Very interesting new machine here: )
Builder unknown currently, but he deserves max credit for this one: )
It’s a quality Reynolds 531 touring frame, with period Prugnat lugs, (I believe) which had some close attention with a file during the build. It’s had some extra time spent on it during the build, & it shows. Some neat details when you look close.
I know it is hand-built in Yorkshire, UK. Skipton area, 1985ish.
Mick Walker had a bike shop in the town then, & I know he sold bikes with his name/decals on them.
What I don’t know, is if Mick Walker built frames himself, or bought them in from local builders? Or both? Very little info online, so I’m ‘investigating’ further.
This machine has a known history. Late 1980s it did an Epic Tour across Canada & down the US West Coast to California. 10,000 miles! Photos of the trip below.
Last owner for 30 years, & a real credit to him: )
Frame was refinished by Argos two years ago, & is still immaculate.
A really neat little twist here is that the head-badge says Artos, not Argos; )
(Try Googling ‘Artos bicycles’ to see how common they are.)
Detail from Ebay listing pics here left.
Look how the lugs almost ‘melt’ into the tubes. Chunky, tapered stays, sturdy seat-stay bridge.
Currently has a mixture of quality components which work well together. Campagnolo headset, BB, chainwheel, RD, FD. Shimano, mainly 105, brake levers calipers, changers.
Mavic G40 wheelset with Maillard flip-flop hub is in good working order, & has a narrow Suntour SP 6 speed early ‘indexed’ block! New to me, but I know a 7 speed Shimano changer will index well with it; ) (Thanks Sheldon Brown; )
Indexed gears on this will be a definite upgrade for me.
Other than that I’m very happy with the way it rides. I simply adjust some of the colours to my personal preferences. The yellow Selle Italia saddle may be a little step too far, but it’s good to experiment?
Checking colour combinations here. For me one colour needs to dominate. Here it looks like 50/50 yellow/black. I want the yellow to dominate. But not too much.
So I try the yellow/black bar wrap & this very nice Italia XO saddle.
Looking at it fitted later, I’m thinking it’s a little step too far… Sometimes.
The 28 Delta Cruiser tyres are a necessity on the local, corrugated roads. Great on Canal Paths & Cycle Tracks too: )