Riding a 100-year-old Racing Bicycle: The Antique Claude Delage French Racer.

Rich finally gets a chance to check out the Claude Delage bike out on the road! In the video, I said the bike weighed in at 40 pounds, but after using a much more accurate scale, I found out the weight was really a svelte 33 pounds. :)
Music: Seaside Piazza and Parisian Cafe by Aaron Kenny.

[@fourutubez7294]

That's lovely , I'm so glad you let it show its age gracefully rather than a showroom restoration.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks, Four! I love the way these bikes look in their original state. We have another that we're working on, but someone had already started with the full showroom restoration, so we were forced to continue down that road. At least it'll make an interesting comparison to this one. :)

[@steveprice9737]

Nice job, avoiding putting newer components on these bikes can be difficult, brakes cable outers look modern but the rest is great. I race the occasional time trial on vintage bikes in the UK and run a club called Retro Racing. Oldest we had racing was an 1890s French bike!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks, Steve. Yep, the original cables were already gone when I got the bike. Somebody in France was using it as a regular rider. When I took the old tubes out, they were from the 60's or 70's and had about 20 patches each on them! Time trialing vintage bikes sound like a blast!

[@babuddha]

Wouldn't it be just grand to have a grand tour of high-end professionals racing on vintage replicas of 1920s or older bicycles.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

It would be fascinating to send off the modern pros on replica bikes over the same stages that the “hard men” rode back in the teens and twenties and compare their times. Of course, those old-timers couldn’t accept help out on the course even if it meant using a local blacksmith forge to repair their own bikes. I’d like to see a modern pro do that! :)

[@mattgrande1755]

This is so cool! Always loved the look of antique/vintage road bikes! Amazing video!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks very much for watching, Matt!

[@joesch1733]

Terrific video of the Claude Delage bike. Love the history and pix. Also a pleasure to see it getting loved the best way ! Best regards

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks for watching, Joe! I'm going to put some loctite on the brake-clamp screws today. Not very authentic, but those tiny little bolts and nuts holding the brakes on look like they can use some help. :)

[@TheRokko66]

Nice old bike and some old sentimental french music :)

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks for watching, Rokko!

[@dinodaniel2237]

Great video ! When you think of the racers back then having to the hub to change gear, using their teeth to remove the tire due to punctures. The TDF at that time involved seven stages some over 400 kms long. You have a great piece of history enjoy. All the best!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks Dino and thanks for watching!

[@markfeldman6509]

What a beautiful natural restoration.looks like you are having a blast. Thanks for sharing your great work with us! Stay well. Keep riding and posting.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks Mark!

[@palmvictory]

Oh, WAAY cool! Loved the anachronism, especially how you set it up with the history lesson and old photos first. Thanks for showing the work on the bike and for the well thought out presentation. Magnifique!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Merci beaucoup! :)

[@nonfixie]

Well done! I dig the result, thanks for sharing it here. 👏

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks very much for watching!

[@douglas1559]

WOW! Such a cool restoration. Love seeing the details in those antic bicycles and components.thanks for sharing( I'm a little jealous🤪)

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks Douglas. It's all fun and games until somebody gets hurt (when an antique bike falls apart!). :)

[@douglas1559]

Been there done that 🤕but worth it🤗💫

[@kevy999]

Great bike, great video!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks for watching!

[@garyseckel295]

Enjoyable video. Spokes twinkling in the sun was pretty, Great tasteful background music.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks Gary! Love that music by Aaron Kenny.

[@luckylifeonwheels626]

it looks amazing nice work restoreing it i love old biks

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks Rob and thanks for watching!

[@jered2177]

Beautiful bike

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks very much for watching, Jered!

[@evanking920]

You guys do a great job capturing what cycling is really about. Fun and wonderment, good on ya...

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks for the kind words, Evan and thanks for watching!

[@evanking920]

@@bikestrikesrazors We ( my wife and I) look forward to the posts. Have a great week.

[@toms5450]

What a cool bike. I've always been curious what those old racers were like. I just recently learned that flip flop (fixed/free) hubs were around a 100 years ago. And now you show us a real life example - amazing!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hi Tom! I've also seen flip flop hubs that have two different size gears, so you have the amazing option of TWO gears! Today's riders would never stand for only two gears. :)

[@kirstenspencer3630]

Flip flop hubs can have different tooth to " change gears " so to speal the slotted drop outs are long enough too keep chain tension.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks very much, Kirsten, and thanks for watching!

