1989 Maruishi Wanderer.
This bike is modelled after a
French-style randonneur touring bike, with all the necessary braze-ons,
including low-rider front rack mounts. Notice the extended top head lug, and
fancy pump peg. The frame has lots of tire clearance (due in part to the fact
that it was made for 27” wheels with large tires and fenders), laid back
angles, and a long wheelbase (about 105 cm). It has a stable ride, without
sacrificing agility on sharp turns. I have switched almost all the parts, to
create my own version of a cyclotouring dream
bike, a poor-man’s Rivendell. Dave at Bike Works calls it “The Riverdale.”
Frameset: Ishiwata EXO
tubing. Made in Japan.
Headset: Tange Falcon
Front Derailleur: Mavic
(French der. is necessary for the TA cranks, which have little room between the
arm and chainring.)
Rear Derailleur: Shimano
Deore 1989
Shifters: Campagnolo Record
Downtube
Chain: SRAM
Crankset: TA Cyclotourist
170mm, 36/46
Pedals: Shimano M737 SPD,
first issue.
Cassette: Performance 11-28.
Bottom Bracket: Shimano Deore
(triple Mtn. spindle works great with TA cranks)
Wheels:
Front:
Suzue sealed bearing hub, 36 hole, and Mavic MA-40 rim
Rear:
Shimano 105 cassette hub, 36 hole, and Mavic MA-3 rim (a bargain from Nashbar)
Tires: Panaracer Pasela 700 x
35. Actually about 28 mm.
Brakeset: Front: Shimano
Deore/Deore XT cantilever (pre low-profile). Shimano 600 Ultegra aero levers.
These
brakes work great, and are extremely adjustable, which I need since this bike
was made for 27” wheels, and even then the cantilever posts were brazed on a
bit too high. This is my main complaint with the frame, but it’s only the rear
that gives me this trouble.
Handlebar: Nitto 42 cm.
Classic bend
Stem: Nitto Technomic Deluxe
9 cm, long quill. Brings the handlebars to a comfortable height. Strategic
placement of bell breaks up the length of quill
sticking out of the steer tube.
Bar Tape: Ciclolinea
Seatpost: Ritchey 27.0 mm.
Saddle: Brooks Team
Professional, steel rails.
Bottle Cages: TA Steel.
Front Rack: Nitto
Handlebar Bag: Gilles
Berthoud
Mounting
these bags is the big issue. I prefer to take the straps which are meant to
attach to the flats of the handlebars, and attach them to the bars directly
below the brake levers. Much more stable.
Here’s the bike as it came
out of the box:
Full Shimano Deore
drivetrain, 6-speed index, Biopace chainrings, randonneur bars (way too narrow,
and stem is too short), water bottle cage, and full racks. About 24 lbs. For the
most part, it is a well-equipped touring bike, right down to the 36 hole Suzue
sealed bearing hubs. Unfortunately, Bike Works ran out of their limited stock
of these bikes.
Read about Maruishi Bikes Here