'Sledding the Badger': Hinault Altec Road

After championing riding fixed on the road for years, a recent trip to the Peaks left me lusting after a geared bike, and a bit of spontaneity in Classifieds yesterday has left me with this coming my way from @citizenshane in Nice.

I didn't have a CP thread for my track bike, so thought it'd be fun to make one for this, and it'll also be helpful to log my own thoughts on the build...

So, currently it looks like this, and should be with me by next weekend if postage goes smoothly:

Complete with 'Sled' decals:

It's largely done, especially in terms of the group, but I plan on changing the contact points, and then just a few other finishing touches:

Tyres - Red tyres have to go. Will probably be replaced by Schwalbe Duranos (25s if they'll fit) as they've served me well for a few years. Unless anyone can suggest any superior 'puncture resistant' road tyres at a similar price?

Saddle - I've got an old Flite on my track bike, so will probably transfer that to this, unless I can find another 90s one in better condition.

Stem - All black parts would look good in the future (if I stumble upon the funds for a new groupset/carbon wheels) but for now, silver will prevail. The black trad quill will be replaced by a 110mm 3t Pro Chrome I've already got in my parts box. Alternatively, I've got the 120mm Mavic 365 quill on my track bike if I need a bit extra reach.

Bars - I want modern compacts, but am obviously limited by the 26mm clamp on the Pro Chrome. Was set on Deda Piegas (like on my track bike) until I stumbled upon some badly listed 26.0 Bontrager 'Spotter Bars' on eBay this morning. A little wider than my current ones, but still - result!

Pedals - Simple swap for the SPD-SLs I currently use, I think. Might switch back to the Keos on it when my current cleats wear out.

Cages/Bottles - Have coveted a pair of King Iris cages for ages, so this is the time to get them. I'd like some matching bottles too, but am struggling to find something suitable (read: garish/jazzy) to go with the paint job. The Richard Sachs CX ones (http://www.houseind.com/include/getimage.php?id=12356) would be great, but I don't fancy incurring import charges on bottles, so will keep looking for now.

And I think that's about it for the mean time. Will probably re-cable everything when I swap the stem/bars, and might need new tape too (splash?!) unless I can salvage what's on there.

Pics will follow once it arrives!

Beautiful frame, but that color...

...makes it even better? :)

Subbed.
As I briefly mentioned in the for sale thread, I think this could be a bit HHSRB if you wanted to throw money at it, but I'm sure it'd be a nice ride if you do what you're planning on doing anyway.

Something about the current cockpit looks a bit weird. Bars need angling down?

I'm a staunch adherent of the Durano Plus.

Thanks, I spotted your comment, and am hoping people don't have sky high expectations...

I can't afford to put loads of money into a new groupset/flashy wheels (...yet) but I think it'll turn out nicely with a few tweaks; hopefully retaining some of that 90s charm. Yeah the bars certainly need rotating a few degrees, but that would then throw the hood angle off - replacing them completely seems to be the simplest option!

Errr, move the levers when you rotate the bars and change the tape?

That's what I was thinking, but as @thross is changing bars completely it's kind of moot.

strong play

levely frame, but isn't the TT and DT bent near the HT? hence the weird sloping geo.

Hmmmmmm... I'm hoping that's just the lines from the doors throwing the perspective off.

@citizenshane Bevin, you haven't crashed this front on and not told me, have you?

Fuck... The other pictures don't make it look good either...

What do I do!?!

I think @citizenshane is posting it today?

Bevin, if this has been crashed and the tubes are bent at the headtube, then I think I want a refund.

Can't believe I didn't spot that. Talk about being blind to imperfections. Thanks for flagging it up @kenzo.

Steel? What's the tubing? Looks crashed indeed.

Looks like death trap. But rad as ... apart from that

Columbus Altec, aluminium...

not too happy to spot that, shame really as it's a bueaty

Noooooooo...

Ugh, I knew this was too good to be true.

I can't believe I didn't see that.

I'd have been even more gutted had you/I had not spotted it and I died a fiery death...

https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/205865/

Don't know if it's the same bike, but this previous listing seems to have the same geometry by the HT?
Can't really be 100% cos of the photos...

^ a sprinkle of hope?

Does look a little dodge, could be weird perception of the smooth welds though?

crosses fingers

Wow, thanks for digging that up.

The plot thickens...

Annoyingly, the HT/DT joint (which looks most suspect) is obscured in the photos. If that had been the same it might have just been an oddity in the design?

Looks like a different frame though, due to the wear on the top tube.

Maybe.

Would really like @citizenshane to clear things up though...

Come on Bevin, you've been so great so far - let me know it's all ok!?

I think it's the same bike. Only the bend looks worse than previously. I also wonder if this spot has been retouched.

Awesome frame, but check out that dent on the down tube. Avoid.