14R Build (BBB incoming)

Posted on
Page
of 4
/ 4
Last Next
  • Having been thrashing around a (broadly) OTP Fuji Track Classic for the last two years or so, I'm about to embark on my first from-scratch build.

    Having seen a bunch of 14Rs from 14 Bike Co in the flesh over the last few years, and having fallen in love with them, I settled on building up a frame which I can look after properly (read: fair weather rides, not locking it to some ghetto railings on a quick shop run, etc), and which will hopefully last me a good long time. I want to keep the Fuji for day-to-day beatings, and this new fella for longer rides and more "intentional" riding.

    As far as I understand, the 14 guys haven't made a 14R in my size (~65cm c-t) before, so there's certainly an element of the unexpected in having ordered a frame from them, but I'm excited to see what it becomes. Speaking with John at 14, Andy Ellis, and after a fair amount of helpful advice from fellow giant Jammy at TFG, I think we're pretty well sorted for making it right for me.

    In terms of the build, there's some components already sorted and bought, and a few bits still to be worked out. I've intentionally been putting aside some money for the last six months or so to make this a reality, but even so, this thing ain't coming cheap. That said, I want to make this as complete a build as possible from the outset - I'd rather wait and buy good components straight away rather than buy twice just for the sake of initial build speed.

    So the current plan:

    14 Bike Co 14R Track frame
    Alpina fork (drilled, for maximum anti-HHSB cred)
    170mm Sugino 75 Cranks
    49T chainring (either a 75 or a Zen, depending on how this group buy goes: http://www.lfgss.com/thread101701.html)
    110mm Thomson Elite stem
    Cinelli Mash Bullhorns
    Thomson Layback seatpost
    Fizik Arione Vs saddle
    Dia Compe brake setup
    Restrap'd pedals of some sort

    All that remains (as far as I can tell) is to sort a BB and some wheels. Initially I'm going to pop my current Halo Aerorage/Aerotrack wheelset from the Fuji onto the new build. Ultimately I'd like to switch up to something a bit nicer, maybe a pair of Archetypes or SL42s laced to whatever hubs I can afford by then (on which note, anyone have any love/hate/experience with Victoire splined hubs?).

    And as far as possible, I want this to be totally blacked-out. Basically a sort of freakish giant cousin of Ty's build. (Here: http://www.thefootdown.co.uk/2013/01/28/riding-skating-adventuring-stretching/)

    The frame was ordered in mid-Jan, so will hopefully be ready to go in a few weeks. From then, I want to build it up as soon as possible to make the most of whatever good weather we get to enjoy this year. Having it ready for Bespoked Bristol would be ace, but who knows.

  • Cannot wait to see this!
    Love the 14r and I love big bikes, gonna be a great build :)

  • The frame was ordered in mid-Jan, so will hopefully be ready to go in less than a year.

    Ftfy :-)

    In all seriousness, good luck with the build.

  • Ftfy :-)

    In all seriousness, good luck with the build.

    Yep, aware that history might not be on my side with this one, but I'm in fairly regular contact with team 14, so I remain optimistic!

  • Double TT?

    trollface.jpeg

  • Looks like its going to be a nice build. Getting my 14r frame very soon. !

  • I have a 14R man, great frames no complaints with mine since i got it.

    Just to give you an idea of the time that i waited though, i ordered mine sometime around end of March/ April last year and got it end of August after many phone calls. 14 is a decent company but because theyre small with limited staff its hard to keep on top of whats going on. My advice is call for regular updates because they dont always offer the information up.

    What colour have you gone for by the way?

  • this is going to be freaking awesome.

  • I expect you to get 88mm Carbon Wheels for this Giles ; )

  • Just to give you an idea of the time that i waited though, i ordered mine sometime around end of March/ April last year and got it end of August after many phone calls. 14 is a decent company but because theyre small with limited staff its hard to keep on top of whats going on. My advice is call for regular updates because they dont always offer the information up.

    What colour have you gone for by the way?

    Yeah, I was aware there have been delays in the past. As far as my knowledge goes, Lee started the build last week. I'm trying to keep in touch with John on a weekly basis (or thereabouts), to keep things ticking over. We'll see!

    As far as colourway goes, I've gone for the stock matt black. I had visions of a sparkle midnight blue (like one of Ted's frames I saw ages ago), but I'd rather put the extra cash into other components really. This whole thing is a huge treat/extravagance already, so I had to rein myself in here and there, so as not to completely blow my projected budget.

    Everyone who's received their 14R seems to love it so far - really glad to hear you do too!

  • Cannot wait to see this!
    Love the 14r and I love big bikes, gonna be a great build :)

    Thanks man, I'm excited too - I have a niggling fear I'll eff up the build somehow, but I'm accountable to all of you lot now, haha!

    Looks like its going to be a nice build. Getting my 14r frame very soon. !

    Nice one man - what colour, and track or lopro? I saw a few at 14 HQ last week, some real beauties there.

    this is going to be freaking awesome.

    I sincerely hope so!

    I expect you to get 88mm Carbon Wheels for this Giles ; )

    I'd happily take that HED off your hands pal.

  • If you mess it up you could always give the frame to me...

  • Ah if lees already on it then you shouldnt have a long wait at all, good luck man. Sounds like its gonna be sick, make sure you get pics up after its all together.

    And theres nothing wrong with matte black, its what i have. Best paint

  • mine is a purple lopro, this one infact:

  • just noticed you mentioned bespoked, are you a Bristol man?

  • ^ Leeds...

    Shame it wont be ready for the Restrap event coming up! There's a North Race one in the pipe line not long after though!

  • Banging. Looking forward to this. I reckon Matt Black is the best choice for colour although part of me would want to go for a deep Electric Blue and silver component so that it'd look like the Nissan Skyline that inspired the 14R logo.

  • I'm from Bristol but im a student in manchester. Might be heading to the restrap event. Not on the 14r tho.

  • mine is a purple lopro, this one infact:

    What size is this?

  • It's 54 I think. Tho I normally ride a 56. I'm 6' but short legs long torso.

  • That purple frame is so nice man - are you getting the forks matched to it, or just plain black?

    Turns out Lee got held up last week, so it's hitting the workshop today instead - just signed off the measurements last night. We're looking at 63cm c-t in the end, and making up the difference with the seatpost. (All about that saddle to bar drop!)

  • The forks couldn't be painted the same colour so im going to leave them raw carbon, im getting the f&f tomorrow so ill post a photo of how it looks

  • Bit of a setback today - having ordered a set of black 170mm Suginos, it turns out they weren't actually in stock (webstore error), and nowhere else seems to have any available either. Same story with 170mm Omniums. What do, LFGSS?!

  • Get 165 instead?

  • It's 54 I think. Tho I normally ride a 56. I'm 6' but short legs long torso.

    Nice - post a pic when it's all built up!

  • Post a reply
    • Bold
    • Italics
    • Link
    • Image
    • List
    • Quote
    • code
    • Preview
About

14R Build (BBB incoming)

Posted by Avatar for giloscope @giloscope

Actions