Andy_K 

Do you ever have times when you get so excited about a build that you start gathering parts before you even have the frame? I don't mean just looking through your parts bin and putting things aside. I mean actually buying parts that you didn't already have.

I've had an idea kicking around in my head for a while now for a build I'd like to do. I knew what parts I wanted and what frame I wanted them to go with. Then recently a BF member made the frame I was looking for available. Before the deal was even finished, I started shopping for the parts. I couldn't help myself. The deal is done now and the frame is on the way, so I hope I'll be sharing pics soon, but I bet you can guess what it is just from the parts. They aren't perfectly period correct for the age of the frame, but not too far off. I typically find "guess what's in the box" threads mildly annoying, but I feel like this one is pretty easy with the clues below.

The core of the build:


I wasn't entirely satisfied with these, so I've bought cleaner brakes that came with new levers and white hoods, but this is basically what it's going to be.


Mavic Module E rims with Normandy hubs. I might need to get some Rene Herse tires.


A 15-26 freewheel, because I like low gears


Not sticking with the purely French theme for the crankset (because I like low gears) but this should at least look right.


Have you seen how much you have to pay to get an Ideale saddle in decent condition? But since 1066, England has had a strong French influence, right?


So there you have my components. What's the frame?

nlerner

Does it start with a P?

Andy_K 

The brand or the model? Either way, yes!

daverup 

The more I spend on parts before the frame arrives, the more I worry about the shipping company smashing it.

Andy_K 

Absolutely! And you can believe I will be worrying a lot until it gets here (UPS says Tuesday).

SirMike1983 

I buy, make, or assemble certain parts in advance of even having a project that can use them. In doing so, I consider how hard the parts are to find, the likelihood of needing them for the project, and whether they also could double as a source of replacement parts for existing bikes I already have.

I will have in mind what I want the next project to be, and begin to gather parts for it so that I am ready to go when the opportunity comes. For example, I have spent the past few months gathering parts for a 1940s-50s tall frame Schwinn three speed project because I know when a decent one comes up at a good price, I will buy the project. Then I can buy it knowing I'm set for many replacement parts if needed on day one of the build.

Andy_K 

I actually bought this crankset without any firm idea of what I was going to do with it, even knowing as I did it what that was going to lead to. That's more typical for me. This is the first time I've bought a bunch of components like this for a specific build I was visualizing. I had a verbal agreement for the frame before I spent the money on anything but the crank, but you never know what may come up. It's kind of nice though. Even if the unthinkable were to happen during shipping or something, I feel like these parts are cohesive enough that I could find another frame to complete the build. It's like I've got most of the bike on hand, and I just need one more part to finish it. That part just happens to be the frame.

clubman 

Hmmm...purple and silver, glued, Vitus, 52 c-t-c?

merziac

So the PX-10 frame needs a DS RDO too?

Andy_K 

Only the hanger. Apparently Drew got ahold of it at some point.

Andy_K 

No. I don't believe this one has been on the sale forum.

nlerner

Oh, I know: A Pene Perse!

Drillium Dude 

I didn't see a bar/stem combo - AVA in the house, too?

Should be a pretty bike once completed. Looking forward to the pics.

DD

SirMike1983 

My impression is that most people buy the frame/project then cast about for the missing parts. That is kind of the natural progression, but you can save a surprising amount of money if you know in advance what you are getting into, and buying the parts ahead of time as they come up on sale early on. And it feels nice when the frame and project finally come in and you're ready to go on day one with the missing stuff (instead of jumping online into the usual locations to look around for that hard-to-find missing bit). The best example I can think of is a good leather saddle. You're probably going to need it for the project, and even if you don't, it can still be used on something else. Grab it while you can, as they say.

merziac

Guess its a good thing you know a guy.

Simplex cable clips in good nick can be scarce on the ground.

And I'm probably wrong but it doesn't seem like Ideale's were standard issue on that many Pugs until later, Brooks Pros are what we normally see, especially on early PX-10's.

