From rack to road (yet another Cannondale 2.8 build).

Here's what it looks like now.

The surface is quite rough, so I want smooth it a bit before putting decals on it. I also had the BB shell chased.

Great to see some progress!

Great to see some progress!

At this stage I'm just waiting for the parts to come in.

I also need to get the headset put back in, but I'm going to wait til I've clear coated it.

^good idea, was going to ask about that. I assume you've found out yourself how dirty you get from handling the raw alu.

I started sanding it with some 1200 grit wet and dry sandpaper. It's taken the roughness away and made it a touch shinier. Once I do the whole frame I think it's going to look awesome.

Also discovered today that the quill stem adapter is 1" threadless, not 1 1/18", so I had to buy a Thomson shim.

Just got a text from my wife who is at home today saying my Wiggle order has arrived. I'm picking up the tyres at lunch today (they were delivered less than 24 hours after I ordered them online), and just waiting on some tools from PBK, the ShiftMate and a shim from Torpedo 7 and I have everything.

Yay. Put up some before/during/after pics of sanding process?

Will do.

So I gave the whole frame a quick sand with 1200 grit wet and dry sandpaper. It's not a huge difference, but it took the roughness off. Here's the headtube.

Before:

After:

This weekend I'll give it a wipe over with some methylated spirits to get it nice and clean (wearing gloves so my hands don't leave any residue), apply the decals and clear coat it.

I got the bottom bracket is out of the donor frame. It's the matching BB to the Campy cranks I'm using, and I was worried it was going to be stuck (aluminium frame and aluminium cups), but using the right tool and some elbow grease, it came out fine.

Just need the ShiftMate and stem shim in the post and I'll have everything. I still need to clear coat it, which I'll do this weekend. I'm going away the following weekend, so hopefully it will have a few weeks to cure.

Still waiting on the shim and ShiftMate and I need to buy 1 1/8" top cap. Wish MASH didn't charge stupid postage.

where's the picture including the pedals you're actually going to use?

where's the picture including the pedals you're actually going to use?

Oh, that's here.

But seriously, I'm using Time ATAC's because I already use them on my CX bike, I have good shoes already and I like having shoes I can walk in. I have some old Look Delta's, but I need new cleats and better shoes.

Anyway, decals on now, clear coat tomorrow.

fair enough man! That raw alu looks great!

The clear coat is done. It's darkened the frame up, which I think looks better.

Now I'll leave it for two weeks. I'll clean up the cranks and get everything ready, then I'll build it. Can't wait.

Finally got this in the post.

You could bin the shiftmate if you are building up a 9s Shimano system with Campag 11s shifters. Cable pull of the Shimano 9s System would be 2.5 and Campa 11s System is 2.6.

Or I could keep the ShiftMate I've just bought and keep the 9 speed Campagnolo shifters I already have.

Interesting project, looks promising!

Kind of pieced it together tonight. Still quite a bit to do.

Sorry for the shitty photos, the garage has terrible light.

I still need a 1 1/8" top cap, an ISO BB, some bottle cage bolts and to sort out the seat post because the one I want to use isn't going in easily (despite it being 27.2mm and the correct size).

Hopefully it will be finished this weekend.

no pic here

Fixed.

Should hopefully have this tomorrow.

I don't really like the skinny fork. Other than that it looks awesome already.

That's the original Cannondale fork. Until I can find (and afford) a 1" threadless straight blade fork and threadless headset, that will be staying.