NEW Bike Build!

[madscot13]

After soliciting a lot of advice from TE'ers (thanks!), I finally settled on a bike build for my dear Trek 520. I totally replaced my drive train from the mountain drive train that it originally came with. A lot of teeth were worn down and if I were to replace one part I would need to replace another few parts, so I decided to put in a full set. I've been hankering for STIs so that I could get away from my downtube shifters. I also replaced the quill stem with a shorter one in order to try and alleviate some reach issues. I also swapped out the handlebars for the same reason. That and I wanted to try out the salsa pocos everyone has been raving about. Oh yeah, new brakes because mine had a definite tire wear down pattern on them.

The bike is a 9-speed frankenbike. I wanted to have road shifters but the gear range of mountain bikes.

Shimano ST-R600 9-speed short reach brifters.
Salsa Poco handlebars with Silvia cork tape
Cinelli XA 80mm stem
Ritchey logic headset.

Shimano 5500 bottom bracket
Dura Ace crankset
30/39/53 triple rings
Shimano 7703 front derailleur

Rear cassette 12-34
Shimano Deore LX derailleur

front wheel: mavic open pro with a Surly hub
rear wheel: Mavic aksium race with mavic hub

is my bike any lighter with that top of the line drivetrain? Probably not. the shifters way more than my downtube shifters and I think mountain gears being smaller than their road twins are lighter. But who knows I am replacing parts more than 10 years old. I chose the parts for their compatibility and reviews. Nothing was very expensive except for the shifters but those weren't too expensive when you compare it to current Ultegra 10 speed STIs.

I would probably give the bikeshop I sent it to a B score. They did not tighten the quill bolt. my handlebars kept swiveling up and down during the whole ride home! The seatpost was left high and I had to ride standing up the whole way (excellent training for the next time I want to test my self on the Alps). Also my front wheel is backwards, which is somewhat inconsequential except my spedometer magnet is on the wrong side.

[divingbiker]

This thread is useless without pictures.

[mimitabby]

This thread is useless without pictures.

++ boy howdy. Let's see what we're talking about here?

[Zen]

what bike shop would send a bike out the door like that?
I give them a D.

[madscot13]

must find camera cord to please the masses...

[mamaof5]

I'm guessing you probably did this, but just in case:
Make sure you have a new chain with your new drivetrain.

[madscot13]

Alright, when I add pictures you can't be like some other forum that I won't name. You can't tell me to flip it because you can't flip quill stems. You can't tell me to take the picture in front of my white garage door because I don't have a garage and it is raining outside.

here are the before pictures:

[madscot13]

and the after:

note how much nicer the teeth on my gears look!

[smurfalicious]

Ack! Envy! Yet, inspiration! I wish my frankenbike came together as smoothly. Oh wells, soon, soon. I'm so super stoked for you, I think salvaging old bikes is strangely spiritual. Then again, my mom's fixation with repairing old stuff may have worn off on me.

[mimitabby]

oh, you did a really nice job! Brava!

Interesting mistakes that the LBS made. How come they didn't sit you on the bike before you left to make sure it fit you?! (i agree, they get demerits for that!)

Happy new bike. Now that you have the seat adjusted, the stem tightened and the tire turned around, is it an absolute pleasure to ride?

I hope so!

[Zen]

Good job indeed!
The bike messengers will be baiting you now

[madscot13]

thanks for all of the kind comments! I did lower the seat and tighten the quill bolt. but when I was taking pictures I noticed that they removed one of my bottle holders, so i need to find the screws to reattach that now.

one thing I was not counting on was the change in hood length. I think it makes my reach extra long, but I will have to wait and see. I have a 60mm stem if that is the case. I just did not want to shorten too much too quickly. plus that cinelli stem is beautiful.

[Zen]

C'mon! Fess up the name of the shop!

[Blueberry]

How cool! I have a 2 year old trek 520 and LOVE it (of course, I find that I love all my bikes). Seriously, they're just cool bikes They do just about everything!!

But oh man - I couldn't ride with that saddle angle Otherwise, Beautiful bike - glad you're revitalized it

[Aquila]

Ooo, your chain is so shiny now!

Have fun!