SWB0 Grand Jubile aka the Newbury Watusi

[MattiThundrrr]

Thanks OJ, that's what I'll probably wind up with. I'm just a little mystified how I have probably a dozen sets of spare cantilever brakes in a box and no hangers. Who knows

When I pick through bike piles, I always carry cable cutters so I can snag any unusual straddle hangers I see

 

[Pondo]

When I pick through bike piles, I always carry cable cutters so I can snag any unusual straddle hangers I see

That's good thinking. I'll definitely pay more attention to the smaller parts in the future.

 

[Pondo]

I’m going to run the front Shimano 600 derailleur even though it’s basically going to be a 1x for now. That gives me more options down the road. The front shifter and cable housing will already be in place so I don’t have to redo the bar tape.

I was able to find one brake cable hanger so I hooked up the front brake. The cable run is nice and simple on this one.

Sorry about the lousy pics. I found new pads in my stash. I think the front ones might be BMX, the rear are Kool Stop salmon road bike pads. New straddle cable hangers will be here in a few days and I’ll be able to hook up the rear brake.

Next I need to install the chain and shifters, string & adjust the shifter cables. Then I can do the bar tape. Almost time for a test ride!

 

[twojs.bike]

I’m going to run the front Shimano 600 derailleur even though it’s basically going to be a 1x for now

That’s a good idea. Should keep the chain on too. I lost track but looks like you aren’t using the narrow wide chainring.

 

[OddJob]

 

[Pondo]

That’s a good idea. Should keep the chain on too. I lost track but looks like you aren’t using the narrow wide chainring.

The narrow/wide chaining is still there hiding behind the 40t ‘big’ ring. It’s black so it’s kind of ghosted. I suspect I’m going to need lower gears down the road so if I swap the cranks out I can run like a 24/42 double. That would be easier and maybe cheaper than a new rear hub and a wide range cassette.

 

[Pondo]

Eventually if I can find a cool old road bike frame I could swap this whole build over to it. Then turn the DB back into a cool vintage MTB. This one's available online for $550 (!) if anyone's interested.

This one's around $1100

But I love some of the great paint jobs on vintage Italian race bikes

What I can realistically afford are bikes like these vintage Motobecane, Peugot and other mid level stuff. This one is for sale a few hours away for $50, looks like it might even fit. Probably not worth the drive though.

 

[Pondo]

Well, it’s more or less done. It’s just missing the rear brake straddle cable hanger.

I took it for a ride, it stops well enough with just the front brake. Swung by the beach for some pics.

Then went for a loop around the area. Just a half hour or so saddle time. What I found is this is the wrong bike for this area. I couldn’t get the seat or bars tight enough to stay put on the bumps, even just riding on pavement. The seat will be very comfortable when broken in. I’d like a wider handlebar. It’s a little twitchy on the fast steep downhills. The gear range is woefully inadequate. Not low enough to climb in the saddle and spins out real easy on the flat and downhill sections. Other than that it does work pretty well. It shifts real well on the 7 speed freewheel. The front brake works well. Handles pretty decent overall. I’m not taking this build any further though. I’ll think about it for a week or so but I think I’m going to blow it back apart and use these pieces for other builds. With all the other bikes I have that ride better I just don’t think this will get used. Fun build though.

 

[BartRidesEternal]

Well, it’s more or less done. It’s just missing the rear brake straddle cable hanger.
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I took it for a ride, it stops well enough with just the front brake. Swung by the beach for some pics.
View attachment 288883View attachment 288884View attachment 288885View attachment 288886View attachment 288887View attachment 288888

Then went for a loop around the area. Just a half hour or so saddle time. What I found is this is the wrong bike for this area. I couldn’t get the seat or bars tight enough to stay put on the bumps, even just riding on pavement. The seat will be very comfortable when broken in. I’d like a wider handlebar. It’s a little twitchy on the fast steep downhills. The gear range is woefully inadequate. Not low enough to climb in the saddle and spins out real easy on the flat and downhill sections. Other than that it does work pretty well. It shifts real well on the 7 speed freewheel. The front brake works well. Handles pretty decent overall. I’m not taking this build any further though. I’ll think about it for a week or so but I think I’m going to blow it back apart and use these pieces for other builds. With all the other bikes I have that ride better I just don’t think this will get used. Fun build though.

Bike turned out great! The frame colours are classy, I really like it.

 

[Pondo]

Bike turned out great! The frame colours are classy, I really like it.

Thanks Bart! I’m considering putting a different crankset on to get a granny gear for the hills. And figure out how to keep the seat and bars from slipping. Then it will work a fair amount better for me.