Take one groupset

I always have an eye out on here / eBay etc.., for interesting stuff, or for stuff to help me complete one of the many projects I have on the go.

Under my desk at work I have a Carrera Podium frame, so when a fairly clean looking Chorus 9 Speed groupset came upon eBay recently I followed it.

The group wasn't particularly well listed, and the 'photo's weren't that great, but they were good enough to show me that the group was in good nick. What was also interesting was that the seller stated he was selling the group because he had snapped his frame, and he couldn't be bothered removing the parts - so it was collection only, in the East Midlands.

Collection only rarely goes down well on the 'Bay, so the group didn't sell. I contacted the vendor and we agreed a deal, so yesterday I was off up the M11 to the sticks.

Here's what came out of my van this morning:

Couple of shots to show the condition of the parts:

And finally, one of the crack in the frame:

I've already stripped the parts, ready to go on the Carrera, which I should be able to do next weekend.

In the meantime, Mrs Jangle has just taken the Janglettes out for lunch, so I've got a couple of hours where I can clean some components IN THE KITCHEN!

Life is good.

What are your plans for the frame? Looks like it's my size!

I'm booked in to a frame building course in January with Geoff Roberts.

I'd like to have a go at replacing the seat tube, then take it to Dave at Colourtech who would have done the original paint.

Not sure what to do then, as in reality it's a bit too big for me.

Nice plan, love the paint scheme.

What size is it out of interest?

I didn't measure it before I put it away in my store.

From the look of it (and the size of the previous owner) I would guess 61 / 62 cm Seat Tube.

I die inside a little every time you start a project thread .. subbed obv

Le frame:

Kitchen envy.

For some reason, the guy I purchased the groupset from wanted to keep the original seat post.

I figured I must have had a suitable Chorus seat post, and started having a bit of a forage around the house.

Much to my delight, at the bottom of the coat cupboard, I found a NOS Selcof titanium post. No idea where it came from, or why I have been hoarding it, but no matter, perfect for this build.

Lovely '80's Day-Glo packaging:

The original bottom bracket was British threaded, and I've left it in the Roberts for now. Luckily, SimonC on here was advertising a suitable Italian threaded alternative. Looks like it's never been mounted:

Got cracking on the build yesterday afternoon and before I knew it, it was pretty much done:

I even got away with retaining the original bar tape, cables and outers - which was a bit of a result.

Saddle is temporary, while I wait for a Concor I've bought off hypercolour to arrive, and pedals need sorting. Other than that, it's good to go. I've been round the block a few times and it feels great.

I have parental duties today (so I've been told), but hope to get out for a proper ride tomorrow.

Beauty, maybe de-sticker the wheels until you grab some black Shamals?

Black Shamals would look good.

The point of this project however, is to see what I can do with the groupset more or less as bought. I will ride around on the Carrera for a bit, then swap the group on to something else.

I think I'm going to enjoy riding this frame, so maybe Shamals could feature in some future iteration.

Needs proper gumwalls, otherwise it's mint.

Noted. Thanks;)

Absolutely amazing, very envious. You've completely re-done your kitchen aswell!

Would look great with Black shamals and Vittoria Corsa CX's...

I'm booked in to a frame building course in January with Geoff Roberts.

Again?!?!?! That must be your third course?

Not a new kitchen, new house. Old kitchen was better.

Yep, third time. Getting ready for retirement, innit.

Tuscan farmhouse making artisinal frames while being photographed looking moody in black and white photos? #livingthedream

Close. More likely to be cold shed in South East London, swearing a lot and blowing what little we've managed to save over a lifetime of hard work. #livingthereality

Can I maybe visit your house and look for nice NOS parts on Easter? :)

Fitted new wheels to the Carrera today:

Looks good with either set of wheels, what's the saddle? Looks the part.

San Marco Concor.

Looks cool & pretty lairy! Think I prefer the understated CXP 30's though*.
What happened to the Roberts frame? Did you manage to replace the seat tube?

They do look lairy, which I like. They are much better, performance-wise, than the CXP 30's.

I did indeed manage to get the seat post replaced on the Roberts. I have had it re-sprayed at Colourtech and - theoretically at least - it is awaiting collection. However, one of the great things about dealing with Dave at Colourtech, is you can never be 100% sure!