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For the Principia, I went with:
105 R7000 group
Planet X Tubulars/Vittoria Rally
Deda finishing kit (already had some parts knocking around)I wanted to replace the forks, but struggled to find any 1" full crabon ones that I liked for ages. In the end I panic bought the ones below for a decent price from the US, assuming I could remove the graphics. They arrived and it turns out I was very wrong. After too much time sanding, I finally removed most of the lacquer. Idea was to get them sprayed by a guy I know at a car spray shop in either matte black or try and match the candy red of the frame.
Another thing that I wanted to change was the ugly white plastic used at the entrance to the internal cable routing. Luckily somebody on Retrobike already had this problem, so I knew the solution was rubber grommets. If anybody now needs a grommet, let me know as I now have shitloads.
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I contacted the guy I know at the spray shop couple of weeks ago, and unfortunately they are shut for 2-3 months to move premises. I have had a can of black Plasti Dip sat in a cupboard for a while and last night decided to take the plunge. Figure it will allow us to see how good black forks look and can always peel it off. I have a pretty shoddy record when it comes to painting things, but Plasti Dip behaves differently to paint in that it doesn't really run. Quite pleased with the result.
Word of warning: Plasti Dip doesn't behave like paint in several ways. Despite creating a bit of a 'backdrop' to paint against, somehow our whole (white) kitchen got a thin layer of Plasti Dip over it, which got me into a lot of trouble and took a while to clean up (it just rubs off). Really not sure how it got to areas several metres away in the opposite direction to spraying...
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Shame that Klein is a tad too small, still beautiful. I'm a sucker for these late 90s alloy frames, oversized round tubes, polished welds, best proportions in the history of frame building.
I have that Principia 700 myself. Killing bike. I totally understand why you have gone for threadless but at the same time, I would love to see that modern group and quill stem on this semi-vintage alloy frame. Maybe I'll try to achieve it with mine, tho, it would need a repaint as it's at rat state.
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Both very cool, good work
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I'm exactly the same...owned a number of CAADs, Colnago Dreams etc - seem to be always overlooked as not quite classic or 'modern'. This seems to mean lots of bargains out there. My first Dream is still the nicest ride I have owned (although I may be looking back through rose-tinted glasses as it was my first 'proper' bike).
I have kept the threaded forks, so maybe I will decide to use them one day - have a quill stem knocking around so should be easy. Just looking forward to her getting some miles on this one first!
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Thanks for sharing. Gorgeous bikes and nice work on the Principia. Have a thing for Quantums too!
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Lockdown has given me a kick up the backside to finish some projects that had ground to a halt.
Top priority was finishing the Klein. It has ended up being a bit of a lairy weight weenie coming in just over 7kg as pictured (absolutely pointless I know, especially with my lockdown weight gains).
There are just a few small changes to make (new bars, stem and black cable ends to replace the gold ones which were the only things I had in my toolbox). Absolutely delighted with the build, it looks lovely in the sunshine and I've always wanted to ride a Quantum. Think it will replace my modern carbon thing as my 'best bike'.
One thing I have learnt is that it can be a nightmare to internally route the cables on a Klein. Especially if you don't realise for a few hours of trying out magnets/vacuum cleaners etc that the routing holes for the brakes have removable sleeves to make the holes bigger and the process much easier...yes, I am an idiot.
Build list:
SRAM Red 10 black edition group - excellent condition ebay purchase from a guy in Denmark for a bargain £190
Fouriers/Token/Planet X - style calipers. These seem to work fine, and have more adjustability than Planet X ones I have had in the past. Found them at the bottom of a parts box and can't actually remember ever buying them...
Recon 10 sp cassette. Had this super light item on another bike, has worked well for a while - time will tell if truly durable. If anybody is interested in one, they appear to have all 10sp stuff on sale. I think gold was cheaper at time of purchase... http://www.recon-harry.com.tw/
Pretty standard 3T bars and stem - waiting for a slightly shorter (110) 17 degree Kalloy uno/fairwheel stem and some 3T superleggera stealth to replace them - wiggle have a decent sale on the bars at the moment
3T Dorico Ltd post. I didn't like the graphics, so it is now 'nude'. I don't like sanding now - much more work than I had invisaged!
PYC chain taken off another bike. Seems to shift fine and has been durable so far.
Selle Italia SLR Carbonio Flow saddle.
Vittoria 60mm wheelset with Corsa tubs. These were taken off my best bike - considering swapping for some plain black 46mm Reynolds I've got with gumwalls instead.
Cane creek headset
Lizard Skins tape
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A Klein paint job lightens any day.
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Thanks.
Saddle was sorted since these pictures were taken - I was a bit giddy that I had finished and didn't follow the 'rules' of bike photography!
I'm also unsure on the gold bits, especially the cable ends. Will change them and re-evaluate.
It's actually a 53, which is about 54.7 effective top tube - quite long things.
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Fantastic build overall, paint job is just otherwordly...
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Great work. Both looking really good as alternatives to 'modern' bikes. Definitely more soul in these!
jono84
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Daithetooth
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About
Klein Quantum - finally done!
Posted by
Disclaimer: most of these builds have already happened! I also forgot to take loads of photos during the build...
I've wanted a Klein for as long as I can remember. From 90s mountain biking to first seeing the fat tubes and incredible paint of the Quantum series, they hold something of a mythical status in my eyes.
My partner needs (wants) a new bike for faster rides. When it comes to looks, she much prefers older steel frames and loves her Roberts commuter, but it is time for something a bit more modern. Main request is "not too wordy". By this, she means she wants a more minimal build/paint job (without lots of horrible branding/graphics all over). Turns out this is much harder to find than I first thought (especially when buying 2nd hand/not wanting to spend a lot).
After scouring eBay for weeks, I stumbled across a really nice condition Quantum in the US and realised that perhaps this was the solution. I get my Klein and she gets a nice bike (with a lovely, relatively simple paint/no silly graphics etc). I negotiated with the seller for F&F/Headset only, and we came to about £340 delivered to UK, which I think was an ok deal.
Plan was to build up with modern parts (105 R7000 etc). Unfortunately, it quickly became apparent upon (safe) delivery that the frame was a bit too big. In my excitement, I had only noticed the TT measurement which I though was (just about) ok. Turns out the ST was an issue. OH WELL GUESS I WILL HAVE TO KEEP IT FOR MYSELF. I always feel more comfortable on frames that are supposed to be 'too small' for me anyway...honest.
Anyway, back to the drawing board/eBay and quickly managed to find a nice late 90s Principia, which again looked in lovely condition. I had a Principia a few years ago, but unfortunately it had a damaged hanger. Wanted to get another since as it was so obviously very well built. Didn't want the full bike, so negotiated with seller for F&F again. This came to £130 posted I think. When it arrived, it was even better condition than expected - very few marks and still had the Sigma Sports sticker on. The frame fits her perfectly, and also manages to tick the 'slightly retro looks' box.
TL;DR: Building a Principia with new bits for my gf, building myself a bit of a lairy Quantum.