My New Bike

Andrew

It's look like a really sharp bike for $2250 and I love the color.

Cheers and happy riding

powinc

Andrew:

Wow! That's one kool (cool blue) bike. Nice taste in choosing component colours.

Just a little suggestion, if you don't mind. I hope you're planning to cut that steerer tube to size. It's look is a turn off. But that's me.

Cheers,
Amir.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Andrew Swan
Hi All,

I can't resist posting some pics of my new bike (named Italian Boy after the frame's country
of origin):

members.ozemail.com.auitalian boyOpen ↗

Bought the frame (Al), fork (CF), and headset (FSA) new as a set from eBay (a UK-based shop). Bought
the wheels used from eBay (have about 4000km on them apparently). Bought the groupset and tyres mail
order from Parker UK. Moved the saddle, computer, and pedals across from my old road bike (Giant
Peloton 7000, CroMoly frame). Bought the stem and bars new from eBay (different sellers). Bought the
rest (bar tape, computer cable, seat post, tubes, cable sleeves) from the LBS.

It took me a few evenings to put it all together. I had some drama setting the rear derailleur angle
(had to remove the adjusting screw and turn it around) and fitting the headset to the fork (which I
had to file down), but in the end I am glad I did it all myself.

It cost me about $2250 all up (inc. shipping, duty, and GST), weighs about 9.5kg (cf. my last bike
= 11.5kg).

Rode it today for the first time, very happy with it once I sorted out a few clicking and grinding
noises from the gears! Ultegra feels so smooth and positive after RSX (a discontinued range that
sits somewhere below the current 105). People told me an Al frame would feel harsh after steel, but
I didn't notice anything bad. The weirdest part is having wider bars than before (to match my
shoulder width better) - it feels really open instead of hunched.

The handling feels different as well - I think my old bike was too small for me, and once I get used
to the new bike, I think it's going to feel a lot more natural and balanced than before.

Can't wait to unleash it on my unsuspecting clubmates on race day...!

&roo

P.S. No more bikes now - the garage wall is full!

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Andrew Swan
P.S. No more bikes now - the garage wall is full!

Very nice kit for $2250, well worth the DIY fiddling. Whatdoya mean about the beloved being stoved in the GARAGE! Should be at least in the front room or hallway.:p

cfsmtb said:

Very nice kit for $2250, well worth the DIY fiddling. Whatdoya mean about the beloved being stoved
in the GARAGE! Should be at least in the front room or hallway.:p

I was going to hang it on the living room wall, but:

1. I'd have to get the lounge suite re-upholstered in blue.
2. It'd be the only original artwork in the room.
3. I'd never be able to concentrate on the TV.
4. <insert your own reason here, best entry wins absolutely nothing>

P.S. "Italian Boy" had his first race today, a 43km ITT. He went flawlessly (wish I could say the
same for me).

&roo

hippy said:

I'm still keen on a Cervelo frameset hanging in my LBS that just happens to be my size... cervelo.com2003 SLteamOpen ↗
full.jpg

hippy

Surely you could source some red wheels and bar tape to go with it? :-)

&roo

"Andrew Swan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:%ZUZb.816

Quoted message said:

hippy said:

I'm still keen on a Cervelo frameset hanging in my LBS that just happens to be my size... cervelo.com2003 SLteamOpen ↗
full.jpg

Surely you could source some red wheels and bar tape to go with it? :-)

Mick only has the frameset, so everything else would be my choice. Definately wouldn't be using
those Shimano wheels and I already have a nice red Flite saddle. Red bar tape for sure - the
Peugeot's red tape needs replacing, while I'm thinking about it. Call me crazy, but I think pedals
would help too ;-) Actually, 'road' pedals are STILL on the cards for the Peugeot.. one day...

I must say though, after seeing those Fondriest frames, I'm drooling at the thought of some gnarly
graphics like they offer. I also have a desire for something more exotic, say Carbon or Ti or even
NFS (new fangled steel).

Combined with a new SS, a duallie, the 17-40mm and the 200mm lenses and general living expenses,
which are not so general when you see what I eat! - the new road bike could be a LONG way off.

hippy

G'day Andrew,

have just seen the pics of your new ride.........I'm absolutely disgusted with you!.......You call yourself a 'rider'.....I think you need to reassess things buddy!......imagine being a hardcore roadie & having a garden as neat as that!!!!!.......gardening weather is also 'ridin' weather...so what gives?.......I would do something in my back yard.....But it would upset the 'greenies' to much! (old growth forests & all that)...I think its actually been listed as a world heritage 'wilderness' area!!!

seriously, though, I like your ride...but the state of your yard is disappointing!,

cheers,

Hitchy

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by amirm
Andrew:

Wow! That's one kool (cool blue) bike. Nice taste in choosing component colours.

