Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - New randoneuse

So, as a Christmas present to myself I bought a Kogswell P/R frameset. I spent the next couple of weeks keeping the good folks at VO busy and gainfully employed by buying nearly everything they sell. With the help of Bigman, I cut the steerer at a wicked crooked angle which necessitated a quick run to my LBS at closing time to have it squared off. Anyways, after a number trial fits, tear downs and refits, it's ready to go. Now, I all I need is for Canada to undergo severe global warming and to stop pumping frigid air into the New York area so that I can ride it. Comments on the build (not the garage shop) are welcome.

Now, I all I need is for Canada to undergo severe global warming and to stop pumping frigid air into the New York area so that I can ride it.

Good luck on that happening. I built myself an early Christmas present of a Kogswell P/R (jumbo 64cm 700c version). The worst thing about building up a winter project is getting it done months before you can actually ride it. I was going crazy and brought my Kogswell with me on a Sunday before we play bike polo. We play in the basement of a parking structure so I did laps up and down the structure just so I could actually ride it. It rode great and I did notice a few little bugs I need to work out on it.

Is it spring yet?

Wow, I hadn't really appreciated the look of natural leather saddles and bar tape until I saw it on your black frame. Beautiful!

Nice build!

It actually looks like a twin to my brevet bike which is built on a black Surly Cross Check frame. I peeled off the decals and used many of the same parts you used. Same fenders, saddle, brake levers, etc. even down to the down tube shifters. Great minds think alike (but then so do mediocre minds). :)

The folks across the hall asked me to spec the kit. So, here it is:

VO saddle
VO seatpost
VO stem
Chris King Devolution headset
Nitto Randoneur bars
VO leather bar wrap
VO fluted fenders (42mm)
VO cages
Nitto M12 rack
VO Roberto cantis (soon to be replaced with Tektro CR720's)
Tektro 520 levers
Shimano DA 9 speed DT shifters (these are getting had to find)
Shimano 105 dearailluers
Sun CR18 650B rims laced with DT swiss spokes to Shimano Tiagra-level hubs
Panaracer Col de la Vie 38mm tires
Sugino Alpina crank
VO Bottom bracket
Crank Bros Candy pedals
Problem Solvers seatpost collar and various bolts

Not pictured: VO Campaign bag with decaleur, VO stainless waterbottles, and Silca Imperial pump.

Looks great!

What size tires. Do you like the fenders? I'm considering those for classic rebuild, a 1987 Trek 400D.

Michael

Looks great!

What size tires. Do you like the fenders? I'm considering those for classic rebuild, a 1987 Trek 400D.

Michael

The Col de la Vie tires are 38mm wide and the VO fluted fenders are 48 wide. Plenty of room. I'm confident that I could fit 42mm demi-balloon tires without much of a problem.