Roberts 853 Audax

This obv will be no weight weenie project. But I did and F/F/HS came in right at 3kg on one of those cheapo suitcase hanger scales IIRC. I have no idea how accurate it is. I may try the kitchen scale some time when Mrs. Pharoah isn't looking.

My audax bike fully equipped with the bar bag (empty) came out at 12kg, but did not felt like it at all that the only issue is my own physical limitation.

Just saying that don't worry too much about it as long the bike doesn't feel compromised.

Bike weight not primary consideration. Easier and cheaper for me to shed ounces by giving up booze.

oh right, so pretty similar. I am fairly sure mine is 531 tubing (could be 525), certainly 531 fork. Agree weight isnt a massive deal for me and anything from mid- high 2kg-3kg is what a good steel fame and fork will weigh. Would rather have something strong and comfy-im not exactly light (85kg)

I just weighed mine to compare with a columbus Koga frame I have ready to build for next year.

A bit of an update as the postman has been very busy this week. Ended up with polished silver TB14s, silver Sapim race spokes, with the black CK hubs and Hope skewers. And Maxxis Re-Fuse 25s, so will start there. Very pleased with the rims, the finish is very nice. The hubs are 32h front and rear, and will be laced 3x. This should build into something nice. Anyone know how much is a wheelbuild in LMNH? They are close to my office. Cyclelab is also nearby, and have dealt with Krisz there a couple times before as well.

Like the way this project is heading, good choices all round there! Those wheels should roll beautifully.
I'd lace them up yourself and take them in to be checked over. That way you get to learn the art and save a bit of dough, win win!

Exactly this!^ lace em up yourself and get them trued somewhere for 20 quid, rather than 50-60 for the whole wheel build. It's fun, if you have the time.

Don't need much more at this point. Basically cockpit and mudguards I think. Then wait for my groupset to arrive when the relatives smuggle it in from America next month.

Well, since I have a month before the group arrives maybe will give the lacing a go.

For cockpit I may just use these, Nitto Rando bars, since I have them already and they are fitting to the final project and there is plenty of shiny things on here already. Black tape of some sort.

Double check the tyres are there were reports of it's being smaller than the suggested size (25mm = 23mm).

Saying that, with the wider rims, the 23mm felt like a 25mm which is a win-win.

nitto rando, very nice bars, what's the stem/headset arrangement?

Black CK headset on there already that came with the frame. So my choices are to just get some basic black bars (deda RHM01 or sthing and black stem) or get a shiny stem and use the Nittos.

Presumably you'll be using a 26mm ahead stem if you go for the Nittos?

Ahead but 25.4mm yes.

For example VO has one that would do the job. Nitto does a nice but pricier version.

Yes, sorry 25.4mm. I think the Nitto's would definitely suit the build more, no? Then again, it's about comfort, not aesthetics - right? ;-)

The Randos are very comfy, albeit a bit narrow on the tops.

Wheels built, slowly making progress. This gives a sense of what the geo looks like. Starting to get properly excited.

So the last couple of weeks have been quiet, waiting for the relatives to arrive from the U.S. with the groupset, which was a bit of a bargain. As advertised earlier, Force 10 speed with Red black cranks. Time to get to work.

Thanks to Jingle Jangle who loaned a tool or two, it looks like this now. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

This is gonna be so good, what size tyre width can it take with the mudguards?

Truly fantasic colour you've chosen.

I found randos work best rotated round a bit...

The bb looks quite low.

This will be such a beauty when built up - great groupset you've got there :)

This is gonna be so good, what size tyre width can it take with the mudguards?

Not sure yet. The short reach brakes that came with the group aren't long enough at the back end. And the standard reach brakeset I bought expecting this might happen I can't now find :(