Monkey Face

Further to my other thread on 'which frame to buy', I went for the Colnago.

I'm going to use a combination of Campagnolo Centaur and Chorus, and possibly Nitto stem and bars. I want a modern classic look and I'm not too concerned about weight.

Can anyone help me with a couple of details on the build?

1) Bottom bracket - it's Italian thread, but what width do I need with a Centaur compact chainset?

2) Steerer tube / headset - the frame is coming with the Colnago Precisa forks, but I'm not sure what steerer tube is on that - can someone tell me so I can choose the right headset?

3) Stem - can I use the Nitto Technomic Deluxe quill stem, which is 22.2mm? I'm guessing if the steerer tube is the bigger size I use a shim to make it 26mm?

4) 'Classic' wheelset - If anyone has suggestions for a classic, simple-looking wheelset - preferably silver rims, spokes and hubs (and peel-off logo stickers) - please chip in.

My usage will be anything from evening rides, to 100 mile days out... nothing competitive and not fully loaded with baggage. I'm 200lbs, but a good 15lbs of that is coming off!

Any other build suggestions welcome - it's my first, but I've got my LBS mechanic on standby.

Thanks in advance.

genejockey 

I built up an old Battaglin steel fram two years ago, so I have some idea of where you're going. I ended up with 2006 Chorus with a Centaur RE (all silver vs black). But campy's made some changes since then.

Is the fork threaded or threadless? The seller should know. In either case, you can go with a Chris King headset in silver, and get better quality than Campy.

WRT the stem, again, threaded or threadless? If it's threaded, then they're all pretty much the same size where they go into the steerer. The bar end - that's different. You probably want a 26.0, if you can't find a 31.8 - which would be difficult. Most quill stems are 25.8 or 26.0, which I believe are pretty much interchangeable. 26.0 bars are getting harder to find, so if you find one you like, buy a couple.

WRT the BB, step cautiously. IIRC, anything Campy after 2006 or 2007 will not work with an old-style, square-spindle BB.

Someone more knowledgeable will no doubt be able to provide more help.

genejockey 

Oh! I forgot the wheelset! I got White Industries hubs, bright silver, with Velocity Fusion rims in polished silver, and Sapim spokes,28f/32R. Beautiful wheels!

DaveSSS 

There is only one Italian BB width and your Colnago uses it - 70mm. I can't imagine that this steel frame uses anything but a standard 1" steel steering tube, but I would also assume it is no longer threaded, but requires a conventional threadless headset. Perhaps a threaded steering tube is still offered.

I can't believe that anyone would buy a frame without knowing what he is buying! Ask the seller.

The picture on post #38 show a relatively new Master X-light. It's got a threadless stem and 1" steering tube, as best I can tell. Most 1-1/8" threadless stem come with a bushing for 1" and if they don't your LBS can provide one. I've got several since 1" steering tubes are rarely seen these days.

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...pact-Pro/page2


https://www.windwave.co.uk/colnago_fr...terxlight.html

AngryScientist 

sounds like you have a great vision in mind, cant wait to see it completed.

that said, based on your questions above, i would make sure to do some serious research before you buy anything...

Monkey Face

Excuse my dumb questions. I did plenty of research on the FRAME and got lots of help from Forum members. I thought that size, geometry, testimonials, brand reputation, material etc... were more important things to think about than which BB it takes. (Oh, and price... it was only £990.00.)

As for information... have you been to the Colnago website? Geometry is all you get.

DaveSSS - I think what was confusing me is the axle lengths, presumably different for triples and doubles. Thanks for making me aware if this.

I will of course ask the seller (and like I said, I have my LBS mechanic to advise once I get the frame), but - in the meantime - if anyone has experience of building THIS frame I'd like to hear from you. Thanks.

operator

There are no shims that reduce a 1 1/8 so that you can use a 1" quill stem in it.

Jay Olson

Square taper Centaur/Veloce cranks use 111mm spindle width. As was stated previously, all Italian bottom brackets are 70mm wide. Note also that they are right-hand threaded on both sides.

Monkey Face

Thanks Guys.

