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I think I should contextualise myself somewhat, more so for those that want to help me - Those that wish to be negative, fuck em.
- You don't need to justify yourself
- The people who are being rude are being rude because they reckon you are not a new member of this forum, but are an old member of this forum who has registered a new account and is pretending to have bought a bike to make a project out of specifically for the purposes of trolling them
- I'm not really sure why they think this about every new member of the forum, but there you go
- It's your frame so do what the fuck you like with it and do your best to ignore the LFGSS Poirot Crew, they will get over it (eventually)
- Because your Raleigh is from 198-something you'll have an interesting time getting stuff to fit, but it will be good practice
- You don't need to justify yourself
bothwell-
Oh c'mon: "I own fourteen bikes and would like to spend two grand on a fifty quid frame."
And "Er... this is a wind-up." is hardly rude, either in the context of what I have written in the past, nor the forum in general.
OP: your money, your choice; but throwing money at something isn't doing a job properly and won't teach you anything you couldn't learn by making cheap mistakes.
Case in point: Dura Ace brakes. Beyond basic Tektro calipers you're not buying better braking (which is surely what brakes are all about), just lighter and more flashy materials: spend your money on Swissstop/Koolstop pads and (eg) Transfil cables.
You say you don't need a cheap bike, but have started with a cheap (and outdated) frame and no matter how much money you throw at it, it will always be that: cheap (and outdated).
If taken at face value, you are both educated and have considerable experience of a wide range of bikes: are you really surprised that flashing your money around, whilst playing the ingénue, isn't universally welcomed?
Scilly.Suffolk
I think I should contextualise myself somewhat, more so for those that want to help me - Those that wish to be negative, fuck em.
I spend 10 hours a day in operating theatres. I work very hard, and I am reimbursed very well indeed.
In my spare time I ride. Thats what I do.
I ride most types of bikes, from Super Record Mercians, to mini velos. I have ridden LEJOG on my Chas Roberts Transcontinental and I have worked within the industry previously. I have never worked at Evans.
I now work in 6 different hospitals from London to the East Midlands. I spend 5 nights a week in hotels. I have at least one bike permanently in my car. I am lucky enough to have a decent estate vehicle so most nights I pull my bike out and take it for a thrape. If in London its usually one of my single speeds, in the East Midlands it may be a hardtail round Rutland Water. It might as easily be my Ribble Stealth. It's irrelevant - I ride.
Each bike gives me a tremendous amount of pleasure. I prefer to ride alone - I don't need to be accepted or judged. I am no threat to those charged with testosterone like @roadwarrior
I'd like to learn to put bikes together. I thought it would a be a great thing to do.
I chose the 501 purely emotionally. Not through function. I have my reasons, which I don't feel I need to share. If the frame is fucked I will buy another one. Maybe I will ask advice from someone on here. For me the frame is simply a tool to allow me to develop. But it's vital to me it's British.
Recently I bought the Ribble mentioned earlier in this thread. It rides absolutely beautifully. I have many bikes, but this one rides like a dream. This is where the Chris King hubbed wheels come from (I see them as being transferable).
I want to create something myself of similar calibre. Call it a project.
I want to spec high as I don't, at present, have the inclination to trade constantly. This is why I may need advice. So, yes I am just as likely to put Dura Ace brakes on it. I apologise in advance if that doesn't work for some of you but what I don't want is to keep upgrading, as essentially it will cost more. I hope that makes sense.
That is the logic in my thinking. I don't need a cheap bike to bez about on. I have a few already.
Tools - I have the Park Tool EK1 set so far. I know I will need to invest in more. I see quite a lot of the budget going on tooling.
Thanks again to those that have invested in me. I will take on board what you say, but please continue to help me out here lads.