Thanks Blandin. Say are most stems pretty close in stack height? I was thinking I should wait until the Thomspn arrives before I lop of the steer-tube. I'm going to cut it pretty short with no spacers... other than the one 5mm one in there now.

Pulled the trigger on the Forte Ti pedals :beer: Riding impressions may be a ways out as there is still at least 4 feet of snow out there :lol:


Thanks Ostuni :D


:roflmao: Too Late... I figure what the heck, if they don't work out, I'll put them on the Trek ;) Check out the double sided combat boots on that puppy :lol: Yes, Keo Carbons are way sexier, however I really want to walk around for now. When I had Look pedals on my trek, I found I only rode it when I was out for training, then I realized if I put SPD pedals on it I would ride it way more, I was right. Seeing as the other 2 have SPD cleats, I would like to be able to wear my Sidi Dominators for all rides. I have Shimano M110's for MTB as well and will continue to use those on the MTB, but it's nice to be able to were the Sidis if I choose to.

I can always upgrade to the Look Carbon/Ti afterward if i feel the need to :D

Thanks for the Great feed back :beer:

New Page, needs a picture :D

Here I Photoshopped the cut of the steerer tube :)

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/3872/cadence77oi.jpg


I wish I could show you guys a shot of the whole bike, but I think I have to hold back now until it's fully assembled :D

nice forks on that thing

Phwoar! Nearly there....and taking shape nicely.

I'm rarely moved by these "new bike" threads (when you've seen one specialized allez/tarmac/roubaix or cannondale, trek etc you've seen em all! 8P) but the quality photography in this case and drip feeding of choice parts on to the frame has been most satisfying.

Can we have a full side shot of the bike, now that you have bars and stem mounted?

PS LOVE that stem!
PPS Did I misread higher up in you post or is this going to be your commuter bike...surely its far too nice for that?!?

Thanks Guys!

Mingsta, Originally it was to be a beater bike, that's why I went Titanium over Carbon. However somewhere along the way I lost my focus and started buying parts as if it was to be my ultimate bike. So a month later here I am :lol: Still needing a beater bike :lol: I think I'll just use my GT Karakoram as beater.

Thanks for your comments, they mean a lot. I have a full shot, but I hope you don't mind waiting until it's full assembled, otherwise I won't have anything left to show. ;)

I hope to start assembling this week, once my BB tool arrives. I also need to pick up a small torque wrench :o

I hope to have it ready to show this week.

Wow Viper ~ very very nice... I just found this thread in time to catch the completion, will you have it finished soon?

Just makes me want to finish my bike so much faster after seeing yours.

Anyway, really love all the black parts on the Ti frame. The stem turned out nice too. I think this is gonna be a beauty when she's finished. Lookin forward to the completion.

Billy

Thanks Billy! :beer:

I hope to start really assembly this week. I'm waiting for Bottom Bracket tool, and one more stem to test the fit, and then away I go.

While I was planning this build (by the seat of my pants :lol: ) I had wanted Carbon and Titanium as the theme. Last night my wife actually mentioned how much she like the look of all the carbon with the "Bare silver metal" as she said :lol:

Didn't you have a Pinarello with a bunch of exotic mechanicals? If not and it's the Fondreist, I can't wait to see that as well.

What are you going to do for bottle cages? More carbon fibre? I'm dead set against these $80 CF cages, but as this is a nice thread, I won't bang on about it...

...but I would suggest that specialized do Ti colored metal cages that are v.cheap and also look great on a Ti frame. Check out this one (not mine):

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/sho...497#post560497

I love those bars. And the expert photography.

That bike deserves a King bottle cage. Real Titanium. :D

I've got a Pinarello Dogma frame that is for sale. I bought the bike from a friend to use those exotic parts you mentioned, it was a show bike :) I'll send you pics of my Fondriest once it's getting close.

I agree about the King Ti cages... those would be truly fitting on your bike Viper! Not to mention they're as light as any usable carbon cages, and will probably last longer.

if any build deserved to have a long, serious discussion about water bottle cages......

you could try the 'first glass fibre cage of the world' (no carbon):

http://www.bellatisport.com/shop/ima...ducts//497.jpg

or i'm partial to these:

http://www.bellatisport.com/shop/ima...ducts//187.gif

or to keep it in the campy family:

http://www.bellatisport.com/shop/ima...ducts//161.jpg

Yup. My vote is Record Carbon or generic wire Ti. Probably the Record. 'Everything black but the frame' is kind of a nice theme...

I actually plan on getting carbon cages to keep the Titanium and carbon theme going. The Carbon weave really looks great with the frame, better than pictures can convey.

