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.
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: )