Dream bike on its way at last!

[GordonB]

Many years ago I used to live about 50m from Chas Roberts shop when he was in Penge and every time I passed the window a thin stream of dribble used to run down my chin, but there was no way an impoverished student was ever going to be able to afford one of his bikes.

Fast forward 35 or so years and the impoverished student is now able to afford such luxuries and his wife says, "go for it, you've earned it", so I have. The piece of eye candy below came up on Ebay a few days ago and I got it for what feels like a disgustingly low price, collected from a delightful chap in Chelmsford who I think was pleased to see it go to an appreciative home.

It came without a headset but I had a good conditon Campag one, Chorus I think but may be Record, that fits just fine. The dilemma I face now is the groupset for the build. Do I go nice and sensible with Chorus or do I go mental with Record and possibly stick a set of Delta brakes on it? The frame dates from 1987 and I intend to put Ergos on it, even though I know the frame pre-dates their introduction by a few years I value their convenience.

For once I think heart will beat pocket and Record it will be, anyone got any Record 8 speed hubs or wheels going cheap?!!!

 

[hamster]

Personally I'd go with post-2001 9 speed as the ergos are nicer to hold. I'd just avoid anything carbon fibre, and probably also stick with a square taper chainset.

 

[biggs682]

very nice and well done

 

[Jamiedyer]

Lovely

Thats really lovely.
Lucky man, go for what ever you will be happiest with.
Keep the readers rides page updated on it as I am sure that while its lovely now it will be beautiful once finished and the ride will match.
Jamie

 

[GordonB]

I think the decision has been made for me as I've just bought a lovely condition C Record chainset, so it has to be Record all round, or as close as I can get to it. I still think that monoplanar brakes are the best looking calipers around so I may have to compromise and fit Chorus calipers.

Piccies will follow in readers rides as the build progresses!

Gordon

 

[peetee]

It's your dream bike so fit your dream kit! Having said that I hope you have a bit more luck than me. I hankered after a classic British road frame decked out in top notch 70's kit. Eventually I managed it; a White 531 Pro Condor frame, Super Record, Cinelli, Mavic etc etc. Trouble is I can't ride it. I have a wonky right leg and, used to riding low profile cranks and SPD's my heel clips the crank on every turn!
Perhaps I can hang it on the living room wall instead :?

 

[Rich34]

I look forward to seeing this one take shape - if you'd described that combination of green colour and gold lettering instead of posting pictures I would never have believed it would look as good as it does...! :shock:

 

[firedfromthecircus]

That is very, very nice.
Looking forward to seeing it progress.

 

[Jerome]

Roberts

Are you intending to ride this a lot then ?
If so then unless you have other more modern road bikes, I would say go dual pivot and ergo levers.

1994 should do it
http://campybike.com/pdf/1994CampagnoloCatalogue.pdf

 

[GordonB]

Thanks for the nice comments guys, this is one build I am really, really looking forward to. The finished bike is likely to get plenty of summer use so I'm going with 8 speed Ergos, Record if I can get them, but Chorus if I can't. I understand that prior to 1995 Campagnolo didn't put the model name on the components so it's difficult to tell one range from another. Suits me, so long as it all looks similar I don't mind if it's a mix of Record and Chorus.

I've already started collecting parts, found I had a Cinelli XA 110mm stem in my parts box, this is my fave stem in the right length so that'll do. I'm looking for Cinelli Giro d'Italia double groove bars to match, got some Criteriums with no groove but I'm not so keen on the bend of these. Found I have a Record aero seatpost but it's 25mm so I suppose I should stick that on my Vitus. Could shim it? I'm going to move my green Selle Italia Turbomatic from the Vitus it's on to this build, got a Selle Italia SLK to replace it with. Also got some wheels, Campag Chorus 8 speed hubs but unfortunately thay are laced to GP4s and I not too keen on using tubs for this bike. They'll do for the moment though. Finally, today I took delivery of a C Record chainset, beautiful piece of kit with the fifth arm hidden under the crank. It's not in perfect condition but more than good enough.

That leaves the brakes, possibly the seatpost, bars, mechs and levers to source. I can't wait!

Gordon