[@krishnansrinivasan830]

Awesome & Thanks :)

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks very much for watching, Krishnan!

[@illsykes7822]

Beautiful 🍷

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thank you 😋

[@newenglandergray3002]

Very nice! Now -- be a beast and flop it to fixed!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

I’m thinking about it, Stan! :) Thanks for watching!

[@ministryoftruth8588]

Shocked the 'Bike Fit' is nearly PERFECT ... SAME as a modern 'Endurance Road Bike'. The angle of the handlebar drops looks just about right as well. Quite a surprise on a hundred y/o bike! Very high quality components as well. I can DEFINATELY see WHY that was a 'High End' Racing Bike back in it's day! Curious if the stem is seized tho ... it looks like the handlebar isn't centered?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, MOT! Those handlebars had taken a "shot" at some point in the bike's long life and were bent down pretty significantly (and then bent back up) so they're not exactly "even". I had a local frame builder take a look and he assures me that, being steel, they won't fail catastrophically, and if they do fail, they'll likely just bend slowly down. Hopefully they won't fail at all but I don't think you'll find anyone that would recommend riding on 100-year-old handlebars, bent or not- Or a hundred-year-old bike, for that matter. :)

[@glenn_r_frank_author]

You need to grow yourself a big handlebar mustache like "the beast"!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Alas, I can't grow a decent mustache! My facial hair wouldn't pass muster with "The Beast". :)

[@glenn_r_frank_author]

@@bikestrikesrazors well maybe you can part your hair down the middle like him and wear a fake mustache. 😛

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@glenn_r_frank_author There's an idea! Where did I put that fake mustache ?

[@douglas1559]

Grees pencil🤗

[@jacobhaggstrom1452]

Loved the video and your restoration projects! What rear hub is that and what is the OLD? I have a 30s frame but looking for a hub. It needs to be 110mm. Any ideas? Thanks!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hi Jacob and thanks for watching! My rear hub looks to be a little shorter than 110. Looks like 106-107, but there are a lot of things on this bike that don't look to follow any kind of standard. Not sure where you are, but the best bet for a 30's hub is probably eBay France or eBay UK. They seem to have the most really old bike parts to choose from.

[@jacobhaggstrom1452]

Thanks for the anser! I live in Sweden where parts are scarse. I will probably have to import. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@jacobhaggstrom1452 No problem, Jacob. I'm in California and parts are scarce here as well. On the East coast of the U.S. there seem to be more old bikes and parts. I usually have to go to an eBay in Europe to find things.

[@JC-oz6xn]

Beautiful. Just wondering about the wheelbase length from center to center. Thanks......

[@bikestrikesrazors]

From axle to axle is approximately 45". :) Thanks for watching!

[@colemanweidenbusch4086]

Great review of the Delage restoration! I also really like your vintage-style CCW jersey. Where could I find one?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks, Coleman! That jersey is a recreation of an original "Capitol City Wheelmen" jersey (an old club that used to ride around Sacramento, CA) that Rich and I had made through a custom jersey company in Spain. Since we only had two made, they cost us a staggering $250 each. We'll be making a video about those jerseys soon, and when we do, I'll add something about letting us know if anyone's interested in having one. I'll start a list, and if we can get enough folks that want one, we can order and get the price down to a more reasonable level. They came out beautifully, all Marino wool, with the button up shoulder and full chain stitching for the logo. I wouldn't mind having another one myself. If you subscribe, you should eventually see the video pop up. We were waiting to do the jersey video until I got my Hercules Speed King restored, but I'm having a problem finding a correct crown race. As soon as I can find one, or make one, the jersey video won't be far behind! :)

[@colemanweidenbusch4086]

@@bikestrikesrazorsLooking forward to seeing the Speed King restoration completed, and the jersey video!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@colemanweidenbusch4086 We're a bit hung up on the Speed King. Trying to track down the proper crown race, but it's almost done!

[@chardelraconner7324]

single ; though duet

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks for watching, Chardelra!

[@louis6657]

As you enjoy french craftman work, you probably know Charles Mochet and the first vélocar (ancester of recumbent bike)

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Indeed, Louis! I think the French were out front in development for quite a while with the bicycle.

