55/Rad

With my impending divorce, I decided I needed a diversion. What better than a couple of downtube-shifting steel build projects? One red and one blue.

Sorry for the photos - I'll do some real nice ones later in the summer.





1985 Dave Moulton Fuso - size 60.
Columbus SL tubing
Combo DA/600 6 speed drivetrain - 13/21 rear
Centaur Brakes with Cane Creek SCR-5 levers
Velocity Aerohead rims on C-Record hubs with Krylion Carbon tires
Ultegra SPD-SL pedals, 3TTT quill, 4ZR saddle
Total cost - $750




1997 Waterford 2200 - size 58
Reynolds 853 tubing
DA 8 speed drivetrain w/Superbe Pro Crank - 13/23 rear
DA brakes with Cane Creek SCR-5 levers
Ksyrium Elite wheels with Conti Attack/Force tires
Ultegra pedal, Nitto quill, RavX saddle
Total cost - under $800


The Fuso is a tad heavier and the Waterford is slightly livelier, but both bikes are really sweet to ride.

Next up - a 1986 Vetta SL - sweet Italian frame.

Plus, I'm working on something very special - something not for me.

55/Rad

marqueemoon

Damn! Those are both amazing bikes.

ViperZ

Very nice Rad!

Is that all parts totaled, or is that all costs, not including the parts in your inventory....??

That's pretty incredible at those prices

Dr_Robert

No kidding!

I particularly like the Waterford. Nice work Rad.

55/Rad

Both bikes were purchased whole, stripped and rebuilt using some of the components they came with plus some new (used) ones I acquired. I did exchange out some parts I already had - most notably the Ultegra pedals and the wheels on the Fuso. Adjustments were made for the difference in assumed acquisition costs where parts that came with the bike were not used. For instance, the Waterford came with mint condition DA STI's (8 speed) and Ksyrium SSC-SL wheels. The DA downtube shifters, Cane Creek levers and Ksyrium Elites cost far less than what those other parts are worth on Ebay.

Now, I haven't sold these leftover parts but I certainly could. Or I can keep them for another project.

tarwheel 

I built up a steel lugged DeBernardi over the winter for about $1,000 including labor. Got the frame (new old stock) on line for $400 and bought 9-speed Ultegra parts on sale at various places. Had wheels (Open Pro), tires, seat post, bottle cages already. Could have saved another $200 by using other parts I had on hand (handlebar, saddle, stem) but got carried away. One of the biggest savings was using downtube shifters rather than STI, which cost at least $200 less.

55/Rad

For anyone looking for something similar that is available now for what appears to be a reasonable price, I found this in our own classifieds:

https://www.bikeforums.net/sale/325453-59-serorotta-9-spd-ultegra-700-a.html

jbmadtown

Nice rides, both of them! This is doing nothing to help me get over my current obsession with Waterfords. Someday I'll have one of my own-- or at least a Gunnar!

gfrance

Good stuff. You show very well how one can build up a beautiful, high quality bikes for 'little' money. We all see these posts by newbies without much money looking to get into the sport. I just want them to see these. Of course, I do realize, some of what you're doing and creating isn't really for the novice. But it does show how far you can go if you do know a little something.

Great job.

Surferbruce

the paint on the fuso is so classy. all i can say having seen all your builds is you deserve the name rad.

sunninho

That's a sweet and impressive collection of steel bikes!

mixtery

Wow Rad, those are delightful to my eye and to my wallet. Pls sell me Waterford!

Rutnick

man, I love all the bikes you post here. I do have a question. It may seem silly but do you ever ride? I'm just wondering because of all the time you spend finding these gems and reconditioning them.

55/Rad

I took 6 months off - December to May - to get my head straight. It was a difficult time but I am now back to regular riding status - 4 days a week - 125 miles on average.

As for the time, well, I live alone now.

greyg8r

Those are sharp-looking bikes (from another downtube-rider). Hope the soon-to-be ex doesn't end up with them..

SDRider

I'd be jealous as hell if those were in my size.

Nice bikes.

ViperZ

The wheels on the Fuso look like the Chrome Pins.

If you ever want to sell the DA STI's please let me have first crack at them

55/Rad

Good eye. The bike came with 600 hubs laced to G40 rims. Nice but a bit heavy. I acquired a set of early 90's Mavic 501 hubs and Open 4CD rims with Ti spokes - a 1450 gram combo - and rode them for a couple of rides. Then I popped a couple of spokes and decided I want to rebuild the wheels with steel spokes and my signature red nipples. These will eventually be the final set on this bike.

The Chrome Pinarello is completely stripped at the moment, awaiting it's next incarnation. But that story is best left for another day.

As for the STI's, I'm not sure what I'll do with them. But if I sell them, they are yours.

55/Rad

ViperZ

Stripped the Chrome Pinarello for reincarnation?? Many would cry that's like redoing the Mona Lisa

However I fully understand

55/Rad

I can assure you it's next version will be an extension of what it was and in my opinion, even greater. Here's a hint - I'm talking to Mr. Bell about some touchup work.

ViperZ

Like I said, I fully understand

Rutnick

I started cycling again to get my head on straight. I never got there but at least I lost 40lbs.

littlewaywelt

What's the appeal of building up steel bikes...or riding them?

I have a custom made in italy steel bike (columbus slx tubing) with campy athena & chorus that I got in 89. Of course it rides well, but I don't get the appeal/why ride something like that as compared to what's currently available?

Hocam

They're classy and have a certain style, something about handmade stuff without any carbon has an appeal.

55/Rad

Why do people buy and restore classic cars?

Here is the Vetta frame that I'll be working on next...