Somec Elite SX build (Columbus SLX)

I don't know if my changes to the Fondriest are substantial enough to justify a full thread. It's mostly about tidying it up with coordinated white bar-tape and saddle, new tyres and brake hoods. I'm also changing the bars and stem to rein in and narrow the cockpit. Group-set, wheels and frame remain as they are. The bike is in excellent condition as is, so I'm not adding much to its visual impact. I'll take a few photos and see how I feel.

I don't commute every day, but when I do it's from Twickenham to Oval by way of Putney, Wandsorth and Clapham Common. Detours on the return leg may take in Tooting, Wimbledon and Kingston, but that's more of a summer thing. I don't generally enjoy the ride home as much as the ride in - too hectic.

Well I do ride occasionally to Twickenham (I lived there before moving to Brentford a year or so ago) to the farmers market, but usually with the Holdsworth.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Advent-Bike-Cycling-Yellow-Deluxe-Nylon-Toe-Straps-NOS-/181872291067?hash=item2a586eecfb
Bit yellow but could darken up a bit after a few miles

or these even - http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Raleigh-Nylon-Toe-Straps-Neon-Green-Day-Glow-tab-release-Free-Shipping-USA-/161284939172?hash=item258d54dda4

The second ones are nice, but total over £20 !

Wow almost a year with no updates!

Anyway thinking of upgrading the Somec to a much more modern setup.
Athena 11sp silver and Mavic Ksyrium SL SSC (from the Leader AX, which will get Shamals)

Still deciding re going ahead, but probably keeping a vintage stem, and which seat post.

The Dura Ace 74xx will probably go on sale (full groupset, wheels, seat post and stem) to fund this.

Hooray for shamals & neo Retro upgrade, both will look great! I'd change the somewhat bulky rolls though, while you're upgrading the Somec. Don't get me wrong, I also have a rolls on one of my bikes but it is not the most elegant saddle, a flite would look better on this one imo :)

It has had a Flite Titanium from the beginnibg actually :)
Actually I have never posted a picture here...bad of me

So I have an issue with the upgrade. All is well except for the cockpit.

I went for the nice 90 degrees stem pictured (3T Chromix I believe), but didn't realise it has a 25.4mm clamp. It seems the stem was intended for city riding, i.e. with 25.4mm risers in mind.

So the handlebar which were on the Somec before (26.x mm) won't fit. Found and got a pair of 25.4mm handlebars (Nitto NJS, but track ones) that are going on right now, but this I think will be a temporary fix.

Any suggestions for a nice stem/handlebars combination for this neo-retro upgrade?

At the beginning I was thinking of trying a similar combination that I have on the Moser (also pictured) which is what I tried to go for, but am open to alternatives.

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I'm really happy with my Nitto M106 NAS (26.0 clamp) bars on my Moser, the quality is great but not the cheapest. That's presuming you're after a compact handlebar of course. Could go well with the Shimano group?

Found a Nitto Neat M185 (I think, from the forum here).
I am looking at handlebars for the Somec, not the Moser, not for now at least.

Off to find a nice Nitto stem.

PS: This is how it looks now (front wheel still at the office)

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Everyone bangs on about the Pearl but I prefer the neat underbolt of the Dynamic meself. (I may have mentioned this before.)

Yeah I was thinking of getting a Dynamic indeed.

Btw other pictures (don't look at the pedals)

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The Athena 11sp Silver is really a lovely looking groupset.

Looks great, what seat post is that? What bar tape are you going to be fitting?

p.s Get some photos when the front wheel goes on :)

Thanks.

The seatpost is a Nitto 65, bar tape will be the same as it was on before, acid green.

The photo with the correct front wheel will take a bit as I'm abroad for two weeks :-(

I have a Cinelli Pinnochio on one of mine, which has the look you're going for, but don't think it's 90 degrees?

I'm actually selling a dynamic/Velo orange shallow drop combo. Happy to knock a few quid off for you, if it suits? https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/289654/

PS thanks for reviving Somec lust...!

why don't you use compact bars?

Yeah I should. I actually just wanted to re-use the same bars I had on them before, but indeed it makes more sense to have compact.

Solution is to either find compact bars with 25.4mm clamp size or change the cockpit with a Nitto stem (to match seatpost)

@Engineering101 I think those bars are compact by the look of them?
Only issue I might have is the 120mm...frame is already a bit too long

They're these ones: http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/dajia-cycleworks-short-and-shallow-handlebar.html Pretty compact!

If you're keen on just the bars, I could try to get the stem off gently. Imagine it will be a pig, but the previous owner clearly managed it...

I'm back from Stockholm and a bit of time to consider finishing this off.
I assume you're not selling those bars anymore @Engineering101 ?

Will drop you a PM.

OK !

Bike is looking great @anidel, hope the stem works out for you