Bit of a dark horse this one is.
The tyres are great on the bumpy local roads & it is comfortable on canal paths, & 'gravel'! A great, go almost anywhere, light tourer is how I'd describe it.
December 22 2019.
Been using this for a few months now. Just for local shopping, down town trips, etc.
Even had people saying: "I used to have one of those!"
Got some Pannier bags & it can carry bulky loads & be nimble in traffic. Been ultra reliable up to now: )
January 27 2020.
Earning its keep now & pictured below this morning.
8 June 2020
Now it has its original 27" wheelset back. 5 speed Regina block, Pelissier hubs & Alesa eyeletted rims.
Out for a test ride this morning & all is well: ) The Nutrak tyres are OK, but feel more like 28s rather than the 32 Schwalbes as above...
