Thorn, snagged

Unfortunately Oxfordshire otherwise I’d wheel it round to them :(

Reverse drill bits are a god send along with patience and penetration oil.

https://eshop.wurth.co.uk/Product-categories/Rust-remover-Rost-Off-Blue-Ice/31083008050103.cyid/3108.cgid/en/GB/GBP/

This build is turning into one of small victories between long sloughs of despair
Today was a small win, as three bb’s later we have clearance, clarence
NOS 115.5 Campagnolo to the rescue means the 42t inner ring on this double works
So the 38 on the middle of a triple will be fine, right?
Right?
Next is to let the anticipation of further failure to gently brew, as the chainset is in the post
I expect I shall be back to the Wanted thread by Sunday

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Cheers, going to have a look into those

Shiney things beginning to arrive

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Some progress
Sort of sorted the f*cked bottle boss, will need weldtite/araldide security but that’s ok
Am at the ‘offering up everything to see’ stage and the stack and reach seems ok when I’m sat in
The NIB bb is so buttery smooth
The triple clearance is perfect
Apologies for the spaghetti cable nonsense, need to tidy all that shit up
Now thinking, what about just rust-o-le-am gel on all the surface rusty chips and then nailpolish over in black?
I mean, it would reward / deserve a respray really?
Will try and get the brakes worked out tomorrow
Am under a deadline kind of as well to get everything sorted for a ride next month, yikes : )

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So we have mudguards
Needed a bit of modification (because, well, mudguards) and they are ‘generously cut’ ha ha for loads of trail-crap clearance
Cable nonsense also now in hand
Can also confirm the back brake canti-brifter-combo actually works

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This is getting real nice!
Looks like you've sorted your bottle cage bolts issues?

Aww, cheers:)
Really want to get it finished and get out for a shakedown cycle
It weighs a ton lol, glad it’s got grandad gears

This bike already looks like it wants to go on a round the world trip

Am worried I’m making a monster that is well beyond my cycling ability lol

At that point, or closely approaching it, where you blithely throw a casual “Just to sort the chain out next and then it’s ready for a wobble around the block to see how everything is shaping up” kind of comment
And then spend the next three weekends trying to actually resolve all the things you overlooked
Like the tyres are quite cracked on the running surfaces…

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There are panniers
There are pumps
There are still things needed
Sleeping bags for example
Slowly things come together
Front light bracket furting will feature in the Bodge thread also shortly

Edit
Frame pump is quite stealth
This is ok

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Frame bag, two racks, lots of bags. Now expecting updates from many exotic locations.

Ah
Stoke Row is exotic no?
Maybe Wantage…?
I knew this was going to be a bike build beyond my ability but I have ambition
And a biekpacking adventure planned for next month
A very small adventure
In Engerland-land

Amazing, I'm thinking of starting a similar project at the moment. Have you thought about the bar tape? I think it would look great with some of those woven cloth bartapes!

Ah, now there’s an idea…
And thank you!
It’s making me slightly nervous right now

Looking good!

This is great!
Do you have a pump peg both at the top and bottom of the stay? Or does the pump sit at the junction of the seat and chain stay? Got a weird situation on the Mercian I just got, bottom peg 's missing but my pump fits... Think I'm just lucky but not sure.

:)))
There’s a pip on the chainstay and one on the little loop thingy at the top of the seatpost, with another pip
The valve end of the pump )with the little bridges (?)) seats between the pip at the base and the seat stay
Seems to be a perfect fit but I’ll use a bit of webbing just to make sure it stays where it should
And not decide to become closely acquainted with the spokes
Sounds like if you get a Zefal you might be good

Test / set up ride just now…
Good things;

1. Super comfy
   
2. Looks hilarious
   
3. Flat pedals are grand
   
   

​Not so good things;

1. Steering is twitchy - might be just it’s an odd experience but the bars are quite narrow (42’s I think)
   
2. Pulls to the right on pedalling off - putting this down to above
   
   

Not good thing;

1. Cannot for the life of me get the chain length right, so the rear mech keeps fouling the cassette - need to visit the biek shop for advice :(
   

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Hoods Up Thumbs Up also

Twitchy even with weight in the bags?

I don't know if it makes a difference but I like the weight down as low as I can get it at the front, using a stylish combo of a Nitto M1 and a Tubus Tara

Ah
No, empty
Which I think may be the issue
On racks, those options look lovely but waaaayyyy beyond by meagre budget :(