Winter road bike, from the tubes up

Been following this thread with interest and that is a thing of beauty. Amazing build, and looking forward to seeing it completed.

headbadge looks really nice agaisnt the black. Did it take much polishing?

Also do you have the part numbers for all the adjuster parts. I think I'd like to have those on my build.

Are you planning on building for others soon?

Headbadge was polished by Armourtex for the princely sum of £10, so I'm not sure!

The STI adjusters are made up of two elements on Ceeway's "what's new page"

The barrels are Brass Deluxe STI Adjuster Screws with Stainless Spring

And the brazed on threads are

R2 Gear Boss STI/Ergo M5. Cast.

I'm building a bike for the missus at the moment, and then I have a mate who wants a frame doing. Given the speed I go that'll probably push me towards the summer. A couple of other friends have expressed interest as well. I'm hoping to get a few done in different styles this year. Might even do a kid's bike for a mate.

datheadbadge.jpg

Absolutely fantastic thread; thank you so much for letting me come along for the ride, and the finished result is a thing of elegance. Bravo!

where can you get JP frame saver in London?

I've probably got a spare tin if you want. I got mine through Ceeway but am down to one steel frame and that'll be going soon.

The real reason I'm here though is to comment on Mike's excellent work. It looks superb, well done.

Top Notch. Looking forward to the drive side money shot.

I have major skill envy! That is awesome, well done. Nicely recorded in the thread as well, keep coming back to see what's next. Can't wait to see it built up.

Thanks everyone for being so positive. Really pleased people like the head badge.

There might be a slight pause before I get it built.

I had just put frame saver into the first tube, flipped the frame upside down to make sure it coated the inside only to see that the powder coaters have missed a bit under the seat stays. Whoops.So it'll be going back first thing in the morning for them to do it again.

However, if that's the only thing that goes wrong then I'll be happy. I laughed when I saw it, and went to get some fish and chips and a pint. What can you do?

lovely work

Yup, looks excellent.

...if that's the only thing that goes wrong then I'll be happy. I laughed when I saw it, and went to get some fish and chips and a pint. What can you do?

That's some proper Dalai Lama shit right there. The world would be a happier place if we all had that attitude.

Back from the painters, all checked out fine. Just treated it with Frame Saver, and pressed the headset cups in.

Build is underway!

Finished the build this evening, couldn't really take very good shots due to the lighting, but will try to get some decent ones tomorrow when I go for a ride.

Fitting the mudguards was a bit of a fiddle, but they look properly incorporated into the build, which is what I wanted.

What have you done? Not only have you built it yerself, but then you make it look that good. Well done, build more, and more, and more.

out of interest... why not a level toptube?

out of interest... why not a level toptube?

It's primarily an aesthetic choice.

I tend to run my bikes with about 8cm of drop between the saddle and bar centre, so on a horizontal TT I wouldn't have much seat post exposed. And using a branded post I'd probably have "Ritch.." or "Thomps..." showing, which would drive me round the twist.

There are claimed comfort benefits from a sloping TT because if you have a lot of seat post showing, especially a CF one, as it'll flex a bit.

One of the advantages of fillet or TIG is the freedom to set the angles as you want.

Beautiful Job !

The geo looks just right and as you say: The guards just flow into the lines of the bike instead of jutting out and looking like a pained addition.

I would really love to see a proper pair of hand built wheels on it though .. Something a bit classier - the frame deserves it.

That is a machine of great beauty. Really inspiring - hope the ride went well .

I took it for a short shakedown spin today, and first impressions are really good. The ride is smooth, accelerates well, and it the handlng feels balanced. It passed the "ride it no handed" test with flying colours.

Here are a couple of pics of the build in close up. They give a better impression of the colour. I'll try to take a nice side-on shot tomorrow in the (alleged) sunshine, while I'm out having a proper ride.

That is excellent.

I've been out on the bike for a couple of hours, and I'm very, very happy.

The bike glides over the tarmac, which I think is a combination of the 25mm tyres, the CF fork and the tube set. The handling is responsive without being twitchy, and it fits me well.

Had a whizz around town, a quick circuit of Regent's Park, then up to Highgate via Swains Lane, and it climbs fine too.

Thanks to everyone who's commented in the thread, and I've really enjoyed documenting the process. Here are a couple of shots to wrap things up.

Hopefully I'll get to meet some of you at Bespoked in April. I'm going to be in the New Builders section, exhibiting as Munin Bikeworks, and this bike should be there.

Cheers!

Looks ace Mike!

I look forward to seeing it at Bespoked, I will be there.

Nice work Mike, and well done on setting up Munin Bikeworks. I guess you are starting taking up frame and repairs orders?