Ta-da [Dial-up warning: Several photos]

[Cleave]

Hi,

Finally got the new stem so I could get the cables cut to final length and the steerer tube close to final length:

http://www.pbase.com/cleavel/image/85219602/original.jpg

Short version of the saga is that this is my much anticipated (over a year :o ) 50th birthday present to myself. After mulling over many frames in my head and on BF, I ordered a custom Serotta Attack from Kings Bike Store. Started building it up in late August and after a couple of stem miscues, it's done.

15.75 lbs exactly as shown (WITH pedals and bottle cages) :D

I bought a 2006 Record group last year because I wanted the same feel as the 2003 Record group on my Look.

http://www.pbase.com/cleavel/image/85219605/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/cleavel/image/85219607/original.jpg

The Profile bottle cages that I bought on sale last winter ended up being perfect for clearing the front derailleur clamp :) :

http://www.pbase.com/cleavel/image/85219609/original.jpg

The fork barely clears the hub on my race wheels (2002 Zipp 303):

http://www.pbase.com/cleavel/image/85219612/original.jpg

However, Serotta has indicated that they will swap my current fork for a redesigned fork later this year. Good thing I wasn't planning on using these wheels soon. :(

I rode the bike around the block a couple of times to make sure that everything works. It felt great. :D Easy club ride with it tomorrow using my Mavic Ksyrium clincher wheels. I am pretty excited.

[jschen]

Nice bike! :D

[MacManDude]

Absolutely beautiful! As Maxwell Smart would say..."That's the second greatest bike, I've ever seen".

[haimtoeg]

Cool colors too!

[Jaguar27]

Really nice...well done sir!!

[Grumpy Pig]

Beautiful bike, Cleave.

[thomson]

Very Nice Cleave. Your attention to detail is amazing.

[Gretzky]

So nice!!! Congrats again Cleave! :beer:

[Blastinbob]

Very nice Cleave, ride report?

[Cleave]

Hi All,

Thanks for the kind words about the bike. I am very happy with the way it looks. Remember, if you can't ride fast, look fast. ;)

Very nice Cleave, ride report?

Rode it for the first time today with my club. Rode with the slower group as I didn't want to stress anything too much on its first ride.

It fits me just like like my Look KG481SL which is a very good thing. I was worried that it might not fit as well. The first thing that I noticed though is that I am more centered (between the wheels) on this bike. The first time I got out of the saddle the bike felt much more balanced than any that I've ever owned. :D

The ride is SMOOTH. Almost to the point where I was worried that it was too smooth as I like the feedback on what the pavement is doing beneath me. Road surfaces that were a little older felt like they were newly paved. I rode over some rougher patches on purpose just to see how the bike reacted and I was relieved to find that I could feel what the road appropriately.

Took a couple of corners faster and the bike reacted and tracked nicely. I may have to go to one of the local criterium course to get a better feel for the handling characteristics.

I didn't get in any hard uphill efforts but in the saddle on some short climbs felt fine.

I have owned way too many bikes made out of every popular frame material and this is the one bike that really disappears underneath me.

I was going to do a long ride tomorrow on my Look but we got some last-minute tickets to the Chargers vs Bears game (da Bears) so I will have to ride shorter (and harder?), so I may ride the Serotta again. :)

[efficiency]

Go Chargers!