I snatched up an ADGA like were on UO-8's awhile back just because, Rudi says they have one of the lightest, toughest frames ever and I needed one in my saddle library.

squirtdad

yes, I will have a frame at a point in the future, and am planning the build and stashing parts now. Spreading the cost out and future proofing a bit, problem is that the longer I am at it the more I over think (i.e go for higher end parts ) it

So have waiting for the future frame:

Full Ultegra 8000 group, mechanical
Velo Orange Long reach brakes
Berthoud saddle being broken in on current ride
White T11 hub, H+Son Archetype Silver Clincher wheelset
Abrosio Nemisis rims, to be matched with an on order (june delivery) Hope hubset (this is the paris rouboux capable wheelset in the classic mode)

Planning on nitto stem, seatpost, handlebars and bottle cages

Am really looking at Rene Herse Crankset

Tires are get another what am i gonna do question (thinking rene herse 32 mm clinchers but have had such good experience with conti gp5000, not sure for the tubies.... but the damn 30mm FMB paris Roubaix keep calling my name


but when done it will be pretty

Wildwood 

Lots of Simplex on bikes with no P.

I saw a dropout in Pic #1 - so I naturally assumed the dropouts were picked and waiting to hear about the lugs and tubes to be used.

You should like that crankset, paired with 14-26 fw, it got 65 yo legs through a Cino. (edit: mine is VO 46/30)

Andy has done everything in C&V, but a build starting at the lugset. Unless I missed something. Very possible.

Kabuki12

Yup! I buy parts when they are reasonable even if I don't have a project going. I already know what I like so I buy 'em when I see a deal. It came in handy when I came across a Raleigh Pro frame in my size. I almost had everything I needed but then decided to build it to original spec so I had to buy other things, cool ....MORE STUFF!!!

Wildwood 

I purchased several Mavic components……..

Two builds later, still have nice Mavic components.

Sometimes … one’s eyes&desires exceed one’s ability to eat all the candy.

Andy_K 

I might keep an eye out for a nice set for pictures, but for riding I plan to use my usual setup with Soma stem and bars. The short and shallow curve of the bars will put some people off, but it's what I like for riding.

Andy_K 

Yeah, that comes in handy pretty often. Probably more than the guy would like.


For sure! There was a guy on eBay recently asking $60 for a mildly rusty set. I've got some nice Huret clips on my Stella, but I think I just lucked into those somewhere and wouldn't be likely to find another set. For now, I've ordered a set of Problem Solvers.


I've noticed that. That's one of the reasons I went ahead with the B17. I wanted to go as French as I could, but it does seem like you see more Brooks on Pugs. I've got an Ideale on my Masi, but it looks really nice there so I want to leave it.

Andy_K 

For sure. In fact, if these had been the Spidel branded variety the first guess would probably have been Gitane. If I'm not mistaken the bike I'm getting originally came with the Delrin Prestige derailleurs, but it says "Super Deluxe" on the seat tube, so I want to make it super deluxe.

The first time I heard the "doorknob problem" explained, I was looking at a gorgeous set of fleur-de-lis lugs (may have been Andy Newlands telling the story because I think these were the lugs: https://www.torchandfile.com/OS-FLEU...GS_p_1295.html). I came really close to starting a build with a lugset that day.

merziac

Well I know the Pro's were factory or an option for some of the years. No surprise as they were the go to kind of across the board during the bike boom that may have helped the hype.

Pugs, Raleigh Pro's, Paramounts and plenty others as well.

Dfrost 

Excusé moi, ‘Ave you not heard, Monsieur Kaylor, that Gilles Berthoud saddles are very much of La Francais manufacture?

Andy_K 

Yeah, I thought about one of those. I even looked at their website. As you know, I've always admired yours. Ultimately, I just balked at the price, especially for a saddle that I don't know I'll find comfortable.