Forum | The Lauterwasser Adventure — Part II

Post edited 10:13 pm — Jun 7, 2011 by Adam

Evening Gentlemen,

As many of you know I was recently caught red-handed making an unauthorised purchase of a pair of Lauterwasser handlebars. My intention was to slowly acquire the various bits and pieces as and when a deal could be found.

Unfortunately this plan went out of the window within a few days. Mr Booster from these halls and I were on a pleasant jaunt in the evening around Cheshire when slowing down for a junction my rear brake lever was ripped off the cable wrapped around the rear hub and the brake locked very firmly on. Thanks to judicious use of Mr. Booster’s King Dick, cables were un-wrapped, brakes eased off and we continued after a short pause at a somewhat slower rate.

Hopefully without making this post too long I’ll start by listing the various shops I purchased my bits and pieces from:

Lauterwasser Bars — Velo Drama

80mm Nitto Stem – Hubjub (bugger just found this place http://www.velosolo.co.uk/shopbar.html)

Dia Comp Reverse Brake Levers (23.8mm) – Practical Cycles

SA Pinch Bolt Assembly + various cable ends etc. – SJS Cycles

Brake cable, outer (custom length) & advice — local bike shop

Brooks leather bar tape – Hargreaves Cycles

As iRobot previously mentioned the standard cables are too short, my pitiful attempt at soldering the trumpet nipple end only resulted in burnt fingers a bruised elbow. Plan C tracked down the SA pinch bolt assembly.

The actual removal of the original bar/stem and fitting the new one was straight forward with the stem and bars easily dropping into place.

The only problems I encountered were self-generated, wrapping the tape on the bars (after numerous attempts I’ve still ended up going the wrong direction on one of the bars).

I’ve only ridden about twenty miles so far but my thoughts are

• The actual grip is fairly narrow in diameter if I re-wrapped the bars I’d first wrap them with some gel tape. This would make them a little thicker and pad the cable underneath.
• The shorter stem has quickened the steering up and now gives a firmer feel through the bars.
• I think, if possible the brakes are even worse.
• I think the firmer feel and the slightly longer riding position gives a more “sporting” feel when riding the bike.

Well, before I bore you all to death here are some pictures of the final result:

Regards,

Adam

Evening Mr. Wooster,

Jolly glad to hear you are back in the saddle and it sounds like with a good out come.

Ready whenever you are Sir. I’m on holiday this week — homebased catching up on my chores and a little project.

With regards to the brakes, I think I’m being charitable when I say they work.

Regards,

Adam