Principia scratch build (almost finished)

snoopsmydogg

After a couple of months sourcing parts i've nearly finished my build.

Frame - Principia RSL 7020 Handbuilt Aluminium (roughly 56 top tube)
Forks - Principia full carbon fork and steerer
Bars - Kore oversized anatomic 42cm c-c
Stem - Raceface Cadence 120mm
Seatpost - ITM Millenium
Seat - Selle Italia Flite (titanium rails)
wheels - Shimano R501
cables - dura-ace/sis mix

groupset is mainly 105 with 53/39 chainset, 12-25 cassette, shifters, front and rear mechs.

brakes are sytems ex short reach.





still a couple of things to do, rear mech needs fine tuning, stiff link in chain, decals need replacing and right pedal needs fitting (broke a lifetime guaranteed hex socket trying to remove it from the old bike so currently soaking overnight) but managed a quick ride up and down the street with a cheap pedal fitted to check gears.

Difference from the other bike is like night and day although i may need to break the rule and flip the stem for a little more comfort.

so far though, one happy bunny

Red_Logic

Wondered what a dark blue road bike would look like.....iv never seen one before and IT WORKS!!

galatzo

Love it.
Far more interesting than that over priced Colnago up the charts (which is nice but not all that).
I even like the coloured tyres and I've long insisted tyres should be all black.
All black bars, stem, saddle etc really show off the frame well.
Without offending I'd describe it as a modest build list but done very well.
How much did it cost to put together if you don't mind me asking and what did it replace ?

Congrats on it.

samg123

Are they Schwalbe Blizzard Sports?
Bit of a strange question, but are they hairy?

snoopsmydogg

Galatzo wrote:

Love it.
Far more interesting than that over priced Colnago up the charts (which is nice but not all that).
I even like the coloured tyres and I've long insisted tyres should be all black.
All black bars, stem, saddle etc really show off the frame well.
Without offending I'd describe it as a modest build list but done very well.
How much did it cost to put together if you don't mind me asking and what did it replace ?

Congrats on it.

Thanks, the coloured tyres are a temporary measure from the previous bike while I decide whether to go for 25 tyres this time around.

I actually have the matching stem for the seatpost but made a balls up when ordering the bars (ordered 31.8 instead of 25.4) so I may change back to standard bars when a decent set of standard ITM 44cm bars come up on eBay.

No offence taken this was always going to be a bike on a budget but at a guess i'd be surprised if i have around £500-£550 all in (am yet to add up). My thinking was if I get a decent frame and groupset the rest can be done over time

The bike it replaced was a Raleigh Chimera, Chromo frame, 8 speed sora. It's pretty much standard other than 105 pedals, ponza saddle and it had the r501s for a month or so until they went on the new bike. I will still be riding it and looking to get a set of mud guards but there was a huge difference just from a test ride, maybe placebo but the new bike feels lighter, stiffer, more responsive

snoopsmydogg

samg123 wrote:

Are they Schwalbe Blizzard Sports?
Bit of a strange question, but are they hairy?

tyres are Continental Ultra Sports, get mixed reviews on here but I have used them for the last few months and 1000+ miles and they still have the mould marks so seem to be wearing well.

snoopsmydogg

So first ride out yesterday and a noticeable difference to the old bike, climbed better (possibly due to the 12-25 cassette?), smoother shifting, much more stable and better comfort even though the frame is stiffer.

Had a little fettle while out and gears need resetting due to possible cable stretch but otherwise really enjoyed it.

Can't comment on avg speeds etc as I was out in a group so spent the first half riding at there pace.