'The Romic'
#1
'The Romic'
I started working on this bike about a year ago.. buying parts and looking for a frame my size (rivendell recommended me a 69cm) after the 'failed' spectrum buildup which turned out to be un-ride-ably too small (60cm). However the quality of the spectrum frame spoiled me, which made it allot harder to find a 'nice' frame.
Of course the bike evolved in my head over this period thanks in part to friends both here and in philly, and of course just seeing things I thought were cool and took note of. It became more and more of a sport touring bike.
This is the Romic Century frame as I bought it, there was a hole in the top tube from sweathrough but otherwise the frame was in great shape. It was a top of the line romic, with cinelli lugs and bottom bracket along with full DB 531... campy drop outs etc... (custom made in 1981 for a guy that is 6'4".. my height exactly)

And here is the new Romic, with mountains of braze-ons, and a custom porteur rack done by Bilenky.
The parts list
-B&M Dynamo/Lights (rear light is not yet installed)
-Silver Bar-End shifters (graciously donated by kpug505, paint striped off the plugs and then polished)
-Sakae Randonneur Handlebars (from my first ever road bike, an old Ross)
-B17 N laced saddle (from my spectrum)
-180mm TA cranks with Lambert Chainrings
-100mm Nitto Pearl Stem (from an old gitane tandem with allot of other unusual parts on it)
-Maxi-Car 40h hubs laced by bilenky to Velocity Dyad Rims
-Simplex 26.4 seatpost (the one with the cool badge on it)
-43mm extra long honjo's
-28mm Rivendell Ruffy Tuffy's
-Regina Oro 14-23 freewheel
-XT rapid rise (will probably replace it)
-Campagnolo SR Front Derailleur (original to the bike but barely works with the triple so will be replaced)
-Cheapo pedals to be replaced
-Mafac Cantilever Brakes (probably my favorite brake ever made)
(I really like the cable hanger, I know the cloth wrap is not perfect but its my first time)
(Fenders need to be adjusted, pump peg was put there so that I can still pick up the bike easily while its still being protected from getting bumped like if I had put it on the seat stay etc..)
(I had them clear-powdercoat the rack to show off the brazeing.. you can see the dynamo/light mount too, there is tape covering the holes where I will mount wood to the rack)


I really really (really) enjoy riding it!!
...apart from adjusting everything, I will hopefully add a radios #17 light (very similar to the #12 that is on ebay right now) that I will try to retrofit the halogen B&M into.
Of course the bike evolved in my head over this period thanks in part to friends both here and in philly, and of course just seeing things I thought were cool and took note of. It became more and more of a sport touring bike.
This is the Romic Century frame as I bought it, there was a hole in the top tube from sweathrough but otherwise the frame was in great shape. It was a top of the line romic, with cinelli lugs and bottom bracket along with full DB 531... campy drop outs etc... (custom made in 1981 for a guy that is 6'4".. my height exactly)

And here is the new Romic, with mountains of braze-ons, and a custom porteur rack done by Bilenky.
The parts list
-B&M Dynamo/Lights (rear light is not yet installed)
-Silver Bar-End shifters (graciously donated by kpug505, paint striped off the plugs and then polished)
-Sakae Randonneur Handlebars (from my first ever road bike, an old Ross)
-B17 N laced saddle (from my spectrum)
-180mm TA cranks with Lambert Chainrings
-100mm Nitto Pearl Stem (from an old gitane tandem with allot of other unusual parts on it)
-Maxi-Car 40h hubs laced by bilenky to Velocity Dyad Rims
-Simplex 26.4 seatpost (the one with the cool badge on it)
-43mm extra long honjo's
-28mm Rivendell Ruffy Tuffy's
-Regina Oro 14-23 freewheel
-XT rapid rise (will probably replace it)
-Campagnolo SR Front Derailleur (original to the bike but barely works with the triple so will be replaced)
-Cheapo pedals to be replaced
-Mafac Cantilever Brakes (probably my favorite brake ever made)
(I really like the cable hanger, I know the cloth wrap is not perfect but its my first time)
(Fenders need to be adjusted, pump peg was put there so that I can still pick up the bike easily while its still being protected from getting bumped like if I had put it on the seat stay etc..)
(I had them clear-powdercoat the rack to show off the brazeing.. you can see the dynamo/light mount too, there is tape covering the holes where I will mount wood to the rack)

