Author Topic: Birmingham WHEELS Pro (Read 6928 times)

dinglem · « **on:** April 30, 2016, 08:21 AM »

Finally got my hands on one after years of hunting... one of only 4 known examples. This is serial number 091 in what appears to be original pearl white paint. The geometry is very different to my Expert; longer top tube around 19inches, but it also joins the seatpost tube an inch lower, effectively angling the seatpost tube backwards further thus increasing the seat to bar distance considerably. The rear loops are therefore also much flatter.

I love it! I'll be retaining the original paint as it's not too bad (few very small chips) and I really like the pearl finish (MATRON!)

This completes my WHEELS set of Mini, Expert, Pro and Cruiser

The frame was part of the Dutch Team WHEELS branch, and was imported by bike dealer P.v. HOOF, so I have retained his dealer sticker. The head tube decal is a custom one I had made based on some original early decals given to me by the ex-team WHEELS manager.

I'll be building this as my steed for the charity London to Brighton ride in September.

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CustardLips · « **Reply #1 on:** April 30, 2016, 08:59 AM »

That's really nice Mart... looking forward to seeing a family photo.

Monk_Wally_Honk · « **Reply #2 on:** April 30, 2016, 09:41 AM »

That's a beauty.

insectbones · « **Reply #3 on:** April 30, 2016, 09:57 AM »

Nice forks

factory pilot · « **Reply #4 on:** April 30, 2016, 09:58 AM »

It's lush is that mate... Can't wait to see it built up

Retrodan72 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 30, 2016, 10:14 AM »

Ace stuff Mart, looks mint.

dinglem · « **Reply #6 on:** April 30, 2016, 10:36 AM »

I'd been saving the forks for when I eventually found one of these frames. I've got everything I need to build it already - frame was the missing piece!

First build will be for the L2B ride though, so no carpet queen (initially).

dancetothedrummersbeat · « **Reply #7 on:** April 30, 2016, 10:38 AM »

Great stuff

Taipan · « **Reply #8 on:** April 30, 2016, 07:12 PM »

lovely,I know someone who'd kill for that lol

please post up pics as and when you piece it together

griff · « **Reply #9 on:** April 30, 2016, 10:43 PM »

Lovely lovely lovely

There have been some incredible finds popping up recently, this is one of my favourites

dinglem · « **Reply #10 on:** May 01, 2016, 08:29 AM »

Yeah, this is the build I have been waiting for... Here's a few shots of the head tube decal, and a quick front wheel test fit.

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MartyC · « **Reply #11 on:** May 01, 2016, 01:46 PM »

Very tidy that

Mikku · « **Reply #12 on:** May 01, 2016, 02:11 PM »

Excuse my French (or should that be Dutch?!) but bloodyhell that's nice!!

Subscribed!

oldschoolace · « **Reply #13 on:** May 01, 2016, 02:24 PM »

Tasty! Loving that head tube decal

dinglem · « **Reply #14 on:** May 01, 2016, 02:48 PM »

Yes, huge thanks to Mike 'GRABONKID' for the epic decals. Such amazing quality - massively impressed!

GRAB ON KID · « **Reply #15 on:** May 01, 2016, 02:58 PM »

Quote from: dinglem on May 01, 2016, 02:48 PM

Yes, huge thanks to Mike 'GRABONKID' for the epic decals. Such amazing quality - massively impressed!

Well thanks Mart,though that sounds a bit overboard!

I wasn't prompting bud but just found out recently a few people have been taking credit for my work & also Del is selling the Torker Pro X decals I designed for Rich's Targa on his site so I've got the needle a bit!

The frame looks Killer bud & the Bottemas on it are pure porn!

dinglem · « **Reply #16 on:** May 01, 2016, 10:45 PM »

Well here's a thing. The TT length is 18.5inches, the exact same as the Expert model. The seatpost tube is also the exact same length. The only difference is that the TT joins the seatpost tube much lower, angling it backwards and dramatically increasing the seat to bar length as a result. I hadn't measured it until tonight, but I guess it's the most effective way to make big changes but using the same tube lengths. The geometry is vastly different as a result. I'm quite surprised...

MartyC · « **Reply #17 on:** May 02, 2016, 02:27 PM »

What is the length between the centre of the head tube to the centre of the seat post tube, C in the image below?

dinglem · « **Reply #18 on:** May 02, 2016, 05:55 PM »

From above as pictured it's 18.75inches.

BMX1973 · « **Reply #19 on:** May 02, 2016, 09:36 PM »

Lovely frameset. Be nice to see this built up.

MartyC · « **Reply #20 on:** May 06, 2016, 01:36 PM »

Quote from: dinglem on May 02, 2016, 05:55 PM

From above as pictured it's 18.75inches.