I've spoken to my mechanic and I understand the BB and headset stuff now. Steerer tube is 1", so I'll go for an old-fashioned quill stem I think. Will probably go for a Centaur groupset for the rest.

DaveSSS 

You can only use a quill stem if the steering tube is threaded. It might be offered either way, but once again, ask the seller. A lot of traditional steel frames come with 1" unthreaded steering tubes and require a threadless headset and stem.

clausen

You need a 1 inch threadless headset. A quill stem is out of the question. Choose a 1 inch stem or buy a 1-1/8 inch steerer adaptor sleeve and use 1-1/8 stem that are more common.

ComesATime71

Like he said, or buy a chrome curved 1 inch threaded fork on ebay.. The old threaded curved forks look cooler as well.

jackblack

Are you sure that shouldn't be a 70mm x 102mm for a double? I thought the 111mm was for a triple.

Pretty sure I have a Campy Chorus 70mm x 102mm for my Chorus double on my Colnago Tecnos.

Monkey Face

You're right, thanks! My mechanic is bald, but this was definitely a 'blonde moment' (can't be too harsh; he hasn't actually seen the forks yet).

The Velo Orange stem looks retro-ish and will work (with a shim) and it's light.

Either that or trade the forks for threaded ones... the curved ones do look better, but I assume I really should keep the same offset?

Anyway, just to be sure, I'm not buying anything until I've physically got the frame and forks.

Mr. Fly

Last generation Chrous and Record square-taper double cranks use 102mm spindles and the triple cranks use 111mm asymmetrical spindles.

The square-taper Centaur double cranks definitely use a 111mm symmetrical spindle.

All use ISO tapers so if one is buying a non-Campagnolo BB, do look out for that detail.

genejockey 

If you're going for a crank that requires a square-taper BB, you could use a Phil Wood. That's what I used on mine, with Chorus cranks. Great fit, and better bearings than the Campy BB. A bit more expensive, yes, but well worth it for a classic build.

WRT the fork - the straight-bladed Precisa fork is part of the Colnago look. Since you chose Colnago despite the greater expense, it seems a shame to then not use the Precisa fork. Besides, where else are you going to get a fork crown with the Colnago logo?

clausen

Don't be a fool, keep that fork. Colnago with Ferrari came up with the straight fork. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colnago#History

This is probably the look your going after.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/t-miller/3398447512/

ComesATime71

They are on ebay all the time. NOS to boot...

Monkey Face

Okay... I'll keep the forks... I was just sulking in the realisation that I couldn't use a quill stem.

Anyway, thanks Clausen... that is pretty much the look. Nice details. I saw one with lots of black components and thought the frame looked somewhat lost, but that one is really what I'm after.

Any idea what stem that is? And the rims? Also, the bottle cages are really nice - elegant without being too retro, just right. (In fact they kind of look inspired by the Colnago tube shaping... perfect.)

Thanks again.

Everest

There is another alternative if you're set on a quill stem and want to keep the stock fork. The stock fork has a 1" steel steerer tube as far as I know there is no reason that you could not have it cut down and threaded. This would enable you to run a threaded headset and quill stem. The threading would probably have to be done by a frame builder though. Try posting over in classic and vintage they should be able to point you in the right direction of where to go to get your steerer tube threaded.

Grimlock

It is limiting yourself to an outdated technology, for starters. If you're still set on a quill stem though, any good LBS (that has been around for 10 years) should have the tools and be able to thread and cut a steerer for you.

thirdgenbird

i just had a local shop cut and thread a fork for about $25.

i have a few 102mm italian thread record bottom brackets laying around if you go with a record or chorus crank. i would go with a new athena ultra torque setup though. its not 100% classic but would look nice and keep it somewhat modern.

i can second thee vote for phil woods or white industries hubs. thy are both very nice and look classy.

Monkey Face

Thanks Grimlock, I'll ask about threading... I'm quite comfortable with this being an 'outdated technology' project.

plasticmaam12

You can not do what several posters advised you to do. The interior diameter of a modern threadless fork steerer tube will not accomodate a quill stem. And It's not suited to having external threads cut upon it. YMMV.

RacerOne

What exactly is outdated about a stem that is infinitely (within its range) adjustable in height?