scracer

Hey everyone. I just recently decided to get into road cycling. I decided to build my bike because choosing components and putting it together is half the fun for me. Almost everything I am going to be buying used on ebay because im a college student on a budget. Im thinking 105 or a mix of 105 and ultegra. Campy stuff looks too expensive and Im trying to do this as cheaply as possible but still have decent components. I decided to get a pretty decent frame and go from there.I actually just bought a frame, a Mondonico Diamond Extra, used from ebay and I had some questions about choosing components.

I understand there are different threading standards, such as the bottom bracket. I have seen "english" and "italian" threads mentioned. Are those basically the two different ones? Im assuming the Mondonico uses "italian" threading.
Is there different threading for headsets?
Is the threading for the downtube shifter mounts different? I want to put STI shifters on so I will need those cable stops i assume.
What bb spindle length would I need for a 105 or ultegra triple crankset. I decided triple because it can't hurt to have the extra gear for hills if i need it.
What size seatpost would I need? I would measure but my calipers are over in my shop.

Thanks, and Ill post any more quesions I have here.

RC2

Be careful. You said you recently entered road cycling. Perhaps you're a long time MTBer. If so, you know your way around a tool box, the risks in things like f'ing a BB tap, over torquing bolts (I don't use one, and it's almost an inside joke here, but you actually might want to invest in a torque wrench if you are new to this stuff), etc. You also know that, unless you're savvy and are willing to take a bunch of time patrolling ebay and the like, building a bike up from scratch is going to cost way more than a complete bike. (I'm NOT discounting the value of having hand-picked each thing down to the damned spacers on you bike, gotta love a 100% custom, you-picked-it-all, bike.) But based on your starting point questions, are you SURE you want to do this??

scracer

Im not a MTBer, I used to ride a BMX bike when I was younger, didnt race or anything that serious but I took it apart and rebuilt it many times. Im pretty good with a toolbox, I currently fabricate formula cars at my college so I have access to any tools id need including a torque wrench. How do I know the recommended torque for say a bottom bracket? For the most part, things around my shop are torqued RFT (Real F***ing Tight).

As you said, I do like the feel of having a custom bike, or anything really. I was actually looking to purchase a complete used bike but nothing in my size range excited me( the frame i bought is a 64cm and I'm 6'5). I saw the Mondonico frame and decided to make a project out of it. I made a spreadsheet of rough estimated costs of the going rates on ebay and it came up under 900 which is alot for me but i figure it will last me quite a while. Is there anything in that range that is good? All the new bikes seem so expensive.

53-11_alltheway

For real. What RC2 said.

First of all can we even assume this frame has 130mm rear spacing?

To be dead honest, you are better off buying a entry level bike then learning about bikes as you go.

It's isn't hard to learn, but you are better off armed with info before buying the frame. How do you know this frame is even the right size?

I know nothing about this frame, but as boring as it sounds I'd cut your loses and just go an entry level Specialized Allez or something of that type.

Italian threading is a pain in the ass. You'll be tightening it up every once in a while (English threading stays put)

veneer

if you want to build... for all your components.. check out www.gvhbikes.com

for wheelset: www.oddsandendos.com

that's all you really need.

I've built my first roadie.. and it's the first time i built a bike too. but be warned... lotsa headache and money will be spend on there that may even be more than just buying a new bike. so be sure that's what you want to do.

53-11_alltheway

Biggest question in my mind is the vintage of this frame?

Besides making sure it has 130mm rear spacing (not 126mm ,etc)

You need to know what brake calipers it will take (long reach or short reach etc).

If it has horizontal drop-outs that's another good reason to get a modern frame (some will disagree with me though)

Headtube diameter? BB threading (already covered)