Inpd

So my Breezer frame has arrived! It looks beautiful. The hydroforming is spectacular and the quality of the finish impeccable. I'm leaning towards a "classic" silver finish to the components as well as the cockpit and seat post..

This will be a long term effort so there is no rush. Here is my plan so far and some questions.

For a groupset I'm going with the 105 silver groupset 170mm cranks, short cage (don't need the 32t cog) 11/28 cassette, 52/36 chain rings. I'll also need the SM-BB72-41B for press-fit bottom bracket.

Q1) Does a more expensive bottom bracket really help a lot?
Q2) Will the higher end cranks be worth the additional cost?

For wheels I'm going for Vuelta Corsa Lite which are about 1500 grams but not too fragile. I couldn't find a cartridge bearing wheel with similar weight in the $250 price range.

The cockpit I'm leaning towards a Ritchy classic bars (CLASSIC - Bars - Road), classic stem (Ritchey Classic C220 Hi-Polish Silver Stem) to give a clean silver look.

Seat post will be the Ritchy classic (Ritchey Classic 2-Bolt Seatpost Hi-Polish Silver)

BoSoxYacht

Don't worry about a high end BB, it's not going to be noticeable. Which cranks are you asking about? 5800 cranks are nice.

Silver components will look nice on that frame.

silversx80

Sounds like you've got a good plan. A bottom bracket doesn't see too much velocity in the bearings, so it's not a huge concern. You can't go wrong with 5800.

Some like silver, some don't. I ended up with the Ritchey Classic HP bars and stem and love the look on my bike. They're also very light for the money. It looks like you'll have an integrated headset, so go for something like a Cane Creek 110 headset so you can get a polished headset cap to continue the look of the polished silver.

My one gripe about the Ritchey bars is there are no marks to align the levers. It's not s huge deal, but takes a couple more steps to double check alignment.

Lazyass

If you have the money right now look at the Fulcrum Racing 5 LG's. You can get them for about the same price at Wiggle or Merlin on their Black Friday sale, and they're sweeter wheels IMO.

kflagg 

Looking forward to the build. I just bought a Venturi a few weeks ago as a complete bike,today will be the first ride for it. Post lots of pictures of your build.

KF

rpenmanparker 

Are you saying the Vuelta's aren't equipped with cartridge bearings? That would be a big surprise to me.

Inpd

They do have them. I was saying I can't find anything of comparable weight and cost with cartridge bearings.

RedVVing19

How many spacers can you put on that frame? I think I'd need 45mm with a 90 +10deg stem

rpenmanparker 

The allowable number of spacers is more a function of the steerer tube material and design than the frame. 40 mm of spacers is generally considered the safe maximum for a carbon steerer. Sometimes I see the top cap height included in the allowable spacer height, sometimes not. In other words the conservative approach is to have no more than 40 mm of steerer between the 40 mm stem and the top bearings. Whatever extra steerer and spacers you have above the stem is of no consequence.

rpenmanparker 

Yep, that is what I think also.

RedVVing19

Then it would have to be 90 + 15deg stem...damn that frame geo

rpenmanparker 

Well that is his philosophy, but I agree it is all cocked up. Also steep seat tubes make the long reaches even longer than they already are when you figure in saddle set back. So you can't get more head tube by sizing up without trading for a stupid short stem. I don't know who he was designing these frames for. Do you think it is possible the screwed up geometry could be at least partly to blame for the short lifetime of the Venturi in the marketplace...at list price anyway?

Inpd

So by my calculations the total weight would be 18.25 pounds. Not close to @Pepe build of 16 pounds but pretty darn good for a steel bike.

Frame+forks 6.25 pounds
5800 groupset 5.75 pounds
Wheels + tires/tubes 4.25 pounds
Stem and Bars = 1 pound
Seat and post = 1 pound

rpenmanparker 

That is your problem. If you only used ONE FORK, the bike would be a lot lighter!

But seriously, aren't you overestimating the frame and fork. I can't see it being more than 4.75 lb altogether. I thought the Venturi was a modern light frame.

RedVVing19

I wish a particular frame size fit me, for $400 I would be in for one

Lazyass

What does the frame only weigh?

MagicHour

That Ritchey classic stuff looks nice. I'm putting together parts ahead of my winter build project, and debated the silver classic look for my steel bike. Went with Deda Zero1/2 BOB stuff instead to keep budget down-I like Deda parts too. Probably gonna go with Ritchey Neo Classics for the bars, though.

PepeM

Where are the pics?

Lazyass

I may buy one just so I can weigh the frame itself. No one ever weighs theirs and it's not advertised. It's the great mystery.

Inpd

Of what? It's just a frame now though I may change it on the wall it looks so pretty. I intend building it up over the winter.

Inpd

My steerer tube hasn't been cut and is quite long, with it the fork weights in a 1.75 pounds (794 grams) which puts the frame at 4.5 pounds exactly. This is for the 54cm frame.

BoSoxYacht

That fork is a boat anchor.

rpenmanparker 

1.75 for a CF fork isn't possible...is it? I mean I have seen heavy carbon forks that weigh maybe 550 g, but that is with an aluminum or even steel steerer. 794 g just makes no sense. My 531 steel fork didn't even weigh that much.

And the frame being more than half a pound heavier than a Ritchey Logic frame makes no sense either.

Something is very wrong. OP are you sure you got a Breezer, not a Chineezer?

rpenmanparker 

Not that it matters to speed, right? I mean, jus' sayin'.

Lazyass

Correct. Especially where you live. I'm curious how a hydroformed steel frame compares to the others, though.