1) I always have problems deciding when I've got drop handlebar/levers set-up just right. How does this look? It is pretty comfortable, but "Should I..." readjust it? If so, suggestions?

2) When(if) I do get it right, I have some brown bartape I wouldn't mind putting on but that would make me want to change to a brown saddle, or "Should I..." just get some black bar tape?

http://i58.tinypic.com/efqqlc.jpg

It's adjusted right, when it feels right to you when you are riding it. I set up all my bikes so the three contact points (pedals, saddle, bars) are in the same relative position. If the bars have multiple positions such as your situation, I choose the position I ride on most, e.g. hoods. I don't go by what "looks" right or cool. So, most people here will say my Bianchi Pista Concept road setup looks goofy and not right, but it works for me with my very stiff lower back. As to the bar tape, I'd just stick with black.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=371124

Cool bike, is that an Alton?

I go for -10 stem if you can handle bars that low.

Appreciate the good advice, you are right - it is comfortable as is, and that's what matters.

Thanks but I honestly don't know. My buddy that works in Asia a lot got it at the back door of some bike factory and brought it back to me as a goof to shut me up from complaining about my good bike getting beat up on the train, in bike racks, etc. Has no brand marking, bound to be some cheap gas pipe POS but the joke is on him - I love it. Damned thing is a ton of fun & serves its purpose well, plus it gets a lot of smiles from others...

One of the best at sucking, maybe.

I read this hours after putting mine on......
At least they look nice
edit: mine are grandprix 4 season

so tell us god of tires what in the 25mm could be considered really good tires ?

Conti GP4ks have been nice to me.

I like Paselas and T-Servs.

I ride gatorskins on one of my bikes currently. They are fantastic for not flatting if you ride on crappy roads, around plants with thorns, goatheads...but they also feel like you're riding on frozen garden hoses.

GP4000s is my go to tire, however, I currently have schwalbe ultremos on the fixed and those don't seem too bad either.

Should I buy this for $1399:

http://salsacycles.com/files/bikes/E...f_1440x960.jpg

or this for $349:

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...s-org_2100.jpg

Is the Salsa 4X better than the Gravity ?

Also, the Salsa is a 29er, whereas the Gravity is 27.5er (650B), so it's a bit easier to handle for a small person like myself.

Get the Gravity and buy a decent set of brakes. I'd suggest some BB7's if you want to stick with mech discs.

What happened to the getting a jake? I'd rather have the gravity.

Handlebar tape: pink or black?
 

Got everything assembled, and spent around two hours today on and off the rollers riding and adjusting. Everything works and everything fits.

Time for the final commitment: handlebar tape, full wrap, pink or black?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...psd30e4f1c.jpg

Black. I'd say pink if it matched the rest of the pink, but the bar tape looks a lot lighter.

I think either would look good. I must say though I love pink so that's my vote.

I'd go with black. That does look quite good overall. excited to see it finished.

Black, I think the tape shade clashes with the frame shade, better in Black.

Should I cop these...

http://www.wigglestatic.com/images/c...giant-zoom.jpg

As long as you cop one of these too: http://images.lowes.com/product/conv...66777685lg.jpg

:lol:

Is that the one that was on Ebay?

should I buy this daccordi for 300bucks ?
The seller said the downtube was broken but he had it welded together with lug and brazing

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.n...19236640_n.jpg

no

F-NO Maaaybe for $200 if you knew the repair work was done by a reputable shop. Seeing as the original owner has terrible taste I'd steer clear.

Black, that pink doesn't even come close to matching the frame and will just detract from it. Also, nice Serotta. Those are one of the few frames I'd consider switching to steel for.

No reputable shop would do something like that. A reputable builder would replace the entire tube. Also, the down tube is the most important part of a frame, and any failure would be catastrophic.

I would be suspicious of that repair. The downtube was not replaced, the most they changed was the lug.


Edit: Just saw I am repeating TT's post.

should i sell my ftp and buy a kagero? same application. riding to work