Bike Build - Nearly Finished
I just wanted to show some photos of my new bike build. It's nearly finished and just needs the chain and pedals adding. So far it weighs 7.75kg which I don't think is bad considering the the frame is 58cm, the cassette is heavy as it's got a 13-29 range and the total cost using a Campagnolo Centaur groupset is just under £1,200.
The frame and forks are an ebay purchase and the same as the Pedal Force one, the forks are full carbon. The wheels, bars and stem are from Planet X, the groupset from Shiny Bikes, the saddle is a Charge Spoon and the seat post is a carbon post from DH Cyclesport. Other bits like the tyres also came from DH Cyclesport. Finally the bottle cages are from the ebay seller in China who sells 2 carbon cages for £14, I've had to rub them down a bit as they were very shiny and didn't really fit with the matt/satin look of the bike.
I'm really pleased with it so far, just a little more fiddling to set up the gears and I'll be out on it. What do you think, is it looking good?
Gav.
The frame and forks are an ebay purchase and the same as the Pedal Force one, the forks are full carbon. The wheels, bars and stem are from Planet X, the groupset from Shiny Bikes, the saddle is a Charge Spoon and the seat post is a carbon post from DH Cyclesport. Other bits like the tyres also came from DH Cyclesport. Finally the bottle cages are from the ebay seller in China who sells 2 carbon cages for £14, I've had to rub them down a bit as they were very shiny and didn't really fit with the matt/satin look of the bike.
I'm really pleased with it so far, just a little more fiddling to set up the gears and I'll be out on it. What do you think, is it looking good?
Gav.
Gav2000
Like a streak of lightnin' flashin' cross the sky,
Like the swiftest arrow whizzin' from a bow,
Like a mighty cannonball he seems to fly.
You'll hear about him ever'where you go.
Like a streak of lightnin' flashin' cross the sky,
Like the swiftest arrow whizzin' from a bow,
Like a mighty cannonball he seems to fly.
You'll hear about him ever'where you go.
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Comments
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I like the stealth look and the fact hat the frame is not a mobile advertising hoarding.
Being picky, there are a couple of little things that would maake it look more complete and well-constructed. The rear brake cable outer by the seatpost is too long - this is the one cable outer that has to be spot-on to look good and work optimally. The rear gear cable outer may be a fraction too short too, difficult to tell until the chain is on. The cable outer should enter the mech horizantally so the cable doesn't have an awkward angle to bend through - makes changing sweeter. Most people cut this too short, including a lot of manufacturers!
The saddle is at a peculiar angle too, although I guess you haven't set the riding position up yet. I always use a spirit level to get saddles exactly horizontal, which works weell for 99% of people provided the bars are in the right place. Speaking of which, youhave clearly opted for a comfy rather than racy riding positiion - is your stem a riser or designed to be flipped? Most are but some aren't. What is that, a 100mm? It looks a litle short in the context of the bike, although i appreciate this might be a deliberate move to achieve a relaxed and comfy position.
At the end of the day it deosn't matter what anyone else thinks - it's you who has to be happy with it. It's certainly a fine looking machine and I hope you have many happy miles together!0 -
Looks very cool to me.
Love the matt black.http://www.KOWONO.com - Design-Led home furniture and accessories.0 -
robbarker wrote:I like the stealth look and the fact hat the frame is not a mobile advertising hoarding.
Being picky, there are a couple of little things that would maake it look more complete and well-constructed. The rear brake cable outer by the seatpost is too long - this is the one cable outer that has to be spot-on to look good and work optimally. The rear gear cable outer may be a fraction too short too, difficult to tell until the chain is on. The cable outer should enter the mech horizantally so the cable doesn't have an awkward angle to bend through - makes changing sweeter. Most people cut this too short, including a lot of manufacturers!
The saddle is at a peculiar angle too, although I guess you haven't set the riding position up yet. I always use a spirit level to get saddles exactly horizontal, which works weell for 99% of people provided the bars are in the right place. Speaking of which, youhave clearly opted for a comfy rather than racy riding positiion - is your stem a riser or designed to be flipped? Most are but some aren't. What is that, a 100mm? It looks a litle short in the context of the bike, although i appreciate this might be a deliberate move to achieve a relaxed and comfy position.
At the end of the day it deosn't matter what anyone else thinks - it's you who has to be happy with it. It's certainly a fine looking machine and I hope you have many happy miles together!
