If you’re a reader of the exceptionally fine publication titled Bicycle Quarterly, you may have come across a review of this machine. It’s a modern recreation of the original by René Herse Bicycles, of Boulder, Colorado.
It may not be an original, but the soul and passion that René had for creating beautiful bicycles still resides within the frame.
Contracted by medical writer John Ferguson of New York, this 650b captures the essence of the Golden Era of cycling, whilst enjoying modern technological improvements. An Edelux front generator hub powers a SON headlight, whose wiring, naturally, is routed internally and is regulated by a nifty stem cap switch.
The transmission is a mix of old and new: there’s a Dura-Ace mech in the rear and a modified Huret in the front, to cater for the TA Specialites crank set. The twin-plate fork crown was built by Mark Nobilette, a fitting touch to a modern classic.
For more information on René Herse Bicycles, head to their website, while you can see more details of the build process on John Ferguson’s Flickr stream. All photography by Mark Kone using a Leica AG M8.
