Originally Posted by
55/Rad
What a neat "circle of life" story. I really miss that Santana - that scandium frame was light as a feather and built up with the American Classsic 350's, it came in right at 15 pounds - lightest bike I ever owned. Unfortunately, it was just a bit too small for me.
Looks great in the maroon, though I have to admit I really liked the swirl they did on the original. The swirl wasn't actually in the paint but on the tubes themselves and the "paint" was really just a tinted clearcoat that allowed the swirl to show through. Very unique.
Serotta - how are you going to build it?
55/Rad
Rad, I debated making a large shadow box for the frame and just mounting it in the bonus room with a plaque stating the history of the frame and it's ownership. You are certainly correct, it is not nearly the piece of "art" the original frames were. I still drool over the swirl finish in blue and silver. It's hard to see in the picture, but this paint has some metal flake in it. Nice, but not nearly the extraordinary original finish.
I'm going to make it a fixed gear. My old fixie is just about to fall apart (it was an old broken Raleigh frame that was repaired by a friend in his welding shop.)
I ordered a White Industries Eno Eccentric Rear Hub today. I'm going to use an older Campy record front hub. I may even have an old high flange hub in the parts bin. I might lace them to some Mavic CXP 33 rims. I have some old C-record parts, crank, front brake, etc., Cinelli 66 bars, an old Thompson seat post, a Regal saddle. I'm going to try not to spend much money on it, but make it as comfy as most of my road bikes. The only thing (other than the frame) that scares me is the Cinelli bars. They are the oldest set I own. I may spring for some track bars.
I'm still deciding what sort of gearing to use. I think I have a 49 or 50 chainring for the crank, maybe an 18 tooth rear might be tolerable around here. I'll probably order everything from a 17 to a 21 to cover all the bases.