The New Roadster
- The face of the new roadster.
Apply power here.
All of the grip areas and controls.
I have wanted to build a classic Roadster for quite a while. This twitchy criterium frame may not have been the best choice, but the hyper-active handling matches my environment well. One big advantage of this frame type over 26″ wheeled bikes is the ability to lock the frame and rear wheel to a parking meter with a mini u-lock.
Street Bicycle drivetrain
Those handlebars really make a lot of power, surprisingly, and there are other advantages. There is a slight aerodynamic disadvantage at high speed, but I usually get down on the grips at the center of the bars and out of the wind. This is a hot bike for the street.
This new version of the ancient design rocks.
That is a 1992 Cannondale C600 Criterium racing frame.
Hi Brian-
I like the look of this bike! Also- interested in the extra grips at the center. What’s the make of the handlebars? (And do you think there’s enough room to have shifters on them? Looks like maybe not…)
Thanks!
Hey there Kuku,
Thanks! It looks pretty good, but it is all function. Those are Nitto Promenade B-602 bars, they are light strong and stiff. Also Gipiemme makes a similar bend – the Piega Sport.
Yes there is room for shifters. Rotary, grip shifters work the best. Old school thumb shifters work well but leave a big chunk of machinery protruding from the top. The double thumb, “rapid fire” type, under the bar shifters work but there is often a clearance problem where the bar curves down.