thisisbenji

Just got my Vent Noir frameset in the mail today. It's heavy @ about 1700g for a size 52cm frame and 550g for the uncut fork, but what can I expect out of a $200 frameset. The quality of the frame seems decent nothing impressive, but not bad either. Here the bike is built up with some Reynolds Assault Tubulars.




The idea behind this build is that I had all of the parts except saddle and seatpost laying around. I figured I should just put them on a low budget frame. So far I have about $350 into for the frame set/saddle/seat post.

James1:17

Is there a frame-only option thru BD?


love these bikes btw; looking forward to your complete build. looks like it's going to be nice.

thisisbenji

You have to hit up the bikeisland website for the frameset.
https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ls&ProdID=2445

James1:17

oh awesome thanks man!

jwill87ta

That's going to be a nice looking build. I like the classic geometry of the Motobecanes

thisisbenji

The classic geo is pretty sweet. I think this is one of the only cheap budget frames that has an acceptable geometry.

Just took her into the shop to have the headset and crown race pressed. Looks like the build should be done friday.

OldsCOOL

I love the sinister black-out look. Sweet! Good luck on the build and hope it will be a thrill to ride!

jackss731

My dad actually wanted to pick up the complete at BD but you're wheels take it to a whole new level! keep us posted

thisisbenji

The complete seems like a good deal as well. But I kind of like the super strada for $100 more better.

MetalPedaler

Too bad you can't get the handlebars lower.....



Nice! Sub-19 lb. bike for a few hunnert[sic] bucks! And looks nice!

Gotta love BD!

Sidney Porter

The sprint is also interesting with the carbon stays.
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...e/sprint_x.htm

thisisbenji

Eh... I'm not a fan of super low handlebars, so having a somewhat tall head tube will reduce my amount of spacers.

8086bruce

I like the look a lot nice job!

thisisbenji

Well here she is built up.





I still need to cut the steerer tube more, I'v decided I'm just going to keep the stem slammed.

One of the other items I had to order was a new front derailleur.

This new 2013 SRAM Red FD is the best thing since IPAs were invented. The chain doesn't hit the derailleur in ANY gear combo, no trim shifting required.

I also put new pulleys in my rear derailleur. The previous ones had probably about 10,000 - 12,000 miles on them and the chain was starting to jump off.



To complement my new FD and the new pulleys that I put in my Force RD I went with some Yokozuna Cables.



These things are amazing, it's like I got a whole new groupset. My Force group now has shift resistance comparable to a Shimano groupset.

The bike weighs 19.2lbs with the Gatorskins and Garmin attached. Drops about a pound when I have my Assaults mounted. I'll probably loose a little weight when I ditch the MTB saddle. It could be under 18lbs fairly easy.

jwill87ta

If you ditch the "Made in Taiwan" sticker, no one will no it's not made in France!!

Looks like a great build, I'd love to try out the new Red FD.

thisisbenji

Thanks for pointing that out! Completely forgot about that lame sticker. There's a few warning stickers to be removed as well.

Just got my saddle in, decided to take some good photos.

James1:17

dang that's sexy dude. if i can't find a discontinued frame that i'm looking for, i do believe i'll be buying this one.

oh and in regard to the sticker, take heart that it doesn't say 'made in china'. i read that kinesis has a factory in china and one in taiwan, but that their highest quality stuff comes out of taiwan.

great job on the build!

oh btw, is that a 0 degree stem?

thisisbenji

Well, I just went through and fixed some photo links, but it forced me to use a couple of photos more than once. I hope no one minds.

Anyways it turns out slamming the bars wasn't a good idea. I'm not a very flexible guy (especially since I don't ride much anymore) and it wasn't very comfortable. After getting a fit done recently I'v decided to raise the bars.

As I had already cut the steerer tube this proved challenging, so I figured I would just order a new fork.

Keeping with my budget build I placed an order for a Nashbar Full Carbon Road Fork today, $100 and 350 grams sounds good to me.

I'll post pictures once it's installed.

btw, with my neuvation wheels and gatorskin hard shells on the bike it's 18.6 lbs. Not so bad for such a heavy frame.

sced

So you're having fun with it. Nice looking bike.

thisisbenji

Got my new fork in today.



Looks like I should drop right around 200g and have a more comfortable ride while I'm at it.

thisisbenji

Installed the fork.



It's nice having the extra handle bar height.

Bike is 18.1 lbs as pictured.

fstshrk

Nice build and nice bike. Enjoy the ride.

cydewaze

VERY sweet ride. I'm so tempted to pick up a Motobecane from BD just because it's such a good deal. I've already talked at least a half a dozen friends into getting first bikes from there.