42) 1989 Miele Single Speed

SPECS

Status:  Personal Collection (Not For Sale)
​Size: 58cm
Weight: 20.6 lbs/9.3 kg (with pedals)
Made in Canada
​Frame & Fork:  Tange Infinity Cr-Mo Tapered Double Butted Tubing
Brakeset:  Shimano EX-500 brake levers with Modolo Speedy brake calipers
Crankset:  Unknown brand (stamped TR8/GBC) single speed specific
Gearing:  Front - 44, Freewheel - 16 (2.75:1) , Fixed - 14 (3.1:1)
​Wheelset:  Alexrims DA-22 rims with Formula track hubs {flip/flop} and Vittoria Zaffiro Pro 700x25 tires

BEFORE

This is the first road bike I ever bought, back in 1990, in Portland, Oregon.  I got it on sale because it was the previous year's model.  I loved riding this bike and rebuilt it more times than I can count.  In 2002 I found a track wheelset  on sale in a bike shop in Edmonton and decided to set up the Miele as a single speed.  I loved riding it as a single speed, especially since I had purchased a more modern road bike, and kept it in that set up ever since.  I have wanted to make it up a permanent single-speed, by grinding off the unnecessary braze-ons and derailleur hanger for quite some time, to give it a sleeker look, and since MBW needs a single speed team bike, the time has come. 

AFTER

The bike is painted Indigo Blue.  It looks almost black in the photos but in the sun...wowzers!   The removal of the brazons for the shift levers on the downtube, the derailleur cable stop on the chainstay, the shift cable guides under the bottom bracket, the pump hanger on the headtube and the rear derailleur hanger,  all went smoothly and there were no indications of the work showing through the paint.   It was built up with several parts that were given to me by my buddy Ian, including a single-speed specific crankset of unknown brand, the Modolo Speedy brake calipers and the San Marco Ponza saddle.  I added a new headset with sealed bearings and a sealed bottom bracket to really make it reliable and smooth.  I have loved riding this bike for the past 32 years and I'm sure it is going to serve me well for another 30 years and beyond.