building my bike

[smilingcat]

riding on the hood depends on how well the bike is fitted to you I think. height of the bar in relation to the seat and how far foward or streched out. This bike is fitting me well so I didn't have undue force pushing between my thumb and my fore finger.

One thing I did notice is that the brake handle was quite a bit stiffer than my old ultegra STI or even Centaur. It was really good from the drop but trying to close the brake from the hood was really hard. Part of the problem for me is that my hand is not that big. I usually have to ask a guy to open a jar of pickles and the like.

The reach from the drop on FORCE wasn't too bad. it was reasonable and it didn't take too much strength to operate it. Still its not as close as Centaur or Ultegra. Centaur has a button so that it can be made to feel like a short reach and Ultegra has a shim you could drop in to make it a short reach.

Disclaimer: I'm using my old shimano 600 brake caliper instead of FORCE brake caliper. I don't really see performance advantage so I will most likely be selling the FORCE brake caliper to recoup some of the money.

I'm not so meloncholy about selling my Orbea now. I was having second thoughts since it is a very nice bike. Its just too big and no amount of fitting will fix it. But this bike seems really nice.

smilingcat

[RoadRaven]

Glad you are happy, Cat


Good to have the spec comparisons too...

Looking forward to many excited ride and race posts, reported from the vantage point of the bike with its new components...

SPAM FORCE
What a cool name for "bits"

[smilingcat]

here is the final bike without the white bottle cage. I have a non-descript aluminum cage.

Seat has been replaced with Specialized Toupe with red trim. I was bit worried about the minimalist design of the seat but it turns out to be pretty comfortable. It has lot of flex and give. I've been out on about half a dozen very short rides like 10miles each time. Worried about my back

I've been getting lots of comment about this bike. Since I am building another one up with exact same frame, wheel, tire, Dura Ace groupo instead of SRAM (for sale in e-bay) I think I should carry some business cards telling them how they can buy one from me

Lots of positive response and drooling eyes. I was hoping to have the second bike built up by today but mail snafu so no frame yet. Have tires, wheel, Dura Ace cables but no frame, nor groupo

Well my Orbea dama race is on e-bay. Still bit sad about it but...

Anyway, this bike handles exceptionally well. And once my back gets better, I think it will climb really well too.


smilingcat

[mudmucker]

Very interested in your comparison of SRAM to DA. Don't forget to post your thoughts on that.

[PinkBike]

cat,
you are my hero!
that bike is awesome!
$200???? are you kidding me??
good choice on the shimano 600 part, I think the 600 is the most indestructable, smooth gruppo out there.
i'm curious about the sram vs dura-ace comparison.
oh, and minimum weight for the pros is 14.96 pounds.
love the specialized seat, too, that may be my next purchase. DH says his is the most comfy seat he's ever tried.
wow, that bike is just plain awesome!!
good on ya

[sandra]

OH.MY.GOSH. WOW!!!

Unbelievable. That is one fine bike! You did a fantastic job on it. You better guard it. People will be wanting it for sure!!!

[Gidiup]

I'm totally impressed. Where did you learn to build a bike? I wouldn't know where to begin. Don't know the names of all the parts etc. Is there a instruction manual. I'm clueless. (obviously)