Current Projects chat and miscellany

What kind of budget do you have?

Whatever I can spare, really. Would have to be a work in progress, just buy new parts any time I have the money spare. That's how skint I am.

That sounds like the way to do it, but bear in mind that there is only so much money that it's worth spending on an older bike (I wish I was more able to follow this advice!). Small things like changing tyres, bartape and saddle can make a massive difference to the overall impression of the bike without spending too much. Put up some wanted ads and scan the classifieds on here - people usually let older stuff go for very reasonable prices...

Any pointers for a complete noob?

bear in mind that there is only so much money that it's worth spending on an older bike (I wish I was more able to follow this advice!)

^This in spades my first conversion cost a lot more than it was worth and a lot more than a better equivalent by the time I was done, so always keep it in perspective.

UTFS and read up on things first. Get a general idea and then ask specific questions as you go, here is a helping start:

**- Mechanics & Fixin': **http://www.lfgss.com/forum7.html

- Mechanics/Fixing Website List: http://www.lfgss.com/thread19840.html (there is a very good video in here from FGG which helps explain the beginnings of fixing and converting an older road bike)

**- Fisher Price Thread: **http://www.lfgss.com/thread740.html

Enjoy.

Nice build.

Thanks!

It came together quite easily and more affordably than I expected, but it rides so well. When the tyres stay up.

Where did you get the wheels from?

I

Early version of Mavic Exalith?..

They look like steel rims.

Where did you get the wheels from?

From GeorgeSportif on here, who has swapped for a 90mm BLB wheelset.

I was looking at getting Ellipses, these ended up the same price as Ellipses & tyres on trade, and I love them.

Also, just taped up my other Dolan with the leftover bits of tape I had. One side thin white faux-leather, the other black cork. Very short term, but I like the look of it more than I thought I would.

maybe stick a white hood on the left

Would if I had one.

Setting the bike up with road drops again to see if I do want to keep the bike or just sell it, so not looking to spend any more money.

Do you have two track champs or is that the union jack one?

That sounds like the way to do it, but bear in mind that there is only so much money that it's worth spending on an older bike (I wish I was more able to follow this advice!). Small things like changing tyres, bartape and saddle can make a massive difference to the overall impression of the bike without spending too much. Put up some wanted ads and scan the classifieds on here - people usually let older stuff go for very reasonable prices...

^This in spades my first conversion cost a lot more than it was worth and a lot more than a better equivalent by the time I was done, so always keep it in perspective.

UTFS and read up on things first. Get a general idea and then ask specific questions as you go, here is a helping start:

**- Mechanics & Fixin': **http://www.lfgss.com/forum7.html

- Mechanics/Fixing Website List: http://www.lfgss.com/thread19840.html (there is a very good video in here from FGG which helps explain the beginnings of fixing and converting an older road bike)

**- Fisher Price Thread: **http://www.lfgss.com/thread740.html

Enjoy.

The spending more money than the bike is worth is definitely my biggest fear for a first conversion. Given the age of the bike and the scope of what I would like to do, the lower the money I put into it the better. Is £150 tops a feasible amount for the kind of thing I would like to do? The bike itself cost £50 and I know that I'd be lucky to sell it for cost price so really don't want it to be a money pit.

Thanks for the links, will definitely be going through all relevant info religiously!

That's the GB one.

The bike itself cost £50 and I know that I'd be lucky to sell it for cost price so really don't want it to be a money pit.

you wont, here in london you will have your arm bitten off if you put it up on gumtree for 50 quid. hipsters love these things

Gaston, you sure have a gift...

lol

^^^Would

my roubaix so far ... waiting for handlebars/casette to arrive ... saddle will be borrowed from my cx bike for the start

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Which would be preferable, 6500 cranks and octalink like:

or newer 105 5603, with hollowtech like this:

?
I ask because due to a mishap at the bikeshop, I've ended up with a replacement set of the latter from the former, they are second hand though. It seemed like an upgrade to me, unless I'm missing something.

well it depends what they are meant for.

For being a decent set of cranks on my road bike?

Ultegra prettier, 105 more functional.