Finally got in the first ride(s) of the season! Took a short ride on the Frejus:



First ride on the new wheels which were also the first wheels I ever built. Rode really great. Better than a 26 lb, steel cottered crank, bronze derailleur bike has any right to. Shifted flawlessly and ran really quietly and was actually very responsive. And the wheels didn't fall apart! Oh and that boat of an old Ideale saddle is really comfortable!

Then took a longer ride on the 84 Masi:



This bike has a considerably bigger frame and bigger feel. Tubulars and light wheels make for a very responsive ride. Selle Turbomatic saddle not so comfortable though. Still overall a very sharp and responsive bike. This bike weighs about 21.5 lbs.

That Frejus look sharp! Rewarding having built your own wheels - makes the feeling even better. What rims are they?

You might want to level out that Turbo saddle... I love mine and am usually a Brooks / Ideale / Wrights / Lycette kind of guy.

Feels good to finally get out, eh BD63? Took my Frejus out for a spin the other day. They ride pretty well, don't they. You must be the "best dressed" rider in your parts on those two beauties.

cool bike, love the photograph

I'll try that but it felt fine fore to aft. Just didn't conform to my posterior the way the Ideale did. Probably because the Ideale has had a lot more butts and miles on it

Oh and neither of the pictures represent the way I actually rode them. The seat clamp in the Frejus picture is on backwards, which I fixed, which puts the saddle back farther. I also leveled and raised the seat about an inch (the frame is on the low side of what fits me). On the Masi I lowered the seat about an inch (bigger frame) and leveled the seat to my usual preference (level, no tilt fore or aft).

27" Rigida AL1320 on Gnutti hubs.

Yeah the snow finally melted. The roads are still covered with crap but can't wait any longer.