Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Today's Bike: Custom Appel

Reader Richard F sent this photo and description of his custom Appel:

"Thought your readers might like to see my Campy equipped road bike.

This is an 853 Appel Racing Custom, built for me by Mike Appel in Waterloo, WI, one of Trek’s original builders back in the 70’s. The bike’s green/white/red color scheme comes from my old club back in England, the Willesden CC. Groupset is 2001 Chorus, although observant readers will notice that the crankset is the 4-arm version from 2004, not the original 2001 5-arm version. The wheels are 2006 Eurus, bought on clearance when Campy’s all-new 2007 models were launched. Keeping it mostly Italian, bars and stem are Cinelli, and the saddle is Selle Italia. Red Hudz add a dash of color to the cockpit. I like to think of this bike as representing the pinnacle of classic steel frame / alloy component technology. Mike did a great job with the frame, and this bike is a joy to ride, even though it is now nearly 10 years old!

Oh yes, there is one brand ‘S’ component. It is the little plastic gear cable guide that bolts on under the bottom bracket shell. I just happened already to have one when I was building up the bike, and it seemed appropriate to place one of ‘those’ components where it could get sprayed with road crud by the front wheel!"




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