Not too bad size wise and definitely old school!

Definitely one of my fav frames for it's uniqueness and style plus I have fond memories of my visits the Birmingham Wheels track, hanging out with and chatting to Andy Patterson on the concrete track and having him show me a few speed jumping moves and having a little jumping session with him!

dinglem · « **Reply #21 on:** May 06, 2016, 02:01 PM »

It will be interesting when I add a reasonably tall seatpost for the Brighton ride; I imagine with that seatpost tube angle it is going to be quite a way back. It's a clever way of producing a longer frame without adding extra tubing (and hence weight). I have been after a Pro for many years so I am well chuffed with this. Due to the size I am building it to ride rather than look at. When I was visiting the WHEELS track BITD one of their riders let me ride the track on his bike; I vividly remember it having red detailing and red Skyways, and since that day I have always thought I would end up recreating that ride. Can't recall who it was but I know Big Trev and Clint Matthews both raced on Skyways at certain times.

As well as my red Skyways I've got an unused pair of red Spencer rims

and some nice hubs as a back up (might use both so one for 'best' and one to ride), and I have an original Tange 125 headset in red ready to fit, WHEELS race bars, a lightly polished Pat Pending Tuf Neck stem, black and white Akron grips, rare and long (180) Hanabishi OPC, black ACS Stoker pedals, red Shimano Dx seatpost, large (46T) black Yes! Racing chainring, red Jam Buttie flex fighter and clamp.... Lots already ready for the build. Function over form at this stage I think.

dinglem · « **Reply #22 on:** May 06, 2016, 02:03 PM »

...and of course the original black on white pads should look mega!

dinglem · « **Reply #23 on:** June 07, 2016, 10:29 AM »

Thought i'd add a few pics of the parts I have gathered for the Pro. These are mainly for the London to Brighton ride and I want to try to get this together as soon as I can so I can try it out with a few training runs and get it set up as best I can. I've gone for a black and white theme to go with the original pearl white paint, with red accents.

I have had the new 46T Yes! Racing chainring anno'd red, and I have also decided to use another ROE Whale tail chain tensioner on the drive side only - hoping this will alleviate any chain slippage issues during the ride. Last thing i'd want. I have these chain tensioners on a few of my other builds as I remember them from BITD, and I absolutely love them. I have had this anno'd to match the chainring. I also had an odd pair of Spencer rims (one blue, one gold) so I had those done at the same time

Not sure whether these will be going on yet as I am seriously considering using skinnies for the ride to lessen roll resistance.

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I've managed to find an original Tange 125 headset, so that will be going on too.

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Seatpost is a Shimano DX item which was very rough when I got it, but it has now been polished up and looks great, and I have a red decal for that. Spider is a polished Bullseye item which has been drilled slightly to accept a OPC. I have sourced a rare 180mm Hanabishi crank for this build too. I am hoping the longer crank length and 46T chainring will work for me on such a long ride. Haven't decided on the freewheel size yet though.

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Seat post clamp and flex-fighter are red Jam Butties

I have had a very nice lightly polished 'Pat Pending' Tuf Neck stem sitting around for a while so that will be going on also.

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dinglem · « **Reply #24 on:** June 07, 2016, 10:45 AM »

Bars are original WHEELS race items, and I have an original padset for it also.

(the top bars are brazed WHEELS Mini items which I have had rechromed at the same time).

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As I have on my National Pro in blue, I have hunted down a super-rare black and white pair of Akron grips for this. I just love the way they look.

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Pedals - well I have been hunting for a pair of ACS Stoker pedals for as long as I can remember, and trawling through the For Sale section on here a while back I found an old post advertising a black pair. I messaged the guy and the original sale had fallen through so I threw out and offer and got them. They're lovely - perfectly black. The end caps are missing but have been replaced by some reflective decals which I didn't like in the pictures, but having now seen them I have changed my mind as they are very very well made. For the ride at least they will be staying put.

These really are lush pedals.

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So that just leaves me thinking about brakes and a seat. I have a pair of red Tech-2's which I am considering. I have always been curious about them having never ridden with a pair before. I'll see whether they work with the WHEELS bars and see if I like the look/feel of them. I also need to make the final call on skinnies or regular sized rims and then select the calipers accordingly. People who have done the L2B before have advised fitting a front brake as well as the rear so I am going to go ahead with that I think.

Seat will most likely be something comfy considering the 54mile distance..... Might put and old school seat cover on it to maintain the overall look. I've also got a few Mirage race plates kicking about so one of those will be going on also, as well as perhaps a matching rear brake guard.

Hoping to get this all together in the next month or so - i'll be sure to post up some more pictures as it goes together.

Author Topic: Birmingham WHEELS Pro (Read 6928 times)

griff