Dolan Preffisio

Ben6899

I'm currently building a new 2nd/winter bike. It's a Dolan Prefissio frameset: aluminium with carbon forks. I'm going to hang on it: 2009 Campagnolo Veloce; Khamsin wheels; and some shallow drop Ritchey WCS Classic bars. The Felt stem is a temporary solution until I have some spare cash - looking for one a little longer (120mm).

I'm looking forward to having it built; these frames have such a good rep as "winter trainers".

rake

nice, i was looking at one of those. is there propper clearance for real mudguards? ive got a 120mm ritchey comp stem taken off nearly new to swap. any good.

Garry H

rake wrote:

nice, i was looking at one of those. is there propper clearance for real mudguards? ive got a 120mm ritchey comp stem taken off nearly new to swap. any good.

Yes, but you'll struggle to fit amything bigger than 23mm tyres on. It's the same frame as the Ribble Winter/Audax bike.

Ben6899

Mudguard clearance as Garry says.

On the stem, I need to see how this 110mm one feels and then if I need to change it out, I'll give you a shout to swap.

Cheers.

rainerhq

Frame looks nice and price is good, but you need to be very flexible - 54cm frame has 11cm head tube. Isn´t it too agressive for winter training?

Ben6899

rainerhq wrote:

Frame looks nice and price is good, but you need to be very flexible - 54cm frame has 11cm head tube. Isn´t it too agressive for winter training?

It's very similar to the frame I am getting rid of. Why would it be too aggressive for winter training? Genuine question?

rainerhq

Ben6899 wrote:

Why would it be too aggressive for winter training? Genuine question?

For example, I´m getting more flexible during season and after 2 months on bike I get ride of 10mm of spacers under stem.
If you can train on bike all year, then it´s ok.
My bike geometry: seattube 540mm; horisontal toptube 545mm; headtube 150mm.

Ben6899

rainerhq wrote:

Ben6899 wrote:

Why would it be too aggressive for winter training? Genuine question?

For example, I´m getting more flexible during season and after 2 months on bike I get ride of 10mm of spacers under stem.
If you can train on bike all year, then it´s ok.
My bike geometry: seattube 540mm; horisontal toptube 545mm; headtube 150mm.

I see what you mean. I never really stop cycling (unless there's ice down) so I don't see my flexibility changing unless I have a niggle or injury.

I have the 560mm, so the headtube is 130mm.

Ben6899

So I made some progress at the weekend - managed to find a spare hour yesterday. I know it's a poor quality photograph - taken for my own records really - but I thought I would provide a quick update anyway.



I just need to fit the crank and BB, tape and cable, cut the steerer. Cutting the steerer explains the current number of spacers (20mm) - I am going to cut on the side of caution first off, to give some leeway. I can see me slamming the stem though.

Ben6899

Right, it was my birthday. So now I have a bit of cash to buy the bar tape and cables. What colours would you go for? I am thinking...

Cables: standard Campagnolo in white
Bar tape: something black with possibly white stitching/accents/logo

Any ideas or suggestions? And apologies this has been a disappointingly slow build thread so far, but I've had to direct cash elsewhere since the frame landed!

alihisgreat

Ben6899 wrote:

Right, it was my birthday. So now I have a bit of cash to buy the bar tape and cables. What colours would you go for? I am thinking...

Cables: standard Campagnolo in white
Bar tape: something black with possibly white stitching/accents/logo

Any ideas or suggestions? And apologies this has been a disappointingly slow build thread so far, but I've had to direct cash elsewhere since the frame landed!

Not sure really, i'm 50/50 between saying keep everthing black, or go white on the cables, tape and saddle.


I don't think white cables will look good without more white on the bike to balance it out though -> you'll need white tape and a white saddle i think.

Ben6899

White tape aint happening, I'm afraid. It will end up seeing winter use and I think black tape is the only way forward there.

I see your point about the white cables - might look a bit Essex!

nathancom

all black with the white on the tubes will look great especially for a winter bike.

RideOnTime

Smart...

Ben6899

Well I have just been shopping. I went for...

Bar tape: Fizik Microtex - black with silver logo
Cables: Campagnolo originals in black

The cables are like rocking horse sh1t at the moment, so I just went for what I could get my hands on.

It'll be built in a week, finally!

alihisgreat

Ben6899 wrote:

Well I have just been shopping. I went for...

Bar tape: Fizik Microtex - black with silver logo
Cables: Campagnolo originals in black

The cables are like rocking horse sh1t at the moment, so I just went for what I could get my hands on.

It'll be built in a week, finally!

It'll look great -> maybe consider taking the stickers off the wheelset to make it a bit stealthier?

Ben6899

Removing the wheel decals might be a nice idea. How would they come off best? Some surgical spirits maybe?

The frame is in the shop today to have the Campag UT BB and chainset fitted (I don't own the tools) and steerer tube cut down. Finished for the Easter weekend, all being well.

Ben6899

It would have been finished this evening, but unfortunately the Park Tool cable cutters I paid £36 for are FUCKING WANK. I cut one brake housing and decided to take them back to the shop. They're just chewing the cut ends, not exactly the 'shop quality' I was hoping for.

Any recommendations for cable cutters?

mattbass789

I got some in a lifeline tool kit from wiggle, that work well and never had any trouble with! Even use them for cutting down bass guitar strings. :P

ctc

Felco C7s. I got some to replace my cable cutters that were doing exactly the same.They're excellent

Ben6899

Thanks for the input.

I have done some reading and it seems 95% of brake cable cuts will need the end tidying with a file or side-snips, if you're looking for a perfect finish.

So I am going back to it either tonight or tomorrow night. Wish me luck!

Ben6899

Almost finished. I just need to set up the front mech, tape the handlebars and make the final tweaks.

One of those tweaks will be the stem/spacers when I have the fit nailed down.

Ben6899

Finished.

alihisgreat

Ben6899 wrote:

Finished.

Looks great, just need to get rid of some spacers!

Ben6899

ALIHISGREAT wrote:

Looks great, just need to get rid of some spacers!

Just sorting the fit, mate. Definitely a few coming out though, after today's test ride.

Ben6899

The sun is shining, I don't have time to ride today, so I thought I would do the next best thing: get the bike ready for tomorrow and also take a few snaps:

chadders81

Nice. I'm tempted by one of these because my seatpost is stuck and I'm a sucker for a black bike.

Only a niggle - but, maybe some black pedals?

Ben6899

I totally agree re the pedals, but unfortunately the next bike cash has to go towards finalising the fit, which requires the steerer trimming and a new [longer] stem.

Ben6899

I eventually got the new stem fitted and steerer trimmed:

ianbar

nice looking bike, i have been doing a winter build on same frame, taken me ages as no i sea what i have been doing! very much a budget build for me and a learning curve might have mine out on the road soon....eventually lol

Ben6899

Thanks mate.

Just stick at it and make sure you post photos!