Re:
About time we had some build pictures I reckon. Once more, full kudos to the patience and help of Bromley Bike Company. We had a good play around measuring up and trying different crown braces on the Judy steerer. As mentioned, I've never had an issue with steerers and fittings with CK headsets until this one. It was a touch too slim meaning the brace would slide up too easily. However, we got a brace that fitted perfectly and was compatible with the headset and so we fitted it on the spot. Top chaps, top service.
Back in the cave I got busy with some careful application of super-glue to get the chain stay protector back in shape as it was peeling ever so slightly towards the drop-outs. There were a few little lifts on the fork decals that have been addressed. Also, I fixed the saddle where some of the kevlar has started to peel away at the rear.
The most fun concerned the ControlTech stem. As a few of you noticed and commented, whilst the yellow is excellent, it's a canary yellow as opposed to the mango yellow of the decals and fork. That close together, there was a clash.
So whilst it was nice idea, it's not going to work. A quick dive into the spares box and I had two Tahoma Somme's to try out: the original full length one or a slightly shorter version in the gun metallic shade. I've gone with the latter as the reach will already be nearing the edge of comfort. In addition I can get one spacer in so even though there's a margin of difference, the angle is slightly higher but retains the look and feel I'm used to. Every little helps and I'm confident the controls will be in easy reach.
Everything else came together smoothly. With the time left I took a pause to the last jobs of cabling up, chain and the inevitable fiddling and tuning: my least favourite jobs!
I'm trying to be really objective here (!): I think this looks like it'll eat hills for breakfast. The combination of slim stays, simple and effective geometry alongside it's light-weight but purposeful set of components i.e. M739 is bomb-proof in my experience, ticks all of my boxes. Whilst the saddle colour isn't mango, the fact it's at the rear and not clashing with the mango shade means it suits the look. I do have a pair of NOS yellow Onza grips but I have a feeling these won't be suitable for the same front colour clash reasons.
I should have some time this weekend to get her finished, ready for a spring shake-down ride (if it turns up) in the not too distant future.
About time we had some build pictures I reckon. Once more, full kudos to the patience and help of Bromley Bike Company. We had a good play around measuring up and trying different crown braces on the Judy steerer. As mentioned, I've never had an issue with steerers and fittings with CK headsets until this one. It was a touch too slim meaning the brace would slide up too easily. However, we got a brace that fitted perfectly and was compatible with the headset and so we fitted it on the spot. Top chaps, top service.
Back in the cave I got busy with some careful application of super-glue to get the chain stay protector back in shape as it was peeling ever so slightly towards the drop-outs. There were a few little lifts on the fork decals that have been addressed. Also, I fixed the saddle where some of the kevlar has started to peel away at the rear.
The most fun concerned the ControlTech stem. As a few of you noticed and commented, whilst the yellow is excellent, it's a canary yellow as opposed to the mango yellow of the decals and fork. That close together, there was a clash.
So whilst it was nice idea, it's not going to work. A quick dive into the spares box and I had two Tahoma Somme's to try out: the original full length one or a slightly shorter version in the gun metallic shade. I've gone with the latter as the reach will already be nearing the edge of comfort. In addition I can get one spacer in so even though there's a margin of difference, the angle is slightly higher but retains the look and feel I'm used to. Every little helps and I'm confident the controls will be in easy reach.
Everything else came together smoothly. With the time left I took a pause to the last jobs of cabling up, chain and the inevitable fiddling and tuning: my least favourite jobs!
I'm trying to be really objective here (!): I think this looks like it'll eat hills for breakfast. The combination of slim stays, simple and effective geometry alongside it's light-weight but purposeful set of components i.e. M739 is bomb-proof in my experience, ticks all of my boxes. Whilst the saddle colour isn't mango, the fact it's at the rear and not clashing with the mango shade means it suits the look. I do have a pair of NOS yellow Onza grips but I have a feeling these won't be suitable for the same front colour clash reasons.
I should have some time this weekend to get her finished, ready for a spring shake-down ride (if it turns up) in the not too distant future.
