canyoneagle

After a 5 year hiatus from cycling, and a life transition (divorce, re-marriage, cross-country move) wherein I sold any bicycles I owned, I am getting back on the bike again.
In April I purchased a nice carbon fiber road bike with Ultegra components from my local Craigslist, and that got me back on the road again. It is so nice to be riding again - I'd forgotten how much cycling has been a part of my life since childhood.

Anyway, the CL road bike was very nice, but it wasn't quite the right fit for me, and I was longing to get back on to a high quality steel frame - to me there is no substitute for the ride quality of a handmade steel frame. I also appreciate the convenience and performance of modern components - I have no desire to reach to the downtube to shift - been there, done that.

So, with that introduction, I'll document the build of what I consider to be the sweet spot for me - a high quality steel frame with modern components.

What got the ball rolling is a frameset that I've shared on these forums - a 1990 Zullo Competition made with Columbus EL-OS tubing - my favorite. I found this on Ebay, and the frame has successfully made its journey from Poland.
Pretty close to an optimal size for me - 62.5 cm seat tube(c-c)
This pic is from the Ebay listing

canyoneagle

The frame itself is in excellent overall condition - just a few chips and minor rust to address.

The fork was the worst of it. Pretty bad corrosion/rust on the crown



I treated the rust, brushed and sanded to bare metal, primed and painted it with enamel that I tried to match to the overall tone of the factory paint. This was a mix of yellow and brown.

Here's a shot after the first coat

canyoneagle

Meanwhile, the wheels are coming together......
I'm still waiting for my tensionometer to come back from a refurb/calibration before I can get these 100% done

jlmonte

canyoneagle

Yup - same here.

For the time being, the groupset is waiting patiently as I refurbish the frame/fork and build the wheels. I'd like to build it next weekend.
I stripped the factory grease off of the chain (mineral spirits soak) and gave it a hot wax treatment (speedwax). I hate a dirty drivetrain, so giving the wax thing a shot. I recall that chain waxing was a "thing" in the 70's and 80's for winter training.

Here's the groupset, fresh out of the box from Chain Reaction Cycles in the UK. After I peeked into each box, that is.....

canyoneagle

I'm patiently awaiting the delivery of the nipples I forgot to order in time for the rear wheel....
Actually, when ordering nipples, I only ordered a bag of 36 instead of 2......

In other news, the shop should have the chase/face done tomorrow, so I can get on to refurbishing the chips and wear spots, as well as the internals.

Today I'm putting the second coat of enamel on the fork.

CliffordK

No 12 speed?

I like using a mix of parts. Probably not quite the purist of your build. But, at least I have the yellow. A little bit more of a scrounge build.

canyoneagle

Beautiful shot!!!!!
And gorgeous bike.

I think I'm good with 11speed - plus, I'm trying to strike a bang for buck balance. My only gripe is that I'm not a fan of 4-arm crank spiders - I far prefer the look of a 5-arm spider. I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a Record/Super Record 11s UT 5-arm crank...

CliffordK

I haven't adopted the 4 arm cranksets yet either.

Ummmm....

How tall are you? What is your preferred crank length? Gear Ratio?

canyoneagle

I'n 6'2, typically go with 175 cranks.
I'm trying out the 52/36 on this crankset to see if it hits my sweet spot. I've done the classic 52/42, 53,39 and compact 50/34, and I think (hope) the mid-compact will hit it for me. I think I'm done with 53/39 at this stage, but open to the compact configurations for sure.

I've heard that there could be some compatibility issues with the pre-ultrashift era (2014?)

Do you know of one that is available?

CliffordK

I see them pop up periodically on E-Bay.

I've picked up a couple of 180's that are a bit harder to find... which is why I was asking.

However, I find it harder to find good prices on compact (110/112 BCD) than the standard 135 sizes. And, I'm not sure I've ever spotted a compact 180.

I did recently buy a compact 175 that I haven't put into use. 2nd gen 11 speed with red label, I think.

