Jixr

Just picked this KHS Flite 100 pile of crap for $4.

Now to strip the crappy paint job off and fix it up properly.

North Coast Joe

For the geared bike:

New upgraded Shimano rear derailleur, cassette & KMC chain. New SKS fenders, Schwalbe Kojaks.

While I have the attention of the Stylista here, do these two stickers need to come off the frame? They're the only stickers, the trim is paint, not decals.

JeremyLC

The size and warning stickers can go. The clear "sticker" on the chainstay is there to protect the paint from chain slap, it should stay. Any other stickers, e.g. logos or model numbers, should go or stay based on your preference.

jtbadge

White Industries T11 > Sapim Laser > HED Belgium C2 for the Thrive. 32/32 3x. Black hubs/spokes, silver alloy nipples.

50voltphantom

Oooooooh boy!

AristoNYC

I actually like the rattle can job on that frame. Post some progress pictures.

SquidPuppet

Yes, dump both stickers for sure. Too "showroom".

What pressure are you running the Kojaks at?

SquidPuppet

BRASS BRASS BRASS nipples!!!!!

The Sapim silver brass nipples have really nice plating.

/

seau grateau

Always brass nipples.

JohnDThompson 

Today's rainy day project. This:



to this:

North Coast Joe

Still experimenting. I'm at about 180 lbs. and am initially trying 45lbs front and 52lbs rear. Probably more when those bags are loaded. I'd sure like to know if you have suggestions. These are my first "pricey" tires (and first folding tires) and WOW, is there ever a ride difference!! Won't hesitate pulling the trigger on nice tires ever again!

veganbikes

The colour and shape of things to come:









I know the bars are black...they are just so comfortable I couldn't say no. I have them on my touring bike and I love them. Ritchey doesn't quite make the bars I want..boooo!

TimothyH

This can only mean Di2.

I'm looking forward to hearing about this build.


-Tim-

SquidPuppet

Yep. That's why I asked. Glad you dig them.

I run the front low as well. 45 seems to be my number too. There is just no weight up there at all. Over 50 it gets rough-buzzy-chattery over bumps and offers less cornering grip. Under 45 and I can feel it rolling over the rim and twisting when I turn. Too much deformation and feels squishy. In the rear I am running 65. More than that and it feels harsh, and with less I can begin to feel acceleration resistance. That's not what I suggest for you though, just keep messing around until you find your happy place.

Experimenting is the way to go IMO. Not charts or graphs. The bike and tires will tell us everything we need to know if we pay attention.

I while ago I was raving about some Compass tires I bought. After more miles for comparing them to the Kojaks I reached a final verdict. The Kojaks "Feel" like they roll and accelerate better even though they weigh a tiny bit (30 grams) more. It "feels" like a significant difference. They just seem to WANT to roll. They seem to have a bigger window of a PSI sweet spot too. They are more forgiving when you get out of the range, both higher and lower. The Jojaks are the clear winner by a mile for cornering grip. It's just silly how much grip they provide. The Kojaks (as you've discovered) are fantastic shock absorbers too. But I have to give the "Rough Road" award to the Compass tires. With the Kojaks you notice how fantastically they deaden the impacts from road imperfections. With the Compass tires you don't notice the impacts. Kinda freaky, really.

I know what you are saying about price too. I can't help feel like a knucklehead shelling out that kind of cash. It's a bicycle tire for crying out loud, not a Formula One tire. It's actually embarrassing for me to admit that I spent $XX.00 for a bicycle tire. But, as you are experiencing, it becomes impossible to go backwards.

Cheap tires make riding a lot more work. A LOT. Add vibration buzz and much less confidence in corners and it makes it really easy to become a Tire Snob.

veganbikes

There might be a touch of electronics from a certain company starting with "S" and ending with "O" going on a certain titanium frame that may or may not have a splash of blue paint ; )

I am super excited about it, I was looking to build a road bike and then I said well it isn't much of a leap to go Di2 and so I said "F" it let's make the big leap no square taper, no downtube or bar end shifters, none of that mechanical stuff, more than 9 speed. Jump straight into the deep end I said. Unfortunately my wallet is saying different right now. After forking over some money for an IRA account and some other expenses it is looking a little bit lighter than I need to get the rest of the build. Ah well it will happen soon enough!

TimothyH

@veganbikes, that thing is going to be righteous.

Take your time and do it right. Rome wasn't built in a day and every head is going to turn when you roll up to a group ride.

Please keep us updated.


-Tim-

veganbikes

That is the plan, I want to do it right so I don't have any issues. I do want to get the bike going fairly soon so I have it in time for a ride in late May that would be well suited for a light road bike.

I will certainly keep everyone up to date. I am still trying to figure some stuff out with internals and nobody seems to have all the answers I want. Plenty of people talking about Di2 but nothing about the set up I have in mind.

veganbikes

x2



x2

x4
"Blue, Blue, This shade of blue" - Klaus Smith


Ceramic Hybrid you know for that Ceramic Speeszzzzzzzz




The jersey was on sale and I can never have too many jerseys so I said ahh fk it just go for it.

Carcosa

Chris_P_Baccon

New wheel set! YAHOO!

saskskier

New saddle for the fixie (Spec. Romin Pro), a cheap light and a spoke wrench.

SPiN 360

I got some Crank Brothers Double Shot 3 pedals and Mavic MTB shoes.

First time clipless... even after seeing every youtube video warning you that you'll fall over, I still fell over on my first ride. This was right in front of a crowd of people waiting at a bus stop. I ended up with a scraped knee, but my ego took the biggest blow.

Still not sure if clipless is an improvement for me. I need to test it out some more.

Leukybear 

Track day wheels I hope

TimothyH

What are you trying to do?

The triathlon community seems to be taking the lead in terms of hidden components. There is a guy on the road bike forum - forgot his name - who put the junction A behind his saddle.

veganbikes

Basically I am trying to get an almost hidden set up for most of the wiring and junction boxes and Di2 charging from the dynamo. I understand since it is not an SL fork and I am not planning on using a SON SL hub that there might be some slight wires from the hub up the fork to some port in the frame but I want to keep it as clean as I can.

I have seen people talking about putting the Junc. A under their saddle or even something in the seat tube but there is a small part of me that things they might be using an aero post which may have more space than a 27.2 seatpost. We shall see. I might end up going with an older Junc. A box from the last Ultegra Di2 which is way smaller and since I am not running sat. shifters I should be ok.

Also the Vigo. looks so nice...just needs some Campy drivetrain and you will be all set. Get rid of that nasty SRAM stuff and go full on Italian with that joint. You have the 3TTT and Campy Wheels so just go the full Olive Garden ; )