Sell my Crabon, build a steel road bike.

There were some bumps along the way, its been emotional but ultimately and unlike dbad, emerging out the other side like a metaphorical phoenix, is a pretty nice bike.
8/10 would subscribe again.

I use Fabric bottles with stud holders. No need for cages. 2 x blue topped ones coming for Christmas. The studs are black, as you can see. I will resist the urge to swap for blue ones, unless they look totally seamless.

No need

You must be new here

excellent work matt. on both the bike and the thread

might have to dig out a picture of my old Daccordi I had in 2006 and built with those exact same wheels

You must be new here

In a sense. But I've also been here long enough to not have to do things by the book. Unless we are talking about blue tyres obviously.

In this, as in most things LFGSS, I wallow in the possession of my two digit member number and OG status.

YMM(literally)V.

Those fabric bottle holders, I've had one and it never worked. Bottle shot off the frame.

Have they changed?

DBAD is a nice bike!

But yeah, there was drama here .. the blue tyres is when it peaked.

Sora and nice bike are not compatible. Please, I beg of you to put a better groupset on it. 105 at least.

Those fabric bottle holders, I've had one and it never worked. Bottle shot off the frame.

Have they changed?

I've never had an issue, except once when I first used them and hadn't realised that you have to push them in quite positively to engage the stud.

Engage the stud. Yeah baby. Engage that stud.

Get some protectors on those cables to stop the frame paint getting rubbed off.

Do this before you ride again.

Frame looks great!

Some of the component choices are a bit questionable but that's your vibe right?

Lovely - Deserves a full size photo right here:

I'm a fan of de-stickering wheels, so would do this. Half an hour with a hair dryer and some nail polish remover would have them looking lovely and allow the frame to pop even more with less to distract the eye.

Other than that, I'd call it done.

It's a stunner pending minor mods, namely stickers and heli tape for the cable rub. I, for one, have thoroughly enjoyed this thread and build. Will be subbing the next build.

Hats off to you for putting up with the LFGSS pedantic nonsense.

Edit. Let me know how you get on with those wheels. I only really ride 32's on account of my size but I really like those.

What's the forum approved frame protectors for cables?

Helicopter Tape: freely available from Amazon, eBay etc.

Got my last set here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/m.html?_odkw=&_ssn=cycling_stickers&_armrs=1&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2046732.m570.l1311.R1.TR4.TRC1.A0.H0.Xhelicopter+tape.TRS0&_nkw=helicopter+tape&_sacat=0

Nice build,

I like these for protecting against cable rub

https://www.cyclerepublic.com/catalog/product/view/id/53892/s/sram-outer-cable-protector-rubber-black-qty-4/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAgs7RBRDoARIsANOo-HgDH3YIrK1PywcQnRz11Egs2yHVUqwU7qCKF3n4AVzxMGhveNgL2Z0aAvjPEALw_wcB

I just bought a 3 metre roll for 3 quid. Wouldn't buy a couple little stickers for more

BC sorted me out with the correct length seat clamp bolt. No more shim. Nice.

It looks great but there's some small niggles. I'd change the bar tape for something perforated and slimmer.

I think you've done a great job and that you bought the frame that I recommended for you :)
I would of bought it myself but it's far too big for me.
One of my favourite bikes is SLX tubing.
Enjoy it.

Thanks and thanks for the initial recommendation!

Perforated bar tape on the way. Two sets. One black and one pink.

We shall see.

I have also been looking at those Nitto bars. You know, just for information.

Can people who know about such things comment on the difference between the 106 and the 186 (anatomic) shapes?

Yes it's about the shape. The M186, having an ergo design, will probably have more reach.

On the compacts' side, the Deda Piega is nice as well, and not pricey.

Eww, 186 - no.

Alternatively the M177 has a very very nice shape. But again, longer reach.