genejockey 

If I don't, I'll just blame you!

I'm currently haunting FedEx tracking while the frame makes its way to me, and of course thinking about any parts I'll need that I don't already have.

smd4

DA triple? Definitely not cool. When Dura Ace jumped the shark.

genejockey 

To be fair, though, Giovanni Battaglin won the 1981 Giro with a triple.

smd4

Wus.

genejockey 

Blame Pinarello.

smd4

I always do.

genejockey 

"How come we have $3000 less in the bank?"
"Blame Pinarello."

genejockey 

I love the minutiae of a new project, like just last night I discovered that LeMond 853 frames have 31.8mm OD seat tubes and no FD braze-ons, and Shimano didn't make the FD-7410 in 31.8mm clamp-on. I thought about buying a 31.8mm FD-7700, but didn't. Then I thought, "Maybe Shimano made an adapter that will let me use the braze-on FD-7410 I bought for the Litespeed's second iteration?" and sure enough, they do.

Problem solved!

On to the next - what size stem will I need? Should I use the Cinelli Nerve bars I took off the Battaglin when switched to Soma Highway Ones? Or go with Highway Ones? What model stem? LeMonds came with Cinelli XE, which AFAICT is the same as the XA. If I go for the Nerve bars, I should go with a Cinelli stem, surely!

bikingshearer 

genejockey: If you are really looking for a hole in the head, I'd be happy to bring a cordless drill to the next Peninsula Ride. Jus. sayin' . . . .

genejockey 

PromptCritical 

Pics please

genejockey 

Every build prior to this one, if I was changing the headset and/or BB, I'd take it to my LBS, where they have the right tools. But this time, I'm thinking maybe I'll get the tools and do it myself. The BB is a Shimano Ultegra cartridge unit, and I'll be replacing it with a Dura Ace cartridge unit, so removal and install both require the same tool. For the headset, the removal tool is universal, as is the headset press. So, do I trust the Cheap-And-Cheerful ZTTO headset press?

Decisions, decisions!

bikingshearer 

Do you want pics of the frame/bike, or pics of the new hole in genejockey' head? Either one, or even both, is fine with me.

bikingshearer 

For installing the headset, considering one can get the job done with a hammer and a block of wood (not that I'd recommend that method), I think you can trust the ZTTO press on a steel frame. I have an ancient VAR press and have managed to not muck things up using it, so you certainly have the ability. Heck, you could probably fashion an acceptable if kludgy headset press from items found in the nuts & bolts section of any hardware store. Rocket science it ain't. (On a CF frame, however, all bets are off and I would want the pros from Dover to do it.)

The universal headset race removal tool is a godsend. Using a hammer and screwdriver is suboptimal at best.

As for how I know about the "hammer and a block of wood" and "hammer and screwdriver" methods, all I can say is we were all cash-strapped teenagers once upon a time.

smd4

Nice.

genejockey 

If I add up the price of all the Cheap-And-Cheerful tools, it's probably about what I'd spend at the LBS. But then I'd have the tools.

PromptCritical 

Hey now; I'm of the view that his 10 bikes are simply a good start. Don't ask.

genejockey 

FedEx tracking is maddeningly nonspecific. The frame left Ohio 4 days ago, and nothing since. I just have to trust that it really will arrive tomorrow between 11:30 and 3:30. By comparison, USPS tracking practically lets you know when the driver stops to pee.

genejockey 

So, for the headset, I'll need:For the bottom bracket, I'll need:

zandoval 

Ha... Sounds like fun, Fun, FUN! BRAVO!

smd4

Most of the tools you need can be purchased pretty cheaply.

genejockey 

As it turned out, I went a different direction on the frameset, so I can now reveal that what I HAD been thinking of was a Moser Leader AX. Silver fillet brazed, no lugs, no seatpost clamp - it uses a quill seatpost. I couldn't get one in the form I wanted it without either spending a ton to strip and repaint a naked frame, or get a complete bike with an entire groupset I don't want, and which would duplicate a lot of parts I already have and have no use for.

Which reminds me - Anyone in the market for a mid-90s Chorus/Racing T 8-speed groupset?

genejockey 

I figured. I did want to make the list so I wouldn't get part way through a headset swap and say, "Oh, crap! I need (insert tool name here)!!"

PromptCritical 

Uhhhh, not a fan of USPS, even though their tracking reports are more frequent. I recently had an order go missing (on its way to San Diego from Portland) and USPS couldn't find it or report anything about for two weeks. A couple of years ago, my daughter sent me thank you letter and it took 11 weeks to make its way across San Diego......

I do wish UPS and FedEx provided more info. Since I have a similar problem with bikes, I get a lot of shipments, and it would be nice to know who the shipper is. I don't mind not being home if something small and inexpensive is going to arrive, but really want to be home for expensive stuff.

genejockey 

My experience has been different. When I was collecting vintage American watches, I had hundreds of them shipped via USPS. None went missing, though there was once a delay when they delivered it to the other side of town - same house number, but EAST instead of WEST Hillsdale.