Just a little suggestion, if you don't mind. I hope you're planning to cut that steerer tube to size. It's look is a turn off. But that's me.

Cheers,
Amir.

More to the point could convert you into the 'Italian Eunich' if things go awry!!!!!!!!!!

lovely looking bike tho

pity about all that ShimaNO stuff on an italian bike tho...

Hitchy said:

seriously, though, I like your ride...but the state of your yard is disappointing!,

If you think my time in the garden is wasted, just think about the time I waste maintaining the web
site that's dedicated to it:

cp.nsw.gov.aucp.nsw.gov.auOpen ↗

:-)

&roo

flyingdutch said:

More to the point could convert you into the 'Italian Eunich' if things go awry!!!!!!!!!!

Yep, I'll be cutting it down, before anyone else reminds me (see hippy's responses, etc.)!

Quoted message said:

lovely looking bike tho

Thanks!

Quoted message said:

pity about all that ShimaNO stuff on an italian bike tho...

My motto is "never install a groupset that sounds like a pasta sauce".

&roo

Andrew Swan said:

flyingdutch wrote:

<snip>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

pity about all that ShimaNO stuff on an italian bike tho...

My motto is "never install a groupset that sounds like a pasta sauce".

So the guy I know who fits DuraAce 10 speed to replace his DuraAce 9 speed and then tries Record for
a week and says "That's OK, but I think I prefer the DuraAce" and then goes back to his DuraAce bike
and after a week swears that he'll get back to Record ASAP is all wrong?

I think not :-)

BTW, we are talking reasonable bikes here. Look KG381 with DuraAce and Colnago C50 with Record 2004.
Those carbon cranks look very pretty :-)

--
Regards. Richard.

"Andrew Swan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:d6i_b.149

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

pity about all that ShimaNO stuff on an italian bike tho...

My motto is "never install a groupset that sounds like a pasta sauce".

hehehe! I tried my mate's Chorus setup and found it strange. I do not like where the down-push
levers are on the sides of the brake hoods. I can't remember which way it changed the gears, but I
remember thinking if I was sprinting, I'd have to be on the hoods to change up - does that sound
right? I like the ability to trim the front derr. in multiple positions. It was only a 10 minute
test on an awkward bike, but I will stick with Shimano until I have a good amount of time playing
with Campag and then decide if I want to go with the Italian manufacturer. Price-wise I think
Shimano wins, don't they?

hippy

Quoted post said:

hehehe! I tried my mate's Chorus setup and found it strange. I do not like where the down-push
levers are on the sides of the brake hoods. I can't remember which way it changed the gears, but I
remember thinking if I was sprinting, I'd have to be on the hoods to change up - does that sound
right? I like the ability to trim the front derr. in multiple positions. It was only a 10 minute
test on an awkward bike, but I will stick with Shimano until I have a good amount of time playing
with Campag and then decide if I want to go with the Italian manufacturer. Price-wise I think
Shimano wins, don't they?

hippy [/B]

you can trim a front derailleur on campy
Far cheaper in the long run as it lasts longer
(shimano wears out, campag wears in LOL)
and CHorus is equivalent if not better than DA with pricing cheaper
The lower groupsets are (105 down) appalling too in terms of build and the amount of plastic and incompatability

there, that should fire the thread up a bit...

"flyingdutch" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:aoy_b.28035

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

hehehe! I tried my mate's Chorus setup and found it strange. I do not like where the down-push
levers are on the sides of the brake hoods. I can't remember which way it changed the gears,
but I remember thinking if I was sprinting, I'd have to be on the hoods to change up - does

that

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

sound right? I like the ability to trim the front derr. in multiple positions. It was only a
10 minute test on an awkward bike, but I will stick with Shimano until I have a good amount of
time playing with Campag and then decide if I want to go with the Italian manufacturer. Price-
wise I think Shimano wins, don't they? hippy

you can trim a front derailleur on campy

I know. You can do the same on my Ultegra, but the Campy has more positions, I think.

Quoted message said:

Far cheaper in the long run as it lasts longer (shimano wears out, campag

I've skimmed threads on this topic before, but how true is this? Any Shimano users wanna debate this
for me? :-)

Quoted message said:

wears in LOL) and CHorus is equivalent if not better than DA with pricing

Why does it compare with DA? What's so special? Compared with Ultegra it's more expensive...

Quoted message said:

cheaper The lower groupsets are (105 down) appalling too in terms of build and the amount of
plastic and incompatability

Campag Xenon looks a bit plasticy...is it? 105 incompatible with what?

Quoted message said:

there, that should fire the thread up a bit...

Okay... fight! fight! fight! ;-)

Oh, I prefer the Shimano hoods and doesn't the Campag importer here have a monopoly so spare parts
are slow to arrive and expensive?

hippy