Retro-modern fusion gravel build madness. The new Superb!

The bike now has a saddle, bars, levers & brakes (mounted without cables for now). Managed to bodge retrofit rear & front cable stops for the cantis. Assembled a rear mech from some spares that I had in the box. Hopefully, it will be able to handle a 34T cassette.
Looking stunning, but I don't want to tease you all with a photo until I get a test ride done...Still many things that can go wrong and put an end to this project... Or at least delay it. I am having doubts that I can get the lug to grab the seatpost well enough...and that Tange headset is looking a bit dodgy.
Cranks turned out to be yet another challenge. I wanted to try the 170mm XD2 cranks that I stripped from the scottie. With a lot of grunting I've managed to liberate the ds crank from its pedal, but the nds side is proper stuck. I think the only options left are to try and disassemble the pedal, chuck the axle in a vice and lean into the crank... Or just bin them and install a brand new set of 175mm XD2.
The chainring won't be arriving for another couple of weeks, but I might cannibalise the one from my summer racer if I get the rest of the bike going.
Guard mounting points were not threaded, but just the right size to tap for M6, so I've tapped them to M6. Now I need some M6 bolts to attach the stays.

I have to say, while I actively dislike Brooks saddles, I do love their microfibre bar tape. The one on Bojack (which was upgraded to a 38cm bar) has seen at least 4k miles and has been reinstalled 3 or 4 times. (different bikes, different bars). Still feels great and looks close to new apart from some minor age-related scuffs!

Hoping to get the bike under 11kg including guards and a very heavy arse perch. This has never been a weight weenie build.
 
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Ah, what the hell.
Here's some eyecandy, including the recently procured, world's best, tan-coloured arse perch (if only it was a bit lighter than 650g!).

The transition from a thin-tubed frame to an ahead stem is fugly as hell, but I've already ordered a sack saver bag - same one as on the Bojack. I think it hides the tubing transition very well.

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That's their "lightweight" offering.

The sure do have some "interesting" models.
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I'm a bit daft when it comes to bars. I really like my Giant XR Connects with a light 5deg flare. Have them on my summer racer and the Bojack. Any other drop bars feel like a compromise.
I've briefly tried several retro bars and they just didn't work for me. Other modern bars are not as good either.

I am also a bit daft with my set-up - going for a smaller fame, short riser stem, etc. Works for me and I am happy spending hours on a bike like this. Even though I do get some funny looks now & again.

So yeah, I'm going to have 3 bikes with the same bars, stems, shifters, bar tape, cranks and pedals:rolleyes:
Also same saddles on Bojack and Frannie. The summer bike doesn't have guards, so needs something a bit more waterproof (Brooks C17 - it seems to have longer rails than their leather options!).
 

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