TenGrainBread 

Don't take this the wrong way, but I wouldn't necessarily describe the frame's aesthetic as "graceful". It's a mix of over-the-top, flamboyant British and Italian styling that reminds me of Rivendell's "retro" lug designs. The lugs are thick and baroque. The bright red/white color combo is unsubtle. I wouldn't get too caught up in the aesthetics of the components because there's no taming the look of this frame.

J.Higgins 

Oh no! I did take it the wrong way!

bwilli88 

Not fender, rack, there are rack mounts up on the seat stays.

Sweet bike, would be great with just about any build.

J.Higgins 

I slept on it, and now I'm beginning to think you are spot-on with your assessment. It IS rather flamboyant, but still has a bit of style. In my mind's eye, I can envision an Ultegra 11-speed on it, Black Swift, and black Brooks leather bar tape. Your thoughts?

TenGrainBread 

Exactly. I wasn't meaning to say I don't like it, but rather that it's a bold and wild frame and doesn't need to have subtle components. I agree with your components idea although I have not had good experience with the longevity and wrap-ability of Brooks bar tape.

Wileyone 

I would go high flange too. Nice Campag records can still be found at "reasonable" prices.

Salamandrine 

Firstly, that's a cool frame!

I would discourage the compulsion to install a groupset on this bike. This is essentially a British style frame, similar to a Hetchins or fancy Mercian, etc, but more custom. I worked on those bikes a lot BITD, and they would almost without exception been equipped with a mix of parts. Most typical would be TA cranks, Mafac or Weinmann brakes, modified Campy derailleurs (or Huret or Suntour), Phil Wood hubs and BB. This being a modern version of a Brit style frame, I'd choose a mix of modern retro parts instead: SunXCD, 'Herse', VO, etc. Maybe go for Gran Compe centerpulls with TRP RRL levers.

The only time a similar frame would be set up with a matching groupset (say pre 1985) would be if it was set up specifically for racing, in which case it would have Campagnolo.

The 90s era groups that were the last gasp of silver would frankly look the worst, IMO. However, I'm not a big fan of the 'bubble' era of industrial design, so I am biased. However, all silver is always a good idea, and certainly is the way to go for this frame.

J.Higgins 

I appreciate your input. How do you think a polished White Industries would look on it? That crank, plus some Phil hubs would be a good start. I would maybe flesh out the group with some Campagnolo Chorus derailleurs and brifters -or- a Chorus groupset, with the Phil hubs. I wish Paul still made his side-pulls...

Nemosengineer 

I would not hesitate to use Curtis Odom hubs, they are a wonderful vintage look and also a very tough hub not just a showpiece. On my Bob Jackson World Tour (arrowhead lugs) I was trying to attain the look of the 1957 Raleigh RRA Modern without the limits of the 1950's hardware and I also wanted 32mm rubber so Mavic 719 rims were used. The components are a mix of Campagnolo and Shimano XT. I did not want to be pavement limited so the triple crank has Specialites TA 49, 39, and 28 rings and a 11-32 SRAM cassette. On your Mooney take your time selecting components and follow your instincts, get the geometry for that frame and stay within the design, this is the only advice I can offer. Good Luck It's very special and here is some inspiration... Historic Hetchins, classic bicycles, vintage bicycles, collectors bicycles



: Mike

mechanicmatt

I, for one, think White Industries hubs would look dope.

Also those IRD cranks that look like old Campagnolo might be cool too. Frame is awesome, don't care if it is a mix of styles. I'd mix in some yellow stuff, like housing and bar tape.

TenGrainBread 

I think he's asking about White Industries cranks, not hubs.

mhespenheide 

Score!

Silver-polished is the way to go here. My personal preference would be to go with mostly 7700, but then a modern White Industries crank to get a subcompact double. Like 44-30 or thereabouts. And/or swap in an XT long-cage rear derailleur.

It's 100% your choice on aesthetics, but to me it's crying out to have the "suits" cutouts in the head tube switched to white. I could deal if they were all yellow, but the green is not the right look.

Salamandrine 

I think the White cranks would be great. No experience with them but it looks like a smart design that would complement your bike. American and custom, and in a way an update of the old TA concept, so maybe it's perfect. I looked at those for my touring Mercian, but chickened out. FWIW the arms are 2024, which makes me feel better.

Also FWIW, I love my White Industries T11 hubs - speaking of the hubs. The Ti cassette is a smart idea. They have been trouble free so far, outlasting a Phil BB installed at the same time in fact. (no problem there BTW, sent it back to Phil and got new bearings. easy peasy) Phil hubs are great too of course.

