My roadbike buildthread....ALMOST DONE!
 

Hi, I'm new bike forums but have been around forums for a while....every time I look up a review on a part I always end up on bike forums so I figure it's a pretty godo place to get info and bounce ideas.

To introduce myself, my name is Laurence and I am from Southern California. If anyone from Honda-Tech lurks around here too, you'll recognize the avatar and pics in this thread.

A little bit of backstory; I was saving up for a mountain bike when I found a killer deal on a generic carbon roadie frame so I thought "shoot, why not?" I went ahead and picked it up and have been gathering parts for the past couple of months or so. Here is where I am so far.

This is the mtb I own now, 2011 Giant XTC 29er2
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...212_140857.jpg

This thing is a blast to ride, if it was up to me I would be out on the trails all day everyday. There are a few things I want to get for it, but since it's still new and I don't really NEED anything for it I am focusing my efforts on the roadbike....and here it is.

It is a 2008 Pedal Force ZX3 (www.pedalforce.com) which as I mentioned I found for a steal on craigs. I have yet to read a bad review and at the price I paid for it, I couldn't say no. I really had no intention of building a roadbike but when I was cruising craigs and happened to see it on there I gave the guy a buzz and went for it. That's how I ended up building a roadbike. It looks just like this.

http://i51.tinypic.com/2agj6td.jpg
http://i56.tinypic.com/10cvhc5.jpg

then it sat for a while as I continued to set aside funds to get my XTC. After I bought the mtb, I started actively looking for road parts and found these guys online as well.
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...219_142345.jpg

Sram Force Doubletaps which look to be in good shape and only slightly used. After that it was a few weeks until my next purchase because as some of you know when you go out and party almost daily the bar tabs start to add up and before you know it, you have no funds to spend on bike parts lol....lately though I decided to relax a little bit and really focus on my bike. That is why just a few days ago I went ahead and picked up this.

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...325_093144.jpg

Sram Red crankset and that GXP bottom bracket.

this is what it looks like roughly put on the bike to get an idea.
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...325_094620.jpg

That is kind of where I am at the moment.

I will be ordering some wheels this Friday (hopefully) and have decided to go with these guys here.

http://www.bikesoul.com/2009/images/...s4pic1link.jpg

Soul S-4.0s which again, I have yet to read a bad review about. They look great and will fit the color scheme of the bike and price seems to be reasonable for what you get.

and while I'm at it lol.

my frame has a braze on clamp. it is shimano and looks just like this

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...327_095525.jpg

would it be compatible with a sram derailleur?

and secondly, i have been looking at braze on derailleurs, but if I find a good deal on a clamp on couldn't i just remove the braze on clamp from the frame and use a clamp on derailleur as long as the size is the same as the seat tube? I have been told no, but I don't see why not?

Welcome aboard Laurence.
Pedalforce seems to get decent reviews.
SRAM and Soul two great (and BF Approved) choices.
Looks like you're well on your way to a good build.
Good luck with it and of course, pics when it's done.

:thumb:

thanks bud!

I'm glad to see that my part choices are approved lol since im kind of flying by the seat of my pants here. pics will def. be posted as i go along.

Regarding your front derailleur...yes...remove the existing clamp and buy a SRAM clamp on...make sure you know the clamp size because they can vary...although 27.2 and 31.8 are the most common...the PF site will tell you what you have.

Keep the build pics coming...and then post your first ride report when you can.

If you're new to building a road bike, the Park Tools website and the Sheldon Brown website are great for those who do their own wrenching.

awesome! thanks for the help, that is what i was looking for.

i am familiar with both those sites, more so with sheldon brown and have def. learned a lot from there. however i am thinking since this is my first time around and since my LBS only chrages $50 to put a bike together, i am thinking i will just take it in to make sure everything is put together right and proper.

