The home of bicycle shenanigans by riders and mechanics who should know better
RETRO CANNONDALE R600 ROAD BIKE - HOW DOES IT RIDE 30 YEARS ON?
Restoring classic American aluminium
in this episode I’m taking the newly rebuilt Cannondale R600 road bike for a test ride .
At almost 30 years old, just how does it ride by modern standards? Will it be able to hold its own, and after yet another cold, will I be able to ride it??
If you haven’t already, take a look at my channel for a video of the restoration too.
The bike is rebuilt with custom wheels and shimano RSX groupset, as well as cinelli bars and downtube shifters.
RETRO PEUGEOT BIKE | BUDGET GRAVEL SINGLE SPEED | THE TEST RIDE!
Pinky the Peugeot breaks cover for the first ride!…
In this episode, it’s time to test the mettle - or should that be metal? Taking the Peugeot single speed out for its first gravel shakedown!
And what a test ride it was! Oodles of ice, mud, falls, punctures and mechanicals - as well as a lovely breakfast
Despite its limitations, I’m happy to say the Peugeot performed really well - especially considering it started life as a little used 1980s road bike.
The next step for this one is to add gears and see how it handles that!!! - something you’ve all voted for!
RETRO PEUGEOT BIKE | BUDGET GRAVEL SINGLE SPEED RESTORATION
Can an old 80s road bike become gravel suitable?
In this episode I’m taking a basic 1980s French Peugeot road bike and converting it into a single speed gravel bike flat bar thrasher!
I felt like this retro paint job was crying out for a slick gravel build, and with a flat bar set up, I was able to make use of a bike that’s technically too small for me as a road bike.
I used a mix of original parts, handbuilt wheels and tiagra groupset to make this bike fly!!
I also fitted v-brake pads to the side pull callipers for more bite in the dirt!!!
RETRO KONA MTB GETS A BIKE OVERHAUL! BICYCLE RESTORATION!
Pure 90s retro goodness
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NEW YEAR GRAVEL RIDE | LITTER PICK | BIKE TRAILER
Giving a bit back to our local area
For our first gravel ride of 2024 we’ve decided to give a little bit back and go on a litter picking cycling mission.
Our local trails give us so much, rides to enjoy, a place to shoot my videos, and places to get fit and make memories!
So it’s time to do our bit to look after them and save them from litter and mess!
Using my Bob trailer to transport bags of rubbish, it turned out to be a great and valuable morning where we all agreed it was worth the effort to take ownership of our lovely trails!!
If you fancy a go yourselves head to: https://www.keepbritaintidy.org/join-uk’s-largest-litter-picking-community
CYCLING REVIEW OF THE YEAR 2023 - BICYCLE BUILDS, RIDES AND REVIEWS
We did a lot of things in 2023!
A quick round up of a few highlights from the first year of Downhill Smooth Tarmac,
To celebrate the new year, I’ve decided to look back all the way to my first video and talk about some highlights from the last few months.
I’ve included a bit of all kinds of cycling and bicycles, from gravel bikes to retro mtbs and road bikes, club rides and bikepacking.
THESE BARGAIN TAN WALL TYRES ARE SURPRISINGLY GOOD! - BALDWIN’S BALDY 26X2.1”
Quality tan walls for not much dosh!…
In this episode of Downhill Smooth Tarmac, I’m reviewing the Baldy 26x2.1” tan wall tyre from Baldwin’s Cycles.
At less than £15 a tyre I bought these as a quick and cheap solution to finishing the GT gravel bike.
I ended up running these for a few rides and the results were really surprising!!!
These are my thoughts on this budget offering, in a world where 26er tan walls are becoming more scarce
WINTER CLUB RIDE WITH MY VINTAGE ROAD BIKE (PEUGEOT 653 TEST RIDE)
Not waiting for summer to ride steel this good!
Welcome back to the channel, and to a frosty and freezing episode of downhill smooth tarmac.
Today I’ll be test riding the newly restored Peugeot Ultima 653, complete with Reynolds 653 tubing and Shimano 600 tricolour groupset. It also has a bespoke set of wheels made by Dave at Pickering’s bikes….
1950S ROAD BIKE - VINTAGE WHEEL BUILDING
Spinning wheels like vinyl records in the ‘50s!
In this episode we are off to Pickering’s bikes for more wheel building, this time with a vintage Raleigh Lenton from 1957.
I asked Dave if he would rebuild the wheels for this true time warp bike, as all the spokes were rusted and past their best.
Grab a brew and sit back for a walk through how Dave approaches a build like this and the lacing process itself.
I’ve also added a few shots of the finished bike for your appreciation too - as I think it’s a real stunner!
VINTAGE ROAD BIKE RESTORATION - 1980S PEUGEOT ULTIMA 653
Seriously nice steel…
Welcome to another workshop episode and something that I love - a classic steel lightweight road bike made from Reynolds tubing - a Peugeot Ultima 653
I’m going for a sympathetic restoration with its full shimano 600 tricolour ultegra groupset and a custom Built set of wheels by Dave at Pickering’s Bikes
ADDING FORK MOUNTS TO RETRO MTB GT GRAVEL BIKE…
Following the guide from Bikepacking.Com
In my latest workshop video, I’m taking inspiration from the following article:
https://bikepacking.com/gear/rivnut-bottle-cage-mounts/#:~:text=If%20you%20are%20adding%20rivnut,you%20are%20angling%20it%20rearward.
It’s from and shows how to add fork bosses to a steel fork using rivnuts.
I’ve done this to allow me to fit my Specialized pizza rack and restrap rando bag to my retro GT gravel bike build - purely as it looks badass cool!
DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK AND ONLY WITH A STEEL FORK!!!
I’ve done my research and I’m happy to give this a go with a chunky mtb fork - I’ll be inspecting it regularly to see how it holds up.
THE BIKE CHANGES EVERYTHING…
Just a little thought provoking watch…
In this episode I’m having a little think about how important cycling is to me and how it helps me clear my head
Riding the bike is great for combating stress, and I’m not sure what my life would be like without it.
I know this is a little departure from my usual silly shenanigans, but make of it what you will - and thanks for watching!
RALEIGH M-TRAX RESTO MOD BUILD
Building a steel Raleigh for Dave!…
Welcome back to the channel and another workshop episode of downhill smooth tarmac.
We are staying at Pickering’s Bikes in Measham for this one and building Dave a winter bike based on this 90s steel Raleigh m-trax
Again going for a sweet resto mod vibe on this one, with a 10 speed shimano tiagra drivetrain and a subcompact chainset.
The base frame is made from Reynolds Optima tubing and should make for a nimble road bike for winter duties - especially once we add some mudguards!
WHAT GOES INTO BUILDING A BIKE WHEEL? - RADIAL WHEEL LACING AND TRUING
An insight into the art of wheel building
Welcome back to my channel and in todays video we are down at Pickering’s Bikes in Measham UK, where Dave is going to talk you through the process of wheel building.
He will be building a vintage 700c wheel, radially laced to a Gran Robert hub.
If you like an in depth look at all things bike repair, mechanics and workshops, hopefully I’ve got you covered here!
