ISO 590, 26 x 1 3/8, EA3...

I picked up this '86(?) Specialized Sirrus frame oh a whim, because I really like Specialized. It was cheap, rattle canned yellow, and only had clearance for skinny 700's. A good candidate for a 650a conversion that I had been thinking of.

For the frame I couldn't decide on a repaint, so I stripped the paint and waxed the bare metal with Johnson's paste wax. The wheels only cost $150 including tires and excluding hubs, with sapim double butted spokes from Dans Comp. The brakes are nutted Tektro R559's that are a little overkill, but I intend to swap the brakes and wheels to other bikes, just for fun. With the Sugino AT crank I decided to drop the triple, and run a 48 and 34t chainring, allowing for a shorter bb spindle, all because the frame has a substantial bb drop. With a 113mm spindle and MKS GR-9 pedals the result is a really low Q-factor, and I don't think pedal strikes will be a problem (bottom bracket height being around 10 1/8", unladen). The result is a really quick and comfy ride.

Now I only have to choose the final housing color(s) and tape...


(I can see the little o-ring came off)


You can see the original color hiding, not a great strip job


The Sapim DB spokes are great, and inexpensive


Tight clearance up front




Very tight clearance on the chainring