just went over to a bike shop during lunch.... Took a look at some Merlin road bikes... Incredible! Those are simply beautiful.

my shop will be opening around the end of August.
b i k e t o p i a
2030 Darby rd. Havertown Pa.

Offer mail order? Discounts for Pelican members? :D

my new toy
 

Purdy :D

Love the saddle ;) I don't think my butt could ever adjust to one of them.

My butt actully suffered more from testriding too many bikes in a short time, after not sitting in a saddle for over 8 years. Initially it wasn't as bad as I though it would be and now, I don't even notice it.

Well, after only 8 months, the paint is bubbling up on my Interloc frameset. While it's true I got a Scandium aluminum frame for ONLY $660, I'm not pleased with the durability. I'm seriously considering switching frames, hoping the manufacturer will make things right so I can salvage some resale value.

Any hints on what I should consider? I was thinking Ti, but $750 for frame and fork won't buy much. I'm considering a few used Ti framesets. I'm also considering a few steel frames (853). My primary needs/wants: 1) durability, 2) quality finish, 3) little flex in BB. Weight is not a concern. I don't mind a used frameset, provided it isn't abused.

I phoned the shop that built my last bike. I told him I wanted a frameset that will last me 5 years of riding (15-20k miles total). I was told this is not easy unless you spend $4-5k. I think this is hogwash. Why cannot a frameset last 5 years and still look respectible? I don't mind having to replace the odd component or two, and I run Campagnolo for durability, as well.

Whatcha think? I will post pics of frames I'm considering later today. The road beckons me. :)
Jürgen

Jurgen - check out TST sports. Last I saw they were blowing out some very nice 3.2 ti frames for around 600-700. They're 1 in steerer, but so what? I have over 20000mi on a small one (51).

dave, can you give me a 0% interest, 30 yr loan for the merlin? ;)

Greg, I was just looking at the titaniumsports.com frames. Cambria Bike has the brushed finish, oval tube frameset for $499. For long term, I think it's the best choice. I'm still undecided.

Here are two used framesets I'm considering:

Witt Ti frameset with Wound-Up carbon fork and Record headset. Witt is a small builder in Seattle, it appears. $600

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1093390018.jpg

Concorde Squadra frameset with steel fork. Columbus EGO steel. teardrop shaped tubing. Ultegra headset, Ultegra braze-on FD, American Classic 26.8 seatpost. $350 shipped. A good peleton worthy ride from the late 90s.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1093390415.jpg

And, of course, there are Fuji 853s in the $350 range, and a Raleigh Professional (Zona Steel) with carbon fork for $140 on Ebay right now!

It is painfully obvious after this year of riding, it's 95% about the engine and 5% about the bike, in my opinion.

Decisions, decisions...

I like the Witt frame, never heard of them. One day I'd like to try a ti frame. I just got an older Fuji that I will be building into a single speed minimalist machine.

It looks about 97% like this one:
http://www.bikecult.com/works/archive/fujiACE.html

Cool - a single speed.

That reminds me, need to check the MTB equiv... www.sswc2004.com

Here are the pics (for those interested in the MTB fringe) http://www3.mtb-news.de/fotos/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/22872

I ride with the 2003 winner, but he didn't win this year (came second, his girlfriend says, but at the SS worlds there is no "second", just a first place).

Jurgen

What about an Airborne Valkyrie (sp?) - you might have to use your old fork to get anywhere near the $750 though... http://www.airborne.net

ahhhhhhhhhhh yes heres my nice nice olmo track bike its raelly light like 12ish maybe heavy for a track bike but i ride it on the street to bad its too hilly here in monterey to ride it

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1093407363.jpg

Ok, question for the DIY crowd. I prolly should be asking some cycling forum, but I'm so uneducated ab this that I feel more comfortable getting advice from you guys.

I'm going to be switching the rear hub but I'm going to keep the rim. It will also give me an opportunity to put in different spokes. What I want to know is, if there are different "types" of hubs out there, with bigger and smaller flanges, does that mean that they have different length spokes out there to accomodate that too or is it just a one size fit all?

Also, as far as wheel/tire sizes, when it's listed as 700/23 (most common I guess) 23 is the width of the tire?

thanks.

btw: you are all to blame for this

I think the answer is "yes" to the first question (different length spokes) and definitely yes to the second, although like car tyres the actual width isn't necessarily the "23" or "25".

Not that I've ever tried, but building a wheel isn't particularly easy without a fair bit of equipment:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html

This is very true. The only caveat is durability and ability for the frame to sustain upgrades.

My Colnago is 20 years old. Compared to most frames these days, its archaic. If I wanted to adapt a modern 18 speed gruppo to it, I'd have to have the seat stays spread, which would definitely damage the frame in the long run.

But it has lasted all this time - a testimony to well engineered machinery.

thanks Cam.

I've gone through Sheldon's site many times before but lately I've began to really study it. I'm also reading others. http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/wheels/

I know that it seems fairly complicated to put together a wheel, but keeping a 911 running can be tricky too. Lacing up the wheel is a challenge I'm looking forward to. I'm not going to go for any fancy pattern just yet. I've got plenty of tools, and the only one that's missing is the spoke nipple wrench and thankfully those are not expensive.

I won't do it all. Once the wheel is put together, I'll let the shop adjust the tension, true it, and dish it correctly. Half the fun of this bike will be the build up. It's a project on a smaller scale, that can be worked on w/o a garage.

I guess the tire size refers to how much the tire will "balloon" upon inflation, rather than a typical width. Just wanted to confirm that.

(And yes, if anyone is wondering why I'm creating work for myself, my 911 is running trouble-free.... :D )

Yes spoke length changes with flange diameter, flange offset (distance of flange from cenerline of the hub) and the number of spoke cross you do ie: radial, 2 cross, 3 cross etc. If you are good mechanicly you can do it but you should have someone teach you.

Geez, I am almost ashamed to admit I like bikes more than my Porsche. :confused:

This is my 'new' frameset. I wanted to buy one last year, but they were backordered. I got a killer deal, and I couldn't refuse the offer. Frame, fork, and headset = 3.2 pounds. The carbon fiber is incredible.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1094171286.jpg

That`s a nice frame! Fom Giant TCR. I came close to making a purchase but it was the team Mobile Frame @ our local bicycle shop here called Supergo. But i ended up buy a killer bike for my wife instead cuase i couldnt pass this deal, i bought her a Cervelo Dual Tri Bike sz 51 with Ultegra derailer,FSA Carbon Pro Lite Cranks ISIS, Ritchey Deep Lite Wheels sz 650 and all the good carbon parts cervelo has to offer only for 900.00 dollars because it was hidden in the rafters and they forgot all about it. This bike is a 2003 model but for the price for a complete bike couldnt pass it up :D But i still want my Team Mobile Bike Frame from Giant...