Light(ish)weight Pompetamine

Wheel wise you could build the Hope ones cheaper if you used Halo Aerowarrior rims. They're about half the price of the Stan's rims but a fair bit heavier on paper. I've been really happy with mine though and hey, strong, light, cheap, pick two.

As for chainset have you thought about something with a 110 BCD for more options on ring size? I use these with a 46:17 road gear and 36:17 off road gear although I'm still playing about with both. They were only bought as a temporary measure but I'm finding it hard to justify replacing them. They're rebranded Suginos so they're half decent. No good if you want black though and the hidden bolt is a bit of a faf.

I started with the chain tester has recommended but I found rust proof coated chains to be a bit unnecessary if you use your bike and service the chain regularly. I'm using this coupled with this to make removing the chain that much easier for servicing. It's worth noting, you can only use the connex link with an 8spd 3/32 chain and not a single speed 3/32 chain. Apparently they are slightly different.

Point taken on chains and cranks. My fallback crankset is currently the cheaper Miche Xpress (Primato may be beyond me) but I'll check those out. 110BCD may make sense, although I don't intend to take this off-road other than when I get lost.

I've snapped three Dura Ace chains in the last 4 years, and I've no idea why. I lube like a man posessed, always wash and dry after rides, service chains fairly regularly etc. I've just started buying cheaper chains and lube'ing even more and have now gone a year without a breakage, but it's a shitty mechanical to get when you're 30 miles from home and don't have a chain tool with you.

Thanks for all the help.

Jules

PS. Lovely bike BTW!