rhm

The crank set I'm getting is a 49D with the allen head chain ring bolts. I'm not above putting hex head bolts in them to disguise the anachronism, though. In fact this bike will have to live with a certain amount of anachronism one way or another, since I have Record bar end shifters, a (nuovo) Record front derailleur, and even a record rear derailleur.

Juvela, you mentioned that I will be able to identify the original front derailleur be the marks in the paint. You are no doubt right about that. The frame is still at my office, so I can't check this now, but I can say initial inspection revealed traces of two different derailleurs mounted there. More on this later.

I have never worked up the courage to really try tubular tires. I understand why they are better in theory, and I even believe it, but I am cursed with bad luck with tires. I get more flat tires than anyone I know. This doesn't bother me much; I can patch a tube in my sleep. But fixing a tubular tire... I don't know. I will probably be putting clinchers on this bike; otherwise I'll be afraid to ride it.