Titanum Cages would be nice too, but a bit too old school for me. I like the shapes of carbon bottles cages and the weaves. I'll check out those Ti color cages though, as I'm not closed minded, So I think :lol:
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Thanks, I could use more lights.

I started torquing down all the carbon tonight with torque wench in hand..... It was a freaky experience, and at times I just did not trust the torque wench. I know after a while I get use to the feel by hand, but I just didn't want to wreck anything.

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Very nice, do send the pictures :) King Ti's hey? Lots of votes for the Ti's :lol:

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There you go raising the bar Ostuni :lol: I have thought about the Record Cages, but man that would be an expensive proposition..... :eek: :eek: I would have to buy 2 :lol:

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That was my plan.

Well seeing as there are some important issues on the table here tonight, I best though I show at least one more picture with my spare Profile carbon cage.

http://img239.imageshack.us/img239/716/tuscany00xm.jpg

I think the Carbon Cage really matches well with all the other Carbon :)

As others have stated, my plan was the Titanium frame with lots of Black Carbon parts. It really looks wicked, and I can't wait to get it outside for some photos.

http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/8...cockpit0hv.jpg

I cut my steerer tube last night, after test fitting my body to the bike. It's really dangerous getting on a bike with no brakes and 4 inches of steerer tube waiting to impale you :eek: I know :o

I think while I'm waiting for the Bottom Bracket tool, I'll start planning and fitting the cabling, now that the handle bars and levers are in place. I have either the Campy or Nokons.

http://img487.imageshack.us/img487/6489/cables7xb.jpg

I bought the Nokons for my Trek last year and never used them, part of me wants to try them on the Tuscany, and part of me just want to use the no nonsense Campagnolo cables :o


I had to actually use some hockey tape on the handle bars where the levers clamp. Torqued to the required rating ~20in/lbs, they still slipped around. Not after the hockey tape :D

they are only <cough> $99 at bellatisport.com!

Wow, what a deal ;) Will have to ponder that for a bit :cry: "But I neeeeed them..."


Minsta, I had to register to see the picture, but what a nice bike. Love the Reynolds wheels, I almost bought a set of those, but they would have been too over the top for the Tuscany. The Cages are nice, but they do look a bit more retro.... Not a bad thing, just not the look I was going for.

I just want to say thanks for everyone's inputs, suggestions, comments and praises. It's really been encouraging and fulfilling to come here each day to read all your comments and words of encouragement. They mean more to me that you guys will know, Thanks! :beer:


I'm thinking the black Campy cables will look more in tune with the black carbon than the Bling, Bling Nokons :rolleyes:

I took some comparative shots while playing around with the cable setup.

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/5...lecampy9vf.jpg

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/1536/cablenokon5sz.jpg

While nice, the Nokons look too "Pimp Ma Ride" and I actually prefer the plain business black of the Campagnolo cables. The Nokons do have a weight saving advantage, however this bike was never intended to be a weight weenie unit.

I like the plain black cables as well. It is shaping up to be an outstanding build. Nice work.

Yupski, normal cables every time dude!

Nokon's look silly on road bikes IMO - its like someone was sitting there staring at their bike for 5 hours thinking "is there anything else I could pimp"...then they spot the plain looking cables...

Thanks Gang! Plain black it will be then :)

Even looking at it this morning with the Nokons, I'm like, Ugghh...... To bling, bling :lol:


:roflmao: But they are lighter ;)



Gee, I hope that BB tool shows up today....

looking great. reynolds also makes carbon cages. looks pretty nice to me. don't know how much they are.

http://www.reynoldscomposites.com/images/bottlecage.jpg

While we're offering cage advice... and since you've decided to go with carbon, also consider Arundel's line of cages. While searching for feedback on strong, usable everyday cages these got better reviews than anything else I could find.


http://www.entro.com.sg/images/arundel_trident.jpg


They can be purchased at www.wisecyclebuys.com

I vote for the Nokons...you're over the top with bling, anyway!

Besides, you already own them, they tie in with the Titanium nicely, they're lighter, and I assume they are smoother.

Why not?

Bluecd, I have seen those reynolds before and almost bought a pair on ebay. I missed it by that much :lol;

Thanks Sleepystarz, those look nice. Wise is where I bough my Zipp bars. One of the best prices on the net. They have the Reynolds cages as well as the Records :eek:


Very valid points, BeeTL. Maybe if they were black anodized... Hummmm :)

No tool in the mail today.. I may just run it down to the LBS and have them install the BB then :( I'd rather do it myself..... But I have to get this show on the road :)