The Randonneur that Chris Bishop revealed at the 2012 NAHBS is a bright orange beauty that combines old-world elegance with modern and distinct details that secured the Baltimore builder the award for Best Lugged Construction. A worthy reward for the hours Chris spent bringing it to life.
John ‘Prolly’ Watson managed to abscond the 650b-wheeled wonder for a brief photo shoot during his coverage of this year’s event. As usual, he did a great job of capturing the plethora of details make up this highly lauded bike, including the hand-carved and thinned lugs, custom stainless front rack, lacquered bar wrap, Paul brakes and hammered Honjo fenders. Not too mention an obsolete yet extremely functional detail: a Campagnolo ‘Porta Catena’, a nifty device incorporating a switch on the down tube shifter that pushes the chain past the last gear to enable a chain-free wheel removal… Another of Tulio Campagnolo’s innovative inventions.
This is the complete vehicle for a randonée: a 200 (or more) kilometer course where riders are expected to be self-sufficient for the entire journey. Hence, there should only be a requirement for a large handlebar bag. A pump is mounted behind the seat tube, fore and aft lighting is powered by a front dynamo hub, and the component sheet is a seamless integration of Shimano Dura-Ace, Campagnolo, Suntour and TA Specialites.
Big thanks to John Watson and Chris Bishop. See more details on John’s blog, Prolly is not Probably.
