First road bike – Nigel Dean 531

For some reason a couple of months back I got an itch to build up a retro SS road bike.

Hunted around for 60’s and 70’s Carltons and the like, but ended up stumbling on a bit of a bargain. A bit newer, not sure on age, 80’s to 90’s, but a Reynolds 531 frame, made by Nigel Dean, with a few useable bits for ~£40.

I’ve since gathered a few bits, and got it built up to a useable standard.

Went from this:

To this:

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Nigel Dean 531[/url] by Hallsy01[/url], on Flickr

Want to get some tan hoods, and also need some better pedals. Other than a few other little cosmetic touches, if I get on with it, I’ll slowly upgrade the drivetrain.

Just went out for a quick ride. Felt OK, nice & fast, a little odd on the hand positions though. I don’t feel like I could stop quickly in an emergency from the hoods, but this might be down to lack of experience, or maybe bar/hood position.

Very twitchy at slow speeds though!!

Lovely.
Good effort, that looks lush. 🙂

Nice, i’m also hankering after an old school roadie restoration project, just on my way to e bay now.

Thanks!!

It’s turned out pretty well, just a little bit more tidying and some nicer drivetrain bits and I’ll be well happy!!

Even as it stands I reckon it owes me about £150, which is pretty good going I’d say!

Like

Well played, back of the net.

Cheers, only had it out for a few miles so far. Moved the bars around a bit (rotated back) and moved saddle forward a touch, feels much better.

Quite enjoying it so far!!

The top tube brake guides and that fluted seat post are pretty much the same as my first serious bike, a Raleigh Road Ace which I paid £400 for back in 1987.

Brings back memories :-).

Now, go and make sure the tops of those bars are more or less horizontal.

i had one of those in the same colour scheme in the late 80″s/early 90’s – my winter bike sold it around 93/94 for a trip to Oz. 8)

I liked it…..