Sorry to hear about the knee.

About 4-6 weeks for me after surgery. Pretty much the same deal.

Also had about 30% of the cartilage removed on the top of the femur.

Walked out of the center after surgery, and started rehab immediately once the swelling was out.

I got used to riding with cages again, as I wasn't fond of the pain associated with clipping out of the pedals for a couple of months after the surgery.

So, had surgery in June, and could finally start cranking it up again by the middle of last August.

Went back to my Look pedals by the end of August.

Range of motion still isn't back to where it was last spring, and my surgeon said just keep riding.

I certainly have been doing just that.

BTW, very nice frameset.

edit: +1 to the Athena gruppo. A fresh start with a new gruppo would be most appealing to me.