steel frame thing

had some bits lying about so decided to put together a commuter. initially it had 9sp campag chorus rear mech & gears, improvised downtube shifters. but couldn't get a correct chain-line due to the frame's 120mm spacing. anyway, still rode it for a bit like that, mudguards and all. until i got sick of the chain falling off if i tried to use a too big or too small gear.

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thought a new chainset may help (as the older one had bent chainrings) but still had problems
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so i decided to turn it into a SS/FG as the spacing at the back was ideal for this. first off i built up some wheels using old weinmann rims i had, some on one hubs and DT comp spokes. 36 3x pattern. was going to tie and solder them but with the large flanges, 36 comp spokes they are stiff enough without being nasty.

hubs
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rims
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spoking up
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pre-dishing and truing
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turned into a nice classic-looking wheelset which wasn't too heavy
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the frame needed a bit of grinding to elongate the stays - the drive stay was shorter than the other one.

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then took off some extraneous metal!
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now have about 1" of movement

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had an old sakae crankset and tange BB

both were quite fucked

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had some cut down bullhorns

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to which i added a diacompe TT style brake.

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but i never did like it. so went to a goldfinger on the flats

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initially ended up a bit like this

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but i really like drop bars, soooo.....

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got some genetic steel bars. cheap and solid (if a bit heavy)

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also finally got a chainset which wasn't knackered

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and also put an italian leather armchair on there

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with bullhorns
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and drops

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Looks like great fun! Nice build. Interesting how your bike seems to be growing white paint... looks nice though

cheers! it's reflective tape!

In regard to that stronglight chainset - not round.
I spent about half a day working out how to sort this, eventually went with a shim idea. Now a lot better. I know it isn't an expensive chainset but it isn't a cheapo either. For the price - and considering it is CNC machined - it should be better.

Oh And I knocked the top tube brake guide off it. Hammer and screwdriver job. ;)

If I were you, using a crosstop lever (which I do) I'd tape the bars the whole way. There's nothing worse than moving onto the tops wearing gloves and having no grip. I think it'd also be nicer with some classic shaped drops, those ones look a bit out of place. Not a bad conversion though!

Agreed. Taped to there as that was how much tape I had left. Gonna go a bit higher when I get some more tape!

Settled on the bullhorns (after buying the fucking sprint bars - but they'll get some use eventually). Bit more practical in traffic.