Cool Blue Mercian 725 Strada Speciale - now built

I rode out at far as Chateaufort yesterday ~ 50miles,
she rides smooth as silk on the B-roads,
and if you give it some welly
she goes like a bullet out of a gun
I am as pleased as punch with this one

wicked stem.

very noice

oh la la!

c'est incroyable!

Caspar wicked stem.

The ergostem works a treat, short and up-right for the city, longer and lower for the country - the comfort factor for me outweighs the gain in weight

she's a real beauty mate, nice one!

it is very very very nice.
furthers my desire for a classic english track frame.

hubba hubba

Do the bullhorns hit the top tube then? What's with the kashimax?

Bar tape yet to arrive huh?

Aside from those two things... that's a damn sweet build. And it's really pleasing to see someone who knows where to put the pedals when photographing their bike.

velocity boy Do the bullhorns hit the top tube then? What's with the kashimax?

Bar tape yet to arrive huh?

Aside from those two things... that's a damn sweet build. And it's really pleasing to see someone who knows where to put the pedals when photographing their bike.

DK...God you're a hard task-master!

That bike is lovely and I forgive you the superfluous plastic on your top tube :o)

Stunning bike, that frame in that colour just kills me.
Not wanting to bring you down from your cloud right now... but do periodically check the drive side crank arm for cracks – I found one in mine last week (see thread here).
You should be very proud of that.

Sweet frame, sweet cranks at least a 9/10 minimum. Totally droolworthy.

velocity boy Do the bullhorns hit the top tube then? What's with the kashimax?

Bar tape yet to arrive huh?

Aside from those two things... that's a damn sweet build. And it's really pleasing to see someone who knows where to put the pedals when photographing their bike.

The kashimax went on during the build just to stop the bars spining around and clouting the frame.
Presently the brake-lever clips and although I could adjust it out
However with that adjustable stem one day I'll have the bars low and forget, so it might be safer to keep it on
Right now the last thing I want is a 'ding'
As to bar - tape? I am still undecided
do you need tape if you have no intention of riding out in the wet?
I wore a pair od gloves yesterday and that was fine

Phwoar. Byooriful. I love it except for the stem, but I can understand why you have it. Plus you've gotta have bar tape, even if it's just cotton tape for that extra bit of grip.

velocity boy And it's really pleasing to see someone who knows where to put the pedals when photographing their bike.

will you get over that, for crying out loud!

looks pretty tight

what are the rims?

nimhbus [quote]velocity boy And it's really pleasing to see someone who knows where to put the pedals when photographing their bike.

will you get over that, for crying out loud![/quote]

Nope ;)

RPM looks pretty tight

what are the rims?

French 1970's super competition, running tufo tubs with a latex sealant

what tyres are those?

i may be going over board on the blue in my build

the tyres are tufo s33's

hmmmm.... i must resist the call of the ebay.

I have never ridden tubs before they 'roll' along very nicely

hmm might be tempted if/ when i get track wheels.

they look the biz an all

if all goes well i will finally have pics of the brew up tomorrow... lots of blue... tyres might be a bit much