Originally Posted by
xpacpal1x
Wow...you totally read my mind...I love it!!! I've been in touch with a custom builder in the past few weeks. Seriously considering him to build a custom steel cyclocross frame based on my favorite vintage Italian road bike. I'd use it for riding the rough roads and paths that I don't impose on my restored classic era bikes (they're pampered...only smooth well known roads for them). Vintage for me is late 1980s or very early 1990s, so my current stock of bikes/frames don't have sufficient front fork clearance for anything larger than 23 x 700x. I'd be very interested to know how your Frankenbike (sorry...the name fits...had to say it) rides on rough pavement with 28 x 700c slick tires.
It rides very smooth, I also got a set of 32mm file tread sew-ups to use on conditions that dont need the traction of the CX knobbies. The frame is small diameter columbus SL tubing, relaxed frame angles with fairly long chainstay for a nicely compliant ride. Mud clearance at the rear is good with 700x34c tires, that was much of my inspiration for originally selecting a 70's bike rather than a newer road frame and the Bottechia is lighter than a touring or low end road bike which might have sufficient clearance. The clearance at the front fork crown is sufficient for dry conditions but is a bit less than a CX bike would typically use for additional mud clearance.
The frame work was definitly fun, I want to build an entire lugged tubeset frame next.