Road Cycling - Building up the O (-rbea Ultrafoco Carbon)

Just an update on my new bike saga. For those of you that missed a thread or two, I ordered an Orbea Ultrafoco Carbon frameset three weeks ago. I'm dressing it with all sorts of carbon goodies: Record brakes, derailleurs and shifters, FSA Team cranks, etc, along with the newest stuff from my current bike (Thompson seatpost, Aliante saddle, Ritchey bars and stem and Look PP296 pedals.)

Well, the frame and all parts except the derailleurs made it in last Friday. I spent some of Friday night getting ready for a build; unpacked everything to check its condition, spread it all over the living room of our place and sprayed some Frame Saver in the steel tubes of the bike. Let her sit to dry overnight and put the bottom bracket in, the cranks in, put rim strip on the wheels, etc. Until I get the derailleurs, she's gonna sit. If they happen to arrive today, I'm going to be getting some bar tape after work and will be ready to finish the build tonight. I checked everything out as far as my fit goes, and I think I might end up moving the saddle back a bit, but that's it. Measures out close to the Cannondale it's replacing, which I've finally made into a good fitting bike.

I'm taking pics as I go, but I don't have the luxury of a digicam so you'll have to wait for film developing (and remember, I live in the middle of nowhere, so even that takes longer than usual). I'll post a pic or two of the full bike once she's together. The frame is freakin' beautiful, though, in it's Orbea Orange and Blue. Looks 100x better in person than on line.

TTITWWP :D

Get a digicam,,,,,,,,, for us. :)

Seriously ,,, Im looking forward to seeing it.

I hope you really enjoy your new ride. As an Orbea owner, myself, I know that you will. Post pics soon!

I, too, am anxious!

You're anxious?! I've got a bike in my living room that I can't ride yet! It's killin' me, I tell you!

ImprezaDrvr, thanks for the update. It is nice to read about your progress in getting the Orbea on the road. I am impressed with the fact that you are doing the build yourself. That will probably give you an extra edge when you are taking the bike out for a spin.

The build, what I've been able to do without derailleurs, bars, etc., has been easy. I went ahead and got the bottom bracket tool instead of having the shop install the BB. Had to clean the threads out on the BB shell a bit with a scotchbrite pad, but it slipped in perfectly after that. Cranks went on fine, but they don't cover the ISIS spindle. They're torqued down plenty, if not too much, so I'm not concerned about them coming out. I'll keep an ear out for creaking, though. I put the 12-25 cassette on, but I have a 13-29 that I'll put on if all goes well and I can take her to the mountains this weekend. If I get the derailleurs today, I'll finish the build after work. I cut the steer tube and set the star fangled nut already, and have spacers. All I have to do is get the stem and bars on and then set up all that has to do with shifting and braking. A little bar tape over that and I'll be ready to ride.