If you have any doubts, taking it to your LBS is a good idea. While there, be sure to pick up: a) a road-appropriate jersey; b) a road-appropriate helmet; c) water bottle cages and bottles (so you can ditch the camelbak). :innocent:

That build looks promising. I look forward to seeing the finished bike.

lol, have road jersey but was mtbing which also explains the camelback :)

im one of the few guys on the trails wearing roadshorts haha, i just feel like the baggy mtb ones get in the way.

your build is looking good so far and welcome to the 41. you should check with pedal force about the derailleur clamp size to make sure you get the right one but i would guess it is 34.9 if you seat post is 31.6.

you could also use one of these is you want to use a braze on front derailleur still. not to mention you can get them in any color you want and they are light and cheap.
http://fairwheelbikes.com/kcnc-front...mp-p-2943.html

hope you are not in a hurry to build that bike though since it will take a while to get the soul wheels but they are worth the wait. if you are in a hurry though there are plenty of other good wheels you can get cheap as well and have them with in a week.

Yup, 34.9 is what the website says...if I do decide to stick with braze on, I could just use the clamp that's already on there I'm sure no...?

As for the wheels, as I mentioned, Sean said there is a 4 week wait period so I figure get on the list and by the time they arrive ill have just about everything else ready to go...so throw em on when they get here and its a wrap :)...lol if all goes well.

I suggest the SOUL S3.0SL Wheels over the S4.0

Why do you say that?

Well, I'm in Orange County so it is pretty diversified terrain. To be honest, I know the high pros are designed for flats but they just look so damn good. I know that function must come before form so I might switch to the mid pros and have an all around good wheel for the varied terrain over here.


Also, I emailed PF and attached the photo I posted above. They were very quick to respond which backs the many claims of their great customer service I have seen all over the forums. I was told that the frames ship without the braze on bracket and it would be no issue to remove it and use a 34.9mm clamp on front derailleur...which is what I initially though. I don't know why my LBS said it was not do able?...maybe they were thinking the frame was shipped that way, not too sure but I am glad I can go a different direction.

He lives in So Cal and they are lighter.

Just checked out the 3.0SLs....which because of the terrain as I mentioned above is definitely the better choice, however I am wondering if the extra money is worth the jump from the regular expert to the SL, durability also being a concern seeing as how even the soul website mentions it is lower due to the thinner spokes...any thoughts on this?

And also while I'm at it, any suggestions for a similar wheel quality/price that can be had w/o the long wait?...trying to check out all avenues before making a decision.

Just ordered from Excel Sports minutes ago :)

http://www.excelsports.com/image200/...-On%202010.jpg

Interesting day yesterday,

I went to pick up my rear derailleur and to save some gas I thought I'd ride my motorcycle....well on the way back I hit some dude in an old toyota pickup who was stopped at a green light. I hit his bumped and flipped once over the corner of the bed and landed flat on my back....I lucked out and landed flat on my back, hopped up right away and walked the bike to the side walk....lol down to 6 lives....some cosmetic damage here and there, main issue was the left foot peg broke off (shifter side) so I had to make it home (about 12mi) in first gear....some soreness but nothing too intense thank god

lol then met up with a buddy for a mtb ride, that was a blast here's a pic from that
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...14-4295623.jpg

and now for the build update,

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...330_174627.jpg

Found a good deal on the front derailleur from Excel Sports and that came in yesterday, and as I mentioned before I picked up the rear one earlier in the day. I lucked out, because it was in my backpack when I fell and thankfully nothing happened to it :)

I'm getting a little closer to finishing, real excited to be honest....I'll be ordering some Force brakes this weekend.

also thinking about going with some cheaper wheels instead of the Souls...they look great and everything but I'm just not sure, I'll let it sit for now.

Just ordered. Will post pics on arrival.
http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...JWpud_zrPIyGzK

Now down to:

Wheels/tyres
Pedals/shoes
Seat
Bars/stem
Cassette/chain

....almost there :)

You have some quality calves. Good stuff.

Thanks budm I'm all legs lol got nothing up top.

Another little update:

These guys came in today
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...405_131010.jpg

and this is where I'm at so far:

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...405_130806.jpg


Easton EA90 stem and EA70 bars should be coming in this Friday and as always I will post pics upon arrival. Which just leaves:

-Wheels (waiting on Soul)
-Cassette and Chain (will most likely order next week)
-Seat (haven't looked into them too much yet)
-Pedals (can't decide between Look or Speedplay, will research a little)

I'm excited, it's coming together I just need wheels to make this thing actually look like a bicycle lol.

lol and here's my legs after mountain biking today :)

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a..._2296869_o.jpg