Gruber's Ex-Team TVM Gazelle 853-Servais Knaven

New fork and headset fitted... I'd have preferred some Columbus Minimals of course but as good as I'll get for £30 maybe. The DIY paint/lacquer is a bit ratty close-up but will soon to be enlivened with some yellow LIVEWRONG stickers courtesy of V-L.

Maiden ride was a 1000m of climbing ride yesterday-definitely handles much better and feels more stable on the descents, the Cane Creek is nice and solid for the moneys too

Definitely looks better with skinny forks. Sadpanda.jpg

It does, but it could easily look rubbish had you not painted the fork.

Either way, it save you some money and give you reassurance that it's worth getting something like a Columbus Minimals fork in the near future when you can afford to.

The other and possibly more expensive option is to get a steel fork made specifically (fillet brazed unicrown?) and painted to match the original carbon fork.

Interestingly enough, old carbon fork had a steel steerer and alu crown/drop outs... Probably not much lighter than a decent straight steel fork anyway.

In the meantime I have some jazzy stickers to cover up my pish rattlecan lacquer job and to enliven the fugly forks I have put on.

Love that fork decal, as well as the bike of course!

Readers Wives shots taken today:

Going to sell this... sniff. Just got too many bikes and not enough pennies atm and this is the first in line so thought I'd see if anyone's interested in the full build as is:

As built at the moment:

Reynolds 853 frame, original Time ultralight carbon fork, Thomson elite layback post, Chris King Gripnut Headset, Veloce 10s Shifters, Compact cranks, rear/front mechs, vintage Campag Chorus/Record brake callipers with brand new pads, 28h White Industries 10 shimano hubs, laced to Ambrosio Excellight wheels with Ambrosio Campag conversion cassette, 3ttt Them ahead stem+converter, 42cm 3TTT prima bars, Selle San Marco saddle.

Nice mix of vintage and modern... Everything is used but good condition, so cosmetic blemishes etc, and there is the shallow dent on the tt, plus touch ups etc on the frame. I've had problems with the chain jamming between the stay and the cog when shifting from the lowest gear (inexplicably only happens sometimes) so I set the limit screw in to effectively make it 9spd as I suspect its clearances was designed for. It's a lovely comfy but stiff ride and I've taken it up some pretty meaty climbs in the UK with the carbon weight weenies no probs.

If nobody's interested in the full build and I'm obliged to split I'll probably just put it on the bay as I need to maximise cash or I wouldn't be selling to begin with.

Would like £600 all in if ever...

fucking awesome bike

Thats really cool greg, glws!

Out of complete interest, do you still know the whereabouts of this bike?