About velolec

Posts by velolec:

No. 48 Zinnia

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This is a very special project, since it was quite a journey to get it finally done. I first saw this bike, or the pieces of it in my neighbors storage compartment in the cellar of the house we live in. I talk with my neighbor about the bike, and he wanted to bring it back on the streets himself. Somebody sprayed over it and covered it with stickers. But underneath it all was a very nice Krapf frame. The whole frame under the paint is chromed – fantastic! After a couple of months, I saw the bikeframe and parts in front of the house with a sign: for free. My neighbor did not find the time and energy to take on the project and decided to pass it on. Of course I could not resist and took the bike back in. Now having a new project, I initially thought I would free it from all the paint and maybe even repaint it. But the longer I worked on the bike cleaning it and taking every piece apart, I really got fond of the dirty rat look. So I decided to rebuilt it as a sleeper bike – looks slow but is fast like a racer! Nevertheless I decided to free all the components from the spray color, which took me hours. But was absolutely worth it! After I was almost done rebuilding everything – new vintage rearwheel, new tires, new handlebar tape, new cables, new vintage saddle, new chain – the front derailleur broke. A first for me, I could not believe it. I had no choice but to order a new vintage one, mounted it and finally the bike was done! It runs perfectly now, is incredible fast and looks like a really city rat! I love it!

Now il a du chien!

Specification: Frame size – 59cm I Weight – 10.6kg I Gears – 14

No. 47 Begonia

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I bought this bike as my daily rider. Which it was for quite some time. I always loved how fast it runs – it just wants to go and go and go. And the fun part with those steel frame is, that they are very stiff and therefor really translate the power to the ground. After some time I used the bike to transport my kids around town. But after a while, we decided to go for a cargo bike. This was the point, where I decided to let my red beloved bike go. I renewed everything that was broken, changed the handlebar tape and adjusted the shifters. Now it runs even better then before. It really hurts, to let this one go. But the good thing is, that there is space in the garage now for a new bike!

Now il a du chien!

Specification: Frame size – 60cm I Weight – 10.2kg I Gears – 14

No. 46 Flax

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Itca – this name stands for the cycling culture in Zurich! And I am very happy to call myself an owner of an Itca bicycle. I bought this bike from an passionate cyclist near Zurich, who bought it about 1995 from Alois Iten’s shop in Oerlikon and is now retiring from cycling. For everyone who doesn’t know Alois Iten, he is the president of the „Offene Rennbahn Oerlikon„. I was lucky enough, to take one of his courses that teach you how to ride a fixed gear bike on the track in Oerlikon. So this bicycle checks one of the last goals on my cycling bucket list. For this renovation, I kept everything in original state! I cleaned the whole bike properly, oiled everything, glued collies for the first time, renewed the housings and cables, added a new handlebar tape and finally adjusted everything. One highlight is the new stem cap, that I ordered specially from Poland. Now it runs absolutely perfect, is an eye catcher and for sure will put a huge smile on the new owners face!

Now il a du chien!

Specification: Frame size – 56cm I Weight – 10.1kg I Gears – 12

No. 45 Yarrow

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When family members ask me for a bike, I can't help it and try to find something really special for them. With this beauty, I was really lucky! A friend of mine decided to buy a new road bike and she was so nice to give me her old beloved bike. The next step was to get the bike back in excellent shape. After cleaning it intensively I then replaced the tires and tubes, the chain and cassette, all cables and housings, the pedals and added a new handlebar tape. At the end I adjusted the shifters and brakes and took it for a spin around the neighborhood. It rolls perfectly and is a real speedster. Nice roadrunner - happy family.

Now il a du chien!

