First MM [Pedal] Bike Build: Shimano Fondriest

[Ginger]

I forgot to mention in my last post that the new pedals will save 120 grams over the ones on the black bike in the first page. Huzzah!

Sorry about the image quality of these pics... I didn't realize how bad they were until it was too late.

The last of the parts showed up as I was getting home from having my fork's steerer tube cut.



Easton EA70 stem - it's quite cool because all the hardware is 100% replaceable. No chance of stripping the bolts or nuts and being out the part, or having to fuss with helicoils:



Same deal with the EC70 (mtn) seatpost.



I chose the mtn post because it was over $100 off and was the right size (diameter). It's way too long for my needs, though, and is unlikely to fit many other modern bikes, so I'll probably cut it down once I've dialed in my fit on this bike.

Starting to look like a bicycle...



Brakes mounted.



Front derailleur.



Cables on:



And where it's staying for now:

[Ginger]

Boob material for my hands!

[Ginger]

Getting really close!

[Ginger]

Well, I finished it up without pictures and decided to limit the fanfare (and by limit, I mean spare the internet by bragging profusely to my riding buddies). It looks the same as the pictures, anyway, just without miles of cable pouring off it.

The big test ride: probably not my brightest move. I decided to go on a ride with RJ after work to test it, which meant riding it to work. The good news is that it worked perfectly. The bad is that it took me 20+ miles to set my saddle height. I'm still recovering from the saddle sores. I was almost perfect on the fit from the get-go: I need to fit a slightly longer stem, probably a 110, and adjust the angle of the hoods a little bit. I'm doing my best to give the saddle a shot, but it looks like Prologo and I don't get along. Oh well.

Nothing rides like a modern steel race frame, that much is for sure. It's kind of sad, though, that it's getting to the point where finding any material other than aluminum and carbon is a surprise. On that note, I think I'll keep this one a while. Even the LBS guys think it's nice.... that's gotta be worth something

View from the seat:



A satisfied builder:

[Mike]

you calc total cost? not going to hate, just curious.

i've come to realize i don't really care for my giant tcr2. it was a great deal considering the components, but there are so many little things on a road bike that need to be exactly how you want them...

[.RJ]

but there are so many little things on a road bike that need to be exactly how you want them...

Well, I'm happy as long as the wheels are still attached :dunno: :lol:

[Ginger]

I'll thumb out a cost tomorrow. It's definitely well into a range with a comma, but it is exactly how I want it. It's almost sad how much it ran, given the fact that I'm running 9spd Dura-Ace, but I'd like to replace that with 10spd Ergopower eventually, just to give the bike the right vintage (and run ceramic bearings throughout). I'd also like to weigh it... but I don't know anybody with a scale

[Ginger]

I think the total cost came to about ~$1,400. I could've gotten a 10 cog Ultegra equipped bike (I think I almost bought an aluminum/carbon Pinarello) for the same amount... but I would have had to change the handlebars, the seat (ok, I'm probably going to have to change that again, anyway), gotten new pedals, and so forth. And really, it's getting harder and harder to find beautiful steel bikes. The late 90's were kind of a tour de force, or last stand for them... then the whole world seemed to decide that bikes should be molded in carbon. Which is great, but a few things are missing. I'm happy with my toy.

[Ginger]

I just picked up the coup de grâce for the bike today. It should show up next week - BIG awesome capping piece. I'm quite excited. Update when it shows!

[.RJ]

[Mike]

what is total cost at now? :lol:

[Ginger]

If the previous estimate was $1,400 - we're over 2 now.

Ooops

[Mike]

only single item i can think of that would cost over $600 and is replaceable would be a new wheelset?

[Ginger]

Right on the money. The awesome is the wheelset that I ended up with :-D

[Mike]

it had better be uberbling. i broke the road bike out for a quick 10 miles (i only had 35 minutes) yesterday... was nice.

[Ginger]

Oh, it is!

You should come ride with us sometime. I'm out riding more days than not, so's RJ. When Evan's knee isn't uberbad, he's out on the mtb, too.

[Mike]

no time for anything extra with this marathon shit, but it's over in two weeks. then it gets cold... and i'm not buying cold weather road biking shit. i may start mountain biking more in the winter, though.

[Ginger]

A box? With an aluminum foil company name on the side? What can it be?!



It sure is big.



I guess it could hold a lot of miscellaneous wheel parts.



Carbon brake pads? Aren't those for....

















........




CARBON WHEELS!?

Full carbon fiber clincher w/46mm rim and carbon braking/bead surface.

[Ginger]

Reynolds Assault wheels - they're awesome. And they weigh in almost 1.5 pounds under my WH-535's (old wheels).



On the bike!



I can't wait to ride 'em!

[Mike]

you're gonna ride on those daily?