tmh657

I decided to go threadless. I think it has too much rise but it works for now. I may flip it over and see how it looks.

that_guy_zach

You need the large bag, where else are you gonna keep your sonic screwdriver.

brockd15 

Very nice, good decision going with silver instead of a black seatpost. Which threadless converter and spacers did you use? It looks very clean.

Puget Pounder

Nice job hiding the neck of the converter. This is what I always preach for people using converters to make the bike look cleaner. I would suggest using 1 long spacer so the clamp area of "locks" the spacer in place. Otherwise, you may find the bottom most spacer eventually coming out of place.

Virtually any converter and spacer can look this good. I usually use 1 1/8" spacers.

ColonelJLloyd 

I have a bike with a converter too and I like it, but (just to be a stickler) using an adapter does not threadless make. You're still using a quill stem, it's just two pieces now.

Puget Pounder

Good point, you wet blanket

He's right though. Even in a true threadless setup, you still get a substantially stiffer cockpit, not to mention the ease of headset adjustability.

brockd15 

I've used a couple converters with various spacers but they tend to not be a snug fit and will move around.

tmh657

True that the fork did not become threadless but you would call the stem threadless right? I did want to use 1 big spacer but the LBS didn't have 1 big enough so it's 2 for now.
It's a Profile Design adapter and a Civia Bryant stem. 100mm 7º rise. I think it was about $40 for both new.

ColonelJLloyd 

It's a stem that's meant for a threadless fork, yes. It is the fork that is threaded or threadless.

Puget Pounder

re: flipping the stem

I think that bike would look SUPER clean with the stem flipped. It'll compliment the straight lines.

Grand Bois

I think so too, but it may be horribly uncomfortable to ride.

It's much more important to look good than to feel good.

Amesja

A stack of shims looks nice IMHO.

And if you are tricky you can even hide that headset locknut and race wrench flats on that threaded stem with the right sized spacer/cover.



A sticker that matches the stem makes it look more legit

Steve Bauserman 

My family refers to this as my retro high tech bike and the local bike shop calls it Darth Vader's bike It is almost completely French. The exceptions are the headset and the handle bar covers.

Here is important stuff:
54CM Vitus 979 series 2 frame
Time carbon fiber fork (I have the Vitus fork, but my wife says the Time gives the bike attitude)
Mavic group (BB, brakes, 9 speed cassette, cranks, FD, handlebar, hubs, pedals, RD, spokes, stem, wheels, )
Ideale 2002 saddle (I may switch this for a black Gilles Berthoud racing saddle)
Velo Orange sewn on elk hide handle bar cover
Richie Logic headset (until I can find a Mavic)

The most notable items are:
Fully functional Mavic Mektronic wireless electronic shifting system
Mavic 631 Starfish crankset (just added a correct set of dust covers and I plan on going to a triple chain ring)


The Mektronic system was a trip to get configured. The instructions are pretty basic and don't get into things like tolerances and sensor placement. I ended up making a phone call to Mavic USA and they where able to help me get all the details sorted out. The Ksyzium wheels and Mavic cassette are on the Mektronic compatibility list so it was just a matter of getting the correct shim in place and then entering all the variables into into the computer. There are no adjustment screws on the RD everything is setup in the software.

The shifting is extremely precise. Shift speed is proportional to the speed the chain is moving. So far I have about 200 miles on the bike. The sift locations are great for riding on the hoods or down. The buttons are very sensitive and it only takes a brush of your finger to go up or down a gear. Pausing on a button will cause you to shift more than one gear. The hoods are even more comfortable than the Mavic 440 SSC levers on my 1986 KAS Mavic Vitus.

Over all the bike is very quite and comfortable. It also seems to be an attention getter everywhere.

ColonelJLloyd 

That is pretty cool, man. I don't want one, but I like it!

Steve Bauserman 

It's a nice ride and a keeper, but I can't say I would build another one. It took way more time to build than a more traditional bike. I think I had the better part of a day on the programing and fiddling with the electronics. Then there was the time to sew on the bar covers.

thirdgenbird

that vitus is epic. i love it.

Chrome Molly

84 TDF, shimergo'd with hodgepodge of original parts, shimano 600, campy veloce, and ultegra RD, avocet racing saddle...

Just returned from shakedown ride (need to trim cables and tweak FD).

Rides really well, happy with result.

whatwolf

Nice. What wheels are those?

Chrome Molly

Ksyrium equipes, less than $250, they ride pretty well for radial spokes. I bought the frame without wheels, and thought these would be better than classics in a cross wind.

Italuminium

O dear that vitus takes the cake. Fantastic.

Epicus07 

That Vitus is sick!

Italuminium

Deserves it's own thread, really. Plus moar mavic goodness.

Epicus07 

+1

poke em

Here is my Prologue that I acquired from Ridealot100 in a trade. I finally got it built up with a mixed bag of parts. The bars/brake levers are not finalized so the wrap is temporary. I love the way this bike rides, fast handling and very smooth. This will be my main rider for now.

RobbieTunes

Great page here.

I think that ElectroMavic is way cool, as well as the TdF, and I've never encountered anyone who didn't like their Prologue.

Area shops are reporting a mini-trend of quality older steel frames being "brought in" for upgrades to 10-sp Campy.
When it's being done by shops, you know there's something going on. Perhaps the Euro will make this even more viable in the near future.