Current Projects chat and miscellany

http://i48.tinypic.com/5btzd0.jpg

My first fixed-gear. I had a crack with the bike I inherited (frame in background), but chain was too slack. Took it to bike shop to get a half-link or something and came out with a new frame. Can't find anything online about Phil Allen but the guys in the shop said he was based just outside Liverpool. Wonder if anyone could shed some light? Hand built late 80's (their guess).

Needs a new chainset and for me to take that lovely reflector off...

Lasco crank set and slam that stem. :)

Lasco crank set and slam that stem. :)

Lose?

Yeah it's next on my list.

The stem is the original from the old bike, just got the new bars today.

Never!

Ha yeah. SRAM Red on a well-used old Surly. Might work I guess. Google Image search and Flickr returned zero photos of Surlys with Red. Can save it to use later on that Cervelo R3 I'm dreaming about.

Just need some Open Pro or CXP33 Shimano/SRAM compatible wheels and it'll be coming along nicely.

Will you leave the 52t on?

I guess so. Going to be used on the road and for touring, not CX. There's not really any difference between 52/38 and 53/39 is there?

Lose?

Yeah it's next on my list.

The stem is the original from the old bike, just got the new bars today.

He means lower the stem to back-breaking levels.
You're young, you can take it.

Finally. FINALLY started building up my Croix de Fer which has been sitting waiting for my LBS to build up the wheels. Initially he was overly busy, but then it appears that he found an issue with the Hope XC hubs I was recycling. It seems the rear axle was snapped and he had to order in a replacement.

Anyhow. I picked them up tonight and I'm very pleased with them. I seem to have misplaced the rear Hope skewer though :(

A god awful phone photo:

So, tomorrow I build! I need to head to my LBS as I've realised I don't have a hollowtech II tool.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to need a longer stem, and obviously sort out the steerer length.

what size is that frame Steve? you are not a big guy if I recall, would've thought you would need something even smaller.

It's a 52cm. From what it feels like standing over the crossbar, I think the stem may be marginally short. That being said, when I've got the STIs on there that will of course change. I'm about 5'6" give or take, but short upper body, so reach can be annoying.

I am 5'8" and cannot ride anything with a horizontal top tube longer that 52cm, my ideal being more like 50.5 to be able to use a normal length stem and hoods/drops.

So with you at 5'6" - I thought you would definitely need smaller. 650c really, especially with an offroad bike where you want fatter tyres and enough clearance & relaxed geometry.

Has anyone tried the Zipp Service Course bars? I use a 46cm 3T Ergonova at the mo and wanted to try a Service Course (Short & Shallow) in 46cm on the new build. Looked for a Drop Bar thread in Bikes & Bits but couldn't see one.

I guess so. Going to be used on the road and for touring, not CX. There's not really any difference between 52/38 and 53/39 is there?

1!

It's just high gearing for anything other than short racing (at a high level). You might spend a lot of time with an iffy chainline, riding all over your lower cogs on the flat, something I'd consider when buying a new chainset or rings. I ride with 52/39 currently but it's not really ideal.

He means lower the stem to back-breaking levels.
You're young, you can take it.

Can I just literally bash the thing into the head tube?

It should slide in easily. If you bash it, it will never come out.

Has anyone tried the Zipp Service Course bars? I use a 46cm 3T Ergonova at the mo and wanted to try a Service Course (Short & Shallow) in 46cm on the new build. Looked for a Drop Bar thread in Bikes & Bits but couldn't see one.

I use them on my road bike. I have the Traditional bend ones though and I think they're 42cm. I really like them - quite nice and shallow but not too compact, comfy on the flats and with SRAM hoods makes a nice flat section on the top. I'd recommend them.

Sweet. How do they size up compared with other drops? Not sure to go with 46 or 44.

Do you mean how true to size are they? I don't have mine near me but as far as I know they're exactly as wide as they say they are so go with what you're normally comfortable with. If you mean how long are they, I'm not sure I can really give you a good idea of comparative size to other bars, maybe go the size up of you prefer to reach out a bit further. As I said the drops are quite shallow but that's what's nice about them, the flat parts of the drops are a good length (easily enough to fit your hands comfortably on) but can obviously be cut down if you prefer.

Also they look great IMO.

Its mine, its mine!

Now, do I take it apart and give everything a good polish and leave it as 7 speed campag,

or do i try it out with the sram 10 speed rival i have?

According to sheldon, a 10speed campag cassette shouldnt cause any issues with the sram gear system..

sram. and new saddle/tape.

oh yeah its getting a new cockpit either way

Sram obvs
Then sell me the Campag

minor update. rattled canned the seat post matte black (instead of the grubby white it was before) to match the replaced stem. wondering whether to bother with the bars. when the cables need replaced they will be black outers.

need a new saddle, that one is only good for a few hours then my barse takes a bashing. no idea what would suit. I got on beautifully with my B17 on the everyday bike and have done since it was new. I'm guessing wildly that this means I suit a wider saddle. Any recommendations?

also, shit photo