Old flame rekindled
08-31-19, 05:59 PM
#1
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Old flame rekindled
Fortunate S.O.B. that I am, I have built up 8 used frames purchased on eBay over the years to choose from for my daily rides. Years ago, I purchased a used Carl Strong custom steel frame, constructed from Columbus Foco tubing. Currently, it’s built up with SRAM Force 10 speed, Spinergy Stealth PBO wheels, Specialized Romin saddle, PRO Stealth CF seatpost, 3T ARX Pro stem, Wound Up fork and Truvativ Team bar. With a Cipollini RB800, Colnago Extreme Power, Neilpryde Nazare, BMC Team Machine, Storck Scenero, CAAD 10 and Bowman Palace R in the stable, it had been a couple of years since I had selected the Strong from the quiver.
On today’s 45 mile hilly loop, the Strong reminded me of just how delightfully a well-constructed steel frame can perform. Sure, it’s heavier than my other CF and Al bikes. But, the plush, vibration damping qualities of this frame reminded me how a steel frame, with well-sorted geometry, can virtually negate rough pavement and potholes while cornering with deliberation and confidence with flex-free bottom bracket efficiency. Yeah, I know, I am full of crap, romanticizing days long past. Nevertheless, I cleaned and re-lubed the KMC X10SL chain on the Strong for tomorrow’s club ride. If I get dropped, it won’t be the machine.
On today’s 45 mile hilly loop, the Strong reminded me of just how delightfully a well-constructed steel frame can perform. Sure, it’s heavier than my other CF and Al bikes. But, the plush, vibration damping qualities of this frame reminded me how a steel frame, with well-sorted geometry, can virtually negate rough pavement and potholes while cornering with deliberation and confidence with flex-free bottom bracket efficiency. Yeah, I know, I am full of crap, romanticizing days long past. Nevertheless, I cleaned and re-lubed the KMC X10SL chain on the Strong for tomorrow’s club ride. If I get dropped, it won’t be the machine.
08-31-19, 07:04 PM
#2
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Fortunate S.O.B. that I am, I have built up 8 used frames purchased on eBay over the years to choose from for my daily rides. Years ago, I purchased a used Carl Strong custom steel frame, constructed from Columbus Foco tubing. Currently, it’s built up with SRAM Force 10 speed, Spinergy Stealth PBO wheels, Specialized Romin saddle, PRO Stealth CF seatpost, 3T ARX Pro stem, Wound Up fork and Truvativ Team bar. With a Cipollini RB800, Colnago Extreme Power, Neilpryde Nazare, BMC Team Machine, Storck Scenero, CAAD 10 and Bowman Palace R in the stable, it had been a couple of years since I had selected the Strong from the quiver.
On today’s 45 mile hilly loop, the Strong reminded me of just how delightfully a well-constructed steel frame can perform. Sure, it’s heavier than my other CF and Al bikes. But, the plush, vibration damping qualities of this frame reminded me how a steel frame, with well-sorted geometry, can virtually negate rough pavement and potholes while cornering with deliberation and confidence with flex-free bottom bracket efficiency. Yeah, I know, I am full of crap, romanticizing days long past. Nevertheless, I cleaned and re-lubed the KMC X10SL chain on the Strong for tomorrow’s club ride. If I get dropped, it won’t be the machine.
On today’s 45 mile hilly loop, the Strong reminded me of just how delightfully a well-constructed steel frame can perform. Sure, it’s heavier than my other CF and Al bikes. But, the plush, vibration damping qualities of this frame reminded me how a steel frame, with well-sorted geometry, can virtually negate rough pavement and potholes while cornering with deliberation and confidence with flex-free bottom bracket efficiency. Yeah, I know, I am full of crap, romanticizing days long past. Nevertheless, I cleaned and re-lubed the KMC X10SL chain on the Strong for tomorrow’s club ride. If I get dropped, it won’t be the machine.
09-01-19, 05:45 AM
#3
I pedal in my sleep...
I'm kind of experiencing the old flame right now too. Upgraded a bike and threw the old groupset and a bunch of spare stuff from the parts bin on a frame that's been hanging on the wall. Only bike that's had saddle time since the upgrades is the old TCR. I did splurge on new wheels for it though.
09-01-19, 07:19 PM
#5
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A custom Strong lacks nothing.
No need to apologize for a negligible weight difference.
No need to apologize for a negligible weight difference.
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
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09-02-19, 01:01 PM
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Sweet old Colnago. That cable housing might be a distraction.
Here's an 'old flame' that got ridden yesterday. It hasn't been touched in years until yesterday! It cleaned up nicely. I built and raced this Colnago 'Mexico 1972' for quite a while after building it new in 1977! It is my third racing bicycle. It is all Camagnolo Super Record equipped but somewhere down the road the sew-up Nisi wheels and Campagnolo hubs were changed for these Campagnolo clincher rims and hubs. It still fits and works! This pic is a re-post from another thread (Show Your I-talians!).
09-03-19, 08:36 AM
#8
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Bikes: 1986 KHS Fiero, 1989 Trek 950, 1990 Trek 7000, 1991 Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo, 1992 Trek 1400, 1997 Cannondale CAD2 R300, 1998 Cannondale CAD2 R200, 2002 Marin San Rafael, 2006 Cannondale CAAD8 R1000, 2010 Performance Access XCL9R
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My own old flame.
A few years ago, I decided to update this 1986 KHS Fiero. I bought the frame in 89... Built it up with other people's cast offs mainly... But after sitting for too many years, I wanted a new bike, but chose to update my old friend. 2x10, STI and compact crank... As it sits, it is a 25 pound bike, fun to ride, soaks up crappy roads.
Most importantly, I'm still in love with it...
Several months ago, I got a 2006 aluminum frame, and my friends expected me to sacrifice the KHS for lighter and faster... NOPE...
09-05-19, 09:04 PM
#9
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Join Date: Aug 2014
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Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
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Strong frame, huh? Always liked his logo and website. Neat small brand!
My old, current, and new flames are all steel. Future flames will probably be that too.
I do have an aluminum frame mtb because it met a pricepoint and I'm convinced nothing actually feels good on single track.
Newest road flame that I built in a class last year-
Future flame that I took delivery of a few weeks ago. This steel gravel road frame will replace my current steel gravel road frame.
My old, current, and new flames are all steel. Future flames will probably be that too.
I do have an aluminum frame mtb because it met a pricepoint and I'm convinced nothing actually feels good on single track.
Newest road flame that I built in a class last year-
Future flame that I took delivery of a few weeks ago. This steel gravel road frame will replace my current steel gravel road frame.
09-06-19, 07:16 PM
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Sounds like you built the first frame? From a distance, it looks serious and all business. What tubeset did you employ? Your Fairlight caught my interest. I have been jonesing for a Strael the last couple years but can’t justify the purchase with as many bikes as I already own.
Strong frame, huh? Always liked his logo and website. Neat small brand!
My old, current, and new flames are all steel. Future flames will probably be that too.
I do have an aluminum frame mtb because it met a pricepoint and I'm convinced nothing actually feels good on single track.
Newest road flame that I built in a class last year-
Future flame that I took delivery of a few weeks ago. This steel gravel road frame will replace my current steel gravel road frame.
My old, current, and new flames are all steel. Future flames will probably be that too.
I do have an aluminum frame mtb because it met a pricepoint and I'm convinced nothing actually feels good on single track.
Newest road flame that I built in a class last year-
Future flame that I took delivery of a few weeks ago. This steel gravel road frame will replace my current steel gravel road frame.
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