This one made me feel so crunchy that I want to get a pair of Birkenstocks (that will accept a Look cleat). But no way I'm giving up my cycling bibs for cargo shorts.

As reported earlier, I picked the bike up a couple of weeks ago. It was generally stock except for wheels, stem and mediocre replacement fork. And the Avocet was generally trashed. Then stripped to nubs for rebuild.

Along the way of considering how to rebuild, I must of sipped some of the Grant Peterson Kool Aid (I read the catalogues, too) and decided to keep a retro appearance while upgrading.

So:

Kept Suntour GPX crank, brakes and RD (came to me with a 105 FD)

Upgraded to 9-speed and Suntour bar ends (Thanks Jared)

Replaced GPX levers (couldn't find hoods) with 105's

Dumped boat anchor seat post in favor of a lighter one with more adjustability

Replaced non stock stem with something closer

Replaced Sakae bars with Nitto Olympiads

AND, replaced replacement fork with a Nashbar threaded carbon (will accept 28's)

It must be a Kool Aid hangover, but I'm sort of digging the utility of this bike. Probably just a flashback to the catalogues.

Just before and after shots. I will get more aesthetically pleasing photos while out riding this weekend.

it looks fabulous!!

Very cool. I might recommend a 1-2cm shorter stem for you, though. As it looks like you are compensating for the increased reach with high hoods. Looks like a fun bike!

Thanks. Hoods may be about 1/2 inch high based on eyeballing rather than fit. I base my fit on cockpit measurements -- tip of seat to bar and BB to saddle top. Surprisingly, I find if I stay with those measurements in building, very little fine tuning is required for riding.

Lovely, I do like the best of those old Bridgestones.

That's cool. As long as you are comfy.

You will love the Nashbar fork I bet. Nice job. Went 10spd on my swaps, new stuff just works a little better.

Are you balanced OK with the seat that far forward? It seems like there would be a lot of pressure on your hands.

Yes, fits my particular build.

Looks almost normal..

My RB1 has father and son era spanning stuff: old Campag and newer 'race-triple'
tourist gearing. 50/40/24.
Rally RD , and Tulio's single pivot sidepull nut fitted brakes
Mavic E2's on a Hi/ Low Hub-set.

Nice! Digging the salt-n-pepper scheme.

I promised you something more aesthetically pleasing. Here is my modest attempt from tonight's ride.

nice looking bike! good job!

One more pic, now with 28mm gators.

I have been riding this bike for the last week and it has some road chops. Fighting the urge to put on a compact crank. I like the look of the Suntour GPX and it runs very straight.

Also, this bike makes me very mellow. Yesterday, a guy on a nice Look blew by me. Did I go to war and kill him? Of course not. But I did speed up enough to keep him in striking distance . . . and he knew it.

grant would not approve of the carbon fork.