Gone To The Darkside
 

I bought a bike the other day with the intention of flipping it. It was advertised as a 50cm Steelman. It is a Steelman, but not 50 cm. It measures 53cm c-c, and is on the small side of what I can ride. The top tube, however is ~56.5 cm c-c, which fits me nicely.

This is the first bike I've actually ridden more than a couple miles that has brifters, and clipless pedals. I rode it a distance for the first time today, and I must confess, I'm hooked. I haven't contacted Brent Steelman yet, but I think the bike is about a 1991-92 frame.

The bike is equipped with Shimano DA 9 speed STI and RD, a late model 600 FD and 600 dual pivot brake calipers. It has DA hubs, 28h, laced to Mavic SUP rims. An American Classic setpost and DA cranks round it out. I took off the bars and stem, and replaced it with trusty Cinelli 1R and 64/40's, and tossed some Ultegra pedals on it. I polished the cranks, seatpost and stem, as they were pretty beat to begin with.

After today's ride, I can see it becoming one of my favorite bikes quickly. I'm not selling the Cinelli, De Rosa, Rossin or any of the Merckx's, but I have a feeling this will move to the top of the rotation.

The bike is still a work in progress, but some quickly taken, rather poor pictures are here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/ypsibikes/Steelman

I have a set of Veloflex Pave's (gumwall) that will go on it as soon as it arrives in AZ.

I'm very impressed with Brent Steelman's bicycle, and understand that he has, at least temporarily, come out of retirement. It rides every bit as well as the frames mentioned above. Buy one if you can.

If there is anything that Americans can do well in a modern world, being able to produce some of the best frame builders in the world would have to rank near the top on my list.

BWAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahahahahahaha.......

>excellent<

Welcome, my friend. Now, complete the transformation and re-fit it with 10 speed Campy.


You're one of us, now.

You did a really nice job on the crank. How did you do it? I have several that need to look that nice.

Tim

If only I could afford it, it would be my first choice.

You don't always ride with what you'd like, but what you have.

Perhaps you have some castoffs that aren't worthy of your rides? Tell you what, bring them down this Fall and I' ll give you free room, if not board. I think you could eat me out of house and home, so board is not included ;-)

Congrats on the Steelman. I like the brifter look and especially the performance. I've made the brifter conversion on a Bianchi Campione and I'm working on 3 other bikes to make the brifter conversion. I think they're safer, improve ride speed and I like the look. So the minute I saw your Steelman I liked it.
As for you turning to the dark side, NAAAAH! I bought a new, all carbon frame, leftover Giant OCR-C3 today. Now THAT'S turning to the dark side. I think I'll buy a Darth Vader helmet to go with it.

I've already been teased a bit about the next bike being CF. I don't think that's coming anytime soon. I like my bikes to last at least my lifetime, and maybe be in the will as riders for the next curmudgeon in the linage (well, actually they are!).

I always knew you had no shame!

Says he that is selling a Merckx 7-11!

In my size, no less. It's not full pantographed, is it? ###tard!

Yes it is actually.

Waytoomanybikes, which BC is your location?

OFG, welcome to the alliance! You have seen the light, may the force be with you.

I have been riding a vintage steel bike with 10 speed campy since before I put together my first super record bike. I was recently lucky enough to score a 10 speed campy bike with a columbus Nemo part tig part lugged frame from about 2001/2002. It's smaller than my traditional sizing, it's lighter, it climbs better and accelerates faster. You can't argue with the performance enhancements modern technology allows. Sure you don't need it, bit it sure is fun isn't it! And anything that makes riding more fun is a good thing. I haven't got a carbon bike yet, I know they crack but many come with a lifetime warrenty. When the new 2009 C-dale liquigas super sixs with campy super record 22 speed arrives in the shop I know I am going to be wishing I had one to ride.

So - I've got a question..... just where the hell are you guys whan I'm all alone praising modern technology and getting a beating from all the luddites in this forum? Hmmm? :)

Well.... I have a spare Veloce compact crank that's not doing anything, and Veloce 10 speed shifters with cable set are $100 delivered from PBK. All you need then is the dérailleurs, chain, and a wheel set.

Flip 3-4 more bikes and you're there. And, trust me, once you go all the way you'll never ever go back - except to remind yourself just how primitive and inconvenient DT shifting is. :D

I couldn't believe my eyes when I turn around today at work and OFG was standing there on the Steelman with BRIFTERS!! My first question was of course so how to you like the Brifters. His reply they are great I just did about 40 miles on it! I knew he picked up the Steelman as he called to rub it in after picking it up. I knew the bike and actually worked on it once when it was owned by the previous owner. I almost had a heart attack a little later when I finally noticed he was rocking the clipless setup. A new helmet, brifters, and clipless pedals/shoes you are changin' man.

I have to confess to going a bit toward the dark side. I converted the Waterford Paramount to brifters, and I reluctantly admit publicly that I LIKE it!

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...a/IMG_7104.jpg

That's not the darkside, THIS is the darkside.

http://www.otis.g2solutions.biz/ebayimages/colec3.jpg

It's also the best bike I've ever ridden. Still love steel though (for easy days).

Eh....I don't see a problem with using some new technology on an older bike. It's not like you can't remove the parts if you don't like them.

This is my main ride, it has a mix of both old and new....though I still use a 7sp freewheel. It's not the best pic, but you get the idea.

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...l/DSC00259.jpg

Hell, while we're talking darkside, there's my Fuji Finest, all nine-speed Ultegra. Built it deliberately as a crash course in catching up with all that missed technology - and it's turned into my second favorite rider in terms of mileage, after the Magneet.

For my next step downward . . . . . . . current project is a '99 Trek 2000T. Yes, aluminum. Had it together for the past few weeks, the finish on the frame is an absolute wreck to the point that I won't ride it in public. Hits the powdercoater in about two weeks once the decals arrive.

I'm doing it as a replica Mavic neutral support bike.

Guess the carbon fiber frame isn't too far off now.

The Kelowna one ..............

Or.......

You could go the other way.

Brand spankin' new frame and fork, with ....................

Or my 9 speed Tiagra 85 Super Sport. Picture a 2005 Scott speedster with the frame replaced by steel vintage goodness. The only thing I had to really spend money on was the front derailleur, since I was told 28.6 braze on clamp adapters were nearly impossible to find. This is quickly becoming one of my top three riders, right behind the Trek 560 and Club Fuji. All that modern gadgetry with a Columbus frame is very addictive.:D,,,,BD

This is an "almost built" pic. I was still waiting for the FD to come in. July 4th weekend... It's hard to bring myself to tear it down for paint. I am flirting with getting the frame chromed. I know a guy who does plating now.:D


http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n.../TiagaraSS.jpg

well, i certainly like both approaches...but today, at the approach to the top of the biggest climb, at 90 degrees farenheit and with a headwind, it was certainly nice to wiggle that little lever behind the brake and find my lowest gear. Dunno if i had the strength left to reach for a down tube shifter...

and no, i'm not gonna post a picture. I feel the flames arising already.

+1.
I crossed over to the darkside start of last summer, and never looked back. Still get a smile clicking down for the climb while standing... :thumb:

riding a newer bike isn't too bad, it is riding a bike afterall. You just don't get the same looks from your riding buddies that you get when you drop them on a 40 year old bike than when you drop them on your plastic Cervelo.

Been there, still doing that.....
 

I still covet many a C&V bike, 99% are steel. Still, a little upgrade is a good thing.

Just because I ride a 20-year old bike, doesn't mean I can't dress up the old girl a little....:innocent:

http://velospace.org/files/P1050864.JPG