gomango

I've been mulling over this gravel road build for a couple of years.

A friend that owns a local racing shop offered me this early 90s Reynold's framed Croll.

The raw frame has been sitting in the shop basement for about twenty years.

Originally built by Erik Noren of Peacock Groove fame.



The project finally gained some steam when Alex at A Train cycles brazed on Paul canti studs, moved the bridges, installed a front derailleur tab, brazed on a stainless chainstay protector and of course added fender eyelets.

He also added a tail light eyelet and new guides for the cables.



Next step was to look for a donor bike that I could use for an inexpensive Campy build.

I found one with my Giubilato and it sports a very fresh Campy Athena gruppo with various other goodies like Mavic Open Pros.

In the following updates, I'll detail the complete build and maybe some helpful hints from forum member Sloar, as he is completing a very nice metallic silver and Ferrari red finish.

Not to mention the decal set he arranged from a local source from our model.

Here's a hint of the color scheme.







Updates as available.

Chrome Molly

You just kill me. A 531 Croll frame just laying around for 20 years...

whatwolf

Wow! Can't wait to see this come together. What kind of tire clearances does the frame have?

JAG410

Oh this is going to be awesome, I can't wait to see the results!

gomango

Unpainted to boot!!!

Three folks who had ring side seats on the build assert it came from a small run of 653, including the builder.

I frankly don't care if it is 653 or 531c. Both will be very comfy.

Besides, Sloar already installed the 653 decals.

gomango

Thanks everyone.

We pulled the frame apart just a bit for fender clearance.

....and for much wider meats.

These are the tires I'll start with for the project.

Challenge Almanzo 700x30s.

Chrome Molly

So this is your ride for the gravel century? I knew there was more to the story...

cyclotoine

Did they build a new fork for added clearance? That looks like it will be great. I would have done for stud mounted centerpulls but cantilever is just as good...

gomango

Yeah, likely as nothing else will be ready until cross season.

I'm not building anything this summer though.

Just riding all summer.

Most of it on gravel and mtb trails around the midwest.

May have to dig up a triple on the cheap, but this build will get me out of the gate.

gomango

Thanks.

Front fork will be a little dicey.

I can fit up to 32s with fenders, but can manage up to 35s w/o.

More room in back....

cyclotoine

Can you give us a photo of the tread on the Almanzo?

ColonelJLloyd 

Man, that is cool. Have you chosen fenders?

I would consider a double. There's just so much unnecessary overlap with a 3x10 drivetrain. I'm running a 46/36 with a 12-26t cassette on the gravel-ready bike I just built. I have clincher wheelset for it with a 13-28t freewheel. But, that's 8 speed; 10 speed is even better.

I'm a centerpull fan myself, but cantilevers make more sense for such a bike as they allow better clearance for fenders and weigh less. Tektro is making some really nice mini Vs that work perfectly with Ergos, but I'm told they don't shed mud as well as cantilevers if that's an issue.

Looks like they're a file tread with some small knobs on the sides. They look identical to the Grifo XS, which is 32mm.

gomango

Yeah, I'll dig one up.

I don't have mine in hand.

Edit: thanks for the pic.

Colonel, I have a double Athena crank, so I should be good for now.

For fenders, I'll seek some input.

Thinking about VOs and and SKS Longboards.

...and let me clarify that I will start with an original Athena gruppo.

But I also have a full Chorus 10 speed gruppo, plus a brand spankin' new Centaur gruppo.

I'd really rather pull the Giubilato apart and use that for this season though.

ColonelJLloyd 

I'm a fan of aluminum fenders for various reasons, but unless you sprayed something on the underside to dampen the noise they'd drive you crazy with the sound of gravel bouncing around between them and the tires. I've just never really seen plastic fenders installed that did much for me in the looks department.

gomango

I hear you.

Most of the guys on the Almanzo ran plastic or nothing at all.

I put the eyelets on as I could see using fenders on a daily basis, but not on race day.

More stuff to rattle loose.

These roads are hellish.

4Rings6Stars

That pretty paint job is going to wish you used fenders on race day! Maybe install some sort of clear tape on the bottom of the downtube? Not sure if that would help...

Very cool project, subscribed.


Justin, did you finish that project with TRP 8.4 mini V brakes and Ergos? How are they working? I still need to upgrade the brakes on my IFfy and have a tax refund due any day now...

gomango

Thank you!!

I really like the look of the VO smooth aluminum.

They have some at the shop that a customer took off his Rivendell.

Justin described his complaint exactly.

Maybe they are worth a shot if I can score them cheaply enough.

They are going to make a heck of a racket on packed class 5 roads though.

Maybe I just deal with it.

ColonelJLloyd 

I just did, actually. They have some awesome stopping power.

thirdgenbird

Having seen the frame in person, i am glad to see it finally going together. The Athena group would be my choice as well. The new lever shape should be perfect for a bike that will see a lot of hood time. I can't help but think a full chorus 10 group should be on a bike that won't be subjected to this kind of torture.

I'm still happy with my sks alley cats. I havent put them through the paces you intend, but the matte black finish still looks good. I used rubber washers and nylon spacers when I installed them so they have also been nice and quiet.

gomango

Casey those SKS Alleycats look great.

I bought the used set of VOs for $20 with hardware and flaps earlier this evening though.

Furthermore, I've decided that none of the new Campy 10 speed gruppos here will go on this project.

Again, I have a durable, original Athena gruppo that will compliment this nice Croll frame.

I'll build her up in a week or so after the frame arrives from Sloar.

He will be sending full frame shots tomorrow, so I'll post those as available.

Maybe a complete parts list as well.

He has done one whale of a job on the paint and I appreciate all of his hard work on this project.

Heckuva guy, that's for sure.

thirdgenbird

I will be sure to check in for frame pics. I don't think you could go wrong with this beauty.

RobbieTunes

I need to quit reading this thread. I need another bike like a hole in my head.
By the way, is Erik at Peacock Groove still, uh, "opinionated?"

gomango

That's a good question Robbie!

I contacted him a few times for help with a decal set for this project, but he must have been too busy to follow up.

Sloar has a buddy that makes decals so I went in that direction.

Glad I did.

I will go with a Jen Greene head badge if I like the build enough.

Looks like I will so far.

ColonelJLloyd 

You know, if it were me I really think I would give an auto undercarriage rubberized coating a try on those VO fenders. Seems like it would work well to dampen the sound and prevent small dings. Something like this.

gomango

I'm game.

I'll guinea pig this for us.