Rotrax Vel' d'Hiv 853

Recently received my new 853 Rotrax with stainless dropouts and handcut lugs.

Time to get buying and building. Very excited to get riding this.

Wow. Will be following this.

is that front tire clearing da fork?

Clearing it by a hairs width, I wouldn't want to ride it like that. The frame is built for a 22mm tub and thats a 23mm clincher, these aren't the wheels for the build.

Absolute beaut! Man sized too. Quite jealous.

What cranks? 75s? Record? S Record?

Just wow!
I didn't know they were still made!

I'll be rummaging through google for a bit now

Yeah Tim Maund is still making them in Southampton. I have had a few 50's frames but always wanted my own made to measure so i took the plunge.

Crank wise, im not sure. I have a lightly used set of DA 7710's I was thinking of using. I'd really like to get some DA 7700 high flange hubs laced to some Araya Gold rims so thought the 7710 cranks would match nicely.

Campag C record would look fantastic, then again so would DA.

You probably mean 7600 hubs, which are lovely. Great looking frame too!

7600, i do indeed.

My main concern at the moment is the headset. I think im going to go full bling and get a silver King Gripnut. The question is should i hold out for a Ti Gripnut when they possibly maybe never become available again.

With a complete Dura Ace group I'd consider a 7410 headset, as they're a bit cheaper and really good looking.

And if you want a Ti Gripnut, just order one at Aspire, they often have them in stock but just not on the site.

+1 for the Dura Ace headset, better looking than a Chris King in my opinion.

is this going to be like a daily thing?

Absolutely gorgeous, I really like the finishing on the fork drop outs. You are going to be busy keeping them shiny

I managed to track down a GB Kromo underslung track stem in the states. The underslung verity are extremely hard to find. It has been re plated here with non original bolts. This is the only vintage part I intend to use on the build. I was hoping it would give a nice nod to Rotrax's herritage as the rest of the bike is likely to be clad in NJS stamps.

Excellent call......!

BB has arrived. Unfortunately I cant handle the heel rub on my 7710s so today I am going ro remove the anodising and polish them up.

A beautiful frame & fork. Well done you (and more importantly, well done Tim Maund!)

I'd say it needs Royce hubs. Just sayin. But it's your bike. Did you see the wheelset Doktor P has offered? DA on Mach2, they look flippin ACE. Pepe's a cool guy, they'll be excellent.

Stunning chromed drop outs!!!

Think they're probably polished stainless. But yes they're lovely, the paint/masking on the front looks lovely.

Yeah they are stainless.

Damn! that wheel set looked perfect. Slept on that one. How annoying.

how do you remove the annodising? just wet and dry or is there a chemical method?

Mr Muscle oven cleaner! worked a treat. Pretty scary at first. This is what they looked like after sitting in it for about 20 mins.

But after an hour of polishing this is how the drive side came out. Pretty happy.

DA headset, BB and chainset fitted along with the GB Kromo stem. Need to sell these wheels to fund a more suitable pair.

Getting close to completion. Now fitted with a NOS DA 7400 aero seat post and much more sensible 7600s laced to Araya golds with Hoshi spokes.