Specification: Frame size – 49cm I Weight – 8.5kg I Gears – 24

No. 44 Alyssum

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This is a very special bicycle - a true treasure. When I got it, it was already in absolute mint condition. When I first saw it, I just knew that I had to buy it. Even though I knew it was too small for me. Hugo Koblet is one of the most successful Swiss cyclists. In 1951 he won the Tour the France. He is one of the reasons, that cycling got so popular in Switzerland. Moreover, he was from Zürich! So without a doubt, this bike is just pure history. After standing in my livingroom for over one year, I decided it was time to pass it on. I gave the iconic bike to another cycling enthusiast that lives - like Hugo Koblet did and I still do - in Aussersihl. So long!

Il a du chien!

Specification: Frame size – 56cm I Weight – 10.1kg I Gears – 12

No. 43 Daisy

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"Hey Denis! Would you like to restore an old Koga Miyata bicycle for my sister? It's her birthday soon!" Oh man, that's the calls I like the most. Having an incredible bike to start with and a nice amount of cash to invest in upgrades. And all of it, just to make somebody else happy with it. Let me tell you, I had a blast! And the result turned out absolutely perfect. I cleaned the bike, added a new chain, new cables and housings, new pedals and a new bar tape. And like always adjusted everything perfectly. The eye catcher of this Koga is definitely the saddle - a Kashimax Aero! The best saddles you can get and such a great fit for a Koga Miyata, since the company is based in Japan. If you are interested in getting such a saddle for yourself, go and check out Nino Jäger at Gorilla Urban Cycling in Zürich.

Now, il a du chien!

Specification: Frame size – 54cm I Weight – 9.2kg I Gears – 12

No. 42 Periwinkle

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Focus Culebro - what a name! And what a bike. A bicycle made for racing, in the city or outside. With 27 gears, you could even ride up Stelvio! I bought this beauty from a guy, who raced "Chasing Cancellara" with it. The race starts before sunset and goes all the way from Zurich to Zermatt. Unbelievable climbing and endurance skills required. The bike received a professional bike service and has almost new tires. All the components are from Shimano Ultegra. For me one of the best series ever made. Of course the bike is super clean, shifts, brakes and therefore runs fantastic!

Now, il a du chien!

Specification: Frame size – 51cm I Weight – 9.2kg I Gears – 27

No. 41 Anthurie

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This is Velolechien at it's best! A bicycle, that might look a bit underrated, but is in excellent technical condition. A bicycle made for the big concrete jungle, for the big city life, for riding hard every day. On this project, I've tried to reuse parts that I had left from other bikes. Nevertheless, I had to buy new vintage brakes, a very cool vintage oval crankset and new pedals. As a result, the whole bike is a little patchwork: From the Shimano Dura Ace rimms and brakes, to the Shimano 600 crank and derailleurs to the first ever rapidfire shifters. I am really proud of this project and I am sure someone will have a great time riding it!

Now, il a du chien!

Specification: Frame size – 51cm I Weight – 9.4kg I Gears – 16

No. 40 Asteraceae

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Crazy: This is my 40th bicycle! And it’s been a blast! And of corse it had to be a Koga Miyata. The best bikes ever. This one I got from a friendly guy in Luzern – he is changing to an electric bicycle. Lucky me. After I got it I striped the whole bike and cleaned everything in an ultra sonic cleaner. A first for me too. The parts looked like new and the reassembly – with new cables and cable housings, new chain and new handbar tape was therefor a real treat. The bicycle looks so classy and will make the owner happy for a long time.

Now, il a du chien!

Specification: Frame size – 57cm I Weight – 10.5kg I Gears – 12

No. 39 Pompondahlie

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This bicycle used to belong to a good friend of mine. She moved to a new place and decided to get a new race bike too. Good decision! So I took up this project and made something very special out of it. I change the whole cockpit, which means new handlebar, new brakelevers, new shifters new grips and new cables. Since it originally was a triathlon bike, the front crank was super big. So I decided to mount a crank, thats a little bit more suited for cruising around town. This bicycle is perfect for smaller people. It drives wonderfully and is looking forward to meet a new owner.  

Now, il a du chien!

Specification: Frame size - 50cm I Weight - 9.2kg I Gears - 12

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