Southern California - Indolent's new steelie

As per the Shopping Thread, I scored a circa 1984 Columbus SLX frame on eBay made by Rob Stowe, who was a master builder for Serrotta and Terry Cycles back in the day. Since hardly anyone has heard of him, I got it for a song.

I just finished building it up with parts from my old Trek 2120.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/Indolent58/DSCN0252.jpg

Paint is original. Bunged up in some spots but the overall effect is nice.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/Indolent58/DSCN0255.jpg

Nothing fancy, but excellent clean lugwork throughout.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/Indolent58/DSCN0256.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/Indolent58/DSCN0253.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/Indolent58/DSCN0258.jpg

In keeping with the 80's vibe I had to locate some white brake cable housing. High quality STI shift housing is harder to get in anything but black or grey so I stuck with the existing Campy shift cables. I am especially proud to have found one of those goofy color coordinating lycra seat covers to go over my Selle San Marco Rolls saddle. They were everywhere in the 80's and early 90's in all sorts of colors but I thought that they went extinct.

So how does it ride? I do like it. It's is obviously way heavier and slower and less stiff than my Look 565, but it is very comfortable, stable, smooth and solid feeling. I will definitely be talking this on local and coastal rides for a change of pace. Palomar? Mullholland Challenge? Not so much. While I have owned low quality steel bikes in the past, this is for me the first fair test of why some people still swear by good steel. I can see their point. I would expect a newer steel frame made of more modern, lighter weight steels to be even better.

I will be riding this on the Burrito Century. I figure that's a fairly low risk opportunity to see how it does on longer distances.

Nice.

You need a blue and white frame pump.

Looks great! I especially like the head shot for some reason. The light, glossy blue paint looks really nice.

Do you have/want some metal polish for your brake calipers?

Very Cool Dan!
I love the paint job!!!
You know you need a blue and white helmet now, right?!

Oops, I forgot to contribute!

Seeing Dan's a SPD-SL guy, I think the Milram team pedals would match nicely with the bike. :D
http://www.cyclesurgery.com/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/1026306/groupID/31/categoryID/195/v/6de2c579-a2a9-4cef-b55f-c07045c5f740

very nice looking bike Dan, you have a real winner there and you did a good job with the build.

Slick!

Sweet. I love the seat cluster. Lugs not drugs.:)

Looks great! I especially like the head shot for some reason. The light, glossy blue paint looks really nice.

Do you have/want some metal polish for your brake calipers?

The brake calipers are silver painted 105, so polish wouldn't help. They are what they are.

Very nice Dan. Steel does make for a good ride.

Nice looking ride, Dan. Not that you needed another bike...:D

Very cool bike! Were you out looking for an older steel frame, or did this just sort of jump out and call your name?

Nice looking ride, Dan. Not that you needed another bike...:D

"need"? I don't understand. What's this "need" thing of which you speak?

Very cool bike! Were you out looking for an older steel frame, or did this just sort of jump out and call your name?

I have had an eye out for an older steel frame for a little while. After getting the Look, the downside of my old Trek was that it was was just too familiar and I realized that I would probably never ride it. I had visions of a cool Pinarello or Colnago or some such as a second bike but I'm not inclined or in the position to pay the "collectible" tax on those names. This seemed a perfect compromise - the quality of a classic high quality lugged frame without having to pay for the name.

I love it!

Very purty! Nice Blue. :)

I think you need a white saddle, ya know the back half of the bike is white and all.

Can't wait to see it. I wouldn't change a thing (well, maybe the seat :) ).

teh hawtness.

Very cool. I used to ride with a guy who had a Stowe. I think they were built in New England? His was all white and had different graphics.

There's a guy that used to frequent our beach stop riding a Stowe for years. Nice bikes!

ha! you have the same bike for how long and then get two "new" one within months of each other!!! never woulda happened without the gentle and guiding hand of BF!


all that aside it is REALLY cool

I think you need a white saddle, ya know the back half of the bike is white and all.

White saddle AND white seat bag?:D

He'd have to sacrifice the period correct NOS saddle cover...:(

I love old steel bikes...(and new ones, too)

ha! you have the same bike for how long and then get two "new" one within months of each other!!! never woulda happened without the gentle and guiding hand of BF!


Pshaw! I have free will! I yam me owns man! Really!......I mean it!

yeah yeah, it's nice, and of course since I was the one that was bidding against you in the last 10 seconds of that auction.......I love/hate it even more ;) Seriously though, very nice. I've been a fan of Rob Stowe's work ever since I learned to build bikes back in the 80's myself. His symmetry and high level of attention to detail is what I love most about bikes, especially of that design. I know exactly how his bikes are put together and you've got a very, very quality piece there...and in light of the fact that flaming is imminent with this statement, way better quality than a majority of the production European frames. Good score!

yeah yeah, it's nice, and of course since I was the one that was bidding against you in the last 10 seconds of that auction.......I love/hate it even more ;) Seriously though, very nice. Good score!

You mean you're not even a little miffed that he went with the blue instead of black bar tape? ;):D

I saw it in person today. Looks great! Dan had on a blue & white jersey too! :D

Awesome!

Edit: just searched on eBay and found this bike. That's a crazy price!!!!!

Pshaw! I have free will! I yam me owns man! Really!......I mean it!

suuuuuurrrrreeeeee....

I saw it in person today. Looks great! Dan had on a blue & white jersey too! :D

Dan's gone OCP? What color were his shoes and helmet?

Dan's gone OCP? What color were his shoes and helmet?

Gone OCP? I've always been OCP - I'm just not very good at it.


Shoes and helmet clashed, BTW