The one on the Colnago above is a Chorus 11 speed compact... at least at this moment. The photo is about a year old, but I think after I made the change.

Perhaps I'll measure, but I don't think there is a significant difference between the 10s and 11s cranks which might open up more options.

canyoneagle

I'd definitely consider 180, though the non-compact thing may be an issue.
Do you intend to use the 175 compact? If not, PM me - maybe we can strike a deal. If I can come out fairly even with fair market for the new crank I have (Ebay, etc) I'd be very interested, indeed.

There's something about the 5 arm spider that I love.

jlmonte

canyoneagle

Now that is some retro porn there!
I use the same tensionometer. Great tool. Mine is now on its way back from Ric at WheelFanatyk after a refresh, with new springs and re-calibration.

canyoneagle

jlmonte

canyoneagle

I've used JP Weigle with good results - never tried linseed oil. This time I'm using ProGold - first time with this one, so we'll see how it does. I've brush painted rustoleum primer inside the BB shell, too.
I didn't know about the Wheelsmith recalibration services until I stumbled upon it when looking for my spokes and nipples.

https://www.wheelfanatyk.com/store/w...recalibration/

canyoneagle

After looking extensively (Ebay, many google rabbitholes, etc) I'm seeing what you are saying - the compact/mid-compact 5 arm cranks are rare. I found a Chorus 52/36, but it's nearly $400.

I ended up pulling the trigger on a ti Super Record 52/39 180mm on closeout at Merlin Cycles for under $200. I figured it is a hell of a deal and I can probably recoup that money if I find the 39 isn't working for me. I got a few other things, and did the extra $25 for 1-3 day shipping so I can have it for the weekend build. I think the 180's will be a good fit for me. 37" cycling inseam. If I go by Zinn's site, I need over 200mm

The Chorus crank is going up on Ebay

CliffordK

If you look at sales history on E-Bay, you'll find a few Campagnolo Compact 175 cranks for < $200. So, they do pop up. just never exactly when you want them.

But, that sounds like a great deal on the Standard 180.

I did notice there were quite a few "Comp One Ultra 11 Over Torque" cranks on E-Bay and elsewhere with 30mm spindles, and available in the 175 Standard, Compact, and Mid configurations.

There is an English threaded Campagnolo adapter for the Over Torque, but oddly not an Italian threaded one. However, those bottom bracket cups and parts are really expensive. Other brands, however, might also work.

canyoneagle

I also saw the OverTorque cranks, and quite a few Athena/Centaurs. I was watching a used compact Record that sold.
I'm pretty excited about the SR crank - I wanted to stick with UltraTorque for now, since I've heard so many good things about it. I also like that the 5-arm cranks have 8 XPSS ramps vs 4 on the new cranks. Not sure there is a significant difference there, but I'm sure it will work very well

canyoneagle

John E

You got that right -- 4-arm spiders are hideous. 5-arm look the best, but some 3-arm and 3-to-6-arm look right, as well.

canyoneagle

Aright - call me weird, but I have recently resumed playing the didgeridoo (ancient Australian Aboriginal Instrument) after having not played consistently, I've been really loving it.

Anyway, here's a little hipster movie or whatever they're called these days. Had a nice backbeat, and I filled in and riffed on it.
Layer that with some raw handheld stuff featuring my current build.
I'm no Magnus Walker or Singer (as in Porsche), that's for sure. Just some in the moment fun.

For me, it represents a transformative blend of old and new, hence the (stand in) era-appropriate Nucleon front wheel, with the new Record/Arhectype rear wheel mounted to represent the transformation.

Of course, this is intentionally staged to capture a snopshot in its development, and staging it with older stuff mixed in to represent the marriage.

Anyway, something like that.

In true hipster style, the next video will incule cigarrettes. I think we could market a handlebar mounted ashtray. But, I digress......

canyoneagle

canyoneagle

The bike is done!!!!!