Almost thru my 1st bike build.

[newfsmith]

I just got back from my shake down cruise on my newest bike, the first that I have built on my own. I started with a Novara Safari XS frame, added the bottom bracket, a Sugino triple chainring crankset with 165 cranks for my short legs and then bogged down for 18 months while I finished up at work and was taking care of my mother. I took the frame and cheap Pyramid fork with me to UBI, installed the fork crown race and a new Cane Creek S8 headset there. When I got back, I was busy getting ready for my PMC ride (153 miles) and fixing a friend's bike. Finally, last week I mounted the Tektro Cyclocross CR720 canti brakes, cut the steering tube, mounted my 90mm stem, Salsa Short & Shallow bars, canti brake hangers, Velo Orange bell and Ultegra 8 spd bar end shifters. This week I put a SRAM 8 spd cassette on the Alex wheel, gave the wheels some Specialized Fatboys (26 x 1.25, silk tread, 100 psi), mounted the Alivio M410 rear der and Deore M531 front der, cables and housings. Then I sized a Wippermann chain and started to get my multi-national, multi-manufacturer drivetrain to play happy. I added an old Terry Liberator seat and the British Pedalites with toecages. The pedalites have a generator in the spindles that power the LEDs on the ends. By leaving the steering tube long, I brought the bars back 1 to 1 1/2 inches, while letting my knees stay over the pedal spindles more. The ride is very good and I am feeling quite pleased with myself; no, I am feeling very smug indeed.

[Trek420]

The pedalites have a generator in the spindles that power the LEDs on the ends.

Beautiful bike! And woah, tell us more about these pedals? Built in generator? Neet

[madscot13]

that is cool and you did it all by yourself!

[DebW]

I just got back from my shake down cruise on my newest bike, the first that I have built on my own. ... The ride is very good and I am feeling quite pleased with myself; no, I am feeling very smug indeed.

Congratulations! You deserve to feel smug.

[Aquila]

Wow, what a beautiful bike! I especially love the front fork.

It just looks like it wants to go up and down those hills, doesn't it?

[mudmucker]

Just throwin' out another encouraging hollar and congratulations on your bike build. Nice. Glad the ride is good !

[Thommy]

Congrats! You did a great job. I too enjoy building all my and my gal's bikes. Your build is very nice and sensible. The more you know the better off you are and relatively free from depending on a bike shop for repairs. Keep up the good work and enjoy your bike!