1 - I'll have a look at the rear brake outer as I have cut this one and didn't want to cut too much off
2 - I haven't cut the rear gear cable outer, it seems to be changing smoothly (without the chain) but I'd have to get a different outer if it needed to be longer. Also, the inner is only just long enough as it is.
3 - The saddle is just plonked on at the moment, I will spirit level it when I make final tweaks to the saddle height. I am very saddle fussy so it remains to be seen if this Charge saddle suits me anyway, it was only £20 though.
4 - The stem is 11cm which is good for me as I have long legs (35") but only an average body. I had to go down to a 9cm stem on my current bike to get a comfortable position. It can be flipped and is upwards at the moment. The bike is for comfort rather than speed as I'm looking at using it for a European sportive type event next year.
Thanks for the comments, there are a couple of good points there for me to check.Gav2000
Like a streak of lightnin' flashin' cross the sky,
Like the swiftest arrow whizzin' from a bow,
Like a mighty cannonball he seems to fly.
You'll hear about him ever'where you go.0 -
Fine looking bike, like the subtle use of gold bits. You obviously don't want to overplay it, but clear valve caps (standard with a brand of tubes I can't remember) would let the gold valves show through in their entirety.
I really should get out more.0 -
I really like the gold bits. Small details but seriously make the difference - cool. I also think you should have clear dust caps on the valves. Great work - enjoy!0
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I'd be tempted to get a gold chain for it - but then with my maintenance nobody would notice after a couple of rides. Looks nice - much better than having Pedal Force stickers on it.
it's a hard life if you don't weaken.0 -
Nice stealth/ matt black/ British cycling team issue look of back and gold0
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schilbach wrote:mike ives wrote:I really like the gold bits. Small details but seriously make the difference - cool. I also think you should have clear dust caps on the valves. Great work - enjoy!
who makes the gold bits - collar and headset
looks uber cool - well done!
The gold bits started when I got the frame and forks off ebay and the gold ceramic headset came with it. The headset is available from the guy I bought the frame from on ebay for £40;
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Carbontec-Ceramic ... =72%3A1301
I was going to replace it with a black one but then found the gold seat clamp that is made by Hope on the Wiggle website.
The bike now has the chain and pedals on and gears adjusted. I have a gold chain on another bike and it doesn't stay gold looking for long unless it stays dry, however when the Campag chain needs replacing it might have to be gold.
Gav.Gav2000
Like a streak of lightnin' flashin' cross the sky,
Like the swiftest arrow whizzin' from a bow,
Like a mighty cannonball he seems to fly.
You'll hear about him ever'where you go.0 -
It looks nice, imagine if you could have a golden crank, ufff... insane.
I follow up that it looks much better without all the marketing hype.
Excellent pictures!0 -
Is this for some covert operations mission? Are you MI6? 5? Maybe you could dub the machine "Black Ops". Nice rig.0
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Erm, that's a beautiful bike! I *love* the matte finish and am now considering getting my commuter bike blast and powder-coated in this colour!0
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Some poshbikes bits
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Kevy Metal wrote:Is this for some covert operations mission? Are you MI6? 5? Maybe you could dub the machine "Black Ops". Nice rig.
I was thinking of naming the bike and getting some lettering made in gloss black to add to the main down tube. My best name so far is 'THE CARBONATOR' although something relating to Spinal Taps Blacker than Black may come to mind if I can recall the quote from the film. Any other suggestions are welcome.
Gav.Gav2000
Like a streak of lightnin' flashin' cross the sky,
Like the swiftest arrow whizzin' from a bow,
Like a mighty cannonball he seems to fly.
You'll hear about him ever'where you go.0 -
I think the line goes "...none more black". Or you could slap "Smell the Glove" on the down tube.
Seriously. 0 -
Kevy Metal wrote:I think the line goes "...none more black". Or you could slap "Smell the Glove" on the down tube. Seriously.
You wouldn't want to smell my cycling gloves, certainly not after the cold I've just had!
None More Black - I like that as the name though.Gav2000
Like a streak of lightnin' flashin' cross the sky,
Like the swiftest arrow whizzin' from a bow,
Like a mighty cannonball he seems to fly.
You'll hear about him ever'where you go.0 -
My bike is now finished and the gears setup. I may need to tune the handlebar/levers angle a bit but other than that it's complete.
Now all I need is to get rid of this cold so I can go for a ride!
Gav.Gav2000
Like a streak of lightnin' flashin' cross the sky,
Like the swiftest arrow whizzin' from a bow,
Like a mighty cannonball he seems to fly.
You'll hear about him ever'where you go.0
