X-LinkedRider

Lol... It's never as easy as expected in the bike world.

xfimpg

Oh yeah, quite the learning experience! Good thing I've got you guys to bounce ideas off of! and good thing I'm not being paid to build this bike on a deadline!

xfimpg

Btw guys, just got an email confirmation from Park Tool that neither their CRS-1 (too small) or CRS-15 (too big) crown setting tools will work on a 1 3/8" crown race. Damn it, Specialized.

xfimpg

I found the headset locally for $75, will be picking it up tomorrow and then the fun really begins!

X-LinkedRider

damn. I don't think I ever had to buy a headset. Lol. Never realized they could be that much. I always figured they were like 30-50...

xfimpg

In US dollars I would guess around $45-50 for this headset.

X-LinkedRider

Ahh ok. Wtf.. Though our money was basically even right now?

xfimpg

Exactly. It's been like that for about 3-4 years now. The distributors are raking us over the coals.
Only the price of bikes is close to even as of this year. And even then, it depends on the manufacturer.
For example, a 2010 Roubaix Pro Dura-Ace sold for $5900 up here. In the US, it's less than $5000, maybe even mid $4000. That's a $1000-1500 difference. Ridiculous.

As for parts, forget about it.

What doesn't help is the Quebecer mentality; we just pay the price and shut up. This also adds to the mentality of not building your own bike. It's not a common thing for people that do not work in a LBS to build their own bike. Most folks up here just go to the store and buy what they have. Personally, I prefer the US mentality; get informed and buy what you need, not what the LBS guy thinks you need.

xfimpg

It will be $85.50 after taxes.

X-LinkedRider

I find it is never best to group personalities or mentalities like that. We have just as many schmucks down here. Building a bike is not for everybody and I would certainly not recommend it to at least 3 of my friends. At least not when I could it for them in under a day.

xfimpg

I wasn't calling them Schmucks specifically (but the thought has crossed my mind before). Just the way in which they shop affects my bottom line because I like to shop for the best value. And generalities will always exist. It is possible to generalize without offending people; "Quebecers generally speak French." Yes, that's true and I'm not offended by it even if I have an English education.
Unfortunately in this day and age people look to be offended to make up for all the crap that has been going on in the past. Anyways, I am digressing... back to the bike!

X-LinkedRider

Lol, I think you misunderstood me. there was no offense taken at all even by the fact that there are generalities. I just meant to say, I am sure just many people work on their own stuff up there. You just don't know about it because they might not be as adamant about sharing every minor success in their life on the internet, where we in the states will buy new or build but whatever we do we can't do it without posting about it. "First crap i took since new bike, it was awesome!" Like anything, the more you see something, the more likely it will be propagandized in your vision that way.

xfimpg

lol you mean share stuff like this? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMCku...&feature=share
(PS. I couldn't watch it to the end, he just drove me nuts)

We do have forums up here but the interest isn't bike building but distance and power meters. Yawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwn.

xfimpg

**** Mountain Bikers Say https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW7xz...endscreen&NR=1

topflightpro

OP, you do realize that crown races are specific to headsets? Just because you have one already installed does not mean it will work with the headset you are acquiring.

Also, if you've never pressed BB bearings before, you may just want to have your LBS do it.

xfimpg

Yes i do realize. In this case, there is only one available headset (from Specialized) for the 2011 Roubaix Pro.
ADD: The headset is made by Cane Creek, but not sold by them. They did confirm that it would be made available from them this spring.

xfimpg

Hey guys, the bike is completed!

The geometry is close, but not perfect yet, but close enough for now. lol
Will post better pictures tomorrow in the natural sunlight.
I wish I had a bike porn stand, but 'tis not the case.

Just to recap a few things:
- The end result I wanted was an endurance bike that would not leave me stranded, reasonably light weight, a stiff bb area, and a more relaxed position. Not terribly concerned about weight, as I am about having a SOLID wheelset.
- For the headset installation, it was a drop in and not press fit so easy to do. Headset purchased was 1 1/8 - 1 3/8 from Specialized; no other manufacturer has that as of now.
- For the bb bearing kit installation, I ordered the press tool ($40) from Wheels Manufacturing and it worked like a charm.

Frame: 2011 Specialized Roubaix Pro SL3 56cm
Groupset: SRAM Rival, with the derailleur being Force
BB area: SRAM 6806 bearing kit with Wheels Manufacturing BB30 adapters
Pedals: Shimano 105 PD-5700
Handlebar: Avenir 200 series ergo 44cm
Wheelset: Fuzion M1 (made by Williams Cycling)
Stem: Specialized Stem Multi-comp 31.8 100mm
Seatpost: Pro-Lite Pellegrino Road Bike Carbon
Saddle: Fizik Arione
Tires: Schwalbe Ultremo DD Evolution
Computer: Sigma 1909
Weight as is on picture: 18.8 pounds







Thanks to everyone who helped and chimed in... you know who you are.

P.S. It's not dripping grease; that was a spill from another lifetime.

X-LinkedRider

Hell yeah man. Glad to see it finally complete.
It came out EXTREMELY nice. Now get out and ride! But fix your saddle first. Nose slanted down. That will probably leave your arms and hands hurting.

The M1's really match perfectly! I can't believe it worked out so well. Looks even better on your bike than my touring bike. If I haven't said it enough. It looks fantastic. Let us know how it rides!

PS-I'll be picking up the Sram Rival group for my Allez on Monday. This pickup will benefit my Giant almost as much as the Allez. (And eventually all 3 bikes will be modern 2x10)

xfimpg

Thanks Kevin, and it's good to hear it again! I think your recommendation on the Fuzion's worked out better than we both expected!

Good stuff for the Rival. When should we be expecting pics from your builds?

Bob Dopolina 

Glad you got it sorted.

Enjoy.

xfimpg

Thanks Bob.
Getting the bb stuff sorted out was a challenge, and I have to say that John at Wheels Manufacturing was a great help.

Biscayne05

That's a beautiful bike right there.

Out-The-Back

Nice bike...congrats...but I think it might have an oil leak...might want to check that bottom bracket

Campag4life

Congrats on your build X-man. Let us know how you like it.
PS: As we discussed...I just built a Roubaix Pro and we are the same size. Looking at your bike, I still think a 58 would be a better size for you as you are substituting a shorter cockpit for more drop riding a 56...even with upturned stem. What matters is you like that fit however and we have beat that horse to death.
Did you loctite the BB30 bearings?

A pic of my build below...Campy...threaded BB...size 58 with flat stem and because of 35mm taller headtube, less drop and we run probably about the same seat height or close.

xfimpg

Here guys, this should be a bit better minus the flash.