J.Higgins 

This is true. WI hubs are excellent. I've had several bikes built with them, but they are LOUD! Some people like that, others like the quiet smoothness of Ultegra and Dura Ace. Its been a while since I've seen anything with a Phil rear hub, and I can't recall ever riding a bike with one. Can anyone comment on if they are noisy or not?

mechanicmatt

Great point, I'm a big fan of silent hubs over click-clacking of louder variants. It is a pretty silver hub though.

J.Higgins 

Hmmm. I never considered the color of the "suits," but now that you've mentioned it, all white might be tastier. Maybe its something I'll do later down the road with a fluid writer pen.

What would be totally sweet would be a compact double made by Paul, using one of his "Royal Flush" chainrings. Alas, he no longer makes cranks, and never offered a double anyway. I could go with all Velo Orange components, and the bike would indeed look fabulous. I may still go that route. The bike will never be a L'Eroica bike, surely, but it'll have that sort of modern classic style to it, sort of like those Morgan 3-wheeled V-twin-powered roadsters. New, but classic at the same time.

Salamandrine 

I slightly break the rules and use Phil Tenacious Oil in my WI hubs. Quiets them right down. Not quite Shimano quiet but getting there. It's a little fiddly to get the freewheel mech apart, but not too bad. I clean and re-oil once or twice a year or so. Even with light oil WI are much quieter than Chris King hubs, but admittedly that's not saying a lot. Might not be a great idea in sub freezing weather, but I've never had an issue.

Can't say I've ever ridden a modern Phil cassette hub. Might be a little quieter with the steel body vs Ti. I'd also love to hear a report. Most modern hubs are pretty loud. Bugs me too.

tvcrider

Congratulations! As a prior owner of a Peter Mooney frame (circa 1980) that is an absolutely beautiful frame. It has a bit more fancy lug work that mine did.
I was a bit surprised to find that Mr. Mooney is still making custom frames.

dkatz1

Peter's frames are currently around $3000, and they are marvelous things. You really lucked out!

J.Higgins 

I've never thought of using Tenacious Oil in them. That would probably work great! I've used a lot of DT250/350 hubs as well as White Industries hubs. Last Troll I built had WI XMR hubs. Very very strong. Quite loud. When I pull back and look at this build, which will be a personal ride for me, I would easily have just as much enjoyment from the bike with DA or Ultegra hubs, and some pretty, but less-expensive components. All I'm doing by putting high-end parts on this bike is padding the resale 20 years down the road when I'm dead and buried.

J.Higgins 

I spoke with Peter yesterday while he was at the store. Customers were dogging him, and he could not precisely tell me the year of the bike, or anything else about it for that matter. He promised to write back, and here is what he said:

"Hello Jeff, I'd say you got a good price. That frame sold for $3500. which was a ton of money in 2003 when built. The tubes are Columbus sp + slx. I

I bought that set of lugs in England in 1974 when I worked for Ron Cooper. They were cut by a fellow named Len Phillips who had a reputation

among old south London builders at that time. The Fresh Frame paint is second to none. Enjoy your new bike................Be Well, Peter."

Cool!

mhespenheide 

David Kirk, one of the framebuilders that hangs out over on the Paceline forums, suggests mixing in a little thinner with your paint, applying liberally into the lug cutout, then wiping off the excess. I haven't tried that myself, but he swears he's been doing it that way for decades.

steveridessteel

Wow. The lug work is spectacular. I have a 2003 that Peter built for me. What a great experience. I put a Campy Record 10 speed gruppo on it. Still my favorite ride. I can sit on it all day. If it were me I'd go classic. Down tube shifters, Campy, a Cinelli stem Giro de Italia bars, etc. But then again I'm a bit biased. I would definitely make the pilgrimage down to Belmont and have Peter take a look.

J.Higgins 

hah! I see you're in Groton. I lived in Townsend a couple years after I left the USAF. I do plan to go see Peter in person soon, and bring the frame with me. I also like your idea about the Campy Record groupset. All said and done, that is probably the best way to get this bike on the road without much ado.

KonAaron Snake 

I'm truly puzzled about how fresh frames gets so much less attention than some other painters who are far less talented. Sometimes it's a bit glossy/thick, but he does amazing work. Of my three Mooneys, the fresh frames is by far the prettiest. Gorgeous velo.

The bike community tends to over hype stuff on the west coast.