just build the thing with whatever you want don't ask the peanut gallery.

when your done post a picture and THEN let them rip it apart.

no one is going to give you the answer you want to hear on a forum anyway. or not on this one so much Caca
to sift through.

I'm sure Todd won't love you any less if you if you get RX1 over royal nuevos. ;)

But I'm not worried about Tod, I'm just worried about your love, baby.

+1 ride what you want bro. I hope you get the bike of you dreams.

your already cool . you ride the **** outta that bike and thats all that matter. if you want it to be more bling for yourself cool.
but you might find that the quill stem is quite flexy and you might hate it and the other stuff is not everything you wanted it to be and I agree 3/32 chains are silent love compared to super toughness 1/8........ but then you can just sell it to Todd but if thats the case.
keep it under your hat though you don't want the A- hole hippies on this forum to be right or at least think they are right.

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At least on Ben's, they start one size wider than the B123 ChroMo.

because you just have to get the narrowest size available?

I don't think anyone really cares if you want to waste a lot of money making your bike less ridable but possess as much generic fgg bling as possible. The problem was you gave us some load of **** about these being something more then aesthetic upgrades when from a practical and performance standpoint most of them are probably downgrades or at best lateral moves.

As I have said time and time again if you are going to be a trend chasing hipster fine.... Just don't try and pawn your trend chasing off as practicality.

http://www.hardscrabblefarm.com/imag...wac_salute.jpg
Sir, Yes Sir!

Now that's what I'm also talking about! The frame and the wheels/tires is where most of the "feel" and soul of the bike lives. To tart up a steel Pista is to spend cubic dollars on a very average ride IMHO.

Okay, it wasn't a troll, and my post was pretty dickheaded. I just get sick of the form-over-function bikes, and I think it's a trend that inherently moves people away from learning the important aspects of bike-ridin'. (Yeah, we could argue all day 'bout what's "important," but a bike is only as fast as the rider-- are you in this to get better or look better?).

I know too many kids obsessing over what color their toe straps should be who never make an effort to learn the basics, like where to position your saddle & bars, how to condition your body to ride lower, how to build speed, you know... all the athletic stuff.

Ride the **** out of your bike... I guess my point is you don't really need to deck it out like this until you're fast enough and strong enough to actually notice the difference between certain components-- and at that point, I think your choices in upgrades would be pretty different from your current specs, since they would be based on your own knowledge and experience.

^^ nice post JLF, welcome to the boards

Don't you know? We New Mexicans are what the ordinary Mexicans call "diablos" when it comes to riding. We have the streets and open air to ride the hell out of whatever and fortunately we're so backwater no one gives a hoot. Hip? Pfeh. Animals is more like it.

Oh. And tack a brake on that list. Sure, you're bike won't be as cool, but at least it'll keep you from losing half those parts in an accident. (The 105 side-pull calipers are good and affordable, or you could make it Campy to keep up with the bling theme.)

Has anyone used a B17 extensively then switched to a Team Pro and can with that butt-on experience tell what difference was noted. Yeah I now TP is thicker leather and 1cm wider at end.

I wore out a B17 and need to replace it and think TP is a better choice as it should be more durable and firm. But I like the width of the B17.

Al

Yes, they're noticeably different. The stuff you noted above is all significant. The main thing though is to go easy on the conditioner, or any brooks will lose its firmness. Incidentally, you will probably be able to improve your current b17 quite a bit by tying it up, if firmness is all you're after.

I've used about half a tin of Proofide in the >15k miles I've had it. Its gotten wet 1-2 times, but I've never ridden it until fully dry.

I've 'simulated' tying it up by pulling in sides and holding tight while pushing down on top and it doesn't seem to be enough. I have a 2nd bike it can go on so I'll still probably tie it up anyway. The reason it is saggy in middle is not that the rivet pulled out. They have stretched out an extra 1/8" beyond what you see in this picture taken over 6mo ago:
http://www.optionnz.com/users/afs/CR...-01%20copy.jpg

What do you mean by 'noticeably different'?

Al

I would have no trouble identifing one from the other by sitting on em blindfolded. The width and added springiness of the b17 are a dead giveaway, as well as the presence of those little ridges up the sides. This isnt indicative of any super butt sensitivity on my part either, they're just way different.

Wow now that's a worn out b17! Give tying a try though, it does make quite a difference. You can reef on the laces and add quite a lot of tension that way.

hahahahaha

how about weinmanns more durable than deep vs and about 20 bucks a piece and they also come on colors

how about not getting deep v style rims in the first place.

aeroheads/op's ftw.

how about rolling on just spokes?

Sugino 75s come with chainring bolts.

Also, OP, why a 48t? ..and why a Zen? Get a Sugino 75 ring. Lighter and looks better. Zens are ass looking with that big ugly logo.

he who says taht zen is ass looking with that big ugly logo does not know zen

err..

actually he does

LoRoK: What is the intended use for this bike? Will it be used on a velodrome? Street?

If you are planning to spend over $1K why not start with a better frame?

Are you planning to use tubulars or clinchers?

Will it be for urban transportation, training or racing?

Are you making a fashion statement with the parts or is there an overall plan.

Lastly what shoes/cleats are you planning on using?

Phils and Deep V's? Pff. Break out the Volos or Ellipse.

ellipses need spacers to get the lockring to bike and volos are scary phils and open pros

phils and zipps

crappy bolts.

how about just zipps the hubs are sweet too

Deep V hate is cute. I've got 'em cause they look fly. And I was able to get a 650C in machined finish for easy powdercoat. And the rear was a hot anodized emerald green. And yes, I got them because not only do they look great, they are also reasonably strong, and though some will say it's extreme, the weight difference is not nearly enough to matter for me. And they're stiff as balls on the track.

perhaps the last statement could be reworded, but meh...

i used to have an overindulged pista too.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...n/10a0c238.jpg