I really really (really) enjoy riding it!!
...apart from adjusting everything, I will hopefully add a radios #17 light (very similar to the #12 that is on ebay right now) that I will try to retrofit the halogen B&M into.
Last edited by SingeDebile; 06-18-08 at 11:09 PM.
#4
So what size is it? I'm just shy 6'4" and am quite certain I could not stand over it. Wow! I'm picking up a 60cm frame tomorrow as a 59cm is my competative fit and 61 is about my eddy fit... I mostly ride 61-62cm frames...
You sure did a love job on that one! Congrats.
You sure did a love job on that one! Congrats.
__________________
1 Super Record bike, 1 Nuovo Record bike, 1 Pista, 1 Road, 1 Cyclocross/Allrounder, 1 MTB, 1 Touring, 1 Fixed gear
1 Super Record bike, 1 Nuovo Record bike, 1 Pista, 1 Road, 1 Cyclocross/Allrounder, 1 MTB, 1 Touring, 1 Fixed gear
#5
juneeaa memba!


Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 5,631
Likes: 5
From: boogled up in...Idaho!
Bikes: Crap. The box is not big enough...
I love that color scheme. I have a Paramount frame and fork stashed in the rafters for one more build (when, ahem, I get some gone or a little more room...). Mind if I copy?
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 720
Likes: 0
From: western new york
Bikes: mid 80s Ross Centaur converted to Alfine 11 09 motobecane imortal force, 83 Ross Paragon,81 Schwinn LeTour Tourist, 91 Paramount, 93 GT converted to city bike
Romic
Really nice!!
Jog my memory..Romics were hand crafted in texas (late 70s thru?? 80s)
I applaud ya for your patience with eBay bidding.
Jog my memory..Romics were hand crafted in texas (late 70s thru?? 80s)
I applaud ya for your patience with eBay bidding.
#7
yeah I think it was Texas,
The fit is perfect! ( 69cm) and I dont think my legs are particularly long either... I have about an inch of standover height... Ridding a frame that actually fits me is a really interesting experience! You can see the seatpost isnt extended very far, and the handlebars are barely an inch or so lower then the seat... no need for a technomic to get the handlebars up.
For the color scheme I wanted something clean and simple (not too expensive), but that would still subtly show off the lugs and draw attention to the one decal. I need to get the silly velocity stickers off too.
The fit is perfect! ( 69cm) and I dont think my legs are particularly long either... I have about an inch of standover height... Ridding a frame that actually fits me is a really interesting experience! You can see the seatpost isnt extended very far, and the handlebars are barely an inch or so lower then the seat... no need for a technomic to get the handlebars up.
For the color scheme I wanted something clean and simple (not too expensive), but that would still subtly show off the lugs and draw attention to the one decal. I need to get the silly velocity stickers off too.
Last edited by SingeDebile; 06-18-08 at 10:41 PM.
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,846
Likes: 4
From: Puyallup Washington
Bikes: Motobecane Mirage fixed gear, Nashbar Alpha Road 5000, Bianchi Grizzly, Coppi Fiorelli, , Schwinn Trike, , GT All Terra, Old Peugeot, Nishiki 3 speed, Bugatti, Cannondale Black Lightning, Dura All, Bianchi Touring, Bridgestone T700 & more
Wow! That is an awesome build! I am glad those shifters worked out for ya! Did I say I REALLY love that build! Just perfect! Glad to have played a part.........
Kelly D
AKA Kpug505
Kelly D
AKA Kpug505
#9
#11
Senior Member


Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 17,687
Likes: 12
From: n.w. superdrome
Bikes: 1 trek, serotta, rih, de Reus, Pogliaghi and finally a Zieleman! and got a DeRosa
Romics were built by the late Ray Gasorowski, in Houston, TX.
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Odio la gente, tutti.
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