txsurfer

Im obviously very new here and new to the c/v game and building bikes in general. My first posts here were asking about building up (read modernizing) a vintage frameset and at the time I purchased a 2012 DiamondBack Podium3 which I loved but it ended up being a) too large for me (58cm) b) harsh ride even with CF forks.

Now that was I was forced to sell, I started dreaming of my vintage steel frame modernized bike. I jumped into the C/V For Sale section and posted a 'wtb' ad and ended up grabbing @Flog00 's Romic Tourer.

I stripped the paint (even though his paint job was top notch, I liked the color but decided to try my own hand at painting) and started a cold set of the rear triangle. I could not get it to set properly and I was getting more and more nervous going as wide as I did. I tried a slow and controlled method using threaded rod that I have seen on youtube and I noticed either a pre-existing or newly created (probably the case!) crack on the drive side of the brake bridge. CRAP! I contacted @Flog00 and he advised to seek out Nao Tomii. Nao is in Austin and with me being in Houston, this made a lot of sense.

I had Nao respace the dropouts to 130mm, rebuild the brake bridge and lower it so long reach calipers would not be needed (still have room for 28c tires though) as I plan to tour lightly but fenders are not appealing to me. I also had him braze on cable stops and the icing on the cake was the addition of his beautiful internal cable routings for the rear brake. I remembered seeing a quote from someone in the C/V with Ergo/STI thread that read something like "if you modernize one, go all the way and make it unique. thats the only way to do it right". So my Romic is now really one of a kind (to me anyways).

Im still not quite done with the build as I am lacking tires, chain, dropout adjustment screws and a small headset spacer. This is what I have so far. Please be gentle. I ran out of money as everything but the bars is new!
ps. yes the stem will get flipped. This was first install of everything. Blue bar tape to match the jagwire sid blue cables. decals from velocals coming, black lettering with sid blue outlines.



Frame: 1974 Romic Sport-Tourer #24
Tubing: Reynolds 531
Groupset: Shimano 105 (5700)
BB: SM BB-9000 (Dura-Ace)
Seatpost: Origin8 26.8mm
Saddle: Specialized Toupe
stem adapter: profile designs threaded to threadless adpater
Stem: Velo-Orange
Bars: Easton EC90
Cables: Jagwire Road Pro
Wheels: Fulcrum Quattro LG

bikemig 

Sweet; nice looking work. You should post some pics on the C&V sports touring thread as well, https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...g-bicycle.html

Flog00

Looking good. Look forward to some more photos.

austex

I was part of the "first wave" working for Ray at Romic in 1974 - I may have first assembled this bike at the Romic factory. What's the serial number? And my carpool buddy to the factory, Bill Moore, was the brazer - all frames were silver-brazed. I prepped and machined raw tubes, Bill machined, jigged and brazed; one or the other of us would bead-blast the joints. Bill painted the earliest ones, but eventually this was done in batches by a fellow who would come in on the weekends. I would assemble and box 'em for shipping.

Tom, now in Austin

Flog00

@austex

24a41974

txsurfer

Pictures coming soon. I got my decals in from Velocals but Im giving the paint one more week to cure.

Took her out for a 20 mile spin on Saturday and all I can say is WOW. I dont know if its all in my head but even so, if this is the feeling of riding something you put together, then Im hooked! Now I REALLY have to get that sailboat on the water that I built for 2 years!

She rides like a dream. Being my first steel road bike and coming from an aluminum modern frame, the 'road noise' was the first noticeable change with the Romic being significantly quieter and much more smooth. No more hand numbness and twinging sound as I cruised over chipseal and asphalt, it was like butter. The acceleration is nice, about the same as my old frame but Im riding clipped now whereas my old frame I was not, so that could be helping.

I did a rough bathroom scale weighing and shes coming in at 22lbs all up. I think I can shave a bit from the 400mm seat post, of which I need maybe 200mm but this is probably going to be her finished weight until lighter groupset and wheels can be purchased which honestly, probably wont considering how much I already love the bike.

Pictures in a week or so but here is a rough assembled shot, nothing really adjusted yet.

Flog00

Looks nice, glad the ride and fit are to your liking. Tomii did a nice job.
Put some pictures up after the decals are on.

txsurfer

Well that took entirely too long but a lot happened in the month since I have posted here!
As promised, here are some shots of the bike.

Flog00

Turned out really well!

austex

Yep, I was there in April 1974, so I would have had hands on this one. Can't say we ever had world championship honors, though. ;-) Cheers, Tom.