Paul Hewitt Columbus Niobium Steel

[Fatal Swan]

I picked this up locally as a complete road bike to keep up at my in-laws during family stays. I mainly went for this option out of curiosity as it's nothing like what I would normally ride and I liked the finish. I assume it's post-2000 as the components on it were probably late-2000s, and it clearly hasn't seen much use. I've read up briefly on the framebuilder but don't know about the year it was built, the serial number (also stamped 'PH') doesn't seem to give that away. I've given it a quick ride but am planning to treat it to some nicer parts as I think I can build it pretty light which is my usual thing, and there are some big climbs in the area.

I haven't got the frame on the digital scales (yet) but the luggage scale has it at a fraction under 6lbs as pictured (with fork, headset, stem, bottle cage bolts etc), so I would guess the frame weight will come out slightly under 4lbs.

I really have no idea about this sort of handbuilt steel frame so I'm interested to hear any comments on it!

 

[ChromeChainstay]

beautiful bike

 

[Fatal Swan]

I'm well underway with the planning now, there are not too many more parts left to source (or choose from what's in the garage)

Frame: Paul Hewitt Columbus Niobium Triple Butted
Forks: Easton EC90 SL Carbon fork
Wheels: Cero AR30 EVO (1390g)
Tyres: TBC - probably 25mm max for the EC90 fork
Chainset: SRAM Red 22 carbon compact, 34/50. GXP BB
Gear/Brake Levers: SRAM Force DoubleTap 22 carbon
F/Mech: TBC, prob SRAM Force 22 Yaw
R/Mech: SRAM GX 10-speed long cage
Brake calipers: TBC
Cassette: SRAM Force 22 (PG1170 11-36!)
Chain: TBC
Seatpost: FSA K-Force carbon 31.6, 25mm setback
Saddle: GUB Carbon saddle or Charge Knife Ti
Stem: TBC - BBB Roadforce is on there at the moment
Bar: TBC - something carbon
Headset: Cane Creek IS-2i
Seat clamp: KCNC Ti bolt

 

[grantoury]

I guess this is going to be light. The frame deserves it, I think.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

It's very nice.

 

[Fatal Swan]

On the digital scales, the frameset as pictured (with fork/headset/spacers/stem/braze-on clamp) is 2350g. I'm guessing that puts the frame weight somewhere in the region of 1700-1750g. Not sure I'll quite get there, but I'd really like to get the whole bike in at around 8.0kg.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

On the digital scales, the frameset as pictured (with fork/headset/spacers/stem/braze-on clamp) is 2350g. I'm guessing that puts the frame weight somewhere in the region of 1700-1750g. Not sure I'll quite get there, but I'd really like to get the whole bike in at around 8.0kg.

My saddle bag is heavier

 

[pigman]

My saddle bag is heavier

Which reminds me of a funny story. I once went out on my carbon bike with the local CTC group. This old boy looks at it, picks it up and says 'my saddle bag is heavier '. So I says to him ' what's in it? I can't think how I'd fill it for a simple day ride'. He looks at me and tells me has everything for every eventuality within reason and that I'm being somewhat remiss in carrying relatively little. This is all said in jocular fashion with the group listening on. Later on , someone in the group loses a bolt that causes them a problem. I say to to the fella 'have you a bolt in that saddlebag that could cure the problem?'. He tells me he hasn't, so I pull out a micro bag of bits from my back pocket with a spare bolt, at which point everyone bursts out laughing.