Current Projects chat and miscellany

^ Check this thread - the guy who builds them contributed.
https://www.lfgss.com/thread79706.html
(he's a pretty good source of vintage bits too)

http://www.tontacycles.com/products/frames/tonta-lugged-luxe

Don't have any experience with those guys, well not for buying a frame, but a custom made Columbus SL frame for 275 euro's doesn't seem a lot.

It's dead cheap, but then again, those frames look dead cheap.. (look at the overall finish and those lugs.. No sir, not for me)

I have never built a frame and know squat about metal work but i reckon given the tools i could build a bike that looks as good/bad as those

^^ Please point me to where you can get a Custom for £349?

here?

Also, here, for about £250 with 2-week shipping.

shit, 'loin, for a moment i thought you've grown a bit =))

That headtube is very nearly longer than the fork blades.

...who don't actually manufacture their product here...

... never said they did.

prlm?

Companies like brother get on my tits, generic frames in 2-3 sizes for hipsters who dont realise you could get a custom for a similar price. They brought no originality to the table, not even in terms of graphics or somekind of exciting brand image.

Just people who want to say they have somekind of boutique bike company.

The frame's are decent quality, I like the graphics, they are good guys and from what I gathered started the company due to their passion for bikes and riding...

In terms of material and price you could say their frame falls nicely between the Tokyo Fixed S2 and S1... Another (popular) UK company having frames produced in the east.

Hi, noob here...So far I've settled on either a Brother Steel Track Frame (£350) or a Surly Steamroller (£215)...
Cheers

One thing to point out is that the Brother has a 1" / quill setup. So it looks cool but isn't as practical if you want to try different bar options, plus all the usual downsides of 1" threadless.

From what I can see there is nothing to justify the price increase over the surly. Although its worth mentioning that surly s used to be more expensive (c.£350). So that's really a call based on your budget / tastes. Brixston cycles should have a steamroller built that you can test ride.

As you've already had one bike stolen that's something to consider. The on-one is really cheap and practical. Racks, 'guards, tyre clearance, disc option. The paints known for being a bit shit and the finishing on the welds isn't as neat as it could be, but bang-for-buck its hard to beat.

You should also look at both the recomended locks thread and how to lock your bike thread.

I didn't clock that price - at £215 it's got to be the Surly all the way.

http://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/m4b103s280p8221/SURLY_Steamroller_Frameset/

That's a bargain.

The paints known for being a bit shit and the finishing on the welds isn't as neat as it could be, but bang-for-buck its hard to beat.

Can't really make comment on the paint. I had mine clear coated before I built it up but the welds are actually really tidy.

Steve Goff price list;

Reynolds 853
£500.00
Reynolds 725
£410.00
Reynolds 631
£345.00
Reynolds 531
£290.00
Reynolds 525
£290.00
Columbus Spirit
£650.00
Columbus Life
£625.00
Columbus Zona
£375.00

• £85 for forks
  

... never said they did.

prlm?

The frame's are decent quality, I like the graphics, they are good guys and from what I gathered started the company due to their passion for bikes and riding...

In terms of material and price you could say their frame falls nicely between the Tokyo Fixed S2 and S1... Another (popular) UK company having frames produced in the east.

I was probably being a bit harsh, but it would be nice if people jumping on bandwagons and setting up their own brands like this would at least work harder to add something extra to their product, like I said it could be in a non-physical way. The trick bike companies sponsor riders, make videos and stuff. And they are actually innovating to some extent as they are figuring out what works for that kind of riding.

Steve Goff price list;

Wow, that seems really cheap. Was looking at prices on Dave Yates site the other day and I reckon I'm looking at about £200 just to get the top and down tubes replaced on my Major Nichols.

Oh yeah, that doesn't include painting. That's about another £250 for enamel with a couple of panels and decals.

I didn't clock that price - at £215 it's got to be the Surly all the way.

http://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/m4b103s280p8221/SURLY_Steamroller_Frameset/

That's a bargain.

that's what really tempted me to buy one....

Oh yeah, that doesn't include painting. That's about another £250 for enamel with a couple of panels and decals.

         Price includes:
            cast bottom bracket, cast brake bridge, bottle boss, gear and brake fittings, one color stove enamel + transfers + lacquer

Well impressed with those Steve Goff prices.

Surly

y u no 64cm?

Price includes:

            cast bottom bracket, cast brake bridge, bottle boss, gear and brake fittings, one color stove enamel + transfers + lacquer

Sorry, didn't really make it clear. It's another £250, on top of the frame repairs on Dave Yates price list.

Right then chaps - help me with making some changes to my road bike. I've had it for a few years, but I've not really put the miles on it that it deserves. It fits nicely geometry wise, and I had a bike-fitting after a crash a year ago, but I'm looking to make some gradual changes to it to improve the performance/aesthetics. It's a bit of a mongrel now, the poor thing.

The thing that distresses me most at the moment is the 'cockpit'. I was thinking a 26mm ahead for spotter bars as I barely touch the drops at the moment, too deep. Also, smaller hoods with inline gear and brake cables, I hate them coming out of the side like that. Any recommendations for a good (black if possible) 8-speed brifter? Could I swap the 8 speed cassette out for a more modern 9 or 10 speed one on my R540's?

Also, 1" to 1 1/8th stem shims are fine right? I have a personal vendetta against shims but it's not going to irreparably damage anything, is it?

Whilst I'd love to build the frame up to catalogue spec, I don't think I'll be able to buy a decent complete road bike any time soon, without cycle-to-work, so I'm trying to improve this one. I'm hoping to buy some Colnago straight carbon forks, or maybe some Alpina ones if they come in 1"

Also, if anyone knows the year of the groupset (mostly Ultegra, 105 brakes) or anything interesting about the frame - please let me know. I don't know anything about it!

Any other recommendations, please let me know!

It looks about perfect to me.

Any recommendations for a good (black if possible) 8-speed brifter?

Veloce 10sp?

Veloce 10sp?

The group is Shimano at the moment, and 8 speed - I know next to nothing about gears, but it seems like moving to campag and gaining 2 cogs somewhere might prove a compatibility issue?

Sorry if I'm being a complete novice.

It looks about perfect to me.

then you look at this*, and my bikes aesthetic failings become blindingly apparent...

*ignoring jaunty brake angle

The thing that distresses me most at the moment is the 'cockpit'. I was thinking a 26mm ahead for spotter bars as I barely touch the drops at the moment, too deep

Any other recommendations, please let me know!

Id rather see it with a quill stem and these bars Bontrager SSR VR-C so comfy riding riding in the drops with those, give the hole bike a nicer look as well i think