Thanks for the help everyone...after all was said and done, I went with the Ritchey Classic stem and bars. I really liked the Thomson X2, but I read some things about it breaking that worried me, and I do put force on my stem. I felt like the Ritchey was a decent compromise on looks/price/quality/weight.

So far the build is:

Seatpost - TBD, I'm probably going to use a record ti post I have in another bike.
Bars/stem - ritchey classic
Brakes - Paul retro cantis
levers/cranks/derailleurs - 10sp record, alloy group (carbon levers and rear d has some carbon)
Paul inline levers
Chris Kind headset
Saddle - TBD, probably a honey Brooks pro
Campy Chorus cartridge BB
10sp veloce cassette, 13-29
32h silver record hubs, Velocity Dyad rims
tires - TBD, Continental 4 seasons or Grand Bois Cypres
Tape - TBD, probably handlebra

Good choice on the Ritchey stuff.

Re: Thomson stuff, they are light and very well-made pieces. You can see this by the tolerances on any of the clamps. They are VERY tight. Because of this, they are very sensitive to torque. Uneven or overtorquing is usually the culprit. I split a Thomson seatpost straight down the middle because of this. Don't let it scare you off and use a torque wrench from time to time.

I'd read that too...and it sounded logical. It could have gone either way, and the X2 was a damn nice stem.

Aaron, have you looked into the possibility to get something like Almarc handlebar wrap on your bike? I think that would look awesome with that stunning frame. Maybe some handy leatherworker (I know we have a few around) can set you up.

Handlebra is leather...I have it on my Sachs and really like it. It's too thin, so you need tape under it, but the grip and feel are terrific.

I know you have, and I love that set up too, but I think smooth leather (esp. in a dark brown) would compliment the ultra smooth, hand made qualities of the frame.

Sorry for misunderstanding...interesting take. Might be a good way to go...I've never used tape like that.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=254245this was the look I was aiming at :)

You'll probably be disappointed, but I went with honey brown colored Fizik Mikrotek.

No, not at all! I'm sure it turns out great either way.

I have it on two bicycles.

Love the stuff.

I have to say it...there is stuff that's better looking, there is stuff that lasts longer...but when you consider price, feel AND durability, I think Fizik Microtek is the best stuff on Earth.

Rider's tape.

Great feel, decent durability.

I like the look as it doesn't try to become the "show" on the bicycle.

Build as she sits -

Chris King silver HS
10sp record gruppo, alloy cranks - 53-39
13-29 veloce cassette
Paul neo-retros
problem solvers cable guide (cheaped out)
Ritchey classic stem/bars
Campy silver hubs...chorus or record, not sure
Velocity Dyads
Wheelsmith 14 gauge spokes
Honey Brown Brooks Team Pro
Brown fizik microtek
Continental 4 seasons
Ritchey SPDs
These bizzare Vanilla Bear bottles
Elite Ciussi's
Thomson Silver Elite

These really tie the room together:

http://www.cafepress.com/+vanilla_be...m_cp_signal=18

Fabulous!

Yes, yes and yes. Fizik microtex is awesome stuff and even has a nice range of colors. I don't even know why anyone bothers with cork when microtex is comparable.

You NEED those bottles! So.... pictures?