Current Projects chat and miscellany

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I was talking with the guy @ Armoutex last week, I was hesitating between 2 RAL colours:
4003 and 4010.
The lighter one (4003) seemed to be the closer match, the 4010 was too dark. The guy advised that metallic lacquer does bring the colour a tone lighter, so I gambled a bit, went for the darker colour with metallic lacquer and the result is satisfying.
If I had chosen the lighter one, I could not have had it with the metallic lacquer otherwise it would have became too bright... I feel lucky the compromise did work...

Loic

I collected my Mercier from Armourtex early this morning and I am quite happy with the result.
I couldn't resist photoshoping the brand... I hope I will receive my transfers this week, along with my bar tape so this could be fully built for the WE.

Loic

Hell yes. Chapeau!

Looks good.

Looks good.

Thanks! Your beautifull Straton convinced me to go for metallic lacquer...

Loic

It looks like they've done a superb job Loic. I look forward to seeing pics of it built up.

Had this email from Robin Mather:

Hi James,
I've finally got around to sorting out my notes from your visit last week. Sorry to have taken a few days to get this done. Attached to this e-mail should be :
A drawing of the proposed design for the new frame.
The photo of your Serotta overlayed with a few dimensions that I used along with the Cyclefit data to establish your existing riding position.
A spec sheet.
Hopefully everything makes sense but feel free to point out anything I've screwed up or overlooked!
TT angle : I know we talked about the angle of the top tube but I didn't make a note of the conclusion we reached. I think you said you wanted a slightly compact frame so I've drawn it out at 7' to horizontal. This will put it parallel to a -10' Thomson stem. It's easy enough to tweak the drawing so let me know if you would prefer it somewhere else.
The Easton fork is a little shorter than your current fork. This, combined with the slightly slacker head angle result in a longer head tube. The bar position is the same as on your Serotta and I have included 15mm spacers under the stem.
Changing the seat angle from 73.5' to 73' moves the seatpost clamp backwards by about 7-8mm. The seat tube angle could go back to about 72' (depending on the exact combination of saddle and post) and still allow you to maintain saddle position.
Let me know what you think.
All the best.
Rob.

here is my response:

Robin
I was posting about you online just last night. [SIZE=2][SIZE=2][COLOR=#0000ff]https://www.lfgss.com/thread1790-8.html[/SIZE][/COLOR][/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Re the top tube, am fairly ambivalent, its really about performance more than anything else, I prefer functional aesthetics to looks for the sake of it. So really a case of what will work best
Seat tube angle again boils down to performance and fit more than anything else.
I do tend to put a lot of power into my cranks so stiff bb area will be important. (having broken carbon footbeds i am aware of this)
Also I tend to stay seated, only getting up out of the saddle when pushed to do so.
Re headset spacers, what would you suggest? I am happy to go with your recommendation, so more, less ....?
How is your bike coming along, can I have a look at the designs? Am interested in how similar/different they are likely to be.

Cheers

James

i tried to upload the spec and pictures he sent but that failed

[/SIZE]

IMO level your saddle and rotate your bars back so the flats are at least horizontal else you'll have so much weight on your hands. And add some links to that chain too... don't look like alot of interface betwixt tracknut and dropout.

I agree about the bars, I just couldn't find my Allen keys to adjust them. As far as the drop outs go, the wheel sits fine in it with a bit of room to spare, and with the extra link it looks like you could a bus throuhh the clearance as the frame is for 27" wheels.

Thanks!
Pink was Mercier's colour... not exactly that pink unfortunately, but I think I'm not too far. I am trying to recreate for myself Poulidor's bike:

Loic

Great project I am trying to do the same with two Carltons

I collected my Mercier from Armourtex early this morning and I am quite happy with the result.
I couldn't resist photoshoping the brand... I hope I will receive my transfers this week, along with my bar tape so this could be fully built for the WE.

Loic

C'est ça marvelous.
Well done mate, really really nice.
Can't wait to see it finished.
; )

Carlton Track retro build now complete,taken off the Atlanta wheelset and replaced them with a pair of Campagnolo Record pista hubs with tubular rims.

V.Nice! I'll have similar wheelset : ) (not tubs tho')

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2540/4345128555_b75b78d9d4_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2789/4345128691_6b3f7909cf_o.jpg

That rear hub shot makes me .................

KC, that is stunning... DJ, your bike sounds shit...

@ Highlandpro, maybe would have been better to quote just that pic, if any? KC, black tape or a white saddle will make your build complete IMO, gorgeous bike all the same.

DJ, your bike sounds shit...

This.

@ Highlandpro, maybe would have been better to quote just that pic, if any? KC, black tape or a white saddle will make your build complete IMO, gorgeous bike all the same.

i did

I do tend to put a lot of power into my cranks so stiff bb area will be important.

How are you measuring this DJ?

my new polo project:

http://www.lfgss.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=21396&stc=1&d=1266247562

dibs!

my new polo project:

Feel free to point out my stupidity, as I know nothing about polo, but what persuaded you that a niner would make an ideal polo weapon?

i'm gonna change out the forks, make the front end tighter.
not going to run 29er tyres, maybe some big 700x48 or something

the geometry works for polo, very similar to my current steed a BMW gangsta, but the gangsta doesnt have rear brake fittings and cant run big tyres.

Feel free to point out my stupidity, as I know nothing about polo, but what persuaded you that a niner would make an ideal polo weapon?

I think he has a 5ft seatpost ,thanks for the chainring by the way.

Feel free to point out my stupidity, as I know nothing about polo, but what persuaded you that a niner would make an ideal polo weapon?

Please don't kill what is a lovely off-road machine by making it into a beat-up polo bike.

Also, I'm intrigued as mdcc. I thought polo bikes were all about maneuverability and quick acceleration. Isn't a slack angled, chunky tyred 29er be the antithesis of this?

I know people use 700c machines for polo, but will a '9er work?

It looks more like an original polo bike than a track bike does.

of course, what he really needs is this:

as you can see it's even called polo

That certainly does look like an agile and nimble steed!