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@velohobbit
Reigniting this, thanks to all above for the feedback. Having taken the feedback on the "buy nice or buy twice" vibe, I'm rescuing my Bianchi which was turned into a commuting fixie skidder for a good few months.
Acquired a 105 5800 from @andymatthews and I've ordered the various other bits and bobs I'll need to get this up and running. The idea being on my limited budget, by a component that would be on the do it all bike, then next time I can look to get another component that will go to the new one as well, until I eventually have the do it all (this makes sense to me I think). Since the groupset can represent a large chunk of a new build cost I felt this made sense.
Picture from mid stripping:
Managed to get everything off apart from the bottom bracket (there is a special place in hell for people that don't grease components before installing them). I foolishly didn't take it apart and regrease when I got it off eBay so maybe some of this is on me.
Hopefully visiting the thoroughly helpful and nice chap that is @jsabine this weekend to use his collection of wrenches and for the 2nd time eff and jeff and get the bugger out.
Plan is to get this up with the groupset and wheels from its original life as a roadie (Mavic Kyseriums) and the waaay to wide blummels I have laying around (unless anyone has madea similar cock up and would swap me or a narrower pair!) and ride it through the winter.
When into the new year, I'll make the decision about whether 25s and guards is suffice for the riding I'll be doing until we move out of London. I'll also decide on paint then as well, I was considering a spray.bike job but given some of the recent experiences on here, think I'll wait and if this becomes a go to bike, get a proper paint job done.