Gallery: Mark’s 650B Takara Medalist
[Mark sent us these photos of his 650B Takara Medalist. —ed.]
Always wanted to convert old steel to 650B. This late 80′s Takara Medalist Frame and the no-name 650B wheelset popped up on the local C-list so I went for it. Shod with a Brooks B-17 (my standard saddle), Planet Bike Cascadia fenders, Tektro R556 long reach brakes, some Velo-Orange retro brake levers and a Deore Power train tripped by some old Shimano Bar End shifters. The bars are Velo-Orange Porteur which I dig the most, and a Dinotte head lamp. The bag is a Carradice. Tires are Col de la Vie.
I use the bike as a daily 3 1/2 season commuter (a studded bike takes care of the crusty season here in Madison, WI). It ain’t glamorous, but it is a super fun ride. Ding, Ding!
—Mark Evans
3 Responses to “Gallery: Mark’s 650B Takara Medalist”
That’s a great looking conversion. Looks like a blast to ride.
Love the snow under the rear rack and drive train in the middle picture! Makes me glad I rode in this morning in some flurries here on the east coast and certainly dissuades me from ever complaining about the weather in Virginia again.
What kind of stem is that? I thought about looking for one that would give me a higher rise.To give me a little more of an upright position..