Easy to ride road bike for training and DD next year

sycophancy thread>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Don't let me interrupt guys...

^^ FredyCro - of course you are right. I am doing plenty of riding*, but on the other bike (see top). I was hoping to get this one out for a ride before Xmas, but I will slow down and wait for the right parts to come along to finish it off.

I get it from my own experience that with time the wishes get a bit refined... will be assembling my frame-set in Christmas time... Sometimes (always) the things you want, you need to buy yourself :)

Was a little slow over Christmas, which I am pleased about really, a little bit of time to think about what I want. Anyway, did get one evening to hang everything on the new frame. Cabled up the levers and took it out for a spin - it feels nice, but too early to say what it will feel like on a longer ride. Still some stuff to do:

• Post some photos
  
• Trim the brake cables to get the curves a little less 'flamboyant'
  
• Tape the cables to the bars and...
  
• Tape the bars - need to find out how to go around the bottom of the levers - not really sure how to do that
  
• Sort out the rear caliper - the drop is not quite long enough, a couple of mils short. I am going to try filing out the oval a little more to lower the blocks a little
  

Was at Herne Hill on New Years Day. First trip for me.

While I was there and before my three year old starting picking fights I picked up a nice RX100 chainset from the jumble. I think it is going to look much nicer than the 2300 chainset.

Photos soon.

Oh by the way... what are the pros and cons of CX lever mounted across the top of the bars? I ride the tops a lot, it is better for my back, and so would not mind having some brakes there. Any problems with this?

Aesthetics, and seeing how much that means to you with the whole crankset saga I am surprised you are considering it. Aesthetics out the window, they are a good thing to have, especially if you like riding the tops. Just make sure to lube the cables and look after it, have had an issue with cable stick using them but that was on a cx bike I didn't clean for about three months.

So, went to fit that RX100 chainset and came across a bit of a problem, the drive side crank is well bent.

I didn't notice it until I had fitted it to the BB and all. It was snagging against the front mech at first. I thought I had fucked up the fitting, but then I noticed it was snagging the chain as well, so something was wrong. Looking at it, it's pretty clear what was wrong.

I'll endeavour to take that back then. Fella mentioned he would be doing Steyning at the end of January - maybe, if I fancy a long ride, or Muswell Hill in March. No receipt of course....

Decided to take her out on a post-Christmas, let's-see-if-anything-falls-off ride around west Kent. See other thread >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>. I went for the 30 mile ride - it has been a while, and I didn't have enough time for the 60. Anyhooo, I learned two things:

1. Pay attention at the split - ended up doing the 60. Had packed and paced for the 30, I was knackered, hungry and cramping towards the end. Not funny.

2. Kent is hilly, and I want to run a compact set. So that is the RX100 out the frame even if it wasn't bent.

I'm going to get going with the wet and dry on a compact set that I've got. See if I can't shine it up a bit. Expect to see before and after pictures.

Here is the bike post West Kent, pretty much all there and finished:

I am not sure about the brake levers - bit too pointy-uppy - I do like it when they continue the line of the top of the bars. But I will try a ride or two more, in the end it what's works that matters.

New chainset, headset needed.

Pedals still to be decided upon really.