Concorde Colombo Lo Pro Project

I received this last Thursday, it was very much an impulse buy. I saw it and I had to have it! I had a Concorde Aquila before and loved it. The paint on the frame is a little beaten but I'm not that bothered about it. Columbus SLX and 650c front.

I built it up fixed with parts I had on my other fix conversion and had it up and running the same day i received it. Luckily I managed to find a gear which worked with the vertical dropouts. I'm running 46x19 which is actually alright for where I live (some reasonable hills), albeit a little low for some of the downhills.

I haven't really done it justice with the current build but I am planning to improve things overtime when money becomes available. Initial plan is to get some silver nitto risers, a silver track crankset. I've replaced the seat post with a new cheap one I got on eBay. At some point as well I'd like to sort out a geared setup, probably with a shimano 600 tricolour group and some pursuit bars. If I end up committing to riding it fixed I might look at the option of getting track ends put on, similar to what BigH has had done.

So far I am very pleased with the bike, I've done about 80 miles on it already this week and I've had a bloody fun time!

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Looks great.
Though brace for the impact of the condemnation of the track end conversion.

^ I think those days on here have past, putting track ends with a gear hanger makes a lot of sense.

Andy

Very true.

Nice concorde!

The main reason why I did it on mine was because it was white and paint could be easily be blown in also the bb height was decently high too. I contemplated doing a full debraze but woulda meant re-doing the flangussetsetc. with filler and doing a full paintjob so wasnt really worthwhile in the long run and kinda 'saved a kitten' kinda thing.

Chain stays are chrome on this?
If you dont mind me sayin, I would save the chrome (chrome costs lots to get done) an just put gears on it when you get round to it and in the meantime look for a track lo pro or a cheap restoration project lo pro like the Sirrius ones that pop up on here every now an then? But im a firm believer of its your bike do what you want. So enjoy and im sure whatever you do it will look good! TLDR><

The track ends were just an initial thought, probably something I would never get round to doing/affording anyway. It works well fixed now so probably easier/ cheaper to keep it original and not upset anyone haha

Cheers!

Only the drive side chain stay is chromed. I agree with you, building this geared and then getting a proper track bike is the sensible option really. Main reason I built it fixed was because I already had the parts. If I had the money I would of searched for a track lo pro but I would be paying many times more then what I paid for this! I bought it to have some fun and test out something different. I'll probably keep it like this for a month or so, see how I feel then and go from there

Got some new parts sorted. SR Royal track cranks and also a set of Mavic pursuit bars to try out (just need to sort out payment). Both will hopefully of arrived by the time I get back in a week or so. I also have ordered a half link so hopefully I get get a few different ratios going.

I now have a plan for this build. I'm currently looking out for a track frame and when I manage to find one, I'll move the parts over from this to that frame. I will then build this up geared, most likely with shimano 600. Hopefully this will happen before the summer but we will see, all depends when I get a track frame

Crankset arrived, fitted today. Chainring is a 45t so I have had to change the gearing, now on a 45x19. They look a lot better then the converted road cranks, very pleased. Here are some quick iPhone pics

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I've found myself a track frame which should be arriving tomorrow so the parts will move from this to that and I will begin to start building this up geared. Already got handlebars, stem and cranks and will be on the search for the rest in the next couple of weeks.

what is it?

This beauty

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Noice

Did a bit of work on this today. I finally got the stem out after a 20minute battle. Was going to clean and regrease the headset but I doubt that the bottom cup (don't know the word) on the forks is cracked. Will have to sort out a new headset.
I also began removing the bb which I will replace with a sealed bearing shimano bb to suit the cranks. All was going well until I got to the fixed cup and I could't get it to budge. Will probably end up taking it to the LBS to see if they can get t out.
Finally I got some chainrings for the cranks. Currently debating whether to run it with just a single chainring to keep things nice and clean, not sure yet though.

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I have the exact same Concorde frame!
http://www.pedalroom.com/bike/80s-concorde-colombo-time-trial-19022

Nice! That built was one of the factors which made me buy mine! Very nice, in a lot better condition then mine too

Got some more parts received/ordered.

~ Shimano 600 headset
~ Shimano 600 rear mech
~ Shimano 600 brakeset
~ Concor supercorsa

I'm hoping to get this up and running in the next 2 weeks. This week I'm taking it to the lbs to get the fixed bb cup removed and a shimano un55 to replace it. The only other thing i need is some pedals. Will probably get a set from mks.

Rear wheel wise, for the time being I will be using the aksium from my road bike. However it is likely that I'll be buying a rear specialised trispoke off a friend once he sorts out the hub.

Sounds good!
Have you considered fitting bullhorns? I might have a Cinelli LA84 for sale...

Cheers!

I have a pair of Mavic bullhorns I'm planning on using. Maybe interested in them though... Very much depending on price... How much would you like for them?

@haveo PM

Nice set up - can't wait to see it with gears

I may or may not of just bought a 650c spinergy...

The stuck bb cup is being removed by my local bike shop next Tuesday and I am hoping to get it in running condition on the same day.

This build is happening tomorrow

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Very nice are you keeping it single ring?

Andy

Cheers! To start with yes. It has been something I've want to try out for a while. I like the simplicity, but if it doesn't work out I have an inner ring I can throw on and I'd just need to get a front mech.