Road Cycling - it's done! sorta :)

for those of you who don't know, I've been building myself a road bike... from scratch. and well it's finally almost finished. I just need to adjust the brakes and have the steerer tube cut... but I actually got to ride it today.. :D

really is cool to finish something like this.

http://www.riverwind.net/graphics/bikepics/leader_1.jpg

Nice looking bike, VC! Well done.

Sweet. Hey! What are those tall, skinny things on the bottom shelf of the book case? ;)

Congrats on the build-up!
2 suggestions, which you can do or not:
You can cut the alloy steerer with a pipe cutter-takes 2 minutes. When you cut it, leave enough ABOVE your stem for one spacer or so (or put a few spacers under your stem-but I know you have a big rise on the stem.) The reason is it gives you some flexibility later on if you get a different rise stem or you want to make some adjustments.

When you close the rear quick release it should rest between the chain and seatstays for maximum safety.

Originally posted by roadbuzz
Sweet. Hey! What are those tall, skinny things on the bottom shelf of the book case? ;)

those would be records :)


Originally posted by RacerX
Congrats on the build-up!
2 suggestions, which you can do or not:
You can cut the alloy steerer with a pipe cutter-takes 2 minutes. When you cut it, leave enough ABOVE your stem for one spacer or so (or put a few spacers under your stem-but I know you have a big rise on the stem.) The reason is it gives you some flexibility later on if you get a different rise stem or you want to make some adjustments.

When you close the rear quick release it should rest between the chain and seatstays for maximum safety.

thanks for the tips! :D

Way to go! Are you a retro fan all the way (based upon the downtube shifters)?

Cheers...Gary

Nice - what does it weight (withouth the pump, water bottle and excess steer tube?

Stew

Originally posted by gmason
Way to go! Are you a retro fan all the way (based upon the downtube shifters)?

Cheers...Gary

yes and no, I didn't go sti originally because of price, but now that I think about it, I kinda like the downtube shifters... but I can always upgrade :D


Originally posted by stewartp
Nice - what does it weight (withouth the pump, water bottle and excess steer tube?

Stew

I want to weigh it, but I don't have a really good way other then a floor scale... think that will work?

The bike looks sharp, but I am not familiar with "Leader." Can you tell us a little about the frame builder? Is that an aluminum frame?

I applaud you for upgrading from STI to downtube shifters.

it is aluminum, with carbon fiber forks. leader bikes are pretty much unknown, and yes I took a chance trying thier frame. (gotta take risks I guess ;) ) it was only $99 when I got it so no biggie if it is crap ;)

I was originally going to buy a used colnago or cannondale frame fork combo from someone, but then I ran across leader, so I'll keep you guys updated on how it performs :)

Nice job. Always good to see any project make it through to the end, even if it's not one of mine. :)

Nice job, VegasCyclist.
I really like the downtube shifters too.
Nostalgic!

Very nice.

I like the downtube shifters also, nice touch.

Smart move on the frame as well, can't go wrong for that price.

If you stand on the scale, weigh yourself, then pick up the bike and get a second reading, it might be fairly accurate, even with a scale of unknown calibration.

well I did weigh it, turns out it is somewhere between 19-22 lbs. not sure if that is good or bad :) but it is pretty light compared to my old steel mtb ;)

That's about average for a road bike. My hybrid weighs 31 :-)