John Katsaras

COLIN LAING
CUSTOM

This Colin Laing was custom made for David Nahrstedt of Simi Valley, CA. Colin Laing (Chandler, AZ) has been building bike frames for over 50 years both in Europe and the USA, including custom frames for many professional and national teams. The bike in question has the trademark Laing wishbone rear stay and is unusual in having a short wheelbase (only 36.5 inches) making this bike, very responsive (maybe too responsive!). Moreover, to accommodate the rear wheel the seat tube splits half way down towards the bottom bracket (see picture). The entire frame and the custom aero fork are made entirely out of Reynolds 753 and the bike, as pictured, weighs in at a respectable 18.8 lbs. The bike was recently repainted Mavic Yellow by Joe Bell (Spring Valley, CA).

TECHNICAL

Reynolds 753 was introduced in 1976 and is simply the heat-treated version of the legendary 531 manganese - molybdenum tubeset which was introduced in 1935. The ultimate tensile strength of 735 is 179,200 psi compared to 121,000 psi for Columbus SLX, a chrome-molybdenum steel. To avoid overheating, causing embrittlement, the tubeset must be silver soldered or bonded. Reynolds 753 frame builders required certification from Reynolds before becoming eligible to buy 753 tubesets. The 753 tubeset was discontinued in 2000.

SPECIFICATIONS

Components:

Headset:
Campagnolo C-Record.

Brakes:
Campagnolo dual pivot calipers.

Derailleurs:
Campagnolo Nuovo Record (rear) and C-Record (front).

Cogset:
Regina America 6 spd (13-21).

Crankset:
Campagnolo C-Record.

Bottom Bracket:
Campagnolo.

Pedals:
Look PP 296.

Wheelset:
Mavic Open Pro CD Rims with Mavic sealed hubs. 28 DT SS spokes front and 32 rear. Michelin Axial Pro tires and alloy skewers.

Stem:
Cinelli Grammo 13.0 cm stem.

Handlebars:
Cinelli Eubios.