Ron Cooper

[masispecial]

My frame arrived yesterday afternoon...
P2090758small.jpg
...made it's debut on the road this morning

[Vlad Luskin]

That used to be mine! I sold it to a guy in Georgia a couple years ago! Hello, old friend.

[masispecial]

That used to be mine! I sold it to a guy in Georgia a couple years ago! Hello, old friend.

...and I bought it from him, though he's in New Jersey these days.

[Vlad Luskin]

I got it from Tony Tom at Bicycle Odyssey in Sausalito. I can't remember how old it was, but Tony had told me it was custom made for a guy back when, who'd wanted a celeste bike (obviously), but he either developed health problems or couldn't afford to pay for it or something like that. It remained in the shop for a long time and was occasionally ridden by people who wanted a test ride and Tony's friend who visited from New York. Not sure where that stem came from, it wasn't on the bike when I got it. IIRC, it had period-correct 3TTT or Cinelli bars and stem. Rear derailleur was Super Record, but the rest of the parts were Nuovo Record. You should know that the frame had a few chips that I had Ed Litton touch up, but otherwise it was in mint condition. Congrats. Enjoy.

[david]

memories...

i bought a cooper from tony in 1981.
still have it.
right now, the frameset is in my attic.
i have most of the original super record components.
will build it up again one day.
very nice to see one out on the road.

[masispecial]

I got the frame only, built it with stuff I had lying around.
The stem is temporary, until I can find something suitably long and shiny

[messyparrot]

Looks great I bet it was a nice ride, and I bet you were smiling ear to ear riding it.

[masispecial]

Looks great I bet it was a nice ride, and I bet you were smiling ear to ear riding it.

Any reservations I had about acquiring bike number 14 disappeared when my delux female riding companion told me the Cooper was beautiful approximately 10 times in the first 5 minutes of our ride.
I've been looking for one ever since I saw my friend Richard's Ron Cooper which he has owned since new: http://retroride.blogspot.com/2006/0...on-cooper.html

[SpeedyChix]

Very nice. Sweet looking ride.

These would look pretty nice on there

[masispecial]

These would look pretty nice on there

True. I have a pair of Super Record ti spindle pedals for rides where I need to look the part, but for day-to-day thrashing about my knees prefer some float.

[SpeedyChix]

Excellent!! Sweet shoes there too.

[baldbones]

Roy Thame thread pls!!

[masispecial]

Roy Thame thread pls!!

More photos of my Roy Thame: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bensond...7606478655909/
Its a purpose built 5-speed TT weapon, and not a bike I particularly enjoy riding, but definitely a thing of beauty.
Currently without wheels because I repurposed them for the Cooper.

[dbrk]

pictures don't do justice to this bike. likely one of the last made by ron himself. the ergo bars are long gone for classic bends. the bike hangs quietly these days but i resisted the urge to sell (cause i rarely ride it) and save it for pals who want to know what makes for a great ride.

[masispecial]

Since only DBRK and I are playing in this sandpit, here's my 1969 Ron Cooper-built Gillott.
For a while it had favourite bike status, more recently we have been estranged due to the attractions of riding racing bikes in summer time, but with a bit of rain on the roads this morning we're back in love.

gillott.jpg

[ultratoad]

Cooper Day 1 at Vasona 004.jpg

New Cooper 60th Anniversary Edition on the road.... Finally....

[masispecial]

Ultratoad
That is fantastic.
Tell us more.

[ultratoad]

I found the frame (NOS) at Bicycle Odyssey in Sausalito totally by accident. I had been wanting a Cooper for a while but never thought I would find a new one. I wanted the old world feel and look with modern components. The wheels are Ambrosio Nemesis rims laced to Record hubs (courtesy of Tom Kellogg of Spectrum Cycles) with Veloflex Criterium tubulars and they are fantastic. The groupo is Campy Super Record 11-- I really like the stuff. The bars, stem and seat post are Nitto-- incredible quality at any price. I finished it off with a Brooks Team Pro Ti saddle and leather tape in the honey color. It really rides smoothly with excellent manners. I'm even impressed with the comfort of the Brooks saddle-- my first. This one is definitely a keeper....

[alancw3]

looks great but may i suggest some gunwall tires.

[alancw3]

looks great but may i suggest some gumwall tires to really make it period correct.