Updating a Mercian touring bike

My girlfriend's commuter Mercian is going to shed the fixed gear trappings and go geared. The main push to change is an upcoming triathlon, but after that the chance to do some touring.

I assembled everything I thought I needed over the last few months. Mostly second hand Campagnolo, 3 x 9 gearing. Not pictured are the handlebars/stem I am grabbing tonight, and some Campagnolo Nucleon wheels.

The fork crown is drilled for allen key, but the rear brake bridge is not, so I have a front brake and M6 nut to solve that problem. The frame has cable guides on the bottom bracket but no down tube shifter bosses, so I am using these as a solution.

Today was going to be the big rebuild day, perfect crappy weather to do it, obviously things didn't go to plan.

Firstly the front derailleur clamp is 32mm and the seat tube out diameter is 28.6mm. Instead of the 15 quid (?!) shim available from Petra Cycles, I thought I would cut up an aluminium can and use electrical tape to bodge it. Not pretty but it should work.

Then I saw the rear derailleur has a crack all the way through it. I bought this ages ago, but never noticed a crack.

Down tools, had a bacon sandwich, time to hit up eBay and see if I can get a replacement for my next day off.

Looks nice. Do you think that you will try and cold set the rear to 130, or just bend it a bit and squeeze the wheel in?

Squeeze it in, should be fine

These look really good what are they called and where did you find them?

sjs sell them hugo

also, nucleon wheels - lovely but pernickety if they need truing = not ideal touring wheels by any stretch

True, she is light though, so fingers crossed the wheels are ok. I can't afford any others at the minute...

Is that a colnago stem?! WIll it be going spare?! #hawking

(Also, I may have an Athena rear derailler no longer required that may be of use?)

Managed to buy a mech off Bobbyw so I'll try to finish the bike on Friday.
Yes the stem is Colnago (badged), send me an offer as I might not need it

Stem and handlebars from Ghostface.

Also got hold of another Chorus rear mech from Bobbyw.

Campagnolo wheels ready to go, they don't have a lot of life left in the brake track so they'll be replaced by handbuilts at some point this year.

Finished without much drama.

Nice!

for a 3x9 you need a long cage rear mech

Shit really?

Looks superb!

Looks good Gav, glad the bars and stem are to your liking!

Shit really?

Afraid so, especially with a huge jump between the smallest and largest chainring, even with a smaller road cassette.

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/derailleurs-rear-campagnolo-xenon-9-speed-rear-derailleur/campgrrr200

shame it's not in silver, but I'm sure there'll be a long cage one in second hand.

I'll wait for a silver long cage mech to show up, and get her to stay in the 40/52 rings until then