Fondriest X-Status

I bough the Fondriest from the forum a few months ago and have been working on it since.

I have been sharing my progress under the following thread:
http://www.lfgss.com/thread113439.html

now that it is almost done I wanted to share what I did with it so far together with some pictures under current projects. (pics and upgrades list to follow)

And the list of upgrades:

1st - Columbus Minimal Fork and Chris King Headset
2nd - Upgraded the Campagnolo 9 speed groupset to Campag 10 (Record/ Chorus)
3rd - Upgraded the finishing kit to Zipp Course SL (stem/ seatpost) and 4ZA Cirrus Pro Carbon Drops
4th - Upgraded the wheels to Mavic Cosmic Carbone SLRs

Pending:
I have a Record 10sp front derailleur on the way.

I use this as my main road bike.
Its a 61cm frame and the total build weights 8.1kg excluding pedals.

Nice paint detailing around the rear drops.
Would be nice to see a closeup.

Lovely build. I'm very pleased for you and your bike.

looks tidy george

I really like the way the Columbus Minimal fork looks on your frame. It is one of very few carbon forks that works well with a vintage steel frame. The original steel fork would have been nicer, but probably impossible to find. The ZIPP parts and the carbon handelbar aren't really my piece of cake, but I guess they do enhance the way the bike rides.

Thanks all for comments and feedback!

From looking at the picture I see what you are saying regarding the Zipp/4Za finishing kit though in real life they look better!

I am quite heavy (110kg) so I do enjoy the confidence the Zipp parts give me. With non oversized finishing kit I did get a lot of flex!

Nice paint detailing around the rear drops.
Would be nice to see a closeup.
+1

I still love the way the Columbus decal on the fork ties-in with the red on the seat stay.

Not normally a fan of the modern "logos with everything" look, but they all come together nicely here.

Your cable outers could do with a trim: the front brake is doubling back on itself and the rear is nearly entering the stop at a right angle.

I can't really see what you've done with the gear cables (they look to be sticking out the front), but they should be symmetrical: running them into the opposite stops (ie rear derailleur into left hand stop) and crossing the inners under the down tube usually gives a nice, neat run.

All in all: lovely!

Maybe upgrade again your wheelset for a full carbon tubular one

+1

Not normally a fan of the modern "logos with everything" look, but they all come together nicely here.

Your cable outers could do with a trim: the front brake is doubling back on itself and the rear is nearly entering the stop at a right angle.

I can't really see what you've done with the gear cables (they look to be sticking out the front), but they should be symmetrical: running them into the opposite stops (ie rear derailleur into left hand stop) and crossing the inners under the down tube usually gives a nice, neat run.

Thanks for the feedback !

I was thinking of destickering the Mavics but I was not brave enough to do it ! I think they look okay though!

Wanted to get the Zipp parts in beyond black colour (which basically black with black logos) but I was able to find much better prices on the black with white logo parts (I guess the black on back are more desirable these days).

In terms of cables I kept them long while I was playing around with different stem/drops/shifters combinations. I was worried not to cut them too short and then have to get new ones!

I do need to get them done properly now. I will probably use a picture from the internet to "copy" the correct routing from! I do get very frustrated with the inner cables when reinstalling, as the ends split and they wont go back into the outers.

Detailing around the rear drops as requested.
Unfortunately the paint chips quite easily on these as the whole bike is chromed before painted.

Maybe upgrade again your wheelset for a full carbon tubular one

I am in if you are willing to finance the upgrade :)

...In terms of cables I kept them long while I was playing around with different stem/drops/shifters combinations. I was worried not to cut them too short and then have to get new ones!

I do need to get them done properly now. I will probably use a picture from the internet to "copy" the correct routing from! I do get very frustrated with the inner cables when reinstalling, as the ends split and they wont go back into the outers.
Fair enough: I set the stem as high as possible when first cabling-up, for the same reason.

A spot of super glue on the end of the inner should stop fraying, but make sure it's dry and the excess removed or you'll just make things worse (don't ask me how I know this).

Nice one!!
I'd suggest the beyond black edition on seatpost/stem but is purely estetical...
As some said the full carbon wheels would be awesome ;)
Good job

Looks great but you need to sort the tape on the left side - that untrimmed end!

Nice one!!
I'd suggest the beyond black edition on seatpost/stem but is purely estetical...
As some said the full carbon wheels would be awesome ;)
Good job

The current Cosmic Carbone SLRs with the exalith coating look awsome. They have that all black look + the red and yellow decals would much nicely the frame !

Looks great but you need to sort the tape on the left side - that untrimmed end!

Cheers ! WIll need to sort that out together with the cables !

The current Cosmic Carbone SLRs with the exalith coating look awsome. They have that all black look + the red and yellow decals would much nicely the frame !

Still heavy though. Sell your cosmic and buy some corima.

Still heavy though. Sell your cosmic and buy some corima.

Yes, they are heavy as they are essentially aluminium wheels with carbon aero sections !

@110kg they suit me well.

At 110kg, I think I'd choose the better braking of an ally brake track, over a carbon one.

Okay, I have now sorted:

• Cables (I think)
  
• Bar tape
  
  

I also installed a 10 speed record front derailleur and I got a pair of Look Keo 2 Max pedals (pending road bike shoes/ currently only have spd pedals).

I need to take new pics over the weekend.

One thing I am still not entirely happy with, is the cockpit flex. I got the oversized Zipp Course SL stem and the 4Za Cirrus Pro Carbon drops in hope that the flex would be eliminated but I am still not entirely happy!!!

I am down the following three possibilities:

• I am being paranoid and ignorant
  
• Its the Columbus 1" minimal fork
  
• Its because my shim (1" to1 1/8") is shorter than the stem clamp (stem clamp 40mm/ shim 34mm)
  
  

any thoughts ??

large frame, tall headtube, acts more like rectangle than triangle

scoble said it somewhere, and his word is law

he probably quoted mdcc_tester, who's word is law

slam the stem ??

Yeah get shot of the spacer stack.