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@gbr
This is my first build that I will cover on this forum. I have done some other builds before (I have an Concorde Aquile SLX with a Sram Force group done before [https://lfgss.microcosm.app/api/v1/files/efd7bb26374862069f0b76749fdc8c8458c06292.jpg]), so I gained some experience. But this one I wanted to do really nice and completely documented. The backstory is that my girlfriend needed a new road bike. Her old Giacomelli was too big and had the classic problems such as the seized seatpost, stem and other parts breaking down or stuck. She is rather small, so the aim was to find a 48cc steel frame that is not too old to fit more modern parts on it. The goal was to create a steel road bike with a modern groups that is reliable, affordable and easy to maintain/replace. After a long and frustrating search I finally found a perfect frame.
The bike is a 49cc Diamant road bike, with Columbus Thron oversized tubing. I bought it from a forum member (who even brought it by train. Thanks Maryann) and it came with a complete Campagnolo Veloce 9 speed group. The flamboyant paint job and chrome is still in mint condition, such as the groupset and some nice Ambrosio rims. The dropouts have the Columbus dove stamped. The bike could be left like this, but I am not the biggest fan of Campagnolo and I want the parts to be more modern, and give me the biggest amount of replacement options when needed.
So, I sold the Campa parts to my LBS (who is using them on a very nice carbon Vitus frame) and started looking for a new groupset. A Sram Rival groupset would have been nice, but eventually the Shimano 8500 105 groupset was the winner (reliable, performance, biggest bang for the buck and a lot of options regarding maintenance and replacement). So I ordered the groupset, together with some other parts needed for this build. Tomorrow the most parts will arrive and the will begin. For now the frame is in the stand, ready for some cleaning and preparation.
Tomorrow I wil post some more photo's online, and I am planning to make a timelapse of the whole proces.
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