First Build - advice sought

Hi All

I am a newcomer to the forum and to cycling. I have enjoyed and learnt a fair bit on the forum so far. I am looking to build up a roadbike on an aluminium frame labelled Albertini (made by Ridley says the frame) which came with carbon forks, a dura ace seat post and an FSA headset which I picked up on ebay quite cheaply.

I am looking to build on a modest budget because a) I am a beginner cyclist and probably would not make best use of expensive kit, b) it is my first build and I dont want to make mistakes with pricey parts and finally c) because my funds wont allow anything else at the moment - easy decision!

I have just bought a mini Shimano 2300 8 speed group from Danns on the forum http://www.lfgss.com/thread86175.html (Many thanks Dan)
and I need to add a chainset. I can get a brand new Shimano 8 spd triple FC-2303 or a brand new 9 spd Sora triple FC-3403 both for around £32.00 delivered which is not a lot more than buying second hand with the added benefit of a longer service life and a warranty.

I know I can use both but which would be best? I know the Sora is a higher level component in the Shimano component heirarchy and may give me more options in the future but the fc2303 matches the bits I have bought from Danns. Also the bottom brackets would be different - the fc2303 uses a shimano un55 while the sora needs a tiagra SM-BB4600 with external cups.

Your advice / comments gratefully received

Still to get:
Wheels (Shimano R500s?) bars & stem (Deda?), saddle and brakeset. Advice on how the headset goes together will be sought in due course!

. I will try and get some decent photos up as soon as possible.

Have a read of this: http://sheldonbrown.com/speeds.html

I think you should be ok with 9/8 speed mixing where you’re only talking about the cranks. So if it’s the same price go for Sora. BTW do you need a tripple? or is it just because you've got tripple sti's?

Brakes: Tektro (check what drop you need, if it’s normal these should be fine).
Bars: Personal, I’d get compact OS/31.8mm ones like the FSA Omega (if you live in London, I have some Bontirager’s you can have for a fiver)
Stem: ebay, just buy cheap if you’re not 100% on stem length yet (PX light are good value)
Saddle: Very personal but Charge Spoon gets recommended a lot and is only £20ish
Wheelset: hmmm.... for new if you can I’d stretch the budget and get something like Shimano RS30s or Mavic Aksiums. RS30s can be had for a bit less. Otherwise keep an eye out on here and ebay for secondhand sets in good condition.
Tyres: Don’t skimp too much here – think about where you’ll be riding and then look at the tyres thread in “definitive lists”.

Hi

Now have some pics of the frame and fork

/attachments/54661 /attachments/54662
/attachments/54663 /attachments/54664

There is a sticker that says it is made of Coloumbus Zonal tubing.

Many thanks for the reply and advice Hugo. Choice of triple based on the sti's being triple and secondly thought it might give me a bit more gear range whilst I build up my legs a bit! I think, if my research on sheldon and forum is correct, I could run a double and just adjust limits on front deraileur appropriately.

The tektros look good and are the sort I was looking for. I put a pair of dia compe BRS101 on my current (27 1/4 rims) beater ride to replace the original functional but very rusty brakes. So might consider swapping these over.

Got my eye on an FSA stem on ebay only a day to go and @4.99 no bids. Thanks for the offer on the bars, I will get back to you as I may be coming to london in the next week or so.

Unfortunately the RS30s and Aksiums are a little (read a lot!) over my budget at the moment. The cheapest I could find were £120 or so and that is a reduced price. I can get the Shimano WH-R501 (labelled R500) for £68 delivered and I found a lot of positive reviews on them as an entry level wheel, I may also have got a result on a pair pf carbon clinchers for an unbelievably low price - I will update in few days.

Re the crankset, the Sora is out of stock and just waiting for confirmation of when will be available before making final decision. I know the Sora is higher level but I do prefer the look of the lower level FC-2303. Function should take precedence I know.

A colleague at work rides a specialized and does a 100 miles a week swears by his tyre which he gets for about a fiver each and seems to get a good wear & performance to price ratio compared to higher end expensive rubber he has used in the past. My proposed riding will be most likely to be on good tarmacced roads rather than bridle ways etc so cheap rubber may suffice for the time being.

I will update as the build progresses.

4 Attachments

Hi

Just a bit more info - seller stated "Weight as pictured 2420g" which is frame, forks, headset and seat post and clamp

Cheap carbon clinchers :/ ... That goes for cheap factory wheels too.

Better to buy a good condition second hand, hand built wheelset imo. Plenty come up on here..

^ Kinda agree... and if you do get a really good deal on them I'd be tempted to sell them at a profit if you're on a shoestring.

imo/e wheels and tyres are one of those things that make a difference to the way a bike feels. Obviously nicer parts feel nicer, but often those differences are incramental and imo you've just got to pick your spot on the scale. But I recon it's worth trying to rustle up the extra £50 - I suggested the RS30s because you can get them on sale for c.£120....which seems like good value/investment.

If your DA seatpost is in good condition and has a NJS stamp on the back it'll be worth a bit (my one did). Also I think that something like a PX lightweight seatpost is better in design anyway.

Or if you keep your eye out you should be able to pick up a second hand set of hand built wheels for a similar price.

I haven't tried loads of road tyres but I thought vittoria rubino pro's were nice and can also be had cheap. £5 tyres don't sound like they'll be a nice ride.

All just my 2p and the frame looks nice.

Hi Hugo7

Yes the seatpost has an NJS logo above an easton logo at the top of the post just under where the clamp section begins. Further down it has:

  SHIMANO
   SP-7410

JAPAN VIA

27.2

27.2 being the size I assume.

Any idea how much it may be worth? I only paid £42.00 for the frame and other bits as in pic 1

I'm no expert but probably worth £42

This is NOS, but you get the idea..:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SHIMANO-NOS-DURA-ACE-27-2-X-270mm-NJS-SP-7410-EASTON-Bike-Seatpost-NEW-BOX-/380446038638?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item589459da6e#ht_5459wt_1219

Do you really need a triple chainring on the front?

With a 26 biggest sprocket on the back, 52/42 should usually suffice, unless you want to tour or go up silly hills or have shafted knees.

Any idea how much it may be worth? I only paid £42.00 for the frame and other bits as in pic 1

Ridiculous. Well done. Jealous. sulks

Hi

Many thanks for the replies guys

@chw112 & casaBLANKA & Hugo7 thanks for the headsup on the seatpost - I will have a look at some lightweight alternatives and see if I can turn a little profit to subsidise the build.

@rodabod - I live in High Wycombe and there is quite a long steep hill on what will be my commute route so Ithought the triple would help me. Having said that the FC-2303 is a 52/42//30 so if I get that I dont need to use it but it is there.

@canaidan - thanks I thought it was a bit of a result and was just an impulse but as I came across it quite close to the end time and a further bonus a mate picked it up for me gratis as well!

just a quick update

Received the part groupset from Danns in the post today and due to pick up the 105 brakeset from Temper_Temper on wednesday. http://www.lfgss.com/thread87402.html

Won the stem I was after on ebay hopefully it will be a reasonable fit

/attachments/54762

Still to decide on wheels and bars.

Looking to place an order for a charge spoon with Wiggle as they are doing a deal @ £14.99 with free delivery.

Received the Rolf Prima 58RSC carbon wheelset today. They are really very nice unfortunately I will need to sell them on as I can't justify keeping them. Normally retail @ £1699 although they can be had cheaper now as I think they are end of line. Pics to follow

1 Attachment

Provisional dibs on seatpost if you're selling!