[@blurglide]

What's the head tube angle on these old bikes?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hi and thanks for watching! I never measured the headtube or seat tube angle on the bike, but it's super slack.

[@newenglandergray3002]

Since it looks like you have original crankset (and rear cog?), it would be interesting to know what gear-inches the bike is.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hi Stan! I've been toying with the idea of checking the fixed side out as the crank and freewheel spinout pretty quickly on the flats. The original front chain ring is a 44 and the rear is an 18. The fixed side is a 16. Check out our video: "Cycling 30 miles on 100-year-old antique bicycles" and we talk a little about the gearing. :)

[@newenglandergray3002]

@@bikestrikesrazors 44x18 is a 69.9-inch gear, a bit higher than 68, which I've read was considered the "standard." My Surly is currently a 44x18 for 66-inches, which I've found what's best for an older guy confronted with steep, short New England hills. I use the brake (front only and back pressure on the pedals to keep from spinning out downhill). You both look like you're doing very well on the bikes in the 30-miles video. Gearing is so personal and dependent on terrain that one can't generalize. But you look like you're riding in a place with terrain appropriate for your gearing and strength. Riding them fixed will be a whole new deal. I'll watch for the video!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@newenglandergray3002 Thanks, Stan. I've only ridden a modern fixed gear once many years ago, so it will be a learning experience for me. I'm kind of glad the gearing on the Delage is a little on the easy side as the pedals look a bit delicate and I'd hate to be the one to mash them apart on a big hill. :)

[@newenglandergray3002]

@@bikestrikesrazors That gearing is a bit lower than normal. If you have serious concerns about too much pressure and like riding it fixed, maybe use modern rat trap pedals. Incidentally, your video on the shoes was great. Pics on alamy of vintage bike racers shoe shoes were lace up but lower cut than yours, well below ankle. Usually they seem to have worn socks but not always. Also, sometimes puttees. The book The Wonderful Ride (Ellen Smith) has a couple of good pics showing footwear.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@newenglandergray3002 Thanks for the info! I'll check out "The Wonderful Ride". Yes, some of those old shoes look very much like ballet slippers!

[@syketherocker]

What are you using for tires (size and brand) for the bike?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hi George! These are Continental RIDE "Classic" 37-622.

[@syketherocker]

@@bikestrikesrazors Regular 700c? Damn. What little I’ve deal with in pre-depression era bikes are those crazy 28” virtual sew-ups.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@syketherocker Yep, I think the 28" single tube tires are an American thing. I remember reading it had something to do with Pope and not wanting to pay extra to use someone else's patented designs. Eventually sank the American bike industry until Schwinn came out with clinchers on their bikes. I have a Hercules U.S. import that I can't find tires for. A lot of the old French bikes seem to have these 700c clincher rims on them.

[@syketherocker]

@@bikestrikesrazors Any idea what that Hercules needs? I may have some ideas.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@syketherocker The black one or the red one? The red one needs quite a few things to make it ridable, but I'm holding off on that project for now.

[@D11Alpha]

A French bicycle? Does it come with a white flag? Lol. Well done research, I really enjoy these vids and the bike looks great. Good job.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks for watching, Douglas!

[@D11Alpha]

@@bikestrikesrazors, there is a little known word that is associated with successful people; the ability to be authentic. You guys do a great job with your vids whether simple rides or historical bikes you're restoring, being authentic translates across the lens & it resonates with viewers. Keep having fun!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@D11Alpha Thanks for the very kind words, Douglas! It's fun sharing what we're doing and its fun making the videos!

[@GTMarmot]

I like metal

[@bikestrikesrazors]

I concur, GT! :)

[@musicstuff8468]

Put a Garmin + lights + etc on it, carbon wheels lol

[@bikestrikesrazors]

You laugh, but I'm so addicted to my Garmin- I mean, it's like if I don't have the ride on Strava, it didn't happen. So, what am I supposed to do, mount a Garmin on this 100-year-old bike? I can't bring myself to do it. I'll just have to keep the Garmin in a jersey pocket. :)

[@PoulHansenDK]

Nice bike but please stop those moving/zooming pictures.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

LOL! That effect is called the "Ken Burns" and was made famous in all the Ken Burns documentaries. Thanks for the comment. It's good to know someone finds the effect annoying! :)

[@breathestrongcycling3672]

Hookless rims....what goes around comes around as they say 😉...

[@bikestrikesrazors]

I know, right?! Amazing.