Fresh Coat of Paint...
#1
Dont fix whats not broken
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Mooresville, NC
Posts: 302
Bikes: Steelman Stage Race, Dura-Ace 9s
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 95 Post(s)
Liked 166 Times
in
93 Posts
Fresh Coat of Paint...
I have a Steelman road bike that I bought in 2001 as a frameset from Brent Steelman, after many years of reliable use, the original powdercoating began to fail in several small places, plus I wanted something a bit different from school bus yellow for the color. So, I took this apart and shipped off the bare frame to Jim Allen at The Cyclesmiths out in California (he was a referral from Joe Bell when I approached Joe with this project and found out he is not accepting new work right now):
Likes For mprince:
#2
Dont fix whats not broken
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Mooresville, NC
Posts: 302
Bikes: Steelman Stage Race, Dura-Ace 9s
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 95 Post(s)
Liked 166 Times
in
93 Posts
Got a message from Jim last night indicating the job was done, quite a difference I would say. Got a few new parts to put on this when I get it back, but for the most part the parts don't change much. Once I get it back and have time to reassemble, I will post a finished bike photo...
Likes For mprince:
#3
Callipygian Connoisseur
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,373
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 564 Post(s)
Liked 350 Times
in
190 Posts
Most excellent color choice. I did a WTF? when you mentioned shipping it over here to Cali, but it was clearly worth it. Post it up when you get it back together.
#4
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 15,094
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6255 Post(s)
Liked 4,857 Times
in
3,347 Posts
Very glad to see you got the decals to put back on it. Though they might be considered too much expense by some, they really make the old frame the beautiful thing it is.
#5
Mother Nature's Son
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Sussex County, Delaware
Posts: 3,123
Bikes: 2014 Orbea Avant MD30, 2004 Airborne Zeppelin TI, 2003 Lemond Poprad, 2001 Lemond Tourmalet, 2014? Soma Smoothie
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 854 Post(s)
Liked 1,447 Times
in
824 Posts
Love that shade of red. Looking forward to seeing the complete bike.
#7
Dont fix whats not broken
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Mooresville, NC
Posts: 302
Bikes: Steelman Stage Race, Dura-Ace 9s
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 95 Post(s)
Liked 166 Times
in
93 Posts
The color is Medium Garnet Metallic, I believe it is N4397 from the DuPont fleet book. All decals are buried under clearcoat, unlike the powder coated frame where all of the decals were clearly deteriorating after 21 years. The decals seem to be available from a few sources, the only one he didn't get is Brent's signature on the top tube back towards the seat tube (which he told me about in advance and I am OK with it), but everything else is there as it would have been back in 2001. Can't wait to see it in person and build it back up, should be good for at least another 20 years.
For the most part, it will be the same as before when I build it back up. I bought new silver Deda bars, a new saddle (Brooks C15) along with new cables and bar tape (both black). Going for a bit of an understated look for the rebuild. I have the original DA7700 hubs laced to silver Open Pro's, I'm still not sold on the H Plus Son rims shown on the old build, their width is a challenge with my 6500-series Ultegra brakeset (I probably need to sand the pads down a bit). Those are laced to Bitex hubs - nice wheelset, not 100% sure what the go-forward wheels will be on this bike. I got the Archetypes to try them out, so far they are a solution in search of a problem in my opinion...
For the most part, it will be the same as before when I build it back up. I bought new silver Deda bars, a new saddle (Brooks C15) along with new cables and bar tape (both black). Going for a bit of an understated look for the rebuild. I have the original DA7700 hubs laced to silver Open Pro's, I'm still not sold on the H Plus Son rims shown on the old build, their width is a challenge with my 6500-series Ultegra brakeset (I probably need to sand the pads down a bit). Those are laced to Bitex hubs - nice wheelset, not 100% sure what the go-forward wheels will be on this bike. I got the Archetypes to try them out, so far they are a solution in search of a problem in my opinion...
Likes For mprince:
#8
Dont fix whats not broken
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Mooresville, NC
Posts: 302
Bikes: Steelman Stage Race, Dura-Ace 9s
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 95 Post(s)
Liked 166 Times
in
93 Posts
A follow up of sorts (sorry no pics yet) - Cyclesmiths shipped via Bikeflights and UPS delivered to NC Friday. I was away for the weekend so I unpacked it this morning and got it 95% built up - just need the bars taped and the saddle height set. It looks even better in person than in pictures 😁
Had a slight issue with the stem, as I unintentionally shipped it with the bolts installed and it came back empty. Quick trip to Lowe's this morning for 2 M6 bolts and I'm back in business.
Had to abort the build as I had to get to the airport, but will finish when I get back home Friday (will post a pic or 2 then).
Had a slight issue with the stem, as I unintentionally shipped it with the bolts installed and it came back empty. Quick trip to Lowe's this morning for 2 M6 bolts and I'm back in business.
Had to abort the build as I had to get to the airport, but will finish when I get back home Friday (will post a pic or 2 then).
#9
Dont fix whats not broken
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Mooresville, NC
Posts: 302
Bikes: Steelman Stage Race, Dura-Ace 9s
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 95 Post(s)
Liked 166 Times
in
93 Posts
All put back together, picture doesn't meet the BF standard, sorry (not)
Likes For mprince:
#10
Dont fix whats not broken
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Mooresville, NC
Posts: 302
Bikes: Steelman Stage Race, Dura-Ace 9s
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 95 Post(s)
Liked 166 Times
in
93 Posts
So, with this re-build I made three changes that seem to be impactful:
- Brooks C15 - not 100% sure if I got the correct width (vs. C17), but this has been a very comfy saddle. Have done (2) 2-1/2 hour rides and a bunch of 1 hour rides and it is great. Way more comfortable than the Turbomatic 4 I've had on the bike for many years.
- Vittoria Corsa clinchers - been on Continental S4000's for the past few years, picked these up over the winter. In my opinion, these are keepers. Very smooth ride.
- Silca Nastro Cuscina bar tape - tried this on a whim (and I had SILCA points that took money off) and happy with it so far. Good cushioning and road buzz reduction, and great grip as I prefer riding without gloves.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: NWNJ
Posts: 3,704
Bikes: Road bike is a Carbon Bianchi C2C & Grandis (1980's), Gary Fisher Mt Bike, Trek Tandem & Mongoose SS MTB circa 1992.
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 722 Post(s)
Liked 353 Times
in
226 Posts
So, with this re-build I made three changes that seem to be impactful:
- Brooks C15 - not 100% sure if I got the correct width (vs. C17), but this has been a very comfy saddle. Have done (2) 2-1/2 hour rides and a bunch of 1 hour rides and it is great. Way more comfortable than the Turbomatic 4 I've had on the bike for many years.
- Vittoria Corsa clinchers - been on Continental S4000's for the past few years, picked these up over the winter. In my opinion, these are keepers. Very smooth ride.
- Silca Nastro Cuscina bar tape - tried this on a whim (and I had SILCA points that took money off) and happy with it so far. Good cushioning and road buzz reduction, and great grip